Identity Crisis (Person of Interest)

"Identity Crisis" is the eighteenth episode of the first season of the American television drama series Person of Interest. It is the 18th overall episode of the series and is written by Amy Berg and directed by Charles Beeson. It aired on CBS in the United States and on CTV in Canada on March 29, 2012.

"Identity Crisis"
Person of Interest episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 18
Directed byCharles Beeson
Written byAmy Berg
Produced by
Featured musicRamin Djawadi
Cinematography byTeodoro Maniaci
Editing byScott Lerner
Production code2J6218
Original air dateMarch 29, 2012
Running time44 minutes
Guest appearance(s)

Plot

Finch (Michael Emerson) and Reese (Jim Caviezel) take on the case of Jordan Hester, who appears to be living a double life with a very small online footprint. They soon discover two Hesters: Reese follows a male Hester (Rhys Coiro) while Finch follows a female Hester (Sarah Wynter), who he believes is a target. Reese finds the male Hester's apartment, and discovers they're making ecstasy while Finch explains to the female Hester what he does and suggests she move somewhere safer.

As they do, Fusco meets with a prisoner (Christopher Denham) who was recently part of a similar case, and learns that the woman's name is actually Mary and the real Jordan Hester is the man. At her apartment, Mary drugs Finch with ecstasy, destroys his phone and leaves him to die in a fire; Fusco (Kevin Chapman) rescues Finch as Mary leaves to kill Hester. Reese destroys the ecstasy lab with Hester's help, then follows Mary to a restaurant, where she's arrested and her true identity, Tara Verlander, is revealed.

Carter (Taraji P. Henson), who is keeping her distance from Reese and Finch, is approached by FBI agent Donnelly (Brennan Brown), who is also looking for Reese. Donnelly explains Reese's previous involvement in illegal, USA based CIA operations, which the FBI wish to expose, and believe he's now working as a mercenary for Elias. Meanwhile, Finch offers to answer any of Reese's questions about him while under the influence, but Reese chooses not to take advantage of his partner to satisfy his own curiosity.

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Identity Crisis" was seen by an estimated 14.59 million household viewers and gained a 3.3/9 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.[1] This was a 7% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 15.67 million viewers with a 3.4/9 in the 18-49 demographics.[2] With these ratings, Person of Interest was the second most watched show on CBS for the night beating The Mentalist and Rules of Engagement, but behind The Big Bang Theory although being first in terms of viewership, first on its timeslot and third for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind American Idol, and The Big Bang Theory.

Critical reviews

"Identity Crisis" received positive reviews from critics. Keysha Couzens of TV Overmind wrote "How can someone's identity truly be defined? Is it merely how they are perceived by others or is it the measure of what a man (or woman) has done that dictates who they are? In the latest episode of Person of Interest both of these concepts were examined as a POI popped up with two names and one social security number."[3]

Luke Gelineau of TV Equals wrote "I enjoyed this episode quite a bit, but I hope the last three episodes lead up to a more exciting season finale. Will Carter turn on Reese and sic the FBI on him? We'll stay tuned to find out!"[4]

Sean McKenna of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.2 star rating out of 5 and wrote "Once again, Person of Interest garnered another interesting case of the week, giving its characters all something important to do, and allowing the show to feel like it moves forward on a grander scale. And watching Finch do a little dancing and microwave watching is just entertaining."[5]

References
  1. Gorman, Bill (March 30, 2012). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol',"The Big Bang Theory', 'Missing' and 'Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up, 'Rules' and 'Touch' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  2. Gorman, Bill (March 9, 2012). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'Parks & Recreation' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  3. Couzens, Keysha (March 30, 2012). "Person of Interest 1.18 "Identity Crisis" Review". TV Overmind. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  4. Gelineau, Luke (March 29, 2012). "Person of Interest "Identity Crisis" Review". TV Equals. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  5. McKenna, Sean (March 30, 2012). "Person of Interest Review: Double Trouble". TV Fanatic. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
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