Jonathan Nolan

Finch confronts a disillusioned and former CIA operative, Reese, on a rooftop to offer him a new sense of purpose. Finch reveals he knows Reese's deepest secrets and tragic past, proposing an unconventional partnership to prevent future crimes.

Finch reveals to Reese that the woman he was trying to save has been dead for years, testing Reese's resolve. He offers Reese a new purpose and the chance to use his skills to prevent future crimes before they happen.

Harold Finch reveals the secret origin of 'The Machine' to John Reese, explaining how he built a mass surveillance system for the government that ignores 'irrelevant' crimes. Finch expresses his guilt over the lives he couldn't save, while Reese questions the morality and effectiveness of their new mission.

Finch attempts to recruit Reese by revealing the existence of a list that predicts future crimes involving ordinary citizens. Reese remains skeptical of Finch's mysterious origins and motives, leading to a tense confrontation before Reese disappears into the city.

In a quiet, intimate moment in a hotel room, a soldier reveals to his partner that he has chosen to leave the military to be with her. He reflects on his sense of obsolescence in a world without clear enemies while offering her a future together. The scene balances the weight of a life-changing career decision with the playful affection of a couple in love.

In a chance encounter at an airport bar, a former soldier and his ex-fiancée confront the emotional fallout of his disappearance and her subsequent engagement. Jessica challenges John's stoic isolation, demanding he show the courage to ask her to stay, leading to a devastating moment of unspoken regret.

Reese discovers Finch's elaborate tracking system and realizes the numbers correspond to impending violent crimes. Tensions rise as Reese demands transparency regarding the source of the data, while Finch maintains his secrecy and challenges Reese's own trustworthiness.

A determined investigator attempts to flip a terrified witness who is being held for a crime he didn't commit. The witness refuses to cooperate, explaining that the people responsible are so powerful and evil that speaking out would mean a death sentence for his entire family.

Finch offers Reese a final chance to walk away from their dangerous mission with a clean slate and financial security. Reese must decide between a life of safety in hiding or a high-stakes partnership that will likely end in their deaths.

Detective Carter confronts the mysterious Reese in a dark alleyway after a violent encounter. She warns him that despite his potential justifications, she intends to bring him to justice, while Reese cryptically acknowledges that someone is finally 'keeping score' of his actions.