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.
A team, consisting of John Reese, Harold Finch and Sameen Shaw follow "irrelevant" crimes: lesser level of priority for the government.
In the episode, Reese and Carter escort a wounded Alonzo Quinn to a federal building to finally prosecute and take down HR.
The episode is notorious for featuring the death of main character Joss Carter, played by Taraji P. Henson since the pilot of the series.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 12.28 million household viewers and gained a 2.0/6 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
With the police closing in, Simmons (Robert John Burke) kills Judge Monahan (Paul O'Brien) to prevent him from talking and has his crew look for Carter (Taraji P. Henson) and Quinn (Clarke Peters) and also gives order to kill Reese (Jim Caviezel).
After taking down criminals in the subway, they are not able to use another train and Quinn destroys Reese's phone, losing contact with Finch.
Fusco (Kevin Chapman) helps them escape by shooting two of HR officers but is knocked out by Simmons.
Fusco is then tortured by having his fingers broken and Simmons finds the key that opens the safe deposit box that Carter mentioned had evidence against HR.
A wounded Reese stays alongside a fatally-wounded Carter, promising to take care of her son before she dies.
"[2][3] Nolan told Henson about her death at the beginning of 2013, indicating, "It was a bittersweet conversation, because we love working with her and vice versa.
He went on to explain the decision, "For this story [HR, police corruption] it was a natural boiling point that would put her first and foremost into focus.
"[6] In its original American broadcast, "The Crossing" was seen by an estimated 12.28 million household viewers and gained a 2.0/6 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a perfect "masterpiece" 10 out of 10 rating and wrote in his verdict, "'The Crossing' had me spinning from its very first moments.
Club gave the episode a "B" grade and wrote, "It would be premature and overly pessimistic to say that, in its determination to get the country revved up for a big honking tear-jerking game changer of an episode, Person of Interest jumped the shark, and it would also amount to rank ingratitude for what was often a riveting hour of television.