For a stretch, "Proxy Authentication Required" felt akin to an over-the-top theatrical performance, with Rami Malek, Christian Slater, and Elliot Villar passionately delivering Sam Esmail's ominous lines, laced with sharp wit and pop-culture allusions. Esmail, who penned and helmed this episode, embraces verbosity with abandon, as he conceived it akin to a play. Structured into five acts, demarcated by title cards, it adheres to a conventional dramatic framework. With two distinct sets and a quintet of actors, it boasts numerous dramatic lighting cues and a soundscape worthy of the stage. The whole endeavor is deeply "theatrical," and I feared it might devolve into mere affectation, a device Esmail could indulge in to lend undue gravity to a narrative that didn't necessitate it.
Yet, as Esmail subtly undermines the audience's expectations, it becomes evident that this unique format was indispensable for framing this particular episode, serving to unveil and clarify a pivotal piece of fresh information. "Proxy Authentication Required" retroactively reshapes scenes, dialogues, and concepts that were earlier presented in a different light, particularly the harrowing incident where an eight-year-old Elliot plummeted from a second-story window of his childhood home. Initially, it seemed as though Edward, Elliot's father, had angrily hurled him out after Elliot betrayed his trust by disclosing his leukemia diagnosis to their mother. However, in the season three finale, Darlene revealed to Elliot that he had leaped out of the window after instructing her to hide in the closet moments before their father entered the room. Intriguingly, Elliot retains no memory of this occurrence.
Yet, Elliot's leap from the window fails to fully illuminate the haunting opening flashback of "Don't Delete Me," the episode where he stood on the brink of self-annihilation. In that poignant recollection, Edward, seeking absolution for the window mishap, takes Elliot to the movies. But Elliot, unrepentant, confesses, "I'm just ill, and I can't bring myself to admit it." Edward, weighed down by regret, expresses his wish to have been a better father and beseeches Elliot for forgiveness. Just as Elliot拒绝s, Edward succumbs to his cancer, collapsing before him. At first glance, their conversation seemed to revolve around a momentary lapse judgment leading to tragic violence. Little did they know, it was but the tip of a far darker iceberg.
In "Proxy Authentication Required," Elliot frantically strives to safeguard Krista's life by pandering to Vera's insatiable desire to "conquer New York." This nebulous scheme entails dominion over every nook and cranny, wielding influence over everyone, akin to a drug lord's reign over his territory. Though Elliot and Mr. Robot recognize it as either foolish or unattainable, they reveal the Deus Group heist, intending to hand over all the ill-gotten gains to Vera, hoping he'll spare Krista. But when Elliot's attempted assassination of Vera fails in a covert strike, Vera retaliates by threatening to slaughter Krista in front of him—until Elliot blurts out his desperate need for her. Abruptly, the narrative shifts to a therapy session held at gunpoint.
Despite the omnipresent specter of violence and Vera's manic, methamphetamine-induced ramblings, the episode's initial trio of acts is imbued with a softer hue, as evidenced by the warm glow spilling from the windows and the twinkling Christmas lights. However, by the fourth act, Elliot, Krista, Vera, and Mr. Robot are ensconced in darkness, embarking on a treacherous voyage into the depths of Elliot's psyche. Vera coerces Elliot and Krista into a therapy session that delves into the core of Elliot's "poison," the burdensome secret that gnaws at his mind and soul. Elliot endeavors to keep the session superficial, but when Vera unveils that Krista has confided in him about Elliot's secret and hints that uncovering the origins of Mr. Robot is the only key to unlocking it, he too is consumed by the quest for truth.
Thus, Krista meticulously unravels the layers shrouding Elliot's memory of the window incident, like peeling back the petals of a rose. Mr. Robot, in a plea filled with desperation, begs her to halt her endeavor and urges Elliot to devise an escape route from the harrowing predicament. However, his resolve crumbles when it becomes evident that his defenses have been shattered. With a heart-wrenching tone, he concedes, "I can no longer shield you," before exiting the room, leaving Elliot exposed.
Krista probes Elliot, seeking clarification on why he concealed Darlene within the closet's confines. She delves deeper, questioning the source of his fear towards his father—a man whom he once adored as a confidant and friend. Did his father impose an unwelcome demand upon him? Perhaps Mr. Robot has been by Elliot's side since childhood, serving as a shield against the ghastly truth: Elliot's father sexually abused him during his tender years.
Kudos are in order for Esmail and the talented ensemble for their masterful portrayal of the ensuing ten minutes, brimming with emotional intensity. Christian Slater and Gloria Reuben exhibit palpable desperation as Mr. Robot and Krista strive, albeit in vain, to shield Elliot from the truth, fearing it might disintegrate him. Villar, who dominated the episode's first half, recedes into the background yet subtly propels Elliot towards the inevitable revelation, recognizing its significance in confronting his past. However, it is Malek who shoulders the heaviest burden, transitioning from anger and bewilderment to profound devastation, his facial expressions battling to repel the truth that already resides within him. Esmail's acute directorial decision lies in his unwavering focus on Malek's visage, as he repeatedly murmurs, "No," while Reuben, unseen, gently coerces the memory to surface. The series has earned this moment of profound tragedy, striking a chord due to its emotional resonance and logical coherence. Such trauma would inevitably catalyze a prolonged dissociative state.
Esmail emphasizes the episode's artificiality, keeping the emotional depth at the forefront while underscoring that Elliot was never meant to confront such intense trauma in such a setting. Krista emphasizes the necessity of a controlled environment for therapy, hinting at her gradual approach towards revealing the abuse to Elliot. Yet, Vera, armed with a gun and a plan, forces her hand, compelling Elliot to grapple with the weight of his childhood all at once. While Esmail doesn't dwell on this subtext, Reuben's guilt-ridden and sympathetic visage speaks volumes. Discovering such horrors in such circumstances is unconscionable.
Conversely, Vera, despite his violent and delusional demeanor, becomes the one who acutely comprehends Elliot's pain following his revelation. The episode's climax may seem somewhat overly dramatic, yet it is forgivable due to its profound empathy. A victim of sexual abuse himself, Vera elucidates to Elliot that it is not only acceptable to feel pain but that surviving it bestows upon him unique strength. "Once you've braved a tempest such as yours, you become the storm itself. Do you hear me? You embody the storm, and it is the world that must seek refuge," he asserts. Vera aims to harness this storm to conquer New York, whereas Elliot has channeled it towards aiding the powerless and downtrodden all his life, unknowingly adhering to Vera's advice. At least, Elliot is no longer solitary in his turmoil.
That is, until Krista stabs him in the back, causing him to crumple to the ground. Despite the lifeless body nearby, Elliot can no longer flee from the knowledge that has been unveiled. A veil has been lifted, allowing light to seep into the room even as the stage lights progressively dim. It is a terrifying new realm, and Elliot's safety net may have finally unravelled.
