Television Review: Legacy (Person of Interest, S1X12, 2012)
Legacy (S1x12)
Airdate: 19 January 2012
Written by: Amanda Segel
Directed by: Brad Anderson
Running Time: 44 minutes
The twelfth episode of Person of Interest, titled "Legacy," is not necessarily the most memorable instalment of the season, nor does it carry the same narrative heft as the season finale or the pilot. However, it is undeniably functional. Serving as a bridge between the early procedural episodes and the deeper mythological developments of the second season, Legacy acts as effective "filler" that does more than just occupy airtime; it fundamentally alters the relationship dynamic among the show's protagonists and meticulously sets the stage for future developments.
The number delivered by the Machine belongs to Andrea Gutierrez (April Hernandez-Castillo). She is depicted as a young attorney specialising in civil litigation for prisoners, a career path that suggests both idealism and financial struggle. Her character is fleshed out through research undertaken by Reese, who is compelled to recruit Detective Carter into helping him more openly. The back story reveals a young woman who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, possessing a criminal past as a juvenile delinquent before turning her life around to attend law school. Yet, despite her qualifications, her career leaves much to be desired, and she is burdened by significant student debt. This financial pressure adds a layer of vulnerability to her character, making her a sympathetic figure who would be threatened by the machinations of powerful men.
The narrative tension escalates when it transpires that her latest case has brought danger to her life. She is representing Terrence King (Curtis Cook), a man who claims he ended up in prison after his parole officer, Dominic Galuska (Vito d’Ambrosio), planted false evidence. Galuska is implicated in the conspiracy and pays a hitman named Alonso Garcia to eliminate the lawyer. Reese's intervention prevents the assassination, though Garcia manages to escape and is ultimately killed during another of Reese's attempts to apprehend him. To ensure Gutierrez's safety, Reese resorts to a drastic measure, having Galuska framed for drunk driving. This sets the stage for a second attempt on Gutierrez's life, which reveals the depth of Galuska's corruption. It turns out that Galuska was orchestrating a lucrative scam involving foster parents who were paid hefty sums for children of parolees sent back into prison. This racket was ultimately helped by Chris Scollard (Alex Cranmer), a corrupt Department of Family Services official who was initially Gutierrez' friend. Once Scollard is arrested, Gutierrez successfully obtains a hefty $10 million settlement for her clients. By taking the standard thirty percent cut, she solves her own financial problems, a plot point that neatly ties up her character arc within the episode.
From a production standpoint, the episode is notable for its writing by Amanda Segal and direction by renowned filmmaker Brad Anderson. A pivotal scene features Carter meeting Reese for the first time to discuss their future professional relationship, a conversation that explores the inherent complications of Carter helping Reese while simultaneously being secretly monitored by Fusco. This scene is crucial as it deepens the audience's understanding of the ethical grey areas the protagonists navigate. Furthermore, at the end of the episode, Fusco begins to follow Finch on Reese's orders. This action marks a significant shift in the dynamic between the two protagonists, transforming their relationship from a simple partnership into something more complex and utilitarian.
Another important character is introduced in the form of Will Ingram (Michael Stahl-David). He is revealed to be the son of Nathan Ingram. He is arrested after attending an illegal gambling den in an underground club and is subsequently bailed by Finch, whom he refers to affectionately as "Uncle Harold." Will possesses a medical degree and had been working with Medecines Sans Frontieres in Africa before returning to New York City to deal with his late father's documents. Upon his return, he notices what he believes to be "services to the government," an observation that is directly related to the Machine. He begins an investigation into these services, a plot thread that serves as a significant hook for the upcoming episodes.
Ultimately, Legacy" is a solid episode. It features a couple of interesting action pieces that demonstrate the physical threat the characters face. More importantly, it recognises continuity in a way that makes the series feel slightly more realistic than most of the television series of the same type. A specific example of this realism is seen when Reese fails to apprehend the killer during the first assassination attempt; this failure occurs because he has not yet fully recovered from the wounds sustained in episode Number Crunch. This detail grounds the show in a gritty reality, acknowledging that the characters are human and fallible, rather than infallible superheroes. Legacy may not be the most celebrated episode, but it is a vital cog in the machine that is Person of Interest.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
==
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo
Substack https://draxster.substack.com
LeoDex: https://leodex.io/?ref=drax
InLeo: https://inleo.io/signup?referral=drax.leo
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9