What I’m Watching: Mr. Robot

Mr. Robot: Season 1, Episode 6 “eps1.5_br4ve-trave1er.asf” (B+)

I’m not even sure how to react to this episode after its utterly devastating finish, something that I wasn’t prepared for at all. It started out on a pretty furious note, interrupting a seemingly calm conversation between Elliot and Shayla about the situation they were in with a brisk abduction and Elliot with his back to the wall, desperate to save his girlfriend and neighbor while trying to outsmart Vera in the process. The way that everything evolved was pretty fascinating, as the initial plan of baiting a cop with a free iTunes purchase didn’t work and then Elliot had to evolve to opening every cell door to stage a massive prison break. His discovery that Vera’s brother Isaac actually wanted him dead was surprising, and then all of a sudden Isaac was executed by Vera. It was strange to recognize Isaac as Rick Gonzalez, who was part of the supporting comic relief on “Reaper.” What was completely horrifying and tragic was Vera’s casual reveal that Shayla had actually been with him the whole time. There was a sense of dread that made it seem clear that she wasn’t just tied up in the trunk but dead, a maddeningly miserable discovery that calls into question everything Elliot stands for. I have no idea what he’ll do next, since joining Angela in her bold pursuit of justice isn’t going to permit him any more closure in this terrible turn of events. Maybe he’ll go to Tyrell, whose plan is well understood by an unamused Scott, but likelier he’ll just return to Darlene, Mr. Robot, and the cause he cares about most. Angela using the keywords “change the world” seemed like they might distract Elliot from his mission, but now he’s going to either disintegrate or go on the warpath.