Mr. Robot Review: eps2.4_m4ster-s1ave.aes (Season 2 Episode 6)

The writer of “eps2.4_m4ster-s1ave.aes” must have heard how upset I was after last week’s episode, because she immediately wins me over with Mr. Robot‘s opening homage to the ’90s.

No one on this earth is fuller of ’90s nostalgia than me. No one.

I don’t know whether I’m watching Mr. Robot or Saved By the Bell. The USA logo in the old-school ’90s font, Darlene’s candy necklace, and the laugh track complete the show’s journey back in time.

The episode even goes so far as to include ’90s commercials!

I love that this show has a never-ending supply of creative openings, and this one is simply brilliant.

When everything we watch these days is in crystal clear high definition, the grainy appearance of the beginning of “eps2.4_m4ster-s1ave.aes” makes low definition seem fresh and new.

But my love for low definition fades quickly. I’m over it as soon as the special guest star is named.

It is 2016 after all. I’m a lot more fickle than I used to be. Also, I’m tired of seeing those two black bars on the sides of my TV screen.

I really take issue with Elliot’s mother, a woman of color, being portrayed so violently during the opening. She burns her daughter with a cigarette, punches her twice in the face, and maces Angela.

Why?

These actions don’t add anything to the plot. An even better question is why is all of her violence directed towards women?

Angela’s foray into hacking doesn’t go very well, in my opinion. First of all, why would she go onto the floor where the FBI has set up shop, to do something illegal no less, and not wear some sort of disguise?!

This makes no sense to me. Darlene is smart enough to wear a disguise, and she’s nowhere near an FBI agent.

Secondly, why the hell would she tell Agent Thomas her real name?! Angela, you’re there to hack the FBI to ensure they don’t find out anything about you. Are you stupid?!

While we’re on Agent Thomas, let’s talk about how sleazy he is. Angela says she’s seeing someone, and his response is “I’m not proposing.”

Does no one have respect for relationships anymore?

I don’t know about you, but his insistence on going on a date with someone who’s already “involved” is more unattractive than his unfounded self-confidence.

Just when it looks like Agent Thomas can’t get any more unappealing, he lets Angela know he won’t take no for answer.

Look at this from Angela’s point of view: Agent Thomas doesn’t respect my decision not to go out with him, or my fake relationship? Oh yeah, of course I’m going to run home right now, and pick out an outfit for our date!

Why do so many men think dominance is a flirtation technique? Do they think that’s what women want?

Appealing to Agent Thomas’s ego is a great save, but Angela should have said she didn’t know she couldn’t be on the floor. Now she’s encouraging Agent Thomas’s arrogant behavior and he’s already used to getting what he wants.

There is very little conflict between Elliot and Mr. Robot in this episode, and I miss it. The conflict between them is one of the greatest elements of this show.

To paraphrase the great Shonda Rhimes: if two people get their happily ever after, the show’s over.

Other Random Thoughts:

• Oh my God, it’s Alf! I LOVE Alf! This is a fitting tribute to Michu Meszaros, the actor who played Alf, who died this summer.
• The low definition version of the world we see in the beginning of “eps2.4_m4ster-s1ave.aes” is what it looks like when Mr. Robot takes over, but I disagree with this depiction. I think if he took over Elliot’s life, he would enjoy the hi-def world much more.

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.

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