The Day the World Went Away (Person of Interest)
The 100th episode features the deaths of Carl Elias and Root.
"The Day the World Went Away" serves as the 100th episode of *Person of Interest*, airing as the tenth installment of its fifth season on May 31, 2016, via CBS in the U.S. and CTV in Canada. The script was penned by Andy Callahan and co-executive producer Melissa Scrivner Love, with Frederick E. O. Toye directing. Its title and closing track both come from the Nine Inch Nails song of the same name, originally released on the 1999 album *The Fragile*.
In the episode, Finch’s identity is exposed, forcing the team to protect him as their conflict with Samaritan intensifies. Two long-running characters meet their end: Carl Elias and Samantha “Root” Groves, both of whom had appeared since the first season. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode drew an estimated 6.66 million household viewers and earned a 1.0/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. Critics universally praised the episode, highlighting its writing, direction, action, performances, plot twists, and emotional weight. Finch’s soliloquy received particular acclaim, with many calling it one of the series’ finest moments.
The plot begins with Finch speaking to the Machine through café cameras, reflecting on his own mortality and the potential deaths of his friends, but receiving no reply. A waitress’s greeting of “welcome back” alarms him that his cover might be compromised, prompting him to leave. Back at the station, he discusses with Root his plan to shut down the Machine and tests whether it will choose its own voice and name. Later, at his college office, Reese and Root inform Finch that he has become the Machine’s newest number. They escape as hitmen arrive, regrouping at a safe house with Elias, Shaw, and Fusco. Shaw deduces that her return blew Finch’s cover. Root reveals she gave the Machine a self-defense program before Finch shut it down, but it only activates with his input. As hitmen close in, Elias takes Finch to a high-rise building, where Finch realizes Samaritan tracked his past actions—specifically, the café where he had his first date with Grace. Reese and Fusco investigate the hitmen’s employer, “Temporary Resolutions,” but are ambushed and escape. At the high-rise, hitmen locate Elias and Finch; Elias uses his henchmen to flee, but is shot in the head and killed, and Finch is captured.
Greer intends to force Finch to work on Samaritan.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Person of Interest
- Season
- 5
- Episode
- 10
- Director
- Frederick E. O. Toye
- Writer
- Andy Callahan & Melissa Scrivner Love
- Photographer
- David Insley
- Editor
- Mark Conte & L.B. Brodie
- Production
- 3J6010
- Runtime
- 43 minutes
- Airdate
- 2016-05-31
- Prev
- Sotto Voce
- Next
- Synecdoche
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode centers on Finch, whose cover is blown, and the team's efforts to protect him as the war against Samaritan escalates. At a café, Finch talks to the Machine through cameras, worrying about his death and his friends' fates. He returns to his college office, where Reese and Root inform him he is the Machine's newest number, and they escape as hitmen arrive. The team moves to a safe house, where Shaw deduces that her return blew Finch's cover. Root reveals she gave the Machine a self-defense program that only works if Finch activates it. Elias takes Finch to a high-rise building, but hitmen locate them; during their escape, Elias is killed by a shot to the head, and Finch is captured. Finch is brought before Greer, who intends to force him to work on Samaritan. Root and Shaw locate Finch, and after a car chase, Root is shot by Jeff Blackwell while protecting Finch. Finch is arrested, and Root dies from her wounds. In custody, Finch delivers a soliloquy vowing to abandon his principles and kill Samaritan. He receives a call from the Machine, now using Root's voice, and agrees to help. The power goes off, inmates escape, and the team realizes Finch's number came up because he is both victim and perpetrator.
Reader's Guide
The episode is significant for being the 100th episode of Person of Interest and for the deaths of two long-running characters: Carl Elias, played by Enrico Colantoni, and Samantha "Root" Groves, played by Amy Acker, both of whom appeared since the first season. Series creator Jonathan Nolan explained that Root's death arc was planned since the second season and was incorporated after deciding the fifth season would be the last. The Machine's adoption of Root's voice was described by executive producer Greg Plageman as the ultimate evolution of the Machine's search for an avatar. The episode received universal acclaim from critics, who praised the writing, directing, action, acting, twists, and emotional impact. The scene where Finch provides a soliloquy received particular praise, with many deeming it one of the show's greatest moments. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 6.66 million household viewers and gained a 1.0/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, a 21% increase from the previous episode.
Did You Know?
- The episode is named after Nine Inch Nails' song 'The Day the World Went Away' from the 1999 album The Fragile, which also plays at the end of the episode.
- The episode features the deaths of Carl Elias and Samantha 'Root' Groves, both of whom appeared since the first season.
- With Live +7 DVR factored in, the episode was watched by 8.96 million viewers with a 1.5 in the 18-49 demographics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What season and episode number is 'The Day the World Went Away'?
It is Season 5, Episode 10 of Person of Interest, which makes it the series' 100th episode overall. It aired on May 31, 2016, on CBS in the U.S. and CTV in Canada.
Who dies in 'The Day the World Went Away'?
The episode marks the on-screen deaths of two long-running characters, Carl Elias and Root. Their exits represent a major turning point in the team's escalating war against Samaritan.
What is the main plot of 'The Day the World Went Away'?
Finch's true identity is exposed, compelling the rest of the team to rally around protecting him while their standoff with Samaritan reaches a new intensity. The episode functions as a climactic milestone for the series.
Where does the title 'The Day the World Went Away' come from?
Both the episode title and its closing musical track are drawn from the Nine Inch Nails song of the same name, originally released on their 1999 album The Fragile.
Who wrote and directed 'The Day the World Went Away'?
Andy Callahan penned the script, with Melissa Scrivner Love credited as co-executive producer on the writing side. Frederick E. O. Toye directed the episode.
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