Elliot absolutely loses his mind…you know, more than usual.
And the case against fsociety takes a big step forward.
Robotreview contains spoilers
Mr.
Robot Season 2 Episode 3
A few years ago, my laptop experienced a kernel panic.
A kernel panic is a fatal internal error, as Elliot helpfully tells us.
Kernel panic means that shit is just fucked up almost beyond repair and its your fault.
So one could have been forgiven for reacting to last weeks Emmy nominations with Really?
The weird dude from the USA connection show for Best Actor?
In Kernel Panic, however, Rami Malek shows just how crucial he is to the functional operation ofMr.
Robotand that he more than belongs on the shortlist of current great TV actors.
Elliots feverish (further) descent into madness is the centerpiece of the episode and just phenomenal visual art.
After ending his brief phone call with Tyrell Wellick (or was he really on the phone with Tyrell?
Or is this still all in his head?)
and hearing the news that Gideon was killed, Elliot resolves to reclaim his brain by any means necessary.
This time with some pharmaceutical help.
Not to be outdone, however, Mr.
Still, Elliot dives back into his own bile to retrieve the adderall, banishing Mr.
Robot for good…or at least as long as he continues to take adderall.
I assumed that would be the highlight and most zeitgeist-y moment from the episode.
But in reality, its what happens once Elliot is free from Mr.
Robot where the show shines the most.
Still, such consistently cool visually language deserves our praise consistently.
Elliot, in his manic pixie hacker state, is pretty sure he found God.
This kind of euphoria, however, is unsustainable.
And then the kernel panic hits.Mr.
Robot and hes a dick.
Mr. Robotoften must walk a fairly fine line.
Elliot is definitely that guy during his (presumably final) church group meeting.
The context, though, allows for just the right amount of self awareness.
Robots golden boy, the rest of the show can still at times be a mixed bag.
Part of this Im happy to attribute to length.
Just because USA gives you a full hour whenever you want doesnt mean you have to take it.
Still, there are a couple of bright spots in unexpected places.
Last week, we saw how Angela must listen to self-affirmation tapes before heading into work each day.
Now, we get to see some of Agent DiPierros daily routine and it seems quite familiar.
Narratively, its just damn cool.
Robotis nothing if not cool.
Which networks slogan used to be characters welcome?Mr.
Robotshould be on that channel for sure.
Rating:
4 out of 5
