Is the fourth episode of Mr. Robot representative?

September 21, 2015 7:39 PM

So we've been catching up with Mr. Robot, and we watched Ep. 1.3 (fourth one) last night. I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but I'm afraid we're in for six more hours of cut-happy tripped-out dream sequences.

Up until now things were pleasantly ambiguous, with some things that are "clearly" delusions and others that might be real. But the presentation was realistic. This last episode was...not. The whole withdrawal sequence was, for me, like the worst of the "find your spirit guide" kinds of movie scene. There's a house! Then it's gone! There's a little girl! She must be wise, because she speaks in riddles.

So: I'm fine (super-happy, actually) with the unreliable narrator, scenes being presented as real that could turn out to be not-real. I'm not super thrilled about hours of entertainment that simply don't make sense. Should I continue?

posted by five toed sloth to Media & Arts (8 answers total)

Best answer: No spoilers but in my opinion the amount of the show that is negated due to the unreliable narrator is never so much that it's a problem, though it is there.

I also don't feel there is much more of the find your spirit guide stuff either, as that wouldn't fly with me either.
posted by Cosine at 7:42 PM on September 21, 2015

Best answer: Yes, you should continue. The fourth episode is not representative of the rest.
posted by bluloo at 8:11 PM on September 21, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: That’s the only episode that’s like that, and although Elliot continues to be an unreliable narrator it’s more grounded as the other characters become aware of his problems.

Vaguely, to avoid spoilers: the tone of the show shifts a few times. In some ways the tension gets ratcheted up, puzzle pieces (including the house and little girl) fall somewhat into place, shit hits the fan several times over. There are certainly still several mysteries, unexplained things, and unclear character motivations...but they’re clearly plot-points-for-season-two, not off-the-rails, making-it-up-as-we-go-along dream-y sequences.

It’ll be hard for you to read much about the season online without getting spoiled for the whole thing but maybe take it as a given that you haven’t reached the point yet where most of the critics went from “this is a diverting summer show” to “this is something I really want everyone to watch.”
posted by bcwinters at 8:12 PM on September 21, 2015 [1 favorite]

We locked in hard on the fifth episode. It worth sticking with it a little longer.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:30 PM on September 21, 2015

I was hooked after ep 1, but felt the same way as you did after ep 4. One more episode I was back on board. Then it just kept getting better.
posted by Homer42 at 1:33 AM on September 22, 2015

I actually liked the withdrawal scene, long as it was, but it really was somewhat anomalous. That visual style doesn't really show up again, and while there were a couple of details that might tingle the oracle-seekers, if you just let the whole scene wash over you then largely forgot it (as I did), you wouldn't miss anything going forward.
posted by Gilbert at 7:08 AM on September 22, 2015

I'm not sure it makes sense per se but the drugs are mainly out of the picture after that episode. And I read an interview with the creator who says he has a plan and a very definite ending.
posted by betsybetsy at 2:38 PM on September 22, 2015

Be sure to check out the FanFare posts on the show. Lots of insightful MeFites made the show even more enjoyable. (Link goes to E01 to avoid possible spoilers on the main page.) I love this show, it is worth the journey.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:18 PM on September 22, 2015