Person of Interest: Identity Crisis
December 1, 2024 8:27 AM - Season 1, Episode 18 - Subscribe

The Machine's latest number presents a unique challenge for Reese and Finch since the person has virtually no digital footprint - and appears to be leading a double life.

Finch advises Reese that the new person of interest Jordan Hester has virtually no digital footprint, but does seem to have two bank accounts, two apartments; essentially a double life. When Reese comments about all the information that the CIA was able to gather from social networking sites, he is told that is why Finch invented them; to get more information for the Machine. Reese and Finch proceed to the two apartment sites where they discover that two different people, a male and female, are using the same name. Reese finds his Jordan working at a bar, while Finch becomes trapped in the female Jordan's apartment when she returns home unexpectedly.

Reese and Finch begin following their respective person of interest. Reese asks Fusco to find more information about the two Jordan Hesters while Finch finds a third apartment. When Reese arrives, at apartment number three, he discovers an MDMA lab and knocks out a man at the lab. After pairing his phone and placing cameras in apartment, Reese begins his surveillance of the third apartment. He discovers that the two 'cooks' are meeting the 'Boss', one of the Jordan Hesters.

Carter is approached by FBI Agent Donnelly who wants to talk with her about an investigation into Reese. The FBI is suspicious that Reese is selling his services to the highest bidder and is currently working for Elias, since he is believed to have taken out a team that was sent to kill Elias. Fusco consults with Detective Desmond Franklin in Identity Theft and discovers that Jordan Hester had been picked up for suspicion of manufacturing Ecstasy, but released when he could not be identified. Franklin also tells Fusco about a similar case, where a man who said he was innocent was convicted and jailed. Fusco visits the inmate, who identifies a picture of the female Hester as Mary from his accountant's office.

Finch accompanies his Jordan Hester to her apartment, ostensibly to get some things for a hotel stay for her protection. She drugs him with Ecstasy in a drink. Reese has previously contacted Finch about the lab, where John confronts the cooks and subdues them both. Reese receives a message from Fusco that the woman is the real drug dealer and identity thief.

Reese, realizing that Finch is in trouble, sends Fusco to save him. Fusco is able to retrieve Finch and take him back to Reese. Fusco is also able to identify Mary as Tara Verlander, a known felon. Reese and the real Jordan Hester confront her with this information and leave just before she is arrested by Detective Franklin. With the information obtained in this case, Fusco is able to arrange for the release of the wrongly accused inmate.

Back at the library, the drugged Finch tells Reese that he can ask him any question, but Reese refuses and tells him to get some sleep. As Reese says good night and walks away, Finch replies "Good night, Nathan".

Points of Interest

Finch and the female Jordan Hester eat at Robert, a restaurant atop the Museum of Arts and Design at the south corner of Columbus Circle.

"Identity Crisis" is a term coined by psychoanalyst Erik Erikson.
posted by miss-lapin (2 comments total)
 
Ah, thank you.

So, I feel like the writing this season is having fun with all the ways it can twist "the Machine just gives a number": what if it's for a person that doesn't exist? that's dead? that's a baby? what if there are multiple numbers? and this is another one: what if one number but two people?

The twist in this one -- that it's the Jordan Hester they didn't suspect -- is well executed but feels like another variant of the "crime boss hiding in plain sight" trope they've played several times already. Albeit here with the extra edge that Finch doesn't suspect her because he's too busy flirting with her; SHE READS BOOKS HUBBA HUBBA.

Emerson's interpretation of "person on too much E" is rather silly; although Reese's advice to hydrate and sleep it off is sound.

Mostly though the E dose is there to give us the little grace note at the end: that although Reese is desperate to learn more about Finch, he's not willing to exploit Finch's incapacitation; he preserves his privacy and his dignity. A really sweet moment.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 9:37 AM on December 1 [4 favorites]


Yes considering that Reese has been surveilling Finch in his attempt to learn more about him, it's interesting he chooses not to use Finch's condition to learn more about him. It shows how genuinely he cares for Finch and that is what is driving his desire to know more-so he can more effectively protect him and what they are doing.
posted by miss-lapin at 1:39 PM on December 1


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