Mr. Robot Review: eps2.3_logic-b0mb.hc (Season 2 Episode 5)
I’m just going to tell you now.
“eps2.3_logic-b0mb.hc” is my least favorite episode of Mr. Robot ever, but you’ll have to read until the end of this review to find out why.
This episode begins with Elliot completing the hack of the FBI. It’s amazing to me that he will now have access to every FBI agent’s cellphone, but honestly, he makes hacking look so easy that this scene is anticlimactic.
The scene ends before it’s really begun.
Elliot quickly mentions the first place he ever hacked was his local public library, but he just glosses over it. I want to know more about how he learned to hack, and how to hack.
But my guess is that Mr. Robot isn’t interested in giving the public a step-by-step guide to hacking.
I mean, just think what Donald Trump’s minions could do with that information.
Moving on…
My, my, my, how quickly Angela adjusts to the “good” life! She’s impeccably dressed at all times, and her apartment is huge and beautifully designed (an apartment this size must cost a fortune in New York).
She just seems so comfortable among all of her nice things. Has she forgotten why she’s at Evil Corp? I’m starting to think she likes it there too much.
I love the scene between Angela and Darlene, not just because it passes the Bechdel test, but because both women are so strong in it. Neither one dominates the other. Darlene needs something from Angela, and Angela wants Darlene out of her sight.
Yet they sit in such close proximity to one another on the couch, which seems odd to me given that Angela tells Darlene to leave her home moments earlier.
What exactly is Darlene and Angela’s relationship? Are they friends? Do they just tolerate each other for Elliot’s sake?
Mr. Robot is full of strong women, and it’s awesome! Joanna Wellick, in her elegant, designer outfits, easily handles whatever comes her way, and she takes no shit from anyone.
I want to be her when I grow up.
Actually, maybe I don’t.
Obviously that delicate baby rattle is from Tyrell, and Joanna almost tears up at the gesture, but a silver toy is not enough, Joanna! Where the hell is he?!
Tyrell left town at the end of last season, but he didn’t have to. Elliot is much more responsible for the hack than Tyrell is, and he’s still around.
What kind of man leaves his newborn child, and doesn’t so much as sneak into the house in the middle of the night to catch a glimpse of his baby’s angelic face? Also, Tyrell, your wife and child are running out of money, and all you’re going to do is send them a toy?!
Joanna: We let him die with answers. Otherwise, we’re nothing but ruthless murderers.
Joanna, darling, you are a ruthless murderer. You are listening to a man tell you how he carries out a hit, while you rock your child to sleep!
If that’s not ruthless, I don’t know what is.
Also, I don’t think Kareem dies with answers. He doesn’t talk to the FBI, he just says he thinks he’s being followed. He reaches out to Joanna for help, and she orders his murder. I’m sure that doesn’t make much sense to him in his final moments.
Is it likely he would have spoken to the police or the FBI? I’m not sure, but I do think Joanna orders his hit too soon. It’s possible he could’ve still been of some use to her.
Angela’s ex-boyfriend is an idiot and, to quote Lauren Conrad from The Hills, “a sucky person.”
First of all, what kind of human being gives his ex-girlfriend his resume in hopes of getting a job, while he’s secretly recording her?
Secondly, if you’re going to “secretly” record someone, make sure it stays a secret! I don’t think he could have moved his phone in front of Angela more conspicuously.
Dom: I was…I am…disgusted by the selfish brutality of the world. But at the same time, I’m utterly fascinated by it. The FBI’s a perfect place for that kind of contradiction.
All brutality is selfish, but I never thought of it as such until I hear Dom say this.
The interesting thing is Dom is currently investigating a crime that was committed out of selflessness. fsociety freed the world, even though there was a chance they’d all get caught.
But Dom is pursuing fsociety as fervently as she would a serial rapist. Does this mean she views their crime as an act of brutality instead of kindness?
More importantly, Whiterose is China’s Minister of State Security?!
This is so brilliant, and it’s beyond me.
BD Wong is killing this role! Whiterose is a chameleon, being whatever is necessary to command the situation at hand. This fluidity showcases BD Wong’s supreme acting skills in a way I’ve never seen before. The great direction and writing on Mr. Robot give all of the actors on the show the opportunity to flourish.
And now, the long-awaited moment: the reason why I hate this episode.
In the massacre of FBI agents, we watch a black female FBI agent get shot right in front of us, while Dom unrealistically escapes injury. In contrast, when Elliot is beat up for his disobedience, the camera is trained on a bloody rat tail.
The fact that the death of a black woman is shown next to the unlikely survival of a white woman, and the beating of an Egyptian man is not shown, suggests that the audience won’t be fazed by the black agent’s violent death, but can’t emotionally bear to see the precious, i.e. valued, Elliot or Dom harmed.
I don’t care for this distinction.
Furthermore, I’m very disturbed by all of this violence. I don’t think it adds anything to the story.
The ending of “eps2.3_logic-b0mb.hc” leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Like, I’m actually angry.
Hopefully next week’s episode will leave me in a better mood.
Other Random Thoughts:
- Is it just me or does Dom look like the protagonist from Brave?
- Could that FBI agent be any more of an ignorant American? “Where’s the General Tso’s chicken?” In America, at yo momma’s house.
- How does Elliot’s mom not hear all of the discussion about hacking going on right behind her?!
- Why does Dom almost incessantly have a lollipop in her mouth?
What did you think of this episode of Mr. Robot? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Mr. Robot airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on USA.
Sheena Bosket
Sheena is an attorney, writer, and Black feminist living and working in Atlanta. She can be found searching for an opportunity to date Jake Gyllenhaal and renovating her condo in Shondaland. She watches all of the Real Housewives franchises, and she's not ashamed. Sheena also occasionally writes about pop culture, politics, and feminism for Donatidaily.com.