So it's come to this. Slowly but surely, the prehistory of Mr. Finch's (Michael Emerson) Machine has come into focus, as well as that of his muscle/partner Mr. Reese (Jim Caviezel). Unfortunately, the noose is tightening around them both, because even though the CIA has backed off for now, the FBI has taken an enthusiastic interest in our mystery men.

"Firewall" started with a (metaphorical) bang and rarely let up, making for an enjoyably tense season finale to a show I started off reviewing by saying it was better than we dared hope. 22 episodes later, I'm still pleasantly surprised (and relieved) that PoI remains as engaging as it is. There's filler, sure, but unlike some other shows I've reviewed here (*cough* The Killing *cough*), I'm already looking forward to next season.

But first we go back...to the future. A flash forward shows a frantic call from Finch to Det. Carter (Taraji P. Henson) regarding a (what else?) Reese-related emergency. The nature of the crisis becomes apparent when Carter is intercepted on her way out the door by Special Agent Donnelly (Brennan Brown), who shows her the FBI's Big Board. Reese is on it, escorting an as-yet unidentified woman. Caught by surveillance camera? Tsk. Sloppy work, Machine.

Skipping back a couple days, the new Number of the Week is a psychologist named Carolyn...Turing (Amy Acker). Yeah. Reese asks Fusco (Kevin Chapman) to check up on her (well, "asks" may be putting it politely), even though the detective is eager for Reese to help him bring down HR and get his ass in the clear.

I'm writing this with the benefit of hindsight, but I can't be the only one whose plot-foreshadowing alarms went off when he heard the NotW's name. I mean, we all know who Alan Turing is, right?

Reese observes Dr. Turing in session with a dude straight out of a casting call for square-jawed Don Draper lookalikes. He mentions how sensitive the information he's given her is. I hope this isn't another Tony Soprano situation, but frankly the guy's too thin to be a TV mob boss. She disentangles herself from her client, but she has a bigger problem. Namely, a contract on her life given to HR (in the person of Fusco and Simmons) by a city councilman and a couple NYPD captains.

Reese becomes a patient (I'd have assumed intake and background check would take a few weeks, but, you know, TV) while Finch stakes the place out. He soon gets a call from Carter informing him Councilman Larsson recently received a $500,000 payment, padding an account worth $5 million that's apparently to bankroll Turing's murder.

They're going to need help, and get it in the very acceptable form of Zoe's Morgan (Paige Turco). Unfortunately for Finch, there's another -- uninvited -- guest, because Alicia Corwin (Elizabeth Marvel), late of the NSA, has him under surveillance and tails him back to the library.