View source for Person of Interest season 2

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{short description|Season of television series}}
{{Infobox television season
| season_number = 2
| bgcolour      = #2B4678
| image         = Person of Interest Season 2.jpg
| caption       = Home media cover art
| starring      = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jim Caviezel]]
* [[Taraji P. Henson]]
* [[Kevin Chapman]]
* [[Michael Emerson]]
}}
| num_episodes  = 22
| network       = [[CBS]]
| first_aired   = {{Start date|2012|9|27}}
| last_aired    = {{End date|2013|5|9}}
| episode_list  = List of Person of Interest episodes
}}

The second season of the American television series ''[[Person of Interest (TV series)|Person of Interest]]'' premiered on September 27, 2012 on [[CBS]] and ended on May 9, 2013. The season is produced by [[Jonathan Nolan|Kilter Films]], [[Bad Robot]], and [[Warner Bros. Television]], with [[Jonathan Nolan]], Greg Plageman, [[J. J. Abrams]], and [[Bryan Burk]] serving as executive producers and Plageman serving as showrunner. 

The series was renewed for a second season in March 2012<ref name="season2">{{cite news|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|title=CBS picking up most of its primetime slate for next season|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/cbs-picking-up-most-of-its-primetime-slate-for-next-season/2012/03/14/gIQAeffECS_blog.html|access-date=March 14, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 14, 2012}}</ref> and stars [[Jim Caviezel]], [[Taraji P. Henson]], [[Kevin Chapman]] and [[Michael Emerson]]. The series revolves around a mysterious reclusive billionaire computer programmer, Harold Finch, who has developed a computer program for the federal government known as "the Machine" that is capable of collating all [[Mass surveillance|sources of information]] to predict terrorist acts and to identify people planning them. The Machine also identifies perpetrators and victims of other premeditated deadly crimes; however, because the government considers these "irrelevant", Finch programs the Machine to delete this information each night and programs the Machine to notify him secretly of the "irrelevant" numbers. Finch recruits [[John Reese (Person of Interest)|John Reese]], a former [[United States Army Special Forces|Green Beret]] and [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agent, now presumed dead – to investigate the people identified by the numbers the Machine has provided, and to act accordingly. 

Viewership for the season increased from the first season, with an average of 16.07 million viewers, ranking as the 5th most watched series of the [[2012–13 United States network television schedule|2012-13 television season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/29/complete-list-of-2012-13-season-tv-show-viewership-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-ncis-the-big-bang-theory-ncis-los-angeles/184781/|title=Complete List Of 2012–13 Season TV Show Viewership: 'Sunday Night Football' Tops, Followed By 'NCIS,' 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'NCIS: Los Angeles'|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=May 29, 2013|access-date=May 29, 2013|archive-date=June 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628043440/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/29/complete-list-of-2012-13-season-tv-show-viewership-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-ncis-the-big-bang-theory-ncis-los-angeles/184781/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The season received positive reviews from critics, with many deeming it an improvement over the previous season, praising its performances, writing and subject matter. In March 2013, CBS renewed the series for a third season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/27/the-good-wife-elementary-person-of-interest-2-broke-girls-ncis-la-the-mentalist-mike-molly-blue-bloods-renewed-by-cbs/175317|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330061734/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/27/the-good-wife-elementary-person-of-interest-2-broke-girls-ncis-la-the-mentalist-mike-molly-blue-bloods-renewed-by-cbs/175317/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 30, 2013|title='The Good Wife', 'Elementary', 'Person Of Interest', '2 Broke Girls', 'NCIS: LA', 'The Mentalist', 'Mike & Molly', 'Hawaii Five-0' & 'Blue Bloods' Renewed by CBS|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=March 27, 2013|access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>

==Season summary==
The season starts with Reese rescuing Finch after he is kidnapped by Root. During the second season, Decima Technologies, a powerful and secretive private intelligence firm run by ex-MI6 spy and idealist John Greer, is revealed to be attempting to gain access to the Machine. Carter vows vengeance against HR after they have her boyfriend, Detective Cal Beecher, murdered. Reese and Finch encounter Sameen Shaw, a U.S. Army ISA assassin, on the run after being betrayed by her employers. Shaw learns about the Machine in the season two finale and subsequently becomes a member of Reese and Finch's team. The Machine is revealed to have developed sentience and covertly arranged for itself to be moved to an undisclosed location to protect itself from interference.

==Cast and characters==
{{See also|List of Person of Interest characters}}

===Main===
* [[Jim Caviezel]] as [[John Reese (Person of Interest)|John Reese]]
* [[Taraji P. Henson]] as Detective Jocelyn "Joss" Carter
* [[Kevin Chapman]] as Detective Lionel Fusco
* [[Michael Emerson]] as Harold Finch
{{Columns-start|num=2}}

=== Recurring ===
* [[Jay O. Sanders]] as Special Counsel
* [[Boris McGiver]] as Hersh
* [[Amy Acker]] as Samantha Groves/Root
* [[Robert John Burke]] as Officer Patrick Simmons
* [[Clarke Peters]] as Alonzo Quinn
* [[Sterling K. Brown]] as Detective Calvin "Cal" Beecher
* [[Brett Cullen]] as Nathan Ingram
* [[Brennan Brown]] as FBI Agent Nicholas Donnelly
* [[Al Sapienza]] as Detective Raymond Terney
* [[Enrico Colantoni]] as Carl Elias
* [[Ken Leung]] as Leon Tao
* [[Carrie Preston]] as Grace Hendricks
* [[Sarah Shahi]] as Sameen Shaw
* Brendan Griffin as Charles Macavoy
* [[Brian Hutchison]] as FBI Agent Brian Moss
* Creighton James as Wayne Packer
* [[Michael Kelly (American actor)|Michael Kelly]] as CIA Agent Mark Snow
* James Knight as Brian Kelly
* [[John Nolan (British actor)|John Nolan]] as John Greer
* [[Annie Parisse]] as CIA Agent Kara Stanton
* [[Paige Turco]] as Zoe Morgan
* [[Mike McGlone|Michael McGlone]] as Detective Bill Szymanski
* [[Cotter Smith]] as Denton Weeks
* [[Morgan Spector]] as Peter Yogorov
* [[James Hanlon]] as Jimmy Stills
* [[David Valcin]] as Anthony S. Marconi/Scarface
{{column}}

===Notable guests===
* [[Margo Martindale]] as Barbara Russell ("Bad Code")
* [[Jonathan Tucker]] as Riley Cavanaugh ("Triggerman")
* [[Gloria Votsis]] as Maxine Angelis ("Bury the Lede")
* [[John Ventimiglia]] as Christopher Zambrano ("Bury the Lede")
* [[Alicia Witt]] as Connie Wyler ("The High Road")
* [[David Denman]] as Graham Wyler ("The High Road")
* [[Sharon Leal]] as Dr. Madeleine Enright ("Critical")
* [[Julian Sands]] as Alistair Wesley ("Critical")
* [[Mark Pellegrino]] as Daniel Drake ("Til Death")
* [[Francie Swift]] as Sabrina Drake ("Til Death")
* [[Michael Irby]] as Fermin Ordoñez ("C.O.D.")
* [[Reiko Aylesworth]] as Regina Vickers ("C.O.D.")
* [[Brian J. Smith]] as Shayn Coleman ("Shadow Box")
* [[Luke Kirby]] as Chris Beckner ("2πR")
* [[Luke Kleintank]] as Caleb Phipps ("2πR")
* [[Jimmi Simpson]] as Logan Pierce ("One Percent")
* [[Paul Sparks]] as Wilson ("Relevance")
* [[Ebon Moss-Bachrach]] as Michael Cole ("Relevance")
* [[Luke Macfarlane]] as Alan Fahey ("Proteus")
* [[Becky Ann Baker]] as Erica Schmidt ("Proteus")
* [[Dan Lauria]] as Stanley Amis ("Proteus")
* [[Michael Rispoli]] as Darien Makris ("All In")
* [[Dennis Boutsikaris]] as Dr. Richard Nelson ("In Extremis")
{{Columns-end}}

== Episodes ==
{{see also|List of Person of Interest episodes}}
<onlyinclude>{{Episode table |background=#2B4678 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=17 |director=14 |writer=27 |airdate=14 |prodcode=8 |viewers=10 |country=U.S. |episodes=
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 24
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 1
 |Title = [[The Contingency]]
 |DirectedBy = [[Richard J. Lewis]]
 |WrittenBy = Denise Thé & [[Jonathan Nolan]]
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|9|27}}
 |Viewers = 14.28<ref name="2.01">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/28/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-adjusted-up-parks-rec-up-all-night-snl-weekend-update-the-office-glee-scandal-rock-center-adjust/150556/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001015313/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/28/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-adjusted-up-parks-rec-up-all-night-snl-weekend-update-the-office-glee-scandal-rock-center-adjust/150556/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 1, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory', 'Grey's Anatomy', Adjusted Up; 'Parks & Rec', 'Up All Night', 'SNL: Weekend Update', 'The Office', 'Glee', 'Scandal', 'Rock Center' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=September 28, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7201
 |ShortSummary = The Machine provides Reese a code that translates to the SSN of accountant Leon Tao, who is being targeted for stealing money from the [[Aryan Brotherhood]]. Reese saves Tao from the gang and adopts their dog, which he names Bear. The government sabotages Carter's investigation into Corwin's death to prevent her from learning about the Machine. Root takes Finch to a cabin in [[Maryland]] and kidnaps NSA operative Denton Weeks. She explains that she sees the Machine as a "perfect intelligence" and wants to "set it free." Reese threatens to quit his operations unless the Machine helps him find Finch, and receives the SSN of a girl in Texas who has been missing since age 14. Flashbacks to the early days of the Machine's development depict it saving Finch from a distracted driver who dies in a crash. Finch rebukes the Machine and states that it should be protecting everyone, not only him.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 25
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 2
 |Title = Bad Code
 |DirectedBy = [[Jon Cassar]]
 |WrittenBy = Greg Plageman & Patrick Harbinson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|10|4}}
 |Viewers = 14.58<ref name="2.02">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/05/thursday-final-ratingsthe-x-factor-last-resort-30-rock-greys-anatomy-the-office-adjusted-up-two-and-a-half-men-person-of-interest-scandal-elementary/151704/ |title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The X Factor', 'Last Resort', '30 Rock', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'The Office' Adjusted Up; 'Two and a Half Men', 'Person of Interest', 'Scandal', 'Elementary' 'Rock Center' & 'The Next' Adjusted Down |work=TV by the Numbers |last=Bibel |first=Sara |date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007175716/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/05/thursday-final-ratingsthe-x-factor-last-resort-30-rock-greys-anatomy-the-office-adjusted-up-two-and-a-half-men-person-of-interest-scandal-elementary/151704/ |archive-date=October 7, 2012 }}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7202
 |ShortSummary = Root interrogates Denton Weeks for the Machine's location and kills him after he discloses it. Reese identifies the missing girl provided to him by the Machine as Hanna Frey, who was abducted and found dead twenty years prior. Flashbacks show that Hanna's friend Samantha Groves, the sole witness to the abduction, informed the local librarian of what she saw, only for the librarian to accuse Sam of lying. That night, Sam adopted the alias "Root" and presumably fled home. Reese and Carter locate Hanna's body and ensure a proper burial, learning Root arranged to have Hanna's killer murdered. While investigating Corwin's murder, Fusco finds a taped conversation regarding the government's search for Weeks, which allows Reese to locate the cabin and retrieve Finch. Root escapes but calls Reese to warn she will come back for Finch.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 26
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 3
 |Title = Masquerade
 |DirectedBy = [[Jeffrey Hunt]]
 |WrittenBy = Melissa Scrivner Love
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|10|18}}
 |Viewers = 13.93<ref name="2.03">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/19/thursday-final-ratings-the-vampire-diaries-the-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-30-rock-up-all-night-scandal-adjusted-down-plus-final-baseba/153888/ |title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Vampire Diaries', 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'The Ofifice' Adjusted Up; '30 Rock', 'Up All Night' & 'Scandal' Adjusted Down Plus Final Baseball Numbers |work=TV by the Numbers |last=Bibel |first=Sara |date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=October 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021204036/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/19/thursday-final-ratings-the-vampire-diaries-the-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-30-rock-up-all-night-scandal-adjusted-down-plus-final-baseba/153888/ |archive-date=October 21, 2012 }}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7203
 |ShortSummary = As Finch tries to readjust to life after his kidnapping, establishing a bond with Reese's attack dog Bear, Reese poses as a bodyguard to get close to Sophia Campos, the spoiled daughter of the Brazilian consul in New York. Sophia has become the target of the leader of a drug smuggling operation, who believes that she and a friend witnessed their operations. Reese saves her from the gang. Meanwhile, Fusco hands the Alicia Corwin case on to Carter. While at the morgue, Carter encounters Mark Snow, who claims that he has been reassigned, but is in fact being held hostage by Kara Stanton.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 27
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 4
 |Title = Triggerman
 |DirectedBy = [[James Whitmore, Jr.]]
 |WrittenBy = Erik Mountain
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|10|25}}
 |Viewers = 14.03<ref name="2.04">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/26/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-vampire-diaries-adjusted-up-parks-rec-up-all-night-rock-center-30-rock-person-of-interest-beauty-th/154823/ |title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'Parks & Rec', 'Up All Night', 'Rock Center', '30 Rock', 'Person of Interest' & Beauty & the Beast' Adjusted Down |work=TV by the Numbers |last=Kondolojy |first=Amanda |date=October 26, 2012 |access-date=October 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029034725/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/26/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-vampire-diaries-adjusted-up-parks-rec-up-all-night-rock-center-30-rock-person-of-interest-beauty-th/154823/ |archive-date=October 29, 2012 }}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7204
 |ShortSummary = Riley Cavanaugh, an enforcer for an Irish mobster, becomes the next number when he betrays his boss and goes on the run with his lover, Annie, whom he was ordered to kill. Reese and Finch debate the morality of trying to save a ruthless killer, but they soon need Riley's help when Annie is captured by bounty hunters hired by the mob. To keep Annie safe, Finch is forced to make a deal with Elias, who continues to run his criminal organization from behind bars, in exchange for a game of [[chess]]. Riley sacrifices his life in order to save Annie, an act Reese encourages her to interpret as proof of his love and a sign of his redemption.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 28
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 5
 |Title = Bury the Lede
 |DirectedBy = Jeffrey Hunt
 |WrittenBy = [[David Slack]]
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|11|1}}
 |Viewers = 13.66<ref name="2.05">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/02/thursday-final-ratingsthe-big-bang-theory-adjusted-up-person-of-interest-adjusted-down/155994/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105054514/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/02/thursday-final-ratingsthe-big-bang-theory-adjusted-up-person-of-interest-adjusted-down/155994/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings:'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up, 'Person of Interest' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=November 2, 2012|access-date=November 2, 2012}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7205
 |ShortSummary = In the midst of New York's mayoral elections, the police and FBI are closing the net around the elusive leader of HR. Investigative reporter Maxine Angelis is trying to beat them to the story and becomes the next number, but Reese finds it difficult to protect Maxine when Finch discovers she is writing an exposé on the mysterious "man in the suit". Reese uses an online dating website to get close to Maxine without exposing his true identity. HR runs a gambit to trick Maxine into naming an FBI informant as HR's leader, discrediting her, while everyone hunts for a ledger containing the names of everyone involved in the organization. Reese, Carter and Fusco manage to track down the ledger, and Fusco secretly removes the pages that would incriminate himself and Simmons. The ledger names one of the mayoral candidates as the big boss, causing his opponent to win the race, but in reality, both candidates are on the payroll of Alonzo Quinn, HR's true leader.
|LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 29
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 6
 |Title = The High Road
 |DirectedBy = [[Félix Enríquez Alcalá|Félix Alcalá]]
 |WrittenBy = Nic Van Zeebroeck & Michael Sopczynski
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|11|8}}
 |Viewers = 14.87<ref name="2.06">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/09/thursday-final-ratingsthe-big-bang-theory-vampire-diaries-greys-anatomy-adjusted-up-the-office-parks-rec-scandal-rock-center-adjusted-down/156810/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112001838/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/09/thursday-final-ratingsthe-big-bang-theory-vampire-diaries-greys-anatomy-adjusted-up-the-office-parks-rec-scandal-rock-center-adjusted-down/156810/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 12, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings:'The Big Bang Theory', 'Vampire Diaries' & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up, 'The Office', 'Parks & Rec', 'Scandal' & 'Rock Center' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=November 9, 2012|access-date=November 10, 2012}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7206
 |ShortSummary = Reese ventures into suburbia to locate the next person of interest, Graham Wyler, whose past returns to haunt him. Reese "proposes" to Zoe Morgan for the mission to help blend into suburban life. They move to the suburbs to investigate Wyler. Wyler is forced to help with a robbery led by his former partners, as he is a master safecracker. He cracks the safe as Reese and the NYPD show up. Carter buys some extra time with the police by leading them up the wrong staircase to give Reese and Wyler time to escape down the other, but Wyler decides he does not want to continue running from his past and turns himself in. He turns state's evidence against the gang and is then placed on house arrest, as the court deems him no threat to society due to his help in getting convictions on his crew. Flashbacks show Finch greeting Grace (his future fiancé) for the first time.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 30
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 7
 |Title = Critical
 |DirectedBy = [[Fred Toye|Frederick E. O. Toye]]
 |WrittenBy = Sean Hennen
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|11|15}}
 |Viewers = 14.57<ref name="2.07">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/16/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-vampire-diaries-greys-anatomy-last-resort-scandal-adjusted-down/158003/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119030039/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/16/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-vampire-diaries-greys-anatomy-last-resort-scandal-adjusted-down/158003/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 19, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Vampire Diaries', 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'The Office' Adjusted Up; 'Last Resort & 'Scandal' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=November 16, 2012 |access-date=November 16, 2012}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7207
 |ShortSummary = Reese and Finch work to save both the life of a CEO undergoing secret surgery and the wife of the surgeon from a former MI6 agent and a team of ex-SAS operatives. Leon Tao, once again in danger, assists while under protective detention. Carter handles the case of a murdered man with her business card in his pocket, discovering that Agent Snow is the murderer. Snow reveals to her that he has been strapped to a bomb suit and says that 'she', referring to Stanton, is planning something big. Detective Carter informs Reese of her meeting with Agent Snow, and he warns her to stay out of the case.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 31
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 8
 |Title = 'Til Death
 |DirectedBy = [[Helen Shaver]]
 |WrittenBy = Amanda Segel
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|11|29}}
 |Viewers = 14.43<ref name="2.08">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/30/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-the-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-beauty-and-the-beast-adjusted-down/159731/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203052121/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/30/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-the-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-beauty-and-the-beast-adjusted-down/159731/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 3, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up; 'The Vampire Diaries', 'Two and a Half Men' & 'Beauty and the Beast' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=November 30, 2012 |access-date=November 30, 2012}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7208
 |ShortSummary = The Machine produces two numbers belonging to a married couple who own a publishing house. Reese and Finch work together and soon discover that each has ordered a hit on the other to settle a proposed sellout deal for their company. Reese kidnaps the couple with Carter's reluctant help, and defends them from a group of armed thugs while Finch plays marriage counselor. Eventually the hitmen are taken down while the couple are arrested but work out their marital problems. Finch suggests that the two will not spend much time in jail due to skilled lawyers, as well as their refusal to testify against each other. Meanwhile, Carter begins a relationship with narcotics detective Cal Beecher.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 32
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 9
 |Title = C.O.D.
 |DirectedBy = [[Clark Johnson]]
 |WrittenBy = Ray Utarnachitt
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|12|6}}
 |Viewers = 14.18<ref name="2.09">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/07/thursday-final-ratings-the-x-factor-the-vampire-diaries-and-glee-adjusted-up-two-and-a-half-men-elementary-person-of-interest-and-big-bang-theory-adjusted-down/160685/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207234804/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/07/thursday-final-ratings-the-x-factor-the-vampire-diaries-and-glee-adjusted-up-two-and-a-half-men-elementary-person-of-interest-and-big-bang-theory-adjusted-down/160685/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The X Factor', 'The Vampire Diaries' and 'Glee' Adjusted Up; 'Two and a Half Men', 'Elementary', 'Person of Interest' and 'Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=December 7, 2012|access-date=December 7, 2012}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7209
 |ShortSummary = Reese works to save the life of a local taxi driver who is put in danger when a passenger leaves behind a laptop that is wanted by the Estonian mafia. Reese and Finch eventually realize the laptop contains valuable information that could enable terrorists to enter the country undetected. As a result, the Estonian mafia is killing anyone who has even seen the laptop. Finch is able to locate the laptop and the Estonians are defeated by Reese. Finch and Reese then have the cab driver use the laptop to negotiate a deal with the [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] to bring his family over from [[Cuba]] in exchange for the laptop. At the same time, HR decides to reestablish ties with Elias and blackmail Fusco into helping. After walking into an ambush, Fusco tells HR member Simmons that Elias has cut all ties, and Fusco does the same. Unwilling to accept Fusco bowing out, Simmons leaves Carter with an anonymous tip that a cop murdered Detective Ian Davidson ("[[Blue Code (Person of Interest)|Blue Code]]").
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 33
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 10
 |Title = Shadow Box
 |DirectedBy = [[Stephen Surjik]]
 |WrittenBy = Patrick Harbinson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|12|13}}
 |Viewers = 14.08<ref name="2.10">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/14/thursday-final-ratings-the-vampire-diaries-adjusted-up-last-resort-two-and-a-half-men-person-of-interest-greys-anatomy-scandal-adjusted-down/161819/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217061428/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/14/thursday-final-ratings-the-vampire-diaries-adjusted-up-last-resort-two-and-a-half-men-person-of-interest-greys-anatomy-scandal-adjusted-down/161819/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 17, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'Last Resort', 'Two and a Half Men', 'Person of Interest', 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'Scandal' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=December 14, 2012|access-date=December 14, 2012}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7210
 |ShortSummary = Reese must protect the sister of a soldier who died in Afghanistan and her boyfriend, an ex-Marine who lost his right arm. The two are trying to expose an executive stealing from a charity for wounded veterans. Carter is offered a temporary assignment to the FBI when Special Agent Donnelly returns with new clues he believes will lead to Reese. The situation gets complicated when Reese, for whom the wounded veterans charity case has become personal, puts himself at risk as the FBI closes in on him while Finch is unable to stop him. The FBI ultimately arrests Reese. Fusco, meanwhile, grows increasingly suspicious of Carter's boyfriend Cal Beecher, who is revealed to be the godson of HR leader Alonzo Quinn.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 34
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 11
 |Title = 2πR
 |DirectedBy = Richard J. Lewis
 |WrittenBy = Dan Dietz
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|1|3}}
 |Viewers = 16.23<ref name="2.11">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/04/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-mobbed-two-and-a-half-men-adjusted-down/163808/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107014710/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/04/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-mobbed-two-and-a-half-men-adjusted-down/163808/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Mobbed' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Up; 'Two and a Half Men' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=January 4, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7211
 |ShortSummary = With Reese in FBI custody, Finch poses as a high school teacher to protect the next number, a teenager named Caleb Phipps who is deliberately underperforming at school to hide his intelligence. Finch discovers that Caleb is a master coder and, with Fusco's help, learns the boy is also a drug lord. Finch accuses Caleb's tech teacher of stealing Caleb's code, but the truth is that the teacher is trying to promote Caleb's work so investors can help Caleb profit from it. Finch learns Caleb plans to give his valuable code and drug money to his drunk mother and commit suicide at the train station where his brother was killed in a train accident. Finch is able to talk Caleb out of it. The next day, Caleb thanks Finch as he prepares for school, as Finch hints about his own past as a legendary hacker. Meanwhile, Reese and three other men are held captive by the FBI, who prepare to interrogate each one until they reveal the identity of the "Man in the Suit".
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 35
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 12
 |Title = Prisoner's Dilemma
 |DirectedBy = [[Chris Fisher (director)|Chris Fisher]]
 |WrittenBy = David Slack
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|1|10}}
 |Viewers = 15.67<ref name="2.12">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/11/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-30-rock-no-adjustment-for-scandal/164977/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114213951/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/11/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-30-rock-no-adjustment-for-scandal/164977/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 14, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', '30 Rock' & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up; No Adjustment for 'Scandal'|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=January 11, 2013|access-date=January 11, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7212
 |ShortSummary = Fusco is assigned to the new number, supermodel [[Karolina Kurkova]]. Meanwhile, Carter is asked to interrogate the four suspects in jail. Elias offers to help Reese, but Reese refuses to avoid the attention of the FBI. Finch bribes a suspect to blame one of the other men, but after another suspect is killed by a government assassin named Hersh, Agent Donnelly suspects the real man is Reese. Donnelly incites a brawl involving Reese to get him to reveal himself, but Elias breaks it up, saving Reese and preserving his identity. Carter questions the last suspect to provoke him, falsely identifying him as the man in the suit and securing Reese's release. Later, Reese visits Carter and thanks her, but Donnelly arrests Carter for conspiracy and Reese for murder. The Machine informs Finch the next number is Donnelly and he tries to warn him as a truck hits Donnelly's car. Kara Stanton walks out, killing Donnelly and sedating Reese.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 36
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 13
 |Title = Dead Reckoning
 |DirectedBy = [[John Dahl]]
 |WrittenBy = Erik Mountain
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|1|31}}
 |Viewers = 15.71<ref name="2.13">{{Cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/01/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-adjusted-up-no-adjustments-for-scandal-american-idol-or-do-no-harm/167587/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204032124/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/01/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-adjusted-up-no-adjustments-for-scandal-american-idol-or-do-no-harm/167587/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 4, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; No Adjustments for 'Scandal', 'American Idol' or 'Do No Harm'|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=February 1, 2013|access-date=February 2, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7213
 |ShortSummary = Carter survives the crash while Donnelly is dead and Reese has been taken by Kara Stanton. Reese, with a bomb strapped to his vest like Mark Snow, is forced into doing fieldwork alongside him. The two steal a hard drive and are assigned to install it. A flashback shows Stanton was visited in the hospital by a mysterious man named Greer after surviving the Ordos airstrike. Stanton agrees to help Greer if he tells her who tried to kill her in China. Back in the present, Stanton activates the bomb vests and activates the cyberweapon stored on the hard drive; Reese and Snow manage to escape, but Snow attacks Reese and runs off to get Stanton. Carter and Fusco try to help Reese, but he refuses. Finch meets Reese and deactivates the bomb vest. Having completed her mission, Stanton is met by Greer, who gives her the name she requested. Snow shows up in her car and his vest explodes, killing Snow and seemingly Stanton as well. The FBI later names Snow "The Man in the Suit" and closes the case. A flashback before the car explosion shows the name Stanton received: Harold Finch.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 37
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 14
 |Title = One Percent
 |DirectedBy = Chris Fisher
 |WrittenBy = Denise Thé & Melissa Scrivner Love
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|7}}
 |Viewers = 14.88<ref name="2.14">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/08/thursday-final-ratings-community-person-of-interest-elementary-adjusted-down/168755|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209190236/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/08/thursday-final-ratings-community-person-of-interest-elementary-adjusted-down/168755/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Community' & 'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; 'Person of Interest' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=February 8, 2013|access-date=February 8, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7214
 |ShortSummary = Reese protects eccentric Internet billionaire Logan Pierce ([[Jimmi Simpson]]), who is dragging the reputation of his company FriendCzar through the mud with his bad behavior. After several attempts on Pierce's life, it is revealed that his partner, Justin Ogilvay, has been trying to kill him. Pierce flies himself and Reese to [[St. Petersburg, Russia]], to escape the killer, but he invites dozens of friends to join him and party, causing Reese to walk away. Pierce runs into Justin and his goons outside who are just about to throw him off a bridge when Reese appears and saves him. Justin is arrested, and it is revealed that Pierce has been in cahoots with Emily Morton, who has developed a superior technology. By being removed from FriendCzar, Pierce's [[Non-compete clause|non-compete agreement]] is void, allowing him to assist Emily in a new venture which will crush FriendCzar. When Reese shows Finch the $2 million watch that Pierce has given him, Finch stomps on it, revealing a tiny GPS tracker inside. "Your friend is just curious enough to be dangerous," Finch warns. In a flashback to 2009, Finch's old partner Ingram is shown about to try to save one of the "irrelevant" numbers identified by the Machine.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 38
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 15
 |Title = Booked Solid
 |DirectedBy = Frederick E. O. Toye
 |WrittenBy = Nic Van Zeebroeck & Michael Sopczynski
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|14}}
 |Viewers = 14.87<ref name="2.15">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/15/thursday-final-ratings-zero-hour-big-bang-theory-community-idol-elementary-scandal-adjusted-down/169558/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217085700/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/15/thursday-final-ratings-zero-hour-big-bang-theory-community-idol-elementary-scandal-adjusted-down/169558/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 17, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Zero Hour', 'Big Bang Theory', 'Community', 'Idol', 'Elementary' & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up; 'Scandal' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=February 15, 2013|access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7215
 |ShortSummary = Reese and Finch work undercover in a hotel to protect a maid named Mira ([[Mia Maestro]]) who escaped the war in [[Kosovo]]. Mira, who is hiding her true identity, is being followed by a hit squad. She refuses to cooperate with a reporter investigating a Serbian general's [[Serbian war crimes in the Yugoslav Wars|war crimes]]. When the reporter is murdered, she decides to give a DVD with evidence to the authorities. Fusco escorts Mira to the station, where one final hit man attempts to kill her; he is shot by Carter. Meanwhile, Carter is invited to join the FBI. She passes the polygraph but is rejected because Cal Beecher, her friend and love interest, has a record of Internal Affairs investigations. Acting on orders from the Special Counsel, Hersh follows Reese to the hotel, intending to interrogate and kill him. Reese stabs Hersh, and gives him a choice: Seek medical attention or attack Reese. Hersh chooses the hospital. While in recovery, he is ordered back to D.C. Finch purchases the hotel and promotes Mira to manager. Meanwhile, the Special Counsel's assistant, Miss May, is shown to be Root.
|LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 39
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 16
 |Title = [[Relevance (Person of Interest)|Relevance]]
 |DirectedBy = Jonathan Nolan
 |WrittenBy = Amanda Segel & Jonathan Nolan
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|21}}
 |Viewers = 14.22<ref name="2.16">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/22/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-parks-and-recreation-greys-anatomy-beauty-and-the-beast-adjusted-down/170467/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225131308/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/22/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-parks-and-recreation-greys-anatomy-beauty-and-the-beast-adjusted-down/170467/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 25, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Parks and Recreation', 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Up; 'Beauty and the Beast' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=February 22, 2013|access-date=February 22, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7216
 |ShortSummary = The machine gives the numbers of Sameen Shaw ([[Sarah Shahi]]), a government assassin, and Michael Cole ([[Ebon Moss-Bachrach]]), a computer specialist working for Special Counsel ([[Jay O. Sanders]]). Special Counsel has sent a hit team to eliminate Shaw and Cole because Cole may have obtained information on the Machine. They kill Cole but Shaw escapes, shooting Reese, who she believes is another assassin. Root captures and interrogates Shaw but leaves abruptly to avoid another hit team from Special Counsel. Reese saves her and Finch explains her "Research" does not actually exist, implying it is the Machine, and offers his aid to her, which she refuses. She confronts Special Counsel, and returns the flash drive with the information Cole had recovered, then kills the subordinate who had ordered her and Cole's death. Special Counsel allows her to leave, but Hersh finds her and injects her with poison. Leon Tao (disguised as a paramedic), Carter, and Fusco take charge of the apparently dead body and drive away. Tao, as directed by Reese, injects her with an antidote. Shaw, fully recovered, meets with Reese and Finch in a graveyard and accepts Finch's card.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 40
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 17
 |Title = Proteus
 |DirectedBy = [[Kenneth Fink]]
 |WrittenBy = Sean Hennen
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|3|7}}
 |Viewers = 14.57<ref name="2.17">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/08/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-and-american-idol-adjusted-up-glee-adjusted-down/172586/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312030710/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/08/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-and-american-idol-adjusted-up-glee-adjusted-down/172586/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 12, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'Glee' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=March 8, 2013|access-date=March 8, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7217
 |ShortSummary = After being silent for three days, when the Machine generates numbers of six missing people, Reese, Finch, and Detective Carter realize that they are hunting a serial killer who assumes the identity of his victims. Reese encounters FBI agent Alan Fahey ([[Luke Macfarlane]]) at Owen Island during his search for the same killer. Due to a severe storm, residents of the island take shelter in the police station. Finch arrives at the island and assists Fahey interrogate the people in the station. Carter, having researched the six victims, goes to help Finch and Reese. Meanwhile, Finch and Reese discover that the killer is actually masquerading as Agent Fahey, whom he had killed before Reese arrived on the island. The killer captures Finch before Carter arrives and shoots the killer. Finch and Reese later ponder why the Machine was silent for three days, with Finch suspecting that the virus Kara Stanton uploaded to the Department of Defense has infected the Machine and slowed its abilities. He tells Reese that he believes this is the beginning of a coming storm.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 41
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 18
 |Title = All In
 |DirectedBy = [[Tricia Brock (director)|Tricia Brock]]
 |WrittenBy = Lucas O'Connor
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|3|14}}
 |Viewers = 14.34<ref name="2.18">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/15/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-elementary-adjusted-down/173466/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318005700/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/15/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-elementary-adjusted-down/173466/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 18, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol' & 'Community' Adjusted Up; 'Elementary' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=March 15, 2013|access-date=March 15, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7218
 |ShortSummary = The Machine generates the number of watch repairman Lou Mitchell ([[Ron McLarty]]), who is consistently losing large sums of money at a casino. Finch & Reese find out that he and many other elderly gamblers are victims of a drug-money laundering operation headed by the casino's owner Dario Makris ([[Michael Rispoli]]). Finch breaks into the casino server room and gathers the needed evidence, but is caught and taken hostage along with Reese, Leon, and Lou. They are forced to play a game of Russian roulette, but Reese gets them out alive after Lou sneaks the bullet out before it enters the gun. Meanwhile, Detective Szymanski ([[Michael McGlone]]) is incriminated by HR so the head of the Russian mob can be exonerated and give financial support to HR. Carter questions her relationship and connection to Cal Beecher, given that it was he who told IAB that Szymanski was corrupt, acting on information from one of Beecher's CIs. Carter succeeds in clearing Szymanski, but he is later killed along with the ADA by HR boss Alonzo Quinn, who makes it look like an assassination by an outside figure. Detective Terney ([[Al Sapienza]]) of the homicide task force is revealed to be an HR operative, potentially watching Fusco and Carter.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 42
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 19
 |Title = Trojan Horse
 |DirectedBy = Jeffrey Hunt
 |WrittenBy = Dan Dietz & Erik Mountain
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|4|4}}
 |Viewers = 14.57<ref name="2.19">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/05/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-greys-anatomy-two-and-a-half-men-the-office-scandal-the-mindy-project-adjust/176649/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408011940/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/05/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-greys-anatomy-two-and-a-half-men-the-office-scandal-the-mindy-project-adjust/176649/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Two and a Half Men', 'The Office', & 'Wife Swap' Adjusted Up; 'Scandal' & 'The Mindy Project' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=April 5, 2013|access-date=April 5, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7219
 |ShortSummary = Reese monitors Michael Cole's family where Shaw finds him. Finch calls with a new number, that of Monica Jacobs ([[Tracie Thoms]]), a high-ranking employee of a technology company called Rylatech. Jacobs is being hunted and framed for industrial espionage by other employees who are secretly working as spies for China and Greer's shadowy company Decima Technologies. Meanwhile, Shaw tracks Finch to the library, where she grabs a list of Root's aliases from the wall, telling Finch she has a new project. Meanwhile, Quinn, who is actually Beecher's godfather, realizes Cal knows too much about his role in HR, and arranges to have him killed. The Machine gives Finch his number, but too late for Carter and Fusco to save him. The next morning, Finch is taking a walk around town with Reese, telling him that he has identified Decima Technologies, the company which employed Kara Stanton to upload a virus onto the Machine. Unknowingly behind them, Greer is on the phone, and when he hangs up, he looks at his phone, which has a countdown ticking on it, and smiles.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 43
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 20
 |Title = In Extremis
 |DirectedBy = Chris Fisher
 |WrittenBy = Greg Plageman & Tony Camerino
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|4|25}}
 |Viewers = 13.22<ref name="2.20">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/26/thursday-final-ratings-the-vampire-diaries-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-adjusted-up/179734|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430015631/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/26/thursday-final-ratings-the-vampire-diaries-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-adjusted-up/179734/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 30, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Vampire Diaries', 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'American Idol' Adjusted Up|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=April 26, 2013|access-date=April 26, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7220
 |ShortSummary = When a highly decorated doctor named Richard Nelson ([[Dennis Boutsikaris]]) is poisoned with a fatal dose of radiation, Reese and Finch have just 24 hours to determine the deadly toxin he was given and find the person behind the attack. Reese is forced to partner with Nelson to track down the killer after they both realize that the radiation has no antidote. Meanwhile, Detective Fusco's past corruption catches up with him when an informant gives the Internal Affairs Bureau the crucial information they need to send him to prison. Flashbacks explore how Detective Fusco became involved with HR and the development of his friendship with Detective Stills. Because of the Internal Affairs investigation, Detective Carter is forced to evaluate her partnership with Fusco and how she might help him with the problems he is facing. While Reese is busy with the doctor, she and Finch are left to deal with fallout from the investigation. The Machine displays the coded blue screens with increasing frequency as it becomes apparent to Finch and Reese that the numbers are coming too late, leading to Dr. Nelson's death. As the episode ends, the Machine sends a series of alerts before beginning the process of shutting down its primary functions. 
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 44
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 21
 |Title = Zero Day
 |DirectedBy = Jeffrey Hunt
 |WrittenBy = Amanda Segel & David Slack
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|5|2}}
 |Viewers = 12.96<ref name="2.21">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/03/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-the-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-greys-anatomy-gleeparks-and-recreation-hannibal-adjusted-up/180875/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506031620/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/03/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-the-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-greys-anatomy-gleeparks-and-recreation-hannibal-adjusted-up/180875/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol', 'The Vampire Diaries', 'Two and a Half Men', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Glee','Parks and Recreation' & 'Hannibal' Adjusted Up|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=May 3, 2013|access-date=May 3, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7221
 |ShortSummary = Special Counsel discovers that there is a threat to the Machine, which Finch and Reese are attempting to stop. The Machine gives a number belonging to Ernest Thornhill, a CEO who is buying several payphone companies in New York. Decima Technologies, Finch, Root, Shaw and Reese all attempt to reach Thornhill, but Finch discovers that Thornhill is an alias created by the Machine. Root and Finch enter Thornhill Enterprises and discover that the Machine will reboot to defend against the virus, once complete giving Admin access to who ever receives a call. Reese and Shaw follow and encounter Greer and his men. Greer tells Reese that the laptop Reese had to recover with Kara Stanton from China was sent there by Finch. Finch knows which payphone the Machine is going to call and goes with Root to answer, followed by Shaw and Reese, where they encounter Greer's men. When the call comes, Root answers the phone, but Finch splices the call to a payphone near Reese so he too can answer the phone.
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Person of Interest season 2
 |EpisodeNumber = 45
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 22
 |Title = [[God Mode (Person of Interest)|God Mode]]
 |DirectedBy = Richard J. Lewis
 |WrittenBy = Patrick Harbinson & Jonathan Nolan
 |OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|5|9}}
 |Viewers = 13.16<ref name="2.22">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/10/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-american-idol-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-wipeout-glee-adjusted-down/181920/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607023334/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/10/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-american-idol-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-wipeout-glee-adjusted-down/181920/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 7, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'American Idol', 'Vampire Diaries', 'Two and a Half Men', 'Wipeout', & 'Elementary' Adjusted Up; 'Glee' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=May 10, 2013|access-date=May 10, 2013}}</ref>
 |ProdCode = 2J7222
 |ShortSummary = The Machine grants both Reese and Root full administrative access and saves Reese (with Shaw) and Root (with Finch) from a number of potential threats. Root and Finch arrive at the [[Hanford Site|Hanford nuclear facility]] where the Machine is kept, followed shortly by Reese and Shaw, the latter being slowed as the Machine directs them to rescue people from the irrelevant list. They find that the Machine has moved. Finch explains that he planted hidden code inside the Machine that would grant it the freedom to protect itself if it was at risk, code triggered by the virus from the Ordos laptop. For failing to protect the machine, an unknown woman orders Hersh to kill Special Counsel. Meanwhile, Raymond Terney (HR) and Peter Yogorov attempt to kill Carl Elias. They are stopped by a masked Detective Carter, who wounds Terney and Yogorov and frees Elias. The episode ends with a payphone calling Reese and Finch. Hersh is seen talking with the unknown woman confirming that they received a relevant number. The Machine calls Root, again asking, "Can you hear me?" In flashbacks, Ingram plans to tell the press about the Machine, but Hersh manipulates a suicide bomber into detonating a bomb on a ferry where Ingram and Finch are meeting. Ingram is killed while Finch is injured. Grace believes Harold to have died in the explosion. 
 |LineColor = 2B4678
}}
}}</onlyinclude>

==Development==
===Production===
The series was renewed for a second season in March 2012.<ref name="season2"/>

===Writing===
Nolan said that even though they would continue developing the characters and season-long story arcs, the season would remain a procedural. He compared it to ''[[The X-Files]]'', which he deemed a major influence on the show.<ref name="Wired"/> Showrunner and executive producer Greg Plageman added, "We hate it when we watch a show that has a serialized content, there's a cliffhanger where somebody is placed in jeopardy, and then you come back the next episode and it's like nothing happened. We don't want to do that."<ref name="Collider">{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/comic-con-person-of-interest-season-2-interviews/|title=Comic-Con: PERSON OF INTEREST Cast and Crew Interviews Hint at Second Season Plotlines|last=Foutch|first=Haleigh|date=July 16, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> Plageman also said, "the nice thing about working with [Jonah] is you never want to feel like you totally nailed it; you want to keep changing and evolving the show. There's always the danger of falling into a rut and feeling formulaic, and we've tried to shy away from that. What we have found is a nice chemistry between our characters that works, but we always reserve the right to surprise the viewers with a twist or a killing."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/09/26/fall-tv-preview-person-of-interest-season-2/|title=Fall TV Preview: Person of Interest Sheds Light on the Team's 'Silent Partner' and Finch's Dark Past|last=Webb Mitovich|first=Matt|date=September 26, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref> 

Michael Emerson teased, "The arc of the show is a contract between writers and the audience. I'm just the one who solves the little problems in the scenes themselves."<ref name="Wired"/> The writers said that the first episode, "[[The Contingency]]", served as a way to get Reese to act on his own while searching for Finch and it would also answer an important question raised by the series: "Who does the Machine turn to?"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/09/11/greys-anatomy-spoilers-glee-justified-gossip-girl/|title=Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Grey's Anatomy, Gossip Girl, Fringe, Glee, Justified, Once Upon and More|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=September 11, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/08/21/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-glee-once-upon-castle-revenge-greys-himym-gossip-girl-and-more/|title=Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Glee, Once, Castle, Revenge, Grey's, HIMYM, Gossip Girl and More!|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=August 21, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref> 

The writers also explained that they had plans for [[Amy Acker]] in the series, following her character's debut on "[[Firewall (Person of Interest)|Firewall]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/comic-con-person-interest-amy-acker-jonathan-nolan-349340/|title=Comic-Con 2012: 'Person of Interest' Creator has 'Big Plans' for Amy Acker|last=O'Connell|first=Mikey|date=July 14, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Nolan explained, "Root is stone-cold but it's considered. We don't think of her as a psychopath but someone who is in her own way sympathetic. And the case she is trying to make is, in many ways, something Finch can relate to. You have all these people who want to manipulate the Machine, and Root wants to set it free. What that means, and how her plan ultimately plays out, is something that we're going to see through the course of the season."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/10/04/person-of-interest-season-2-episode-2-preview/|title=Person of Interest Preview: Finch in 'Free Fall,' Ruthless Root and an 'Eager' New Team Member|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=October 4, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref> After the first two episodes, Acker stated that she would return to the series eventually at some point in the season, saying "I think he [Finch] misses me too much."<ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/10/nycc-person-of-interest/|title=An Interesting Chat with Michael Emerson and Amy Acker|last=Lawson|first=Corrina|date=October 17, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref> She further added, "And when I do, it's a roller coaster of lots of trouble. A lot of stuff escalates."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/11/19/criminal-minds-person-interest-glee-castle-spoilers/|title=Matt's Inside Line on Criminal Minds, POI, Glee, Castle, Horror Story, Chicago Fire and More!|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=November 19, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref>

The writers explained that among concepts explored the season include: the origins of the Machine and more character development for the main characters. A pivotal moment was Fusco, with star Kevin Chapman saying, "at some point Fusco is going to have to answer for his past.' Chapman said that the season would delve into the question, "is he a good guy doing bad things, or a bad guy doing good things?"<ref name="Collider"/> Nolan also teased, "the thing we're trying to do with this show, as much as we can, is to keep it dangerous and alive, and keep the narrative unexpected."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/jonathan-nolan-person-of-interest-season-2-interview/|title=Exec Producers Jonathan Nolan and Greg Plageman Talk PERSON OF INTEREST, Finch's Backstory, and the Machine's Growing Artificial Intelligence|last=Radish|first=Christina|date=December 28, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref>

===Casting===
[[Image:Sarah Shahi cropped and retouched.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The season marked the introduction of Sameen Shaw, portrayed by [[Sarah Shahi]]. Shahi would later be upgraded to series regular in the third season.]]

Caviezel, Henson, Chapman and Emerson reprised their roles from the first season as series regulars. Among many characters that were confirmed to return at the beginning of the season included [[Jay O. Sanders]] as Special Counsel, [[Robert John Burke]] as Patrick Simmons, [[Annie Parisse]] as Kara Stanton and [[Michael Kelly (American actor)|Michael Kelly]] as Mark Snow.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/08/23/mentalist-person-of-interest-private-practice-modern-family-spoilers-inside-line/|title=Matt's Inside Line: Scoop on Mentalist, Person of Interest, Private Practice, Modern Family and More|last=Webb Mitovich|first=Matt|date=August 23, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref> The fifth episode, "[[Bury the Lede (Person of Interest)|Bury the Lede]]" also brought back [[Paige Turco]] as Zoe Morgan. Nolan commented, "Paige is spectacular, and sometimes you get that rare alchemy of a piece of casting and a character that just connects. So she'll come back to further complicate things."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/10/11/glee-greys-anatomy-arrow-person-of-interest-scandal-spoilers/|title=Matt's Inside Line: Scoop on Glee, Grey's, Arrow, Person of Interest, Once Upon a Time and Scandal|last=Webb Mitovich|first=Matt|date=October 11, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref>

Among the many guest stars for the season include [[Ken Leung]] and [[Margo Martindale]], who were announced to join the season's first two episodes in July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/person-interest-margo-martindale-lost-ken-leung-353151/|title='Person of Interest' Books Margo Martindale, 'Lost's' Ken Leung|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=July 11, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In August 2012, Paloma Guzmán and [[Gloria Votsis]] were announced to get guest star roles in the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/08/24/person-of-interest-paloma-guzman/|title=Exclusive: Person of Interest Collars a Pretty Little Liar For Season 2 Guest Stint|last=Gelman|first=Vlada|date=August 24, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/08/31/person-of-interest-season-2-gloria-votsis/|title=Scoop: Is White Collar Fave a Person of Interest?|last=Webb Mitovich|first=Matt|date=August 31, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref> In October 2012, it was reported that [[Mark Pellegrino]] would also guest star as "an edgy and charming head of a popular publishing empire." Pellegrino reunited with Emerson, having starred with him on ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/person-interest-mark-pellegrino-guest-378834/|title='Person of Interest' Lands Mark Pellegrino for Season 2|last=Ng|first=Phyliana|date=October 13, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In the same month, [[Sterling K. Brown]] joined in the recurring role of Cal Beecher, "a no-nonsense narcotics detective who will evolve into a potential love interest for Taraji P. Henson’s Detective Carter." This was partly done by the writers in order to explore "a little more about Carter's personal life, what makes her tick. We're hoping to explore who she is and how she became who she is."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2012/10/29/person-of-interest-season-2-cast-sterling-k-brown/|title=Person of Interest Enlists Army Husband to Woo Detective Carter|last=Webb Mitovich|first=Matt|date=October 29, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref>

Model [[Karolína Kurková]] was reported to guest star on an episode as herself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/supermodel-karolina-kurkova-guest-person-394719/|title=Supermodel Karolina Kurkova to Guest on 'Person of Interest' (Exclusive)|last=Schillaci|first=Sophie|date=October 31, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> She appeared on "[[Prisoner's Dilemma (Person of Interest)|Prisoner's Dilemma]]" in a subplot where Fusco protects Kurková from Armenian gangsters. The subplot, which is interspersed throughout the episode, takes up less than two minutes of screen time and is played for comic relief.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/tv/129043_Karolina_Kurkova_Guests_Stars_in_Person_of_Interest_Exclusive_Clip/|title=Exclusive: A Supermodel On 'Person of Interest'|date=10 January 2013|author=Antoinette Bueno|work=ET Online|access-date=12 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022221609/http://www.etonline.com/tv/129043_Karolina_Kurkova_Guests_Stars_in_Person_of_Interest_Exclusive_Clip/|archive-date=22 October 2013}}</ref>

In January 2013, [[Sarah Shahi]] joined the series in a recurring role as Sameen Shaw, "a fearless, sexy and witty operative in a secret paramilitary organization that tracks and eliminates terrorists before they can act." Shaw, who debuted in "[[Relevance (Person of Interest)|Relevance]]", was deemed an important part of the second season and the writers were open to having her in the third season even before it was officially announced.<ref name="Sarah Shahi">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/01/sarah-shahi-person-of-interest-recurring-role-398780/|title=Sarah Shahi To Recur On 'Person of Interest'|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=January 8, 2013|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Nolan described her role as "if [[James Bond]] and [[Sarah Connor (Terminator)|Sarah Connor]] had a kid, Shaw would kick its ass."<ref name="Sarah Shahi"/> The role, which required Shahi to undergo thorough training for 7 days in order to fight and use weapons, was important for Shahi, who wanted to work with Nolan. She deemed it a role she had never played before.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/person-interest-sarah-shahi-previews-422678/|title='Person of Interest': Sarah Shahi Previews Her 'Fearless,' 'Badass' Entrance|last=Ng|first=Phyliana|date=February 21, 2013|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> She further said, "I'm used to a lot of love scenes. I'm used to something that requires me to kick up my heels and wink-wink, flirt-flirt with a twirl of my skirt. But this is dark. It's a bit stylized. It's a heightened sense of drama, all the time. The tomboyishness that came out of me doing this was kind of amazing, and I hope just people buy the end result, because it felt really good and quite natural to just kick somebody's ass."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2013/02/20/person-of-interest-season-2-spoilers-sarah-shahi/|title=On Person of Interest, Sarah Shahi Trades 'Wink- Wink, Flirt-Flirt' for Being 'The Ultimate Bad-Ass'|last=Webb Mitovich|first=Matt|date=February 20, 2013|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref> Shortly after the series was renewed for a third season, Shahi would be promoted to series regular.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/person-interest-adds-sarah-shahi-523213/|title='Person of Interest' Adds Sarah Shahi as Series Regular|last=Ng|first=Phyliana|date=May 15, 2013|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

The season also marked the first appearance of two pivotal villains of the series. The first was [[Clarke Peters]] as Alonzo Quinn, the head of HR, first appearing on "[[Bury the Lede (Person of Interest)|Bury the Lede]]". The second was [[John Nolan (British actor)|John Nolan]] as John Greer, first appearing on "[[Dead Reckoning (Person of Interest)|Dead Reckoning]]" and who would serve as the main antagonist of the series until the end of the series. John Nolan was series creator Jonathan Nolan's uncle, with Nolan commenting, "Look, the best bad guys are always English. That's just kind of a rule. And so my uncle came on board in exactly the same fashion as all of these actors, as a memorable turn that became a longer story arc."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/gallery/person-of-interest-producers-remember-the-most-memorable-guest-stars/|title='Person of Interest' Producers Remember the Most Memorable Guest Stars|last=McFarland|first=Melanie|date=June 1, 2016|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> The season also introduced Control, who would play a pivotal role in the third and fourth season. The producers teased her character before the finale, naming her Mrs. Penn, "a powerful, intelligent and wry 50something femme who never flinches in the face of danger."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2013/03/28/scandal-greys-anatomy-person-interest-spoilers/|title=Matt's Inside Line: Scoop on Scandal, Red Widow, Once, Grey's, POI, Beauty and the Beast and More|last=Webb Mitovich|first=Matt|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref> Control only appears in the season finale by an unseen actress. [[Camryn Manheim]] would later appear as the character in the third season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2013/11/12/person-of-interest-season-3-cast-camryn-manheim-saul-rubinek/|title=Exclusive: Person of Interest Recruits Practice Alum, Warehouse 13 Vet for Big Arc|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=November 12, 2013|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref>

===Filming===
Filming in [[New York City]] in October was shut down for a few days due to [[Hurricane Sandy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/hurricane-sandy-how-costing-hollywood-384614/|title=How Much Hurricane Sandy Is Costing Hollywood|last=Guthrie|first=Marisa|date=October 13, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Production resumed shortly afterward around early November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/hurricane-sandy-television-production-slowly-384869/|title=Hurricane Sandy: Television Production Slowly Resumes|last=Guthrie|first=Marisa|date=October 31, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In February 2013, a major blizzard hit the area but production continued without interruption.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/east-coast-blizzard-wreaks-havoc-419538/|title=Whiteout: East Coast Blizzard Wreaks Havoc on BAFTAs, Grammys|last=Nordyke|first=Kimberly|date=February 7, 2013|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

==Release==
===Broadcast===
In May 2012, CBS announced that the series would maintain its timeslot, airing episodes on Thursdays at 9:00&nbsp;p.m.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/05/16/cbs-announces-2012-2013-primetime-schedule-953404/20120516cbs01|title=CBS Announces 2012-2013 Primetime Schedule|website=The Futon Critic|date=May 16, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2021}}</ref> In July 2012, CBS announced that the series would premiere on September 27, 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/07/11/cbs-announces-fall-premiere-dates/|title=CBS announces fall premiere dates|last=Rice|first=Lynette|date=July 11, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>

===Marketing===
On July 14, 2012, the cast and crew attended the 2012 [[San Diego Comic-Con]] to discuss and promote the season and show a sneak peek.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/comic-con-2012-warner-bros-television-big-bang-theory-fringe-arrow-following-vampire-diaries-334752/|title=Comic-Con 2012: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'Fringe' Move to Hall H; 'Arrow,' 'Following' Among Newbies|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=June 7, 2012|accessdate=September 19, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> [[Jonathan Nolan]], [[Michael Emerson]], [[Taraji P. Henson]], and [[Kevin Chapman]] also attended the 2012 [[New York Comic Con]] on October 13, 2012 for a Q&A session as well as interviews. The panel also included a surprise appearance by [[Amy Acker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/09/18/warner-bros-television-gets-an-empire-state-of-mind-666-park-avenue-arrow-the-following-and-person-of-interest-join-the-lineup-for-new-york-comic-con-2012-887005/20120918wbt01/|title=Warner Bros. Television Gets an Empire State of Mind! "666 Park Avenue," "Arrow," "The Following" and "Person of Interest" Join the Lineup for New York Comic Con 2012|website=The Futon Critic|date=September 18, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2021}}</ref>

===Home media release===
The second season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|region 1]] on September 3, 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Person-Season-2/18533|title=Person of Interest – 'The Complete 2nd Season' Blu-ray, DVD Street Date, Packages, Details|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|last=Lambert|first=David|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609025438/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Person-Season-2/18533|archive-date=June 9, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> in region 2 on June 16, 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00APH7PTC/|title=Person of Interest – Season 2 [Blu-ray] [Region Free]|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> and in region 4 on October 16, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/person-of-interest-season-2/dp/6144425|title=Person of Interest: Season 2|publisher=EzyDVD|access-date=November 12, 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, [[Warner Bros. Television Studios]] announced that it sold the off-network [[Video on demand#Subscription models|SVOD]] of the series to [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/person-of-interest-netflix-jj-abrams-license-deal-warner-bros-cbs-852003/|title='Person of Interest' Licensed To Netflix In Warner Bros Deal|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=October 15, 2014|access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> On September 1, 2015, the season became available to stream on Netflix.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-new-releases-september-2015-movies-tv-818943/|title=Netflix New Releases Coming in September 2015|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=August 31, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> On September 22, 2020, the series left the service and was added to [[HBO Max]] on January 23, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://popculture.com/streaming/news/person-of-interest-leaving-netflix-september/|title='Person of Interest' Leaving Netflix in September|website=PopCulture.com|last=Schonter|first=Allison|date=August 25, 2020|access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2021/01/06/hbo-max-new-tv-shows-movies-january-2021-wonder-woman-leaving/|title=Everything Coming To HBO Max In January 2021 — And Everything Leaving|website=[[Forbes]]|last=Kain|first=Erik|date=January 6, 2021|access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Ratings===
{{Television episode ratings
| title1   = [[#ep24|The Contingency]]
| date1    = September 27, 2012
| rs1      = 2.9/8
| viewers1 = 14.28<ref name="2.01"/>
| dvr1     = 1.2
| dvrv1    = 3.56
| total1   = 4.1
| totalv1  = 17.83<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/14/live7-dvr-ratings-revolution-leads-absolute-gains-grimm-leads-percentage-gains-in-premiere-week-week-1/152888/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Revolution' Leads Adults 18–49 Ratings and Viewership Gains; 'Grimm' Leads Percentage Gains in Premiere Week (Week 1)|last=Seidman|first=Robert|work=TV by the Numbers|date=October 14, 2012|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019080212/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/14/live7-dvr-ratings-revolution-leads-absolute-gains-grimm-leads-percentage-gains-in-premiere-week-week-1/152888/|archive-date=October 19, 2012}}</ref>

| title2   = [[#ep25|Bad Code]]
| date2    = October 4, 2012
| rs2      = 3.0/8
| viewers2 = 14.58<ref name="2.02"/>
| dvr2     = 0.9
| dvrv2    = 3.03
| total2   = 3.9
| totalv2  = 17.62<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/22/live7-dvr-ratings-revolution-again-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-viewership-gains-grimm-leads-percentage-gains-in-week-2/154125/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Revolution' Again Leads Adults 18–49 Ratings and Viewership Gains; 'Grimm' Leads Percentage Gains in Week 2|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=October 22, 2012|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120114307/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/22/live7-dvr-ratings-revolution-again-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-viewership-gains-grimm-leads-percentage-gains-in-week-2/154125/|archive-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref>

| title3   = [[#ep26|Masquerade]]
| date3    = October 18, 2012
| rs3      = 2.8/7
| viewers3 = 13.93<ref name="2.03"/>
| dvr3     = 1.1
| dvrv3    = 3.49
| total3   = 3.9
| totalv3  = 17.42<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/05/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-viewership-gains-grimm-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-4/156180/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18–49 Ratings and Viewership Gains; 'Grimm' Biggest Percentage Gains in Week 4|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=November 5, 2012|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115083909/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/05/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-viewership-gains-grimm-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-4/156180/|archive-date=November 15, 2012}}</ref>

| title4   = [[#ep27|Triggerman]]
| date4    = October 25, 2012
| rs4      = 2.9/8
| viewers4 = 14.03<ref name="2.04"/>
| dvr4     = 1.1
| dvrv4    = 3.37
| total4   = 4.0
| totalv4  = 17.40<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-viewership-gains-nikita-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-5/157042/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226130521/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-viewership-gains-nikita-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-5/157042/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 26, 2017|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings and Viewership Gains; 'Nikita' Biggest Percentage Gains in Week 5|work=TV by the Numbers|date=November 12, 2012|accessdate=July 5, 2021}}</ref>

| title5   = [[#ep28|Bury the Lede]]
| date5    = November 1, 2012
| rs5      = 2.9/7
| viewers5 = 13.66<ref name="2.05"/>
| dvr5     = 0.9
| dvrv5    = 3.15
| total5   = 3.8
| totalv5  = 16.81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-viewership-gains-666-park-ave-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-6/158284/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201135233/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-viewership-gains-666-park-ave-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-6/158284/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2018|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings and Viewership Gains; '666 Park Ave' Biggest Percentage Gains in Week 6|work=TV by the Numbers|date=November 19, 2012|accessdate=July 5, 2021}}</ref>

| title6   = [[#ep29|The High Road]]
| date6    = November 8, 2012
| rs6      = 2.9/8
| viewers6 = 14.87<ref name="2.06"/>
| dvr6     = 1.0
| dvrv6    = 3.24
| total6   = 3.9
| totalv6  = 18.11<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-revolution-tops-viewership-gains-gossip-girl-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-7/159027/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927155325/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-revolution-tops-viewership-gains-gossip-girl-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-7/159027/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2017|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings, 'Revolution' Tops Viewership Gains; 'Gossip Girl' Biggest Percentage Gains in Week 7|work=TV by the Numbers|date=November 27, 2012|accessdate=July 5, 2021}}</ref>

| title7   = [[#ep30|Critical]]
| date7    = November 15, 2012
| rs7      = 3.1/8
| viewers7 = 14.57<ref name="2.07"/>
| dvr7     = 1.0
| dvrv7    = 3.40
| total7   = 4.1
| totalv7  = 17.97<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-tops-viewership-gains-private-practice-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-8/160061/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005328/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-tops-viewership-gains-private-practice-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-8/160061/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2017|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings and Tops Viewership Gains; 'Private Practice' Earns Biggest Percentage Gains in Week 8|work=TV by the Numbers|date=December 3, 2012|accessdate=July 5, 2021}}</ref>

| title8   = [[#ep31|'Til Death]]
| date8    = November 29, 2012
| rs8      = 2.9/7
| viewers8 = 14.43<ref name="2.08"/>
| dvr8     = 1.2
| dvrv8    = 3.52
| total8   = 4.1
| totalv8  = 17.95<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-tops-viewership-gains-parks-and-recreation-earns-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-10/162085/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927160100/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-tops-viewership-gains-parks-and-recreation-earns-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-10/162085/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2017|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings and Tops Viewership Gains; 'Parks and Recreation' Earns Biggest Percentage Gains in Week 10|work=TV by the Numbers|date=December 17, 2012|accessdate=July 5, 2021}}</ref>

| title9   = [[#ep32|C.O.D.]]
| date9    = December 6, 2012
| rs9      = 2.9/8
| viewers9 = 14.18<ref name="2.09"/>
| dvr9     = 1.1
| dvrv9    = 3.42
| total9   = 4.0
| totalv9  = 17.60<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-tops-viewership-gains-private-practice-earns-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-11/162820/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927202155/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-tops-viewership-gains-private-practice-earns-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-11/162820/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2017|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings and Tops Viewership Gains; 'Private Practice' Earns Biggest Percentage Gains in Week 11|work=TV by the Numbers|date=December 24, 2012|accessdate=July 5, 2021}}</ref>

| title10   = [[#ep33|Shadow Box]]
| date10    = December 13, 2012
| rs10      = 2.9/8
| viewers10 = 14.08<ref name="2.10"/>
| dvr10     = 1.1
| dvrv10    = 3.36
| total10   = 4.0
| totalv10  = 17.44<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/31/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-tops-viewership-gains-private-practice-earns-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-12/163366/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings & Viewership Gains; 'Private Practice' Earns Biggest Percentage Gains in Week 12|work=TV by the Numbers|date=December 31, 2012|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103035739/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/31/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-and-tops-viewership-gains-private-practice-earns-biggest-percentage-gains-in-week-12/163366/|archive-date=January 3, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

| title11   = [[#ep34|2<math>\pi</math>R]]
| date11    = January 3, 2013
| rs11      = 3.4/9
| viewers11 = 16.23<ref name="2.11"/>
| dvr11     = 1.1
| dvrv11    = 3.53
| total11   = 4.5
| totalv11  = 19.76<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/22/live7-dvr-ratingsthe-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-elementary-earns-biggest-percentage-total-viewership-gains-in-week-15/165969/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings:'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18–49 Ratings, 'Elementary' Earns Biggest Percentage & Total Viewership Gains in Week 15|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=January 21, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125010739/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/22/live7-dvr-ratingsthe-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-elementary-earns-biggest-percentage-total-viewership-gains-in-week-15/165969/|archive-date=January 25, 2013}}</ref>

| title12   = [[#ep35|Prisoner's Dilemma]]
| date12    = January 10, 2013
| rs12      = 3.3/9
| viewers12 = 15.67<ref name="2.12"/>
| dvr12     = 1.0
| dvrv12    = 3.37
| total12   = 4.3
| totalv12  = 19.04<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/28/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-private-practice-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-16/167004/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings & Viewership Gains; 'Private Practice' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 16|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=January 28, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131031041/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/28/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-private-practice-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-16/167004/|archive-date=January 31, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

| title13   = [[#ep36|Dead Reckoning]]
| date13    = January 31, 2013
| rs13      = 3.2/9
| viewers13 = 15.71<ref name="2.13"/>
| dvr13     = 1.1
| dvrv13    = 3.62
| total13   = 4.3
| totalv13  = 19.33<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/19/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-gain-hart-of-dixie-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-elementary-scores-biggest-viewership-rise-in-week-19/169796/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18–49 Ratings Gain; 'Hart of Dixie' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase, 'Elementary' Scores Biggest Viewership Rise in Week 19|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=February 19, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222015611/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/19/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-gain-hart-of-dixie-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-elementary-scores-biggest-viewership-rise-in-week-19/169796/|archive-date=February 22, 2013}}</ref>

| title14   = [[#ep37|One Percent]]
| date14    = February 7, 2013
| rs14      = 3.1/8
| viewers14 = 14.88<ref name="2.14"/>
| dvr14     = 1.0
| dvrv14    = 3.50
| total14   = 4.1
| totalv14  = 18.38<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/25/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-revenge-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-20/170733/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18–49 Ratings & Total Viewership Gains; 'Revenge' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 20|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=February 25, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227050743/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/25/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-revenge-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-20/170733/|archive-date=February 27, 2013}}</ref>

| title15   = [[#ep38|Booked Solid]]
| date15    = February 14, 2013
| rs15      = 3.0/8
| viewers15 = 14.87<ref name="2.15"/>
| dvr15     = 1.0
| dvrv15    = 3.47
| total15   = 4.0
| totalv15  = 18.34<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/04/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-glee-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-21/171674/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18–49 Ratings & Total Viewership Gains; 'Glee' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 21|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=March 4, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307073250/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/04/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-glee-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-21/171674/|archive-date=March 7, 2013}}</ref>

| title16   = [[#ep39|Relevance]]
| date16    = February 21, 2013
| rs16      = 2.9/7
| viewers16 = 14.22<ref name="2.16"/>
| dvr16     = 1.1
| dvrv16    = 3.63
| total16   = 4.0
| totalv16  = 17.84<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/11/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-90210-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-22/172916/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings & Total Viewership Gains; '90210' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 22|last=Knodolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=March 11, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314031431/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/11/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-90210-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-22/172916/|archive-date=March 14, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

| title17   = [[#ep40|Proteus]]
| date17    = March 7, 2013
| rs17      = 2.8/8
| viewers17 = 14.57<ref name="2.17"/>
| dvr17     = 1.1
| dvrv17    = 3.76
| total17   = 3.9
| totalv17  = 18.33<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/25/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-the-good-wife-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-24/174838/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings & Total Viewership Gains; 'Smash' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 24|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=March 25, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328103834/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/25/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-the-good-wife-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-24/174838/|archive-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref>

| title18   = [[#ep41|All In]]
| date18    = March 14, 2013
| rs18      = 2.9/8
| viewers18 = 14.34<ref name="2.18"/>
| dvr18     = 0.9
| dvrv18    = 3.21
| total18   = 3.8
| totalv18  = 17.55<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/01/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-90210-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-25/175732/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings & Total Viewership Gains; '90210' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 25|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=April 1, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404094206/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/01/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-90210-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-25/175732/|archive-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref>

| title19   = [[#ep42|Trojan Horse]]
| date19    = April 4, 2013
| rs19      = 2.7/8
| viewers19 = 14.57<ref name="2.19"/>
| dvr19     = 1.0
| dvrv19    = 3.48
| total19   = 3.7
| totalv19  = 18.05<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/22/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-total-viewership-gains-grimm-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-28/179071/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings Increase & Total Viewership Gains, 'Grimm' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 28|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=April 22, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425055218/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/22/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-total-viewership-gains-grimm-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-28/179071/|archive-date=April 25, 2013}}</ref>

| title20   = [[#ep43|In Extremis]]
| date20    = April 25, 2013
| rs20      = 2.4/7
| viewers20 = 13.22<ref name="2.20"/>
| dvr20     = 1.0
| dvrv20    = 3.22
| total20   = 3.4
| totalv20  = 16.44<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/13/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-smash-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-31/182465/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings Increase & Tops Total Viewership Gains; 'Smash' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 31|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=May 13, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607112536/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/13/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-smash-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-31/182465/|archive-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref>

| title21   = [[#ep44|Zero Day]]
| date21    = May 2, 2013
| rs21      = 2.4/7
| viewers21 = 12.96<ref name="2.21"/>
| dvr21     = 0.9
| dvrv21    = 3.36
| total21   = 3.3
| totalv21  = 16.32<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/20/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-again-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-smash-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-32/183232/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Again Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings Increase & Tops Total Viewership Gains; 'Smash' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 32|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=May 20, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607233456/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/20/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-again-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-smash-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-32/183232/|archive-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref>

| title22   = [[#ep45|God Mode]]
| date22    = May 9, 2013
| rs22      = 2.4/7
| viewers22 = 13.16<ref name="2.22"/>
| dvr22     = 0.9
| dvrv22    = 3.33
| total22   = 3.3
| totalv22  = 16.49<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/28/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-again-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-smash-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-33/184406/|title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Again Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings Increase & Tops Total Viewership Gains; 'Smash' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase in Week 33|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 28, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608052541/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/28/live7-dvr-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-again-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-smash-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-in-week-33/184406/|archive-date=June 8, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

===Critical reception===
The second season received positive reviews. On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the season has an approval rating of 100% and average rating of 8 out of 10 based on 8 reviews. The site's critical consensus is, "Smartly plotted and consistently thrilling, ''Person of Interest''{{'}}s second season delivers dazzlingly dramatic episodes that skillfully develop the show's overarching narrative."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/person-of-interest/s02/ |title=Person of Interest: Season 2 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=August 24, 2017}}</ref>

Tim Surette praised the premiere episode as "vintage ''Person of Interest'' amplified, showing off its trademark combination of complex intrigue, creative action, and clever innovation in bigger ways than ever before." He praised guest star [[Ken Leung]]'s character as "one of the greatest POIs the series has had" and praised the episode's overall narrative, as well as the flashbacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/news/person-of-interests-season-2-premiere-two-point-oh-yeah-29689/|title=Person of Interest's Season 2 Premiere: Two Point Oh Yeah!|last=Surette|first=Tim|work=TV.com|date=September 28, 2012|access-date=February 10, 2015|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806095235/http://www.tv.com/news/person-of-interests-season-2-premiere-two-point-oh-yeah-29689/|url-status=dead}}</ref> "[[Prisoner's Dilemma (Person of Interest)|Prisoner's Dilemma]]" and "[[Relevance (Person of Interest)|Relevance]]" were the two highest-rated episodes of the season, with Surette calling the former "as complete an episode of ''Person of Interest'' as there's ever been"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/news/person-of-interest-prisoners-dilemma-review-past-present-and-prison-30384/|title=Person of Interest "Prisoner's Dilemma" Review: Past, Present & Prison|last=Surette|first=Tim|work=TV.com|date=January 11, 2013|access-date=May 14, 2013|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806212630/http://www.tv.com/news/person-of-interest-prisoners-dilemma-review-past-present-and-prison-30384/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[The A.V. Club]]'s Phil Dyess-Nugent praising [[Jonathan Nolan]]'s directorial work in the latter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Person of Interest: Relevance|last=Dyess-Nugent|first=Phil|url=https://www.avclub.com/tvclub/person-of-interest-relevance-92275|work=The A.V. Club|date=February 21, 2013|access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref> The season finale "[[God Mode (Person of Interest)|God Mode]]" also attracted positive reactions. Nugent called it an "unapologetically kick-ass episode" with some "terrific action set-pieces".<ref>{{cite web|title=Person of Interest "God Mode"|last=Dyess-Nugent|first=Phil|url=https://www.avclub.com/tvclub/person-of-interest-god-mode-97139|work=The A.V. Club|date=May 9, 2013|access-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb episodes|1839578|Person of Interest|season=2}}

{{Person of Interest}}

[[Category:Person of Interest seasons]]
[[Category:2012 American television seasons]]
[[Category:2013 American television seasons]]