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“Mr. Robot” follows a mysterious anarchist who recruits a young computer programmer who suffers from an anti-social disorder and connects to people by hacking them.
There’s been a lot of chatter online about USA Network’s newest show, “Mr. Robot.” A lot of websites have given it a big thumbs up and when the majority all rule in favor, I get very skeptical, like they’re all somehow affiliated. But on this occasion, I have to agree with the populace, “Mr. Robot” is one of the best TV shows to come along in some time and I don’t say that lightly. I am a big fan of “The Walking Dead” but that’s had 5 seasons to prove itself and to date, it is doing a tremendous job. “Mr. Robot” has a pilot and it’s possible, however unlikely, that every other episode could go south and that the show won’t make it past season one but I somehow doubt that. And that’s a good thing.
We are introduced to Elliot (Rami Malek), a socially awkward individual who happens to work for E-Corp, a global conglomerate by day and operates as a rogue hacker by night. Unable to talk with people, he keeps to himself in a small apartment in New York City along with his pet fish Qwerty. E-Corp finds itself being hacked almost every week by an unseen enemy and when another one materializes, Elliot is called in to help and proves himself when he manages to avert the attack. Shortly after, he is visited by a stranger who calls himself Mr. Robot (Christian Slater), the leader of an underground group of hackers who call themselves “F Society,” who he later finds out, was actually behind the attack.
Mr. Robot tells Elliot that he should have let the attack transpire and when he asks why, he is given an antithetical speech about bringing down the existing power structure of the dominant groups in society and their customs, in other words, another financial meltdown, just like the one in 2008 but this time round, it will be the regular guy and girl on the street that will benefit as all of their debt will be eradicated while the greedy corporations will suffer. Given the opportunity to join the group, Elliot is unsure at first but by the time the show ends, he begins leaning towards accepting their offer. For a pilot, it had me gripped from the very beginning and I wished the entire series was readily available so I could binge watch the entire season.
I am not an avid TV watcher, I tend to find shows either after they have finished or are close to ending, like “Breaking Bad” and “Friends” before it but given the opportunity to view this pilot in advance, I can say with all certainty that I intend to watch every episode from here on out. Rami Malek as the soft-spoken but reclusive Elliot is a character you can easily relate to and a quick flashback to his abusive childhood gives you a glimpse into his introverted and unsociable demeanor but he finds his footing after meeting the enigmatic and charismatic Mr. Robot, played with such ease by Christian Slater. USA Network has a hit on their hands and I just hope the rest of the season lives up to its phenomenal pilot.
“Mr. Robot” premieres on USA Network June 24th at 10/9c but you can watch the pilot episode in its entirety below
