When "Person Of Interest" (POI) first debuted in the fall of 2011, i was immediately hooked. It had a wonderful combination of an irresistible and compelling mass surveillance premise and a great and talented cast, led by Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson, as Messrs. John Reese and Harold Finch, respectively. These were role reversals for the leads. Typecast as the suffering Jesus in Mel Gibson's "The Passion Of The Christ" in 2004, Caviezel, as a presumed-dead CIA spy/assassin, gets to kick serious butt this time around with his fighting and firearms skills. Similarly, Emerson, fresh from his eerie, creepy anti-hero/villain role of Ben Linus in the TV series "Lost," now gets to play the suffering and tragedy-laden reclusive billionaire software genius who hires Reese to help him prevent premeditated crimes, particularly murders, from taking place. Their only clue was the Social Security Number provided by Finch's all-seeing, all-hearing "Machine." The problem was that The Machine's closed system precluded the heroes from knowing whether the SSN was that of the victim or the perpetrator. With that basic premise, the show immediately became a top-rated series. Unfortunately, at the end of its fourth season, the CBS network decided to pull the plug and, so as not to anger the fans, end the series via a compressed/condensed final fifth season of only 13 episodes. This forced the producers and writers to drastically speed up the plots, sub-plots and all of the proceedings to come up with an series ending and finale that generated strong mixed feelings from its audience. Nevertheless, this four-and-a-half season show remains among the best in modern TV history, with its very high production values, superb writing and terrific acting. My purchase of the Final Fifth Season now completes my POI collection. Glad to see that Best Buy continues its friendly pricing for DVD sets.

This is one of the most intellectually and metaphorically interesting shows on tv, especially this season. Why is it being cancelled??? It certainly has action for action junkies, but not dumbed down violence. The episode just aired last night showed the talent of the entire team from actors to writers, directors, etc Mr. Emerson's scenes in last night's episode -- a tour de force of acting and demonstration of how close-up facial expressions can create more tension/conflict in a complex plot than the garden variety shoot 'em up action scenes in so many tv shows and movies. ALL the actors are being filmed with more close up camera work as their relationships with each other and their internal conflicts, loves, and foibles are rising to the surface. Brilliant way of reintroducing Shaw this season--kudos to the writers! If you are new to the show, at least read the synopses (one-liners though they may be) from the beginning and/or find reviews that provide synopses. You will then understand the brilliance of this season. Oh why does it have to be the final season? Well, back to watching only PBS, Masterpiece, and shows from Sweden, Denmark, etc. If the British can continually produce QUALITY dramatic and comedic shows, I am saddened that one our own best, Person of Interest, has been pulled. For shame.

why did this show have to end. it isnt fair, it was so different and awesome

While the final season wasn't as good as the previous ones, it did tie up a number of loose ends. Nice to see others doing the same work...

I blame CBS for the rushed ending of this SUPERB but underrated show, but the amazing writers did justice to the characters and stories in the limited time that they were allowed. The last few episodes are particularly well-done, with especially a drop-the-mike finale that is both beautiful and thoughtful. Highly recommend the entire series. (my first review last week was apparently rejected as it has not appeared - perhaps because I criticized CBS's programming decision to cancel this show as they did?)