A provocative Orwellian concept, solid writing and terrific acting has enabled the new CBS show, Person of Interest, to capture the attention of the nation. Jim Caviezel plays Reese, a reluctant vigilante, who uses his expert skills as a former CIA agent to save victims before the criminals can strike. Reese gets his leads from Finch (played by Michael Emerson), a genius scientist who invented a super-computer that can spy on U.S. citizens through an elaborate system that monitors street-cameras, cell-phone conversations and e-mail communications. The computer can then use information from these spying techniques to detect and predict violent crimes that will occur in the future. Although the super-computer was initially designed to only predict large terrorist attacks for the government, Finch manipulated the system to access a different list: the “irrelevant” list, which identifies ordinary citizens that are about to become involved in imminent violent crimes, either as victims or criminals. Finch then employs Reese to track the person down, determine if the person is a potential victim or criminal, and change fate by preventing the violent act from happening.
Jim Caviezel
The success of Person of Interest can be attributed to Jim Caviezel’s convincing portrayal as an engaging hero. According to the Internet Movie Database, Caviezel grew up in Washington and went to the Bellevue Community College, where he was a star of the basketball team and was pursuing a dream of playing in the NBA. A severe leg injury ended his NBA dreams, and so Caviezel shifted his energy towards acting. Although Caviezel had landed small roles throughout his career in films such as Diggstown (1992) and Wyatt Earp (1994), his starring role as Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ (2004) propelled Caviezel to immense success and national recognition. The role was also consistent with Caviezel’s strong religious beliefs.
In Person of Interest, the writers established Caviezel as a vigilante hero working under a time-clock to save lives: A character that the audience can easily relish and cheer for throughout each episode. The character has all of the admirable qualities of an exciting and noble hero; he is incredibly calm under pressure, invincibly tough in combat, and brilliantly resourceful with his expert skills. Reese also delivers witty “Dirty Harry” quality lines while fulfilling his difficult missions. Although these admirable qualities alone are appealing enough to draw audiences, the addition of Cazievel, who plays the role with such convincing believability, makes the show a hit.
The Concept of Person of Interest
Clever plots and excellent writing also help to captivate the growing audience. In each episode, the writers develop and build suspense with the mystery of not knowing whether the person whose number came up is the potential victim or potential perpetrator. With many unexpected twists, the suspense usually intensifies as Reece uncovers information regarding the background of the person of interest and begins to understand the reasons why that person is involved in the impending crime. The powerful and exciting action scenes are used sparingly and tastefully as the enthralled audience watches Reese save the potential victims, escape from insurmountably dangerous situations and apprehend the criminals.
The provocative and innovative concept of Person of Interest can also be credited for the growing popularity of the show. The premise of the show blends the glorification of a vigilante hero with George Orwell’s great novel, 1984, and the Orwellian concept of a “Big Brother” government constantly watching and listening to all of its citizens. Person of Interest then utilizes current technological and political trends to support this Orwellian concept as the premise for the show. With modern technology enabling the government to spy on people, and with political developments – such as the Patriot Act – legally permitting the use of such spy tactics, the Orwellian “Big Brother” concept of Person of Interest seems both relevant and plausible. However, the show manages to complicate the matter to provoke thought. Although such government spying tactics are detrimental when the invasion of privacy is employed against innocent people for destructive purposes or for personal gain, the heroes of the show are using spying techniques for the productive purpose of helping to save people from imminent danger and to catch criminals before they can commit their violent intentions. Thus, the show stimulates thought and engages discussion by addressing the abusive and harmful nature of government spying techniques while also simultaneously justifying those techniques by using them for such noble purposes. This naturally raises the question of whether or not the ends justify the means.
With a thought-provoking and relevant concept, solid writing, admirable characters and excellent acting, it is no surprise that Person of Interest has become one of the hottest new shows on the fall 2011 schedule. As long as the writing remains powerful and compelling, the show should be able to build on its initial success and explode into one of the top shows on television.
Brian Heuberger - With a bachelors degree from the University of Colorado at Denver, Brian Heuberger has been writing professionally since 2009.
