The series revolves around 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.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 8.67 million household viewers and gained a 1.3/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Reese (Jim Caviezel) and Finch (Michael Emerson) investigate their new number: Sulaiman Khan (Aasif Mandvi), CEO of Castellum, a company known for having the most powerful antivirus software.
Due to Finch not wanting to work with Root (Amy Acker), Reese has Zoe Morgan (Paige Turco) infiltrate the company.
They find the lair in the forest and discover that Samaritan hacked all the servers of the company and is using (as well as modifying) Khan's antivirus software.
In its original American broadcast, "Search and Destroy" was seen by an estimated 8.67 million household viewers and gained a 1.3/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.8 out of 10 rating and wrote in his verdict, "In 'Search and Destroy,' Samaritan wasn't out to recruit, it was out to obliterate.
Much like the 'terrorists' it helped destroy back in 'Control-Alt-Delete,' Khan found himself ruined and killed as part of Samaritan's plan to defeat its rivals and dominate humanity.
The way it railroaded Khan into prison in order to kill him off was sort of terrifying, and the way it popped up those bollards to stop Reese on the road proved that it could be physically dangerous without human help.