While season two was one of the most divisive seasons in recent years, it basically was a massive set up for the show to add in the geopolitical elements to mesh with the cyberpunk elements. It's been full speed since season 2e10, and shows no sign of slowing down. Tonight's episode was arguably one of the best of the whole run.
Posted Oct 26, 2017, 6:39 AM UTC
The first three episodes have been amazing. People who jumped ship on Season 2 are really missing out
Agree. This season has been incredible. Great storytelling. I think Sam Esmail is a brilliant storyteller. This is my favorite show in a currently running season.
The cinematography and directing have been fucking excellent, he really knows how to shoot a scene.
I'm trying to hop on the Mr. Robot ship but it's the only TV series that costs money when I try to on demand it.
Have you learned nothing from Mr. Robot?
Where there's a will there's a way.
I'm liking it so far, but I'm staying the hell away from the subreddit since I don't want theories that make too much sense and feel like a spoiler.
That kinda takes away some of the experience, I really like hanging out in post-episode threads.
Glad to see Bobby Cannavale in something I watch again. Loved him in Boardwalk Empire and haven't seen anything he's in since.
He was in a few episodes of the newest Master of None.
How can that be he's in everything.
I love him though so I am good with it.
Well he starred in Vinyl but that was like record label Mad Men with more coke and no likeable characters.
He plays assholes so well that I can't imagine him as a nice guy.
You should check out the movie The Station Agent it has Peter Dinklage as a reclusive train enthusiast and Bobby plays the nicest guy ever befriending him.
Haha, sounds interesting.
Bobby Cannavale
Chef.
His character in the old drama Third Watch was perfect for him.
netflix is too busy spamming the sub with mindhunter posts
I feel like anything that isn't currently new on Netflix gets drowned out. (With a few exceptions like HBO shows) Sucks because there are so many good shows to talk about here, but it seems almost anything TV related gets overshadowed by streaming shows.
I, for one, enjoyed being told I was the shittiest living American because I thought Mindhunter's lead couldn't deliver a line.
[deleted]
Let's be "real" and admit that compared to Mr. Robot, Fight Club is juvenile and heavy-handed. It's 20 years old and it shows.
Like most Fincher films, the real strength of Mr. Robot is in the aesthetics and performances, not the silly plot twists.
[deleted]
I never really cared about Tyrell that much, and this most recent episode had me hooked. It was so good. This season has been fantastic.
I'm just surprised B.D. Wong seems to be running EVERYTHING. hell, i wouldn't be surprised if he planned the Indominus Rex getting out and destroying the reputation of Jurassic World and its parent company as a political move.
Tonight was a little annoying since it almost exclusively focused on details that we could already figure out on our own, but I still agree and for the first time I'm excited for new episodes.
Caught S1 after hearing a lot of hype and thought outside of a few moments it was a little over rated. S2 was pretty meh in general. S3 actually hooked me right away and as annoying as it is for them to constantly remind us of the mystery of stage 2, it's actually working on me and I'm pretty hyped to see what it is.
While I agree some stuff was redundant I thought this episode was great for the character development of Tyrell and Irving.
I thought they were setting him up to be Elliots main nemesis. Dude is full on crazy-stalker levels of obsessed and that year away form Elliot seemed to only build Elliot’s legend evern more in his mind to thepoint where he views him like a god. It makes me wonder what is going to happen when he finds out that Elliot isn’t this god and even wose is actively trying to counter everything that Tyrell is now working towards.
Is anyone worried they're going to kill Tyrell off now that he's getting all the attention?
I'm mostly watching the show for Tyrell so I actually agree but just momentum wise this episode was a step back imo.
It's off and on, last nights episode was a bit weird since it was entirely focused on Tyrell and barely any Elliot. And the whole spoiler was really cheesy, I hope they don't start involving real life politics in this, breaks the immersion. I'm still enjoying it though.
They've always involved real life politics. Obama was mentioned and shown multiple times in the first two seasons.
didnt he record something for the show too?
No the voice actor they hired to lip synch with Obama recording is a wizard though. I watched the scene that mixed in actual things Obama has said about the 2008 financial crisis with the written dialogue and even if I close my eyes I can't tell.
There's now actual technology that can put any words in anyone's mouth. You thought fake news was bad before. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
They've always involved real life politics.
The real world references were always cursory. A little garnish on top of the main dish that is the story's plot. They served to ground the narrative in some normalcy and lent additional weight to its plot threads. Now the references are front and center, where they actually overshadow the narrative webs being spun.
Obama was mentioned and shown multiple times in the first two seasons.
Once. He was shown once. As an exposition tool in S2E1, to show the government's public reaction to the 5/9 hack. He makes a passing mention, on the television during a press conference, of Tyrrell Wellick being the prime suspect behind the hack and that's it.
If I'm wrong, tell me, but I'm fairly certain that's the reality.
Further, all other references I recall are cursory "the President won't like this" or "the President doesn't want this" type of things. Typically these references are made by Whiterose or Phillip Price, in an effort to illustrate that they are the puppet masters pulling the strings. That they're the ones behind all the turmoil and the President is left to try and clean up the mess.
My main point being these references fit the narrative. They contribute something to the progression of the plot.
Cooperatively, these Trump references are so hamfisted; they're so obviously a result of Sam Esmail's personal politics, and not of what the plot requires.
It's clear that he just desperately was to throw jabs at Trump and his supporters. If that's all it is, petty jabs, that's fine. But don't tell me it's anything else. Don't piss on my head and tell me it's raining.
Seriously, how have any of these Trump appearances served the plot, at all? They haven't - in fact, they're getting in the way.
For example, in S3E1, they have to conjure up this "what if" hypothetical scenario during Elliot's monologue so they can toss in a Trump reference. It served no purpose and was confusing. People thought there was a time skip. Why are we getting Trump presidency references in a show set in 2015? It's jarring.
But don't take my word for any of this; here's the creator's (Sam Esmail) reasoning:
"Trump's election was undoubtedly a tragic day for the world. The feeling it conjured coincided so perfectly with Elliot's disillusionment at the start of season 3 that it would have been criminally negligent to ignore it.
Embracing it felt like the only honest way to tell the story of this season."
Like, not addressing Trump's late-2016 election in a show set in mid-2015 would not have been ignoring it. It would have simply been staying internally consistent with the timeline Esmail himself established....
Jesus H Christ Trumpers are the most delicate snowflakes I have ever seen. Everything triggers these poor kids even a damn TV show that incorporates the current President into their story. If you need a safe space just keep Fox News on 24/7 you poor emo flower
There is a huge difference between how they used Obama and how they are using Trump.
There was an episode last season that didn't have Elliot at all, they have built up a strong enough supporting cast/characters to make not having the main character featured in an episode work.
I agree. I’m not a trump supporter but it really takes me out of it when they start throwing trump clips into the show.
I didn't even know it started I've got some catching up to do thanks for the reminder
Really enjoying it so far. Season 2 was good, but it seems to have found it's groove this season. If you're reading this Sam Esmail "Hello!"
i was impatient with season 2 when it came out and i watched other stuff. a few weeks ago i binged it and holy fuck i loved it. i thought it was better than the first season in some aspects. if anyone here is on the fence, watch season 2 and catch up because a) it's sick as fuck and b) season 3 is shaping up to be ever more epic. still the best show out in my opinion.
Ignoring the quality of the writing, I think Sam Esmail is eventually going to be a household name for his cinematography and directing, whether it's for Mr Robot or a future project. The show is absolutely beautiful and Sam has a unique eye for capturing scenes that I have not seen before. I Every Frame a Painting or someone similar could do a breakdown on his visual style, because there is no way I could do it justice, but it's the best part of the show for me.
I think the show turned to shit when he started directing. He's not a good director at all. He's a better writer and he needs to learn to let go of his baby - there are far superior directors available who could do the show wonders (like they did in S1).
What about the directing do you not like? I felt like the show improved in most ways after S1, and while I enjoy many parts of his writing I wish he relied less on mysteries. So far I actually think the writing is the weakest part of the show as compelling as it is moment to moment.
It's been super interesting so far. But I also still liked season 2.
So I gave mr.robot a go and finished the first couple of episodes. Don't know if I'm buying what they are selling, it isn't that interesting to have a character with god like abilities, feels rather contrived but I'll see where the season leads.
Youre in for a great ride. Season 1 is definitely the best.
One of my favorite seasons of television. I still haven't watched season two, but I'll get around to that too.
Don't do it. Just pretend like the show ended at season 1
[removed]
I mean Season 2 wasn’t good but it wasn’t THAT bad, and Season 3 so far feels like a return to form.
[deleted]
yeah I wasnt a fan of season2's benching of elliot and having way more questions than answers. I'm enjoying s3 so far now that we know what's going on.
What's wrong with setting up questions that pay off down the line? Like seriously, what's with the impatience? It's a tv show.
Nothing wrong with payoffs, I just didnt like how elliott was stuck in jail for such a long time in S2, or the joanna wellick stuff.
I'd agree they could have brought the prison reveal up a few episodes. On the whole, Season 2 could have been ten episodes, though I don't think the latter half of the season suffered at all.
Given that I also had difficulties with S2 and abandoned after 2 eps, would i be completely lost is I skipped S2 and just started S3 right away?
Yes. You won't get what is going on at all if you skipped season 2. Honestly there are so few shows that are different from the usual stuff that I'd recommend pushing through it if you liked S1.
ok! thanks
I hated season 2 but I love this one. This season could have well been season 2 and not much would change story wise (that should tell you everything you need to know about season 2).
Do I need to finish Season 2 to understand the story of Season 3?
Absolutely.
I dunno, after season 2 I don't really feel compelled to watch it anymore. They took the unreliable narrator thing too far which made me lose interest. At some point I was just like "I don't even care anymore".
Exactly, the problem with using the split personality aspect is that it's easy to wipe out the story in previous episodes or plot twist easily. It gets annoying after a while, I wish they would just focus on the story.
What's up with people's obsession with plot twists? Every season, it's all people talk about, "is Elliot hallucinating, what's the twist?" The show is great either way. I don't think the writers even intended for the twists to be a main focus. Like who hasn't seen Fight Club and knew that Mr. Robot wasn't real? Elliot's psych is just an added bonus to the nonlinear storytelling. It's sad that people are ignoring all the better things about the show like the characters, music, cinematography just because they're hunting for a twist and the level of unpredictability ultimately decides their enjoyment.
It's just fucking distracting. I can't be arsed with Elliot fucking around with no clue what he's doing himself.
Elliot is seriously the worst thing about the show and if they decided he was suddenly sane everything else would be very intriguing.
Wow we are polar opposites. Elliot to me is the most interesting character on the show and why I keep watching. I could care less about Angela, Darlene, Dom, etc. I’m just super intrigued by Elliot’s struggle with himself. Though I do admit Season 2 took it a little too far and almost entirely dropped the plot to focus on his delusions and the twist. Season 3 feels better so far because now we’re seeing both sides of the coin, it’s no longer Elliot waking up in weird places not knowing what’s going on, we’re seeing him actively change between himself and Mr. Robot and watching people knowingly manipulate that, which is really cool for me.
they are.
Convincing
they are now
Yup. I could only last a few episodes of season 2. I loved the first season but found S2 to be so slow, boring, and convoluted that I lost interest.
Same.
i was on board with season 1 until the ending. didn't enjoy it.
Yes, the last episode of season 1 was by far the worst of the season, and I loved all the other episodes. Gave up for good in the 3rd episode of season 2. Maybe I'll try again.
I see this come up a lot. I'm curious to know if you binged Season 1, but watched season 2 weekly. I have a theory that this is why many say it felt slow...
Nope. I watched both Season 1 and Season 2 the exact same way. A few episodes a night on Blu Ray for about a week.
Season 1 was incredible. Season 2 I couldn't even finish.
Well good. I just have this theory many jumped into Mr. Robot after Season 1 had ended and because they got caught up, it felt slow. S2 definitely feels like the weakest one so far.
I just finished season 2 and season 2 was definitely by far the better season.
I felt the same during the wait but when I watched season 3 episode 1 and I was hooked all over again.
I like the unreliable narrator aspect. This season is different, because the people working for him know.
Yeah, agreed. And the direction and music supervision is top-notch, but man, the writing is painful. Half of last season was just characters trading monologues at each other that were so confrontational and "edgy", they were laughable. It sounded like a high-schooler trying to write David Mamet. And the tone is all over the place, went from semi-realistic to basically a live action comic book.
Season 2 was definitely not as good as S1. S3 feels better so far (though we’re only 3 episodes in) because it’s no longer “Elliot wakes up and doesn’t know what happened,” instead the viewers are actually seeing what Mr. Robot is doing. Elliot is still confused but the viewers have a bigger picture and can actually follow the plot. The other big thing is that other characters have finally realized what’s going on and are actively manipulating both of his personalities which is much more intriguing to watch than just Elliot trying to remember what he did last night.
Season two is a dumpstertoilet of a season of tv. I'm trying so hard to get through this atrocity to watch 3 but I just don't know if I can do it.
Yeah exactly. Season 2 was so convoluted with 10 different sub plots that all lead nowhere. It could have not existed at all and not much would be lost in the story. I hated it.
But, thankfully, they fixed it in season 3. It's good again. The story is back to Elliot.
I loved the first season and thought it was the best new series on television.
Then season two was released...
I struggled to get to episode seven of the second season. I realised I wasn't having any fun watching it, so didn't finish.
It's a shame. I keep thinking about checking out season three. But I had such a bad taste left in my mouth from season two that I can't be bothered.
Yeah, I get it.
I hated season 2 and had to basically force myself to start season 3 but I think it was worth it. Season 3's pace is going much faster and it feels like we're starting to get some actual answers.
[deleted]
Same here. If anything, I'd probably watch it just to see Agent DiPierro locking them all up for being a bunch of brats, especially Elliot.
She is the only likable character for me.
Oh my god me too. They literally are all power hungry monologue-ing losers except for her. I want it to end with her arresting every supporting character.
This is hate speech.
I fucking hated most of season 1 and all of 2, Season 3 is the real deal, its quality
How do you watch a show that you "fucking hate"? It's either at least bearable, literally, or it's not and would prompt you to just ditch it. I also can't see how you'd hate either season if the third is suddenly your thing.
Because it's there, people keep going on about it and I've watched every other prestige show...
Mr Robot really is a stupid show, but the setting and premise are intriguing. So yes, I think I hate watch, ignoring most of the Elliot bullshit and tuning in for the other characters or hacking.
because I have hope and need finality? hate watching is a popular thing nowadays, shows like "Girls" are built around it