elizabeth-andromeda

[fatherofmachine]

I always forget just HOW MUCH I absolutely love  Harold’s very first interaction with Shaw in Relevance.  Every time I watch it I get SO OVERWHELMED by it.  While Shaw does  reject his offer at first,  I feel like it’s a perfect illustration of how much he has GROWN from season 1,  from the very beginning.

His original  “ You can call me Mr. Finch ”  has now turned into “ You can call me Harold ”.  For the most part,  he holds almost unyielding eye contact,  his tone is softer,  kinder,  whilst also still maintaining an obviously authoritative air about him.  Instead of thinking of targeting weak points,  instead of laying out the things he knows about her  ( as he did with John originally ) .... INSTEAD,  he appeals to emotion,  a lack of judgement,  backed with that practicality of his still.  He is honest  in a more meaningful way by bringing up Cole,  but it’s an apology.  It’s saying I know that you cared about him  & I’m sorry we couldn’t save him.

I find this ESPECIALLY meaningful because Harold has absolutely read Shaw’s file,  he knows all  about her.  Most people would read about her personality disorder  &  immediately throw away any kind of attempt of emotionally reaching her,  but Harold does not do this.  At this point,  he has helped SO MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF PEOPLE,  he is so much better  at reaching them  &  so that’s what he does.  He simply reaches.

What I REALLY like about that,  outside of the show meta,  is from a writing perspective ;  the whole first half of the episode,  they’re telling you that Shaw is a sociopath,  but with those little  but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel anything  pieces here  &  there.  &  THEN,  with this interaction with Harold,  it puts those pieces together very clearly with her line ( &  god damn  that facial expression acting ),   “ I never had many friends,  never had much use for them.  Cole was an exception.  &  He deserved better. ”  

&  THEN, Harold goes further later to ensure that Cole’s family believes that he died a hero.  While that was of course for his family,  that was also for Shaw.  

So anyway,  I’m REALLY FUCKIN EMOTIONAL about POI  &  Harold  &  Shaw’s friendship  &  I’m gonna cry,  thank u for coming to my TED talk.

[fatherofmachine]

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