Discussion Post: Finch

[sevencorvus]

This week the topic is Finch, so what have we learned about him, what we thought of him, what scenes of theirs were our favorites, what further questions we have of him, etc.?

Next Week: Episode Rewatch: Episode 1.10 Number Crunch

Comments

[togsos]

Ah how i love Finch. I always see him as darker, more calculating, than most and certainly more so than he is seen in most fanfic. He comes across as a good guy, he apparently restrains Johns more homicidal impulses etc. But the thing is Finch looked for someone and gave them a job knowing that it would get that person killed, that takes a serious level of emotional disassociation

[aprilvalentine]

Great comment, togsos and I think what you say gives a lot to think about. Finch can appear sweet and somewhat "innocent" at times, which is what I think some fic authors pick up on, but he can ruin someone with a single keystroke without batting an eye or feeling bad about it and doesn't mind eavesdropping on everyone all the time. He's the same man who didn't, couldn't or simply wouldn't understand Nathan's concerns about the irrelevant list until Nathan was killed, who didn't tell his fiance his real name and who changes identities the way most men change shirts. Yet the reality of actual violence does seem to shock him and the fact that Reese sometimes can't be dissuaded from killing someone perplexes him. His closeness with Reese isn't something he expected -- he was so stiff at first and saying things like "don't call me, I'll call you when we have a new number" in an effort to distance himself that didn't work as time went on

Harold is adorable

[slashmommy]

I agree that Harold is much more dangerous than he is often portrayed. He is the one who taught the machine to sort out the "irrelevant" people in the first place. His guilt over the numbers rests firmly on his guilt over Nathan. Each time he loses someone it is Nathan all over again. His ability/willingness to go between different versions of himself has allowed him to disassociate himself from those around him. He doesn't spend enough time with any one person, other than John, to get attached.

That being said, I'd like to spend a moment on his relationship with Grace. Is it just me or is this Harold's fantasy of what Nathan wanted for him? He didn't pick her out, the machine did. She certainly has no idea who he really is and I felt like she was a reaction to Nathan coming down on him for not having anyone in his life rather than a desire for her. I'm not saying he doesn't care for her, but that he's more in love with the idea of her than her.

Re: Harold is adorable

[aprilvalentine]

Hi, slashmommy!!! I'm thrilled to see you here in POI land!

And I agree about Harold. What you said about his being able to disassociate himself is really interesting and a good take on how he deals with his grief and guilt.

Also, about Grace, I think you've come up with a good theory there too. I think in part that he finally realized that he would never really be able to have the kind of relationship with Nathan that he wanted -- possibly sexually -- and so he kind of settled for Grace or decided he would be "normal" in that he would have a relationship with someone. She was the right type for him... someone who wouldn't ask too many questions or push him about things he wasn't ready to reveal.

See you at Shoreleave?

Re: Harold is adorable

[slashmommy]

Haven't decided on Shore Leave. Will only just be getting back from dropping kids off at the grandparents. I'll probably try to come.

I'd love to know more of the back story that Nathan alludes to when Harold finally tells him about Grace. They graduated in 1976 which makes it difficult, but not impossible, for it to have something to do with Vietnam.

Re: Harold is adorable

[sevencorvus]

hmmmm....that is an interesting theory about Grace. My only question is about the timeline. I thought his discussion with Nathan about not having anyone was after he got together with Grace?