It's a rarity for Mr. Robot to indulge in the archaic, exhilarating spectacle of fist-pumping action, where the heroes momentarily gain the upper hand against the villains. This series, unapologetic in its brutality, gleefully slaughters characters, sweeps the rug from beneath its audience's feet, and even dares to grind their faces in the mud. At times, it verges on misanthropy, painting a grim picture of the world while whispering hopes for a brighter future.
By taking such a roundabout route to say this, I mean that when the Dark Army seized Dom's family as pawns, I half-expected to witness their grim fates by episode's end, particularly after Janice's vicious stab to Dom's chest, puncturing her lung. Dom and Darlene's refusal to divulge Elliot's whereabouts seemed a logical progression, further underscoring the Dark Army's ruthless, unyielding stance towards their pawns—expendable until their utility expires, then discarded like so much trash.
Imagine my astonishment when it transpired that Dom had been colluding with Deegan Maguire, the Irish mobster she had interviewed in "Payment Required," who had since regained his freedom. The moment Janice's sadistic, smug demeanor crumbled as her men failed to answer their phones was exhilarating. It turned out that Dom's meticulous note-taking of license plates in "Method Not Allowed" was a strategic move to broker a deal with Deegan for her family's protection. Deegan, a master at making people "disappear," whisked Dom's family to a safe haven in exchange for his liberty. For the first time, fortune smiled upon Dom.
Then, with a defiant stroke, she rips the knife from her chest, deftly disarms one of Janice's lackeys, and decimates all three attackers in a single, breathtaking maneuver. This "badass" moment resonates deeply, not merely because Dom has been rendered powerless throughout the season, but also due to the scarcity of such exhilarating scenes in the latter stages of "Mr. Robot." However, the triumph is tempered by the sight of Dom, bleeding profusely on the floor, pleading with Darlene to locate Elliot and see the hack through to its conclusion, thereby vanquishing the Dark Army once and for all.
Regrettably, Elliot may not be in a revolutionary frame of mind at present, given his overwhelming emotional turmoil from a devastating revelation. Outside the police station, Krista endeavors to console Elliot, reassuring him that he bears no responsibility for his father's deeds and that confronting the past is preferable to suppressing it indefinitely. It's evident that the truth has left Elliot paralyzed, uncertain of his own capabilities and his standing in the world. He's grappling with his decision to shut down rather than retaliate, even though it was a plausible response to the brutality he endured. To compound his woes, Mr. Robot has been supplanted by a vision of his younger self, the runaway who sought refuge in the Queens Museum alongside Angela.
The opening flashback serves as a blueprint for the episode's narrative, guiding Elliot back to the museum to uncover what he concealed within its walls two decades ago. The episode's deployment of young Elliot as a bridge between present-day Elliot's dread and his eventual acceptance may seem somewhat clichéd, almost as if it's striving for maximum emotional impact through a convenient plot device. Nevertheless, the revelation of Elliot's childhood bedroom key constitutes a poignant moment, primarily because it represents a modest yet symbolic gesture in the grander scheme of things. By concealing the key, Elliot severed his father's unrestricted access to him, affirming that he did attempt to defy his father's power, albeit by fleeing. This serves as an ingenious way to reframe what Elliot perceived as cowardice into a manifestation of strength.
However, it is Mr. Robot's heartfelt apology that brings Elliot the utmost solace. He clarifies that he assumed the role of Elliot's guardian when it became apparent that his father had failed in this duty. In an attempt to shield Elliot from the harsh realities, he flooded his mind with fond memories of his father, only to inadvertently intensify his pain. Christian Slater imparts his soliloquy with a breathtaking fragility, bowed by the devastation he partly wrought, culminating in a poignant yet essential revelation: Mr. Robot, despite adopting his father's guise, is not his father. Elliot and Mr. Robot interlace in an embrace, finally acknowledging the clarity of their united mission.
Yet, as the clock ticks relentlessly onward, doubt clouds Elliot's intention to inflict further harm. His tears flow freely, uncertain whether to proceed with the hack. Nonetheless, the machinery of their plan is already in motion, having grown far beyond the confines of his personal anguish. The Deus Group convenes imminently, and the Dark Army hotly pursues Darlene. Elliot must summon every ounce of his remaining strength to bring this saga to a definitive close.
