"What lies ahead?" This is the quintessential inquiry that trails a significant triumph or even the culmination of a pivotal life chapter. It's a cocktails of void, trepidation, and exhilaration – a blend all too familiar. With the future lying vast and uncharted, it's solely in your hands to sculpt it into your vision. Sam Esmail delves deeply into this concept in the penultimate-but-one episode of 'Mr. Robot,' titled "410 Gone" (despite being the tenth episode, the grand finale will unfold across two parts).
The Deus Group hack has reached its denouement. The pilfered funds are set to be restored to their rightful owners. Whiterose's mask has slipped, revealing her true colors. Elliot and Darlene have triumphantly pulled off their modern-day Robin Hood act, stealing from the rich to give back (sort of) to the people. Yet, amidst the aftermath, they are confronted with the intricacies of life and the countless fragments that demand reassembly.
This week, Esmail shines the spotlight on Dom and Darlene, whose feelings for each other have danced on the edge of confession, save for a fleeting night of passion. Dom, though having survived surgery, finds herself under the FBI's scrutiny following her revelations about Dark Army-orchestrated misdeeds. Desolate and reeling, she defies medical advice to return to her apartment, seeking solace in Alexa's company and a simple grilled cheese. Out of the blue, Darlene bursts in, intent on dismantling Alexa's illusion ("She's a mirage! Not your confidant! Merely a robotic conduit for buying paper towels!"), and whisking Dom away from the country's clutches.
The Dom-Darlene dynamic has not always been the most cohesive thread in 'Mr. Robot.' Esmail and his team have somewhat accepted their pairing at face value, neglecting to deeply cultivate it. Moreover, the adversarial spark between Grace Gummer and Carly Chaikin has not consistently ignited genuine chemistry. The cop-criminal romance is a timeless archetype, but it thrives best when it transcends the genre's inherent tension.
However, in "410 Gone," Gummer, Chaikin, and Esmail's script make a substantial impact. Their characters, riddled with paranoia and trauma, navigate life on the fringes of a harrowing menace. Trust remains a fragile thread between them, yet Darlene's relentless pursuit to pierce through Dom's fortified defenses reaches an emotional zenith. Dom was already an island of solitude and melancholy before delving into the world of fsociety and the Dark Army; her plight has only intensified following betrayal and extended captivity. Darlene knows the depths of despair all too well, and despite grappling with her own inner demons, she yearns to pull Dom from her funk. Not merely by escaping with her, but by manifesting her affection in tangible ways.
It is that underlying motivation that fuels the dynamic money transfer scene. Initially, the setting evokes a sense of paranoia reminiscent of a 1970s thriller, akin to those directed by Alan J. Pakula – Esmail skillfully captures this with a chilling aerial shot of the bustling rest stop. The crowd is a sea of faces, some potentially malevolent, lurking in the shadows. The foreboding park bench stands as a symbol of vulnerability, where Dom and Darlene sit, targets waiting to be exposed. However, the mood shifts dramatically when Darlene distributes the stolen Deus Group funds equitably among people's E-Coin accounts. The area transforms into a scene of revelry; surprised and relieved smiles illuminate the space. Crucially, this action underscores Darlene's defiance of her own moral code. Though she will forever bear the weight of her graver crimes, primarily murder, her act of restoring money to the people is what initially propelled her onto this path. It was the very essence of fsociety. She operated outside the law, seeking to dismantle those who capitalized on its flaws. Chaikin's potent, self-righteous portrayal conveys her exhilaration, while Gummer's reserved demeanor complements it beautifully. A mutual understanding dawns between them.
And just when the news couldn't get any better, another ray of hope shines through: The Dark Army has gone underground, or at least abandoned Dom and Darlene as their targets. Leon, a former Dark Army agent turned mercenary, guides them safely through treacherous territories to the airport, bidding them farewell with genuine warmth. At the airport bookstore, Dom bumps into Irving (Bobby Cannavale, returning presumably for a curtain call). Her heart races with dread, but Irving reveals he's in town for his book tour. (He has finally published his novel: "Beach Towel.") He reassures Dom that they are no longer hunted, freeing them from constant vigilance. But why are they jetting off to Budapest?
To be together, Darlene subtly conveys to Dom when she insists on Dom staying behind. Neither Dom nor Darlene has been alone, nor felt lonely, for an eternity. Their shared history makes it natural for them to lean on each other's fears and traumas for healing. Nevertheless, Dom has a life and family in New York, while Darlene has no ties keeping her there. They bid each other tearful farewells, believing they are on the right path.
Yet, at the eleventh hour, a sudden change of heart grips them both. To the tune of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Run Away With Me," Darlene heads towards her gate but is struck by a panic attack on the brink of boarding. Meanwhile, Dom reaches the "No Return Entry" point at the airport exit and, driven by an inexplicable urge, sprints back towards the gate. The scene mirrors a romantic comedy: Dom arrives in the nick of time, soothing Darlene, and they embark on the plane together after a tender embrace, leaving behind a trail of unresolved emotions and fresh beginnings.
Yet, this is not the unfolding narrative. Esmail masterfully orchestrates one of his most ingenious plot twists: instead of boarding alongside Dom, Darlene dashes through the gate and races to the bathroom, her arrival coinciding with Dom's steps toward the airplane. Inside the bathroom, Darlene's hyperventilation attracts the attention of a bystander, who inquiries if she requires assistance or wishes to alert someone at the gate. Meanwhile, Dom, noticing Darlene's absence, attempts a half-hearted exit but relents after a flight attendant's inquiry, leaving them once more torn apart just as unity seemed within grasp, a respite from violence and malevolent forces beckoning.
However, Esmail does not treat this moment as a somber tragedy. Quite the contrary, "410 Gone" concludes on an uplifting note. Esmail implies that Dom and Darlene must first learn to inhabit their own skin comfortably before attempting to intertwine their lives, emphasizing the significance of self-sufficiency as a precursor to embarking on a relationship forged amidst tumultuous circumstances. There's a strong likelihood that both will fare well. (Darlene even finds herself with two job prospects! One from Leon, presumably as a freelance hacker, and another through Dom, who urges her to consider applying to U.S. Cyber Command "when she's ripe for growth.") As Darlene regains composure, she assures the concerned bystander of her self-reliance, while Dom, at long last, succumbs to slumber just as the plane prepares for takeoff. Ultimately, Darlene is destined to stay and forge a fresh existence, while Dom needs to escape the mundane grind and embark on a much-needed vacation. Should this be our final glimpse of these characters, Esmail grants them an unforgettable farewell, steeped in hope and potential.
