While television was once thought of as a lesser medium than film, the 21st Century proved that genre-defying TV shows were often the most dramatically, emotionally, and creatively satisfying outlets for great entertainment. Shows likeThe Sopranos, The Wire, Mad Men, Breaking Bad,andBoardwalk Empireproved that these prestige series could develop complex narratives over the course of several years. However, Sam Esmail’s peculiar techno-thrillerMr. Robotwas still a risky notion when it first debuted in 2015. Not only was the show very idiosyncratic in its aesthetic design, but its complex narrative, unreliable characters, and shocking plot twists signified that it might not last beyond a single season.
Against all odds, the sheer quality ofMr. Robotendured, and turned it into one of the best dramas of the decade. Set in an alternate version of 2015,Mr. Robotfollows the young hacker Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), who works a day job as a programmer at the security company E Corp (which he refers to as “Evil Corp”). Elliot secretly works as a Robin Hood-esque figure who exposes criminals, and his skills gain the attention of the enigmatic hacktivist faction “fsociety” and their enigmatic leader Mr. Robot (played by Christian Slater). Elliot is wrapped up in a scheme that diverges in shocking and surprisingly emotional ways. Here is every season ofMr. Robot, ranked worst to best.
There aren’t any bad seasons ofMr. Robot, but Season 2 seemed the most confused as to what direction the series was taking into the future. It’s a season that further diverges into Elliot’s mind as he finds it impossible to separate himself from Mr. Robot, and becomes trapped in a prison of his own mind. Given Elliot’s spiraling mental state, the season opts to spend more time developing supporting characters such as the enigmatic villain Whiterose (B.D. Wong). While it was nice to see Elliot’s sister Darelene (Carly Chaikin) and his crush Angela Moss (Portia Doubleday) play more central roles, it also felt like the show was denying the audience its favorite character when Elliot was absent.
Nonetheless, Season 2 features some of the most incredible standalone episodes that show what a risky storyteller Esmail is. The sixth episode is set in a dark, twisted sitcom similar toFull Housefrom the 1990s, where Elliot’s experiences are shown metaphorically, and the seventh episode features a stunning revelation that changes the audience’s perception of where Elliot was throughout the events of the season.
Related:How Mr. Robot Quietly Captured the Cultural Zeitgeist
The final installment in theMr. Robotsaga is set amidst the events of aparticularly chilly Christmas season, and right from the beginning the holiday atmosphere helps the show retain its eerie atmosphere. While the final stretch of episodes is a bit overlong and indulgent, it eventually creates a satisfying conclusion that reflects on the audience’s relationship with Elliot. Unquestionably, the most powerful episode of the season is “407 Proxy Authentication Required,” where Elliot finally reveals that he had been sexually abused by his father when he was a child. It’s a devastating scene that pays respect to real victims; Malek may have won an Emmy Award for his performance in the first season, but he did the best acting of his career in this devastating moment.
The season also features a near-silent heist episode that’s incredibly intense, as well as a spiritual episode in which the anti-hero Tyrell Wellick (Martin Wallstrom) gets a touching farewell in a moment that evokes the dreamlike episodes ofThe Sopranos. While the season finale may not have wrapped up all the loose story ends, it certainly works on an emotional level.
Related:Rami Malek’s Best Performances, Ranked
While some shows struggle starting out determining what their eventual direction will be,Mr. Robotknew exactly what type of story it had ahead of it from the very beginning. While it was the only season not directed entirely by Esmail himself, the other directors understood the same techno noir vibe that he had intended. With its sense of paranoia, animosity for the elite upper class, nonlinear narrative, and fourth wall breaking moments,Mr. Robotfelt clearly inspired by such classics asThe Matrix, Dark City, Pi,andBlade Runner.Esmail has statedthat Elliot’s anti-capitalistic rebellion was inspired by Robert De Niro’s performance as Travis Bickle inTaxi Driver.
Elliot is a very likable character from the very beginning, and the audience is taken on an emotional journey with him as he unlocks the secret to his own identity. TheFight Club-style twist that occurs towards the end of the season isn’t just a surprising moment, but one that checks out logically when rewatching the show from the very beginning. Season 1 holds up very well for fans in the wake of season 4, as the story beats that weren’t revealed until the end were actually subtly teased early on.
While the ending of Season 2 was certainly a game changer for the show’s narrative, it suggested thatMr. Robotmight be leaning towards being more surrealist and plot-driven than based around the characters. However, Season 3 certainly proved that it was the mix of bold filmmaking, complex socio political themes, and engaging protagonists that made it so unique. Not only did the show reaffirm the importance of Elliot and Darlenes’ relationship, but it introduced a great new standout anti-hero in Bobby Cannavale’s Irving, a covert fixer for the Dark Army hackers.
Mr. Robothas always distinguished itself with its musical choices, and season 3 features some of the best needle drops in its entire history. The use of Daft Punk’s “Touch” in the very first episode helps introduce Elliot and Darlene into a surrealist version of New York that hasn’t improved at all since their hack of E Corp in the first season.Entertainment Weeklysaid that “Season 3 ofMr. Robotis a masterpiece, ballasting the global ambitions of season 2 while sharpening back to the meticulous build of season 1.”
