Mr. Robot-USA Network-US Pace(**Spoilers**)

Talisman

I started to rewatch the series from the beginning after the 402 revelation and - the early sequences with the mother and child are not memories but other alters.

In S01E03, Elliot decided to be normal:

"I'm gonna be more normal now.
Maybe Shayla could even be my girlfriend.
I'll go see those stupid Marvel movies with her.
I'll join a gym.
I'll heart things on Instagram.
I'll drink vanilla lattes.
I'm gonna lead a bug-free life from now on.
Anything to protect my perfect maze."

He attends Gideon's dinner party with Shayla and appears to be enjoying the evening when the news broke about Tery Colby being linked to the Washington Township scandal.

"I didn't think it existed, but there it was, is. Mr. Robot finally found my bug."

Elliot leaves Gideon's home and we see the mother and child pair sitting at the bus stop. I always assumed the conversation was about Elliot's father because the news item is referring to the leukemia victims.



Mom: "Don't look so sad. He did this to himself. He gave in. He was a coward. He was weak and pathetic, and, in the end, that's what killed your father."
Child: "Why are you crying?"
Mom: "Don't ask so many questions."
Child: "I miss him."
Mom: "There's no point to that."
Child: "But I do."
Mom: "Then you're just as weak as him."
Child: "You're not sad?"
Mom: "Why should I be? It's a beautiful night. The weather is nice. And I'm enjoying my cigarette."

A bus arrives and departs revealing hooded Elliot.



Elliot: "The bug forces the software to adapt, evolving something new because of it. Work around it or work through it No matter what, it changes, it becomes something new, the next version, the inevitable upgrade."

The mom was talking about our Elliot being weak. The hooded Elliot is the upgraded Elliot who goes back to the arcade - I think it's the version that Tyrell Wellick later considered a god.

Talisman

What's the significance of 11:16? There may be other references in the series but I distinctly remembered it was the time on the tv when Elliot was shot in season 2.

S04E03:

The Whiterose origin story circa 1982


The dress in 2015


S02E12:

TV segment after Elliot was shot

Slydice

4.3: That was a damn fine episode (bar the unencrypted hard disk). Real uplifting relationship moment and a nice clencher at the end.

Encrypted Pigeon

4.4 That was a strange episode. Maybe there was hidden detail in there that went over my head but I’m just confused after watching that.

Shane St.

I got very strong pine barrens vibes from that episode

Washout

Shane St. wrote: »

I got very strong pine barrens vibes from that episode

I love the fact the time posted on your reply is 4:04

and yes I also got that feeling.

Relikk

Encrypted Pigeon wrote: »

4.4 That was a strange episode. Maybe there was hidden detail in there that went over my head but I’m just confused after watching that.

Yeah, not sure what to make of that episode, at all. Got a good laugh out of Carly Chaikin, anyway. Especially at the start when she was leaving a message for Elliot.

Slydice

4.4: Such a sad feeling ending.

The writing and directing is blowing it out of the water here. There were ups, downs, shocks, sads and more in this episode.

https://twitter.com/Glo_Reuben/status/1189029695829921793

Talisman

Shane St. wrote: »

I got very strong pine barrens vibes from that episode

I was thinking more David Lynch (Lost Highway / Twin Peaks). A very dreamy episode, a nightmare before Christmas in time for Halloween.

If Tyrell Wellick is dead then does that mean Whiterose's timeline for the project is kaput?

I think we got another glimpse of the other alter in the scene where Elliot walked off from Tyrell and Mr. Robot.

Mr. Robot: "Come on. You stay out here alone, you can be sure it's game over. You're better than this."
Wellick: "Yeah, maybe I was, but not anymore."
ELLIOT: "I'm going."
Wellick: "Yeah, go, Elliot."
ELLIOT: "I will."
Wellick: "Yeah, good. 'Cause you don't need me. You never needed me. That's the truth, right?"
ELLIOT: "Yeah, that's the truth, I never ****ing needed you! You were only in the way! If it weren't for you ..."
Wellick: "The world would've been saved? And you would have been the savior? Is that what you think? Is that the fantasy I ruined for you?"
ELLIOT: "Stay here, die! I don't give a **** about you! I'm done!"
(Elliot walks off)
Wellick: "Good! Look around you! All signs lead to the same hopeless destination, and the sooner you realize that, the better, for you're so much in your own head that you can't see the truth! That it's over!"
Mr. Robot (voice-over): "Seems like we're always thinking of ourselves when looking for something that's lost, but we never think much about the lost, whatever, whoever is unable to be found, whether it's a set of keys left somewhere and forgotten, a couple of guys wandering aimlessly in the woods, or someone who's disappeared inside himself. What if that's what they wanted all along? Not to be found."
(Elliot returns to Wellick)
Elliot: "You're wrong. I don't like being an outsider either. Maybe I'm just good at hiding it."
Wellick: "Why'd you come back? Why aren't you going?"
Elliot: "I don't know. I guess it felt wrong to leave you. Besides, I think you're the only person I know that actually likes me. You were right about one thing. I've known that we're gonna die since we walked out of that gas station and the van was gone. I don't think there's a way out of this for us."

The Elliot that walked away was the 'hard' alter that doesn't need anyone else. The Elliot that returned is the 'weak' alter that cares about others, Darlene in particular.

Darlene hates the hard alter and that's who she left the message on the phone for, it's who she spoke to Tobias about. She knows about Mr. Robot but not that there are two Elliots.

Could the reason why Elliot has stopped talking to us is because for the most part we are seeing the hard alter?

Talisman

4.5 That was an exciting episode, parts were like watching my son play GTA. Elliot sure likes to jump from great heights! The dialogue was simply amazing.

Darlne: "It's cool dude. We don't have to talk."
1 line, 2 sentences (11 letters, 16 letters)

Then Vera shows up and mucks it all up. Maybe he was there just to bookend the no dialogue episode.

EDIT: Just realised 11:16 could be 1/1/16

Slydice

4.5: That was cool! No one talked! But I (think I) got the messages!

The chase scene was borderline for me cos we've never seen him training but cool how they used middle of the road and cars to obstruct so I'll let them off

Talisman wrote: »

Then Vera shows up and mucks it all up. Maybe he was there just to bookend the no dialogue episode.

I think that was part of it. Someone begins the silence, someone ends it.

Big Game

Slydice wrote: »

4.5: That was cool! No one talked! But I (think I) got the messages!

The chase scene was borderline for me cos we've never seen him training but cool how they used middle of the road and cars to obstruct so I'll let them off


I think that was part of it. Someone begins the silence, someone ends it.

Exactly. Vera finishes the episode by saying "It’s time we talked." to kick dialogue off again for this week's episode after Darlene cut it off at the start by saying "We don't have to talk."

I was that engrossed in it that it was only after then I twigged that nobody had said anything, fantastic to pull that off. Can't wait to watch tonight.

Encrypted Pigeon

4.6

Vera should try an electric toothbrush.

Whatsisname

Tonight’s episode was so full of dread.

Encrypted Pigeon

Just a minor detail but I wonder did

Elliot really spike Olivia's drink or was it a bluff? I know we saw him buying "stuff" in the coffee shop earlier, but if she (Olivia) was going to go as far as actual failing a drug test then the "social engineering hack" would have failed any. Would Elliot have really gone that far? I was half expecting him to say he didn't spike the drink as he left, so I take it he did.

My last post was a little silly observation but I really like Vera's character, he comes across as enlightened but completely unhinged that puts fear in you, really well played.

Talisman

Encrypted Pigeon wrote: »

Just a minor detail but I wonder did

Elliot really spike Olivia's drink or was it a bluff? I know we saw him buying "stuff" in the coffee shop earlier, but if she (Olivia) was going to go as far as actual failing a drug test then the "social engineering hack" would have failed any. Would Elliot have really gone that far? I was half expecting him to say he didn't spike the drink as he left, so I take it he did.

The fact that Elliot has shut us out means we don't have any insight into what is going on in his head and we instead are witnessing his behavior as the other characters in the show see him. This Elliot doesn't care about the effect of their actions on others, a sociopath - it's the Elliot that Darlene said she hates. Mr Robot doesn't know who Elliot is anymore.

You saw what we did back there. We just watched him destroy someone's life and none of us did a thing about it. Rules, morals, parameters they only break if you're broken to begin with. Did we change under pressure, or did this only reveal who we really are? I don't know anymore.

The opening scene with Vera at the table had a Last Supper vibe about it.

Is the podcast show that Janice was listening to when Dom called her significant?

A guy who continually talks to an invisible entity that isn't there Has arguments with him.
The invisible entity interrupts him sometimes.
This is Exidor(??) and that is what Jan Matthys is like ...
...
Return of a biblical prophet, Jan Matthys is preaching death and repentance before the Second Coming, and those who are not part of the chosen people are going to be horribly killed.

I'm not sure how knowing about Mr Robot will give Vera some power over Elliot.

Only two episodes remain and everyone is in play - prepare to be m1ndf#ck3d!

Slydice

WOW! I JUMPED OUTTA MY CHAIR!

Slydice

4.6: Yes, very tense. Was feeling worried about Elliot there when it looked like Darlene wasn't gonna make it. Felt like he'd have no way out with Vera.

Slydice wrote: »

WOW! I JUMPED OUTTA MY CHAIR!

Ahem. That is to say.. did anyone else notice the sign?





SOUNDTRACK TIME!

ixoy

Damn, the scene with the gun pointing at Darlene was very tense. The music in particular had me on edge!
I love the half cheery nature of Janice mixed with cold-blooded threats.

Talisman wrote: »

Only two episodes remain and everyone is in play - prepare to be m1ndf#ck3d!

Well there's seven episodes left, just only two this year. It's a 13-episode season.

qwabercd

ixoy wrote: »

Damn, the scene with the gun pointing at Darlene was very tense. The music in particular had me on edge!
I love the half cheery nature of Janice mixed with cold-blooded threats.


Well there's seven episodes left, just only two this year. It's a 13-episode season.

Pretty sure it's all going to run in one go, with the finale on 29th December?

Talisman

ixoy wrote: »

Well there's seven episodes left, just only two this year. It's a 13-episode season.

7 more episods! That's a relief.

Talisman

Slydice wrote: »

Ahem. That is to say.. did anyone else notice the sign?

That's OCi but RoboCop featured OCP (Omni Consumer Products) as the evil mega-corporation.

Talisman

qwabercd wrote: »

Pretty sure it's all going to run in one go, with the finale on 29th December?

You're right. Air dates for season 4 are October 6 to December 29, 2019.

That reminded me of this poster:

SHIFT+CONTROL : Season Finale An Epic Xmas Special

Slydice

Talisman wrote: »

That's OCi but RoboCop featured OCP (Omni Consumer Products) as the evil mega-corporation.

https://twitter.com/samesmail/status/1194371999608389632

Talisman

It's another possible easter egg, just as Vera's clothing choice in the same episode could be a nod to Kill Bill's Beatrix Kiddo.

The Bride vs the Crazy 88 / Vera vs the Dark Army?

Shane St.

Rami Malek was incredible in the latest episode

Talisman

Shane St. wrote: »

Rami Malek was incredible in the latest episode

When I saw "Act One" and Vera's fanboy speech I was totally expecting a Tarantino homage but Esmail totally outdid himself with that episode in terms of the writing and direction. The episode was phenomenal and should win the series recognition for the work of its creator and the performances of the actors.

Regarding the window reveal - The evidence has been there from the very first episode, the targeting of pedophiles, the strict no touching rule that only applies to males, the Lolita reference (Dolores Haze) for Darlene on his phone. Mr. Robot is the idealised version of Elliot's father, and he has always stepped in to protect Elliot. I watched the earlier seasons recently and I didn't realise why Elliot switched to Mr. Robot in the scene where he was about to be assaulted/gang raped in prison until watching this episode.

The five acts of the episode correspond to the stages of the Kübler-Ross grief cycle: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Vera is so captivating with his dialogue and the one-liners. He's an abhorrent character, his rape of Shayla is what put him on Elliot's radar in the first place. His stated goal was to enslave Elliot, but his final line in Act 5, "Hey. You're not alone. I see you now.", has me questioning whether he was talking to Elliot as Little B!tch spoke to the bully in the hospital or if his intent was to be a true friend to Elliot. Either way it appears the shaman was right, Vera's destiny was to reconcile with Elliot.

I wonder is the revelation going to cause Elliot to crash and reboot into a state where he has once again forgotten what has been revealed because he is unable to live with it. The name Alderson could be a subtle hint to something like this. See the Alderson loop reference on Wikipedia for what I'm talking about.

There's so much more I could still say about the episode but I think I've said enough for now. I'm looking forward to Elliot reuniting with Darlene, it should make for an interesting conversation.

Whatsisname

That episode was incredible. I think I need a while to take it all in.

Slydice

4.7: Wow, that was just.. wow! That ending! Wow.

Talisman wrote: »

When I saw "Act One" and ...

Great post, thanks for that!

ixoy

That episode really did explain so much but I really felt queasy after watching it. What a horrible twist.

brevity

Holy **** what a powerful episode. It was so good.

letowski

Sam Esmail is an incredible director and writer.

I thought the pace of the episode was perfect, it really allowed for the tension and emotion to build before

Elliot started to remember that key moment in his life.

That along with the musical score and Rami's acting, it was a brilliant episode. This was one of Sam's finest pieces of work with this television series.

Season 4 has been very good imo.

MrBobbyZ

Season 4 has been excellent. Transformed a very good show into a great show IMO. The acting and production have always been of a high standard but this season the story arc seems that bit more focused. Every reveal feels true to the series, unlike many shows where twists are crammed in that do not make sense on a rewatch. It's an outstanding example of TV production. Cant wait to see how it all pans out.

OmegaGene

Just watched episode 7 and wow what an episode, I was on the edge of my seat literally and when it finished I sat there for ages thinking about how brilliant it was, fantastic episode

s7ryf3925pivug

It's interesting that the third personality was so nonplussed by the news of Vera's release. My initial take was that he was a real badass who was confident he could deal with him. However there was nothing to suggest that he had any plans in mind at all, as Elliot was in real peril. So now I wonder, is the third personality malign, and happy for Elliot to come to harm?

I don't really know who it might be. If it is a badass character then the two that come to mind are the moustache guy, and the guy who protected Elliot in prison. Neither strike me as likely though. I hope it's not something land like the audience or Sam Esmail.

s7ryf3925pivug

Homecoming is on Amazon Prime or Now TV and is good. It is also by Sam Esmail. It stars Julia Roberts. Best approached with zero info about the plot.

Whatsisname

Crew Chilly Rent wrote: »

Homecoming is on Amazon Prime or Now TV and is good. It is also by Sam Esmail. It stars Julia Roberts. Best approached with zero info about the plot.

He's also a producer of Briarpatch starring Rosario Dawson which is out next year.

Talisman

Crew Chilly Rent wrote: »

I don't really know who it might be. If it is a badass character then the two that come to mind are the moustache guy, and the guy who protected Elliot in prison. Neither strike me as likely though. I hope it's not something land like the audience or Sam Esmail.

Are you refering to Irving and Leon?





Neither of them are alternates.

Talisman

4.08 : After the trauma of the previous episode, the Darlene and Dom situtation felt like a bit of comic relief and Deegan stole the show.

Deegan: "Now you have yourself a merry little Christmas. Ta-ta for now, you flange."

Slydice

4.8: That built me right up to :eek: and then finished with

What Dominique did was so badass! but damn that performance by Rami Malek and the music at the end just right up gutted me

Encrypted Pigeon

4.8: Top episode again, crest and trough's with the tension and emotions.

Anyone notice the

shape of the key to Elliot's room? cant be sure of its significance but it looked like an "E" to me which might represent his fight with E corp

.

qwabercd

The quality of this season has been immense. I have to say it's getting up there in terms of my favourite shows of all time, with the exception of the second season which was a bit of a dip.

Washout

4.08: the camera work was just one of the most amazing pieces of cinematic work i have ever seen. from the moment young elliot is running around the museum to the very end... It just had me captivated.

s7ryf3925pivug

Good individual parts, but overall it has jumped the turnstile.

That whole chase episode made no sense. He's a withdrawn drug abuser whom we never see exercising, but is somehow agile and athletic? Maybe the third personality is an avid freerunner.

brevity

Dom is class. And Janice got off lightly...

Was Deegan in an earlier episode?

s7ryf3925pivug

brevity wrote: »

Dom is class. And Janice got off lightly...

Was Deegan in an earlier episode?

Yes he was shown with Dom getting off on a technicality without explanation or context

homerun_homer

Crew Chilly Rent wrote: »

Good individual parts, but overall it has jumped the turnstile.

That whole chase episode made no sense. He's a withdrawn drug abuser whom we never see exercising, but is somehow agile and athletic? Maybe the third personality is an avid freerunner.

Not saying his getaway wasn't OTT but you'd be amazed what adrenaline will do for you when you're caught in a tight spot like that. Stopping isn't an option for him.

Cina

The greatest show on TV right now in my opinion.

No other show can compare to the cinematography, acting, and overall suspense levels it generates. I think it's the best at all those things since Breaking Bad.

Episode seven is one of the all great TV episodes.

Funny looking back, I almost gave up on season two after that terrible 80's sitcom episode, thank god I didn't because season's three and four have been spectacular.

Slydice

4.9: That! Well.. that was fine.

pyramuid man

That episode delivered for me. Seems like the ending is well planned out and not rushing to close all the open ends. Loving this series. Sad to see it go...