XaiJu
LMreactions
LMreactions

patreon


Mr Robot 4x01 Reaction

Mr Robot 4x01 Reaction

Comments

The shock of Angela's death drags on Elliot and Darlene as they navigate the chaos through the rest of the episode. They're both distracted by the sudden coldness of it. Almost like us...

Kevin McDonough

I mean if the actress herself says it was her decision to leave earlier than expected, you can't just disagree no matter what you personally believe.

justjasper

Yeah, I get why their gut instinct is to want Angela to go out on a more epic / emotional note, but I feel like sometimes you just have to respect what the story is going for. By this point they've probably seen everyone's comments about the speculation that she was written out of the story prematurely which they'll take as confirmation that this was a rushed sendoff. Which is a shame! Because everything this story does is authentic. Pretty much the only situation I can think of where an external thing actually made the story worse is that they changed the actor for young Elliot multiple times, but even that can be interpreted as working with the story due to his dissociative identity disorder. But like I was saying, it's just so clear to me that Angela's exit in this episode completely stays true to the nature of the show. It flat out wouldn't work at all in the S3 finale (can you imagine the show trying to give this hopeful uplifting note about undoing 5-9 when Angela, unbeknownst to Elliot and Darlene, has just been killed?), and it wouldn't work at the end of this episode, for reasons that tonally should be obvious. I get the feeling this might be a bigger hurdle for LM to overcome compared to the 3x1 stuff, because back then they had people saying "Just trust the show" but now they have people going "Yes the actress wanted to leave!" which is insultingly deceptive. We'll see how it turns out...

tom

I get what you guys are saying but I don't think waiting till the end of the episode would have worked because they needed to jump into the new reality for Darlene and Elliot. they are completely changed by her disappearance/death. Maybe they could have killed her in the finale of season 3, but I really thought her scene with price in season 3 where he reveals he's her dad was perfect. the music everything, so if they had killed her then it would have changed that completely. personally I kind of love shows that aren't afraid to upset you by killing a main character (game of thrones season 1). I was definitely so upset after waiting so long for season 4 but I remember kind of smiling because they made her important by having such an insane quick death. also just think the bigger issue, was going to that creep guy that Elliott was blackmailing after. I think if we had had a scene with another one of our favorites before jumping into that it would have kept you more in the episode. also can't remember why price is there but id Angela dies in the end, that scene would have to be pushed back.

Molly C

yeah I was wishing for subtitles haha

Molly C

This is false

autumn

Maybe Whiterose's project will work and bring Angela back? Let's Hope for this to become reality.

arr f

Yes been waiting on this reaction! Imagine waiting 2 years for season 4. Getting super hype that it opens with your favorite character Angela. Then she just fucking dies. I was fucking furious. Basically just said... guess i just watched the premiere and finale. Fuck this show. Then sat there in a dissociative state till the creepy taxidermist spoke.

arr f

I've personally never watched Dexter but yeahhh I can totally agree with you, but I think I was at the end of the day more accepting of it since Mr Robot has overdone the effects when it comes to blood on the show in the past. (Leon stabbing the other inmates to save Elliot and blood shooting up from the butt, Santiago's blood mark when he first got hit with the axe, now this)

Ron B

Ever since Milena mentioned that scene in Get Out, I knew she would respond well to Janice LOL

Isaac

Just out of curiosity, are you watching the actual episodes simultaneous to them or are you just watching the scenes they show in the reaction?

Ekaj Ex

Angela’s death is like deaths are many times. Surprising, unfair and cruel… I think is perfectly written and it makes a lot of sense. And cameos in the episode of Sam and his wife…maybe to give you a little something after taking so much…

Agitprop

I don’t think so…

Agitprop

Well said

Dustywood

the whole thing about watching week to week,.. this AND Expanse week to week + year to year? was an experience to say the the least ಠ_ಠ

hrcaffee

Nah, that isn't accurate. From an interview about this episode “With character deaths, a couple are pre-planned, but for most of them we find our way,” [Sam Esmail] tells THR. “It’s what happened with Joanna (Stephanie Corneliussen) in season three. We start pitching out the storyline, and then we figure out the organic end to the characters. Does it start to get ridiculous if these characters continue living on if the threats and stakes on them are so high? With Angela’s character, any sort of capitulation felt like a betrayal to who she was and what she represented in the first three seasons. Unless we pulled punches, there was no way Whiterose was going to let her continue living and going out in the wild to figure out the machine with what Whiterose had divulged to her. We felt that if we were being honest, it was the only end to her character.”

Myeh

Yes, the directing looking different isn't your imagination. There was an extra year in between this season and the last one, and in that time Sam Esmail worked on another tv series. Plus stylistically S3 and S4 are the most different in terms of visuals, so it makes the difference pop more. It actually took me a bit to get used to (I miss the negative space in frames!), and S4 is probably the most distinct season for that reason but it's very much the same Mr Robot

tom

To answer the question, did Portia want out, which is why she was killed off in such a way? No. When the show started, each main actor was told how their character would would progress and where they would end up. Even if she wanted a sudden out, they could’ve placed this scene anywhere else in the first episode with slight narrative changes. The only reason to do it right at the start is to set the tone for the coming season, that the stakes are higher. Everything about the show is about to be dialled up to 11.

Prateek Mishra

I noticed the voice thing for the first time too! Maybe it's because of the phone audio, but BD Wong's Whiterose voice sounds unnervingly different in "She made her choice"

tom

Lrc, guvf vf 10k jbefr guna gur frnfba guerr cerzvrer juvpu ab bar ryfr frrzrq gb cvpx hc ba naq V sryg fb nybar ba KQ. Vg'f shaal orpnhfr V bayl ernyyl fgnegrq gb yvxr Natryn ba guvf erjngpu, ohg orpnhfr V xarj ubj vg raqrq zl vagrecergngvba bs ure jnf ohvyqvat nebhaq jurer vg raqrq naq vg'f gentvp ohg jryy jevggra va zl bcvavba. V srry yvxr V'z va guvf pnzc nybar, abg ncngurgvp gb Natryn naq gurersber svar jvgu gur fprar, naq abg yvxvat Natryn naq gurersber ungvat gur fprar. Vg'f nyy tbbq gb or ba na vaqvivqhny ivrjvat ohg V pna srry gur raretl mnccrq sebz gurz va guvf ernpgvba. Fpnerq gb yvfgra gb gur erivrj, yznb! V'ir whfg fgbccrq ng gur vageb naq gura jngpurq gur Qneyrar fprar orpnhfr V svtherq gurer zvtug or fbzr rzbgvba sebz gung. Gurl obgu ybbx pehfurq ohg vg'f fbzrguvat. V qba'g abeznyyl qb guvf, ohg srry yvxr V unir gb gnxr vg fprar ol fprar orpnhfr bgurejvfr guvf jvyy abg or sha ng nyy kQ. Yvxr gur Serqql fprar, V'ir arire abg orra noyr gb guvax gung vg srryf wneevat gbar-jvfr naq cybg-jvfr gb tb sebz Natryn gb nabgure rcvfbqvp "ivtvynagr unpxre gnxrf qbja rivy crefba" fprar, fb V'z fher gurl'er obgu whfg oynax jvgu gung fprar unun.

tom

I'm only up to the reaction to the first scene, so will continue -- but, well, that's pretty much what we're all here for and what this episode is known for. It took me a while to feel like this made sense for the story. I still didn't completely until this rewatch, when it feels like it made sense all the way from that episode in S1 where the final shot is Angela looking at the two roads in front of her and deciding to follow the one of justice. That led her here. Maybe it was easier for me because while I felt like I expected *something* more from her, I didn't have an idea planned out like Melina thinking she should confront Whiterose and then be killed towards the end. Having a specific idea will usually lead to a mismatch feeling when those expectations aren't fulfilled. I also disagree with Lola's expectation that it was wrong because she wasn't crying. It's clearly supposed to be stark, bleak and shocking. We don't even see Elliot's initial reaction to it. Phillip's final talk with his daughter is them never seeing eye to eye. She doesn't even meet Whiterose, just gets done in by her soldiers. It's the opposite of cathartic. And maybe it's because I'm so many years removed from it, but it makes complete sense to me. But at first, not at all. Angela in S3 is almost a different person, so it feels awful that the moment we get a glimpse of the innocent Angela back from S1 who didn't know anything about all this, then she's gone. And you're both completely justified in feeling this way. All I can really say is give it time and try to think of the bigger picture, and if you still hate it you're entitled to doing so.

tom

This isn't confirmed

tom

Not sure whether to put this here or in the full reaction, but while there are unconfirmed rumors regarding Angela's exit from the show, they are just that: rumors. The actress gave interviews about this episode and talks about how there was nowhere else for the character to go, and that she was happy with how it went. And as you've discussed in previous episodes, she was a character already at high risk in S3. A lot of people don't gel with the suddenness of the scene and see it as confirmation for their speculation, but it makes perfect sense to me. Whether it was planned or not shouldn't affect a storytelling analysis of it: "death of the author" and all, and it's a shame people can't take the scene as is

tom

"It's a show for binging, I don't know how people watch it live" The answer is theorizing. Lots and lots of theorizing. Your little Joanna theory in S3 is the most ordinary common sense theory compared to the wild stuff that was theorized about this show. Plus as lots of people has said, the creator put in so many easter eggs both in and out of the show to intentionally give fans something to think about

tom

Big agree fyi, it's one of the things I agree with a little more every rewatch. Along with some other stuff I'll mention when it comes up lol

Kara

I knew they were going to have issues with Angela's death. Totally get it and it's valid. Personally, I just love it for its boldness and the fact that Sam was able to make it work so well with the circumstances he had. Would I have liked to see what he was going to do with her character in season 4? Absolutely. But honestly, even if Portia didn't ask to leave the show I don't think this would have been a bad way to end her arc. Life is cruel. Not everybody gets a proper ending and I think it's more powerful to have it happen to more of a main character like this. Granted, it's also easier to feel this way having the hindsight of where the season goes from here and how it ends.

Dante

@Crab thanks for the clarification! you actually clarified two things for me because while i was writing the comment i was not sure if it was whiterose or white rose, so i guess i know what it is now.

sand_fl

Totally agree, one thing I cut from my long comment was that watching this reaction made me feel exactly the way the show production/sam want you to feel. They really put us in the rock bottom place of the characters. Shows have done that to me before but not quite like this, everything is working together (writing, performance, music, cinematography) to push me/us into a specific place

Kara

This is the happy fun episode :) "I'm not going to cry" - me: "good luck with that" ;) Sometimes you have to do things in TV to get the audience in the exact place you want them to be, and Sam Esmail (surprised you missed the cameo NGL) is an absolute master at it.

Martin Nicholls

I loved this bit of the reaction because Milena always picks up on these undercurrents of 'creepiness' that I don't pick up on (neither does Lola sometimes). Like she has a sixth sense for psychopathy lmao

Kara

Thanks for your comments! Philip knows that Minister Zhang is Whiterose, it's been mentioned in scenes before. However we've only seen Philip interact with Whiterose as Minister Zhang, which maybe added to the confusion.

Kara

Milena's reaction to Janice is exactly what I expected. Creepy women seem to be the thing that scares her the most lol. Janice was such a great addition to the final season, she's so scary.

Rynsen

Lrnu, rirelguvat lbh zragvbarq vf jul V'z 100% unccl abj. Vg jvyy or qnex sbe n srj rcf ohg vg'f nyy hcfvqr sebz 4k07 - qbzyrar, wnavpr qlvat, qrhf tebhc, juvgrebfr naq gur svanyr.

Kara

Gur qvffbpvngvat uheg, V xarj gurl cebonoyl jbhyqa'g yvxr guvf pubvpr naq V fgvyy unir zvkrq srryvatf ba vg. V guvax gur arkg srj rcf pbhyq or ebhtu va grezf bs vairfgzrag, ohg rirelguvat 407 bajneqf jvyy engpurg vg onpx hc jvgu -Gurve gurbevrf nobhg Rqjneq orvat pbasvezrq va gur jbefg jnl cbffvoyr -Qbz/Qneyrar natfg naq Qbz trggvat gb xvyy Wnavpr -Cevpr trggvat bar bire ba Juvgrebfr naq ure svanyyl trggvat gbccyrq -"Natryn yvirf ba va gur yvirf bs gur crbcyr jub ybir ure" -Gur ragver Qbzyrar rcvfbqr yznb -naq bs pbhefr, gur svany guerr rcvfbqrf Vg fhpxf op guvf vf bar vzcbegnag cneg gung V guvax gur fubj qbrfa'g qb cresrpgyl, ohg nf V jnfa'g nf vairfgrq va Natryn V qvqa'g pner nf zhpu. Gurl'yy trg onpx vagb vg ohg sbe abj vg qrs uhegf

Myeh

i had to go back and pause it (because i'm a masochist). and i'm going to be annoying but as a dexter massive fan i have to say that picture is completely wrong starting with the fact that she was shot from behind and even if they turned her body to take a pic it does not look believable at all 💀 sorry for being annoying, just noticed that when i saw the pic.

sand_fl

I know this first episode is shocking, and the mood has shifted dramatically, but this is how every season of Mr Robot starts. Each season feels drastically different from the previous one. When watching them live, I too never really knew how to feel about them. The only thing I'm gonna say is that Sam Esmail and his crew have consistently delivered for 3 seasons now. Have faith that he will deliver once more for this final season, as shocking and different as this episode may seem from anything that came before.

Robbe Bryssinck

what the fuck did i just watch? okay, i know i've been saying for a bunch of episodes that i felt like angela's death was bound to happen any second but still... i agree with them, it felt rushed. just read in a bunch of comments that apparetly portia wanted out so i guess they did the best they could with the circumstances. it's a pitty though, with a few more scenes i think they could have wrapped her story a bit better. elliot's reaction is not what i was expecting ngl, same with darlene. i knew they were friends, but i did not expect her to fall apart like that because of angela. it was really sad to see her hugging the ballet shoes (or whatever whose things are called) because they did ballet together. i guess elliot is just numb and i'm afraid about his reaction once the shock and the numbness are gone. i din't think he's mentally strong enough to recover from angelas' loss. funny thing, i actually knew janice from a video or something. when i saw the actress i though "that's the actress from that scary video"... turns out the video is from this show. so well, i apparently know something that's going to happen but i don't know the context at all. i just know she's terrifying. it was really sad seeing dom like that. poor woman barely slept as it was and now she looks like and extra from the last of us. her mom was really funny and nice though. i hope she doesn't die. i'm intretested on how phillip is involved in this. because as far as i'm concerned he was not working with white rose anymore right? how did she manage that? also, does he know that white rose is the minister? i think he does but i got confused for a moment and now i'm not entirely sure. i believe that was indeed emmy rossum but i've only seen her as fiona so i could be wrong. anyway, i'll probably watch the discussion tomorrow while working out because it's a long one and i could use watching somethinh happier before going to bed. anyway, hope milena has a good vacation and that you two enjoy some free time.

sand_fl

ROT13 Full Show Spoilers for rewatchers: V abgvprq gjb guvatf sbe gur svefg gvzr erjngpuvat guvf rcvfbqr Guvat 1: Gur fbat gung cynlf qhevat gur Ryyvbg (znfgrezvaq) qlvat zbagntr vf gur fnzr fbat gung cerprqrf gur Z83 Bhgeb svany genpx va gur frevrf svanyr. Nffhzvat guvf vf vagragvbany, vg qenjf n yvar orgjrra Ryyvbg/znfgrezvaq nyzbfg qlvat ("tbvat njnl") urer, naq gung crefbanyvgl tbvat njnl va gur raq. Vagrerfgvat vs vagraqrq Guvat 2: Jura "Ryyvbg" (znfgrezvaq) vf qlvat sebz gur bireqbfr, uvf 'yvsr' synfurf orsber uvf rlrf naq nyy gur fubgf rkprcg gur Ze Ebobg fgber (naq nethnoyl gur Ryyvbg/Qneyrar znfx fprar) ner sebz gur srj zbaguf gur znfgrezvaq unf orra va pbageby. Gung'f fb vagrerfgvat vs vagraqrq, yvxr vs gur erny Ryyvbg jnf qlvat lbh'q rkcrpg gb frr n ybg zber inevrq fprarf guna whfg gur ynfg lrne bs yvsr yby Na nfvqr sbe erjngpuref: guvf jnf ubarfgyl fb uneq gb jngpu ng cbvagf yznb. Vg'f rnfl gb erjngpu xabjvat jurer vg tbrf ohg Ybyn naq Zvyran ner fhpu rzbgvbany ernpgbef V nyzbfg pevrq jngpuvat gurz qvffbpvngr. Zl bayl fbynpr vf xabjvat jurer gur fubj tbrf naq gung V'z abj 100% fher gurl'yy or fngvfsvrq ol gur raq

Kara

I think it's also a very powerful way to frame the episode and again tie the audience to the (mostly) POV character. It's shocking, enough that yeah it's hard to feel exactly sad or be sure what you feel except maybe anger at how abrupt it is. Which is exactly how Eliot seems to be dealing with it. Angry about it, but not able to really feel the grief at the lost of his life long best friend.

RocktSurgeon

Wow, what an amazing reaction. Firstly I want to say thank you for watching and not pausing the ep, I think you both experienced the episode the same way many of us did live and it was extremely cathartic and honestly hard to watch (in a good way). There is a lot of discourse about Angela's arc (I've read some really good comments in ROT13 in these episode discussions even) and I still think it's a heartbreaking but incredible way to open a season, I'd never seen anything like it before and I've never seen anything like it seen. I'm a huge Angela fan and imo the arc of her character while deeply tragic is satisfying to me. It's hard to process in the moment but she 100% knew the stakes at the end, and she chose to go out on her own terms, and that's a lot braver than I would be. Shoutout to Portia Doubleday for putting an incredible unforgettable performance. I guess I always knew this but this reaction really put into stark realisation how depressing this opening episode is hahaha. Everyone is in a truly dire position. One thing that always stands out to me is the switch up with Mr Robot. It's funny because I always remember Elliot/Mr Robot teamups as being more prominent in the show, and while they do team up in some scenes before now this is really a big moment and it was nice to see you react to that. I love love love the concept of them being on the same page, while still being distinct identities to the point Mr Robot is addressing us. Fantastic storytelling. One thing I noticed for the first time this episode was that Whiterose was barely trying to disguise her voice on the phone to Philip at the beginning. In previous scenes where they meet she's in full Minister Zhang mode. I feel bad for which of you had to edit this one lol. I hope you found some additional insights with a bit of distance from the record 💖. Season 4 is a hell of a thing and we're here and we're excited to join you in completing this journey!

Kara

I totally missed what happened since I skipped the recap when I first watched it, and was SO confused at jumping into Philip throwing things. I do think as jarring as it is, it works as purposeful. The dissociated/shocked grief that it elicits lines up with how Elliot as the POV character is dealing with it. Or rather mostly not dealing with it. Definitely a VERY rough start to the season, but a fantastic season overall.

RocktSurgeon

There were only non-confirmed rumors at the time this episode came out. It certainly was a frustrating experience for me when I first watched it.

thelumpur

All other OOC information I can glean about Angela's death: -There was another route Sam considered with Angela going into witness protection, but found it OOC and thought she'd rather be seeking justice/revenge and the like. Thought it better to end her on a note of defiance. -There are indeed rumors that Portia and Rami dated and broke up after S3, and Portia wanted out in S4 -According to Portia, she and Sam came up with Angela's death collaboratively and she doesn't seem to hold any ill will. He actually bought her Prada shoes as a wrap gift I have mixed feelings about the choice, Angela was never my favorite character but doing it this way is a deliberately jarring choice. I hope it doesn't turn you off too much from the rest of the season, this premiere is definitely Different but imo it settles back in a lot more as it progresses

Myeh

Unfortunately, Portia did ask out. They did the best they could imo

dk

the guy who said goodbye friend is sam esmail lol

Logan Johns

just to not completely leave it in the open (you'd need to drill in comments to see the link, which you can kinda tell the spoiler in the text of the URL lol) https://media.comicbook.com/2019/10/mr-robot-final-season-4-premiere-angela-death-corpse-image-1190748.jpeg?auto=webp&width=696&height=390&crop=696:390,smart

Ron B

Did ya'll catch the single frame confirmation? 😫 Can't wait to watch later! I admittedly watched the intro talk just now while I'm at work but I'm super excited! 🥰

Ron B

Don't read if you haven't watched, but this is Portia's thoughts on Angela's final scene. I'm watching the reaction and not sure how you'll like it but here's her take "If you look at her journey, this is what we kind of talked about, her necessity for justice, and Price even says, “You have to stop this ridiculous obsession.” I don’t think Angela would have survived; she was constantly putting herself in situations where her life is threatened, and that’s really interesting to me. I think she was addicted to it — she was addicted to justice, and justice and vengeance are very similar. Over time, that was the only identity that she started to have throughout the series, this constant internal struggle of being seduced by the power that actually killed her mother, seduced by the power of society that makes those decisions, because she could have easily become a Price or a Terry Colby, while simultaneously being influenced by her morality and integrity that would pull her in the opposite direction. That is the question she’s had: How do people like Terry Colby, who have a lot of power, sit there and make these decisions that ruin people’s lives? That is what her quest was, answering that question: Was she capable of being that person? I think she chooses to stay and sit there to confront the hypocrisy of what people like Price represent, which I think is unbelievably powerful. It’s not so much that she’s passive about this experience, it’s that she’s making a huge point to the Colbys and Prices of the world. He has a weakness, which was her, and so I think the hypocrisy of the moment is what she’s saying to him, “Wow, even you are fallible.” And he’s responsible; he recruited her, he treated her mother that way, and now they’re here. He has a heavy hand in that. So I look at it like more a moment of strength. She’s also leaving Price with that too, so in her dying, who knows how that will have influenced what he will then do."

Myeh

There are rumors that Portia Doubleday wanted out of the show. She dated Rami Malek and if I got that right they broke up around season 3. Maybe thats the reason her character arc ended so suddenly.

Slaizio

we love domlene ❤

ramiro

@LM Reaction enjoy then! i'm sure you'll love my girl camila. i binged all three already. and yeah, there's even a song that has similitudes to the chain. as a fleetwood mac lover i was shocked when i heard the album, they're not trying to hide the inspiration at all 🤣

sand_fl

im about to play episode 1, as an avid fleetwood mac fan im excited, and milena read the book so she’s even more excited 😁

LM Reactions

This season is going to be very heavy, but it will give you a lifetime experience. I consider this the best TV season of all time. I am super excited :)

Adam

also, since you're surely not reacting to it i'd love to hear your thoughts about the daisy jones adaptation. first 3 episodes are out.

sand_fl

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

Matt

i'd say what a treat for such an early update, i can even watch while having late dinner today, but damn, you speaking serbian is never a good sign... i'm afraid of what's going to happen now.

sand_fl

im sure no one expected that 😂

LM Reactions

Mr Robot Season 4 debut on Friday evening UK time??? Blessed weekend 🙏

Kara


More Creators