14 Years Later, JJ Abrams’ Cult Cyberpunk Series Hits Even Harder (& You Can Binge All 5 Seasons Now)

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Even after almost fifteen years, Person of Interest still stands out as a gripping and emotionally resonant tech thriller. Many shows and movies about technology quickly become outdated, but Person of Interest was remarkably ahead of its time – many of the technologies it imagined are now real. However, it’s the show’s focus on compelling characters and their stories that truly make it endure.

The show came from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot, but the creative force behind it was the writer of the popular recent Batman films. Person of Interest centers around a powerful artificial intelligence – essentially, a supercomputer – originally designed to predict terrorist attacks. This A.I., nicknamed “the Machine” by its creator, identifies people who will be involved in violent crimes and determines if they pose a threat to national security. While the show follows a case-of-the-week format, its deeper themes about what it means to be human and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence feel even more important today than when it first aired.

Person of Interest Was Born from What Nolan Couldn’t Do With the Batman Movies

Jonathan Nolan, who helped his brother Christopher Nolan create the popular Dark Knight Trilogy, brought a similar large-scale approach to his series Person of Interest. This meant the show focused more on preventing major threats than on everyday crime-fighting.

The show revolved around a unique partnership: John Reese, a former soldier and CIA assassin seeking to make amends, provided the physical strength, while Harold Finch, a brilliant computer expert and billionaire, offered the strategic intelligence. Together, they prevented crimes and rescued people, but their actions also had unforeseen consequences as they inadvertently helped bring about the era of powerful artificial intelligence.

The Machine evolved into a character itself, particularly after the skilled hacker known as “Root” joined the team. The show often used flashbacks, which could be seen as the Machine using its incredible abilities to gather information from the past. We often saw events from the Machine’s perspective, as if through a security camera, establishing a unique visual style. While characters frequently questioned the Machine’s power, it consistently demonstrated a loving and protective nature towards humanity.

The Machine consistently provides only one social security number – that of the person it flags as significant. While the heroes aren’t initially sure if this person is a victim or a criminal, they quickly learn to determine the truth. They’re also joined by Root, a former CIA operative, and a police officer who has turned from corruption.

You know, as much as I love Batman, when it comes to facing real threats, the team in Person of Interest operates in a much more grounded way. Unlike the Dark Knight, they aren’t afraid to use guns when necessary, and they’re willing to consider all options, even if taking a life is a last resort. Honestly, just in its first season, Person of Interest dives way deeper into the ethics of those tough choices than all the Batman movies put together. It really makes you think!

Ten Years Into the Post-9/11 World, Person of Interest Was a Stealth Study of Surveillance

The TV show Person of Interest premiered almost by chance, a decade after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. These attacks are a key part of the show’s story, as they motivated Harold Finch to build the Machine. Jonathan Nolan envisioned the Machine as revealing a surveillance system that wasn’t futuristic fantasy, but something already happening in real life. Finch understood the Machine’s potential for spying, so he programmed it to only reveal the identity number of people it flagged as potential threats.

The Machine saw through every camera and heard through every phone. While this idea wasn’t new, the TV show Person of Interest raised unique ethical concerns because the Machine was the sole intelligence collecting and processing all of this information.

Finch became frightened when the Machine started to demonstrate purpose and, to a degree, feelings. Root, however, embraced this new “god” with intense devotion. It was ironic that the hacker, often seen as the villain, understood the Machine correctly, while Finch, who always aimed to do what was right, feared what he had created.

As the show went on, a second artificial superintelligence called Samaritan appeared. Unlike the original Machine, Samaritan didn’t have the same restrictions or develop a moral compass like Harold Finch’s creation. However, it wasn’t a doomsday scenario like Skynet. What truly sets Person of Interest apart isn’t just the benevolent Machine, but something more.

The way Samaritan operates isn’t about being malicious; it simply mirrors the beliefs and morals of those who created it. This highlights the risks of complete surveillance. However, the Machine offers a contrasting idea. It observes everyone and everything without bias and intervenes solely to prevent harm and protect lives.

The Focus on Artificial Intelligence Makes Person of Interest Even More Relevant Today

Many artists are critical of generative AI because it takes away the personal touch that makes art meaningful. It’s important to remember that this technology isn’t like the advanced artificial intelligence seen in shows like Person of Interest. These programs simply analyze existing text or images, use complicated calculations, and try to predict what the user is looking for based on the instructions given.

Let’s be honest, what these AI programs produce often feels less like original thought and more like a clever remix of things that already exist – basically, plagiarism. I’ve been reading reports from places like Google, the Columbia Journalism Review, and even Nature, and the consensus is pretty clear: the quality of AI-generated content is surprisingly low. But it’s not about ‘good’ or ‘bad’ AI, it reminds me a lot of the show Person of Interest – these programs aren’t inherently malicious, they’re just mirrors reflecting the quality – and biases – of the people building and using them.

Throughout the series, both the Machine and Samaritan rarely offer information unless asked. The Machine, however, appears to develop genuine emotions. Initially, it simply acts as Finch programmed it to, but the people it identifies as valuable also shape its behavior. While not a perfect comparison, Person of Interest illustrates how artificial intelligence can be a powerful force for good when used responsibly, and conversely, the dangers it poses in the wrong hands. This dynamic is what ultimately makes Person of Interest so compelling.

One reason Person of Interest remains relevant is its accurate prediction of future technology. The show featured ideas that were only theoretical when it aired but have since become real. While it’s still debated how everyday smart devices are changing society, artificial intelligence is now a much more prominent part of our lives.

Technology itself isn’t good or bad. However, the TV show Person of Interest explores the idea that technological progress might actually cause more harm than good. Ultimately, despite all its futuristic elements, the show is primarily concerned with the value of human life and our enduring ability to be good, even when faced with overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

The TV series Person of Interest delivers the same kind of thrilling excitement you’d find in a Batman or superhero story, packed with action and self-contained storylines. Like Lost, it also explores deeper philosophical ideas with a poetic touch. While the artificial intelligence depicted – The Machine and Samaritan – are different from today’s AI technology, the show’s questions about technology and AI remain relevant. The core message is that technology, no matter how advanced, is ultimately shaped by the people who create and use it – it’s neither inherently good nor bad.

You can find all five seasons of Person of Interest on DVD, Blu-ray, and for digital purchase. It’s also currently available to stream on Prime Video.

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2025-12-03 16:38