Networks and entertainment providers are really
defined by their original content, and some providers are more revered than
others. Channels like HBO, AMC, and FX have produced some of the greatest shows
to ever air on television; and online providers like Netflix and Amazon Instant
Video have released several widely popular and critically acclaimed shows over
the past few years. Some channels on the other hand have produced content that
hasn't been as beloved. USA, also known as that channel that plays "Law
& Order: SVU" re-runs, has had a lot of original shows over the past
half a decade or so; most of which aren't very good, and a few being down right
bad. The only show of theirs released in that time frame that I would actually
call good would be "Suits." If you judge a channel off its past
shows, USA would not be one worth remembering; fortunately for them, their luck
might be changing. A few months ago I saw the first trailer for "Mr.
Robot," at the time I didn't pay it much attention. It just looked like
USA was making a show in order to cash in on all the news of hackers and
whistle blowers we've seen lately. But when the show premiered I was surprised
by what people were saying it was nothing but good. So I decided to give it a
try and watched the first two episodes back to back. And what I got wasn't just
the best show USA has ever made, but one of the all around best new shows of
the year.
"Mr. Robot"
revolves around the Eliot Alderson, a computer genius working as a security
engineer at a cyber security company. Eliot suffers from severe social anxiety
disorder and clinical depression and is heavily influenced by his paranoia and
delusions, and has to do morphine regularly just to get through the day. Having
very few friends, the only way he knows how to connect to people is by hacking
them. Despite his personal troubles, Eliot has a strong moral compass believing
that the wealthiest 1% of the wealthiest 1% to be ruining the lives of average
people; causing him to become a cyber-vigilante. One day he is approached by a
man known only as Mr. Robot, a cyber-terrorist and member of a group called fsociety. Knowing
that Eliot works for the security company of multi conglomeration nicknamed
Evil Corp, he asks Eliot to infiltrate the company and erase all the debt the
company has over millions of Americans. The idea behind the group is to bring
about a new world order where the 1% doesn't control everything. While Eliot is
apprehensive about joining the group, he believes what fsociety is doing would
benefit society as a whole; the only problem is that if the group gets caught,
he and them would spend the rest of their natural born lives in prison.
TV watchers have been
treated to a lot of great new shows this year, "Daredevil,"
"Better Call Saul," and "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert
Durst" have all made a splash in 2015; and "Mr. Robot" ranks
right alongside them. If I were to describe this show in the simplest way
possible, "Mr. Robot" is the TV equivalent of "Fight Club."
On more than a few occasions the show actually directly references the movie.
It even uses some of the same themes regarding society, capitalism, and a person's
self worth. But the show doesn't only reference "Fight Club," it
takes inspirations from a variety movies. "Mr. Robot" does a great
job in paying homage to those that inspired it. The one thing that a show needs
above all else is a good plot, and fortunately this show certainly has that.
From the first episode to the finale, the story grabs your attention. Filled
with a wide array of memorable and interesting characters (with each one
performed perfectly by their actors), the story alone is enough to keep you
interested. The show is also very well written; having a dark sense of humor
along with many serious and dire elements, the writing is always on point and
says a lot about modern society. It also pays justice to what hacking is really
like. So often in shows and movies hacking is romanticized and features
animations of laughing skulls. But "Mr. Robot" features some of the
most realistic hacking I've ever seen. One thing that surprised me about a show
revolving around computers is how exciting it is, the show is never boring.
"Mr. Robot" really was a pleasant surprise; I expected very little
from this series and it turned out to be one of my favorite of the year, and I am
very glad that USA has already renewed the show for a second season. Hopefully
in season two they can fix the biggest problem with season one, closure. There
were several questions that were left unanswered in the season finale, I'm sure
they did that on purpose to help season two but I would have liked some
answers. All I know is that this show is great and has a promising future. And
if it keeps up this level of quality, it will certainly be one of the best
shows on TV.
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