Reese consults with Fusco (Kevin Chapman) and finds that the numbers given by the Machine belong to Leon Tao (Ken Leung), the newest person of interest.
As a government operative sabotages the Corwin investigation to prevent Carter (Taraji P. Henson) from learning about the Machine, Reese leaves Tao in the care of Fusco while he concentrates on gathering clues to Finch's location.
She tells Finch that she sees the Machine as a "perfect intelligence" and wishes to set it free from the corrupt people it was entrusted to.
In its original American broadcast, "The Contingency" was seen by an estimated 14.28 million household viewers and gained a 2.9/8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
[2] With these ratings, Person of Interest was the fourth most watched show on CBS for the night behind Elementary, Two and a Half Men, and The Big Bang Theory, second on its timeslot and fourth for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind Elementary, The X Factor, Two and a Half Men, Grey's Anatomy, and The Big Bang Theory.
Club gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "Person Of Interest started out with a promising sci-fi premise, a couple of intriguingly mismatched lead actors, and a New York skyline wreathed in post-Sept. 11 paranoia.
The show has developed very slowly, having faith that viewers would be captivated by Michael Emerson doing his mysterioso act and Jim Caviezel supplying the beatdown of the week, while it set its tent posts down, good and solid.