Review: MR. ROBOT Ep. 3
Mr. Robot, @whoismrrobot
USA Network, @USA_Network Wednesday
By Allen Roy, @aroymb
July 17, 2015
Episode 3
Eps1.2_d3bug.mkv
This episode re-established my enjoyment and laid an encouraging foundation for the series. The episode took many turns into directions I didn’t see. It was a refreshing viewing of a TV show…it was art.
Instead of a play by play recap of the episode, here are my observations.
Although Elliott is seen with Mr. Robot in public a few times, no one else has ever paid any attention to, looked in the direction of, or spoken to him. Clearly this is to make the viewer believe that it’s all in Elliott’s head. But 3 episodes in, the director can’t be that blatant and obvious? Can he?
Tyrell is the prototypical Hollywood version of the corporate ladder climber. In this episode alone he slapped himself several times while having an intense and disturbing inner monologue, paid a homeless man to fight, seduced his boss’ gay secretary, and began an S and M session with his very pregnant wife. He is off the wall nuts, but so great to watch.
The episode begins with Tyrell, the Interim CTO of Evil Corp preparing for a meeting which he is to ask to become the permanent CTO of Evil Corp. The meeting doesn’t happen and is told that another is close to being selected as the CTO.
In his disappointment, Tyrell seeks refuge. Does he go for a drink or a hamburger…no. In fact, if you had any doubts that @whoismrrobot had a linkage to Fight Club, it quickly disappeared when Tyrell hires a vagrant to get into a fist fight with him. Well, it’s not so much a fight, as Tyrell kicks the homeless guy’s ass. But it sure did make Tyrell feel better.
And that was least fucked up thing he did all episode. This guy is off the wall nuts but he is a magnificent character and Martin Wallstrom absolutely owns every scene he is in.
We also see Angela and Ollie being blackmailed. Ollie gets this week’s douche de jour note. If he wasn’t a philandering piece of crap, there would be no way for the blackmail to happen. Because of his weakness, Angela, the “best person in the world” and Elliott’s best friend, is put in harm’s way. I’ve got a feeling when Elliott finds out, it won’t be good for Ollie.
Elliott is losing his mind and control over his life. His multiple worlds are colliding and disaster is on the horizon. We also find the back story of how Angela and Elliott met and bonded. There is now context and understanding for their relationship. It’s much deeper than friendship.
In short, this was a great episode and I can’t wait for the next one.
Timdogg
#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE
