[rating=7.00] “eps2.3_logic-b0mb.hc”
In what should have been an intense episode, this week’s Mr. Robot managed to maintain a monotony that seeped into both the plot and the character choices in ways that feel disingenuous to the overall series. Contrived? Perhaps, but in the grand scheme of things that’s usually part of the charm of Robot, only this time it never went beyond the surface level.
In working for Roy, Elliot is able to gain access to the FBI database without actually having to take safety precautions. His server is secure, and the connection won’t be traced (presumably, as sometimes Elliot doesn’t quite get to that specific set of hacker vernacular). With Darlene’s help, the two of them will be able to get a clear idea of what the FBI actually knows, and then promptly clear out any pertinent information. Or at least that’s the plan until Darlene’s malware goes awry, leading to the enlistment of Angela.
After speculating over what path Angela would take for weeks now, it seems she hasn’t quite gotten over her WASPy, whiny roots as she managed to take all the fun out of potentially being a wanted criminal for her part in the biggest hack in recorded history. Even her meeting with her bumbling ex-fiancé (whose name does not matter as he is the worst and couldn’t even properly record their conversation without fucking it up) was no more tense then waiting for a freeze burned hot pocket because you managed to spend your entire check on scratch offs and you’re starving. Angela’s dull nature is decidedly only balanced out when she interacts with Evil Corp. She is like a blank canvas, and they are such despicable people that their terribleness just gleams off of Angela confusing the viewer into thinking she sucks less.
That said, it seems Angela will have to save the day. After meeting with Elliot, she finds that nothing has changed, and Elliot is just as sick as ever. In her fear of his falling apart, and for her own safety because “suck it everyone else” (-Angela, probably), Angela agrees to help institute a new plan that will help wipe the FBI servers. Of course as television troupes are wont to do, there’s bound to be some fuck up after Angela has so ardently stepped up to the plate to make this mess go away. What’s funny is it’s pretty clear she still has no idea what’s going on, you’d think Darlene would at least clue her in a little bit to what’s happened. Perhaps that’s what’s coming next? Will Angela continue to be utterly boring and take a stand against her fellow fucked up friends? Probably.
In a surprise twist that’s surprising to no one, Roy turns out to be a crook. Or rather a criminal. He’s literally the head of the online black market, trading in drugs, sex-slaves (children and adults alike), and other bad stuff that bad people like to indulge in. Elliot tries to explain it away, hoping Roy is only the figurehead of the operation, but as the camera pans out and Elliot’s getting his ass kicked for meddling when he was asked not to it feels like Roy is definitely the bad guy.
The shining light of this week’s episode was of course Dominique’s (or Dom as she points out) trip overseas to talk to China’s Minister of State Security about the hack and the Dark Army’s possible involvement. Of course, the minister turns out to be Whiterose, and we have a tender moment between the two of them as they bond over their mutual understanding of their own mortality. We learn Dom was once in a relationship that likely fucked with her head. Her use of the gender neutral pronoun “they” was appreciated, though will likely fuel the question as to whether or not she identifies as queer.
Dom’s trip culminates in the best moment of the season so far as she and her co-worker reach for breakfast in their hotel, only to be shot at by two intruders with automatic weapons. The scene was artfully shot and legitimately terrifying. Dom’s ability to keep relatively calm speaks to her character, and sets up what we can expect from her as she continues to investigate fsociety. While early in the episode Dom’s character felt slightly phoned in, it was this final act that brought back those early feelings of excitement in her first full appearance.
It’s a little worrisome that the series has been leaning towards more violence as it has evolved; perhaps they’re playing into the expectation of action? So far it works, but we’re only a month into season two. Robot could teeter off the rails and undo everything we love about it, or it could go on to be the most interesting piece to ever grace network television. Either way, it’s going to be fascinating to watch.
