return 0
The series centers on a mysterious reclusive billionaire computer programmer, Harold Finch (Michael Emerson), who has developed a computer program for the federal government known as "the Machine" that is capable of collating all sources of information to predict terrorist acts and to identify people planning them.
To help him with his missions in saving lives, Finch recruited John Reese (Jim Caviezel), a former CIA agent who is presumed dead; NYPD Detectives Joss Carter (Taraji P. Henson) and Lionel Fusco (Kevin Chapman); Samantha "Root" Groves (Amy Acker), a highly intelligent computer hacker and contract killer, and Sameen Shaw (Sarah Shahi), a former ISA assassin.
The finale focuses on the team's last stand against Samaritan, a competing intelligent system that wants to expand and destroy the Machine.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 6.51 million household viewers and gained a 1.0/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
The episode received universal acclaim from critics and fans, who praised the writing, acting, musical score, directing, pace, emotional impact and a "great closure" for the series.
[1][2] The episode starts with news reports about the aftermath of the ICE-9 virus spreading throughout the country before the screen turns black and the Machine (Amy Acker) speaks Root's opening lines from "B.S.O.D.
The scene then cuts to Finch (Michael Emerson) going to a building's rooftop with the Machine on a briefcase as it loses energy and starts saying that everyone dies alone.
Reese (Jim Caviezel) and Fusco (Kevin Chapman) arrive at the precinct but Samaritan has officers on its payroll.
In order to gain access to the vault, Reese and Finch threaten the guard that their briefcase carries a thermonuclear weapon and the building is evacuated.
The Machine warns Finch that they need to reach the antenna but whoever goes there will die, as Samaritan will send a missile to the location and prevent its destruction.
However, Jeff Blackwell (Josh Close) breaks in the train and shoots Shaw in the arm before being subdued by Fusco.
Back to the opening scene, Finch talks with the Machine, who manifests in Root's form to express her thoughts on death.
Reese tells Finch he plans to sacrifice himself, as saving one life can make a real difference depending on the person.
A week later, Senator Garrison (John Doman) is blamed for the events due to his association with Northern Lights while ICE-9 has been contained.
The episode ends as the Machine's copy returns to Earth, activating the computers in the empty station.
Series creator Jonathan Nolan and executive producer Greg Plageman released a statement saying, ""We're extremely excited to be able share this final season with the fans.
As life has come to imitate Person of Interest, it's been our great privilege to work on show for the past five seasons.
[8] Series creator Nolan commented on the final season, explaining that despite being announced as the final one, they brought closure to the show, "It became abundantly clear to us that we were a part of a business model that did not work for the network anymore, despite loyal fans and the better part of 10 million people watching every week.
I think it allowed the writers' room to set aside their need to create palatable side stories or a murder-of-the-week or whatever, and really just get focused on wrapping up the loose ends of this thing.
"[10] In December 2015, it was announced that the episode would be titled "return 0" and it would be written by Jonathan Nolan and Denise Thé with Chris Fisher serving as the director.
"[13] Michael Emerson also talked about the finale, saying "The ending, I thought, was really satisfying - and still ever so slightly open-ended, so that if someone, someday wanted to reboot this thing, or have a Chapter 2 of some sort, it wouldn't be out of the question.
And the opportunity for Reese to repay that, as he says in the beginning of the episode, pay it back all at once, for me and for Greg I think, was just the most moving version of how this story ended.
"[15] Nolan also commented, "You almost knew at some point in time that sort of sacrifice was going to be required in order for them to ultimately defeat Samaritan and for one to allow the other to go on.
So there's no better actor to present that and no better character on our show, potentially with the exception of Finch himself, which I guess is another way the narrative could have gone, than Amy Acker, to have someone to convey all that complexity and all those multitudes contained within the Machine.
"[15] Executive producer Greg Plageman mentioned that despite the late announcement, the ending was exactly as they envisioned it, "It seemed to spring organically from the sacrificial nature of what Reese was doing.
"[17][18] Regarding the idea of a sequel series, Plageman said "I would say never say never in a world where we've seen the X-Files and 24 and a number of really strong premises come back as well."
"[17] In its original American broadcast, "return 0" was seen by an estimated 6.51 million household viewers and gained a 1.0/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Throughout its run, Person of Interest figured out how to juggle procedural and serialized storytelling pretty well (season 3 is a high point) and created strong and moving relationships at the same time.
"[25] Sean McKenna of TV Fanatic gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote "The finale delivered a satisfying ending to a smart and engaging show that became so much more than just a case-of-the-week ordeal.
