Things are coming to a head in eps3.8_stage3.torrent as Elliot pushes forward with Stage 3. Don’t let Mr. Robot’s numbering scheme (episode 1 was 3.0, not 3.1) fool you, this is the penultimate episode of season 3, which means the finale is next week. This recap/review contains spoilers.
Sleeping With The Enemy?
Elliot and Darlene are working on a heretofore unknown Stage 3, which is an attempt to undo what they have done by retrieving E-Corp’s files. In order to do this, they need access to the FBI’s vault, known as Sentinel. Darlene goes undercover by trying to seduce FBI Agent Dom DiPierro so she can copy her badge. The seduction part works, but Dom catches Darlene when she breaks into the safe. Back to the interrogation room for Darlene, who now tries to convince Dom and Santiago (whom we know is in league with the Dark Army) to allow her to access the data so that she can undo things.
Can’t a Murderous Corporate Ladder-Climber Get a Break?
Life is full of ups and downs for Tyrell Wellick. He’s released from FBI custody (woohoo!), but comes home to find reminders that his wife has been slain and he can’t visit his child (boohoo!). Phillip Price appoints him CTO of E-Corp (Yay! Lifelong Dream!), but it’s explained to him in no uncertain terms that he is a figurehead only (Nay!).
Things are looking bad for Angela (when your paranoid schizophrenic friend is concerned about your mental state, that’s not a great omen). Whatever White Rose told her has her convinced that she and Elliot can get their deceased parents back. Elliot tries to talk to her, but when they get inside his apartment, they find Leon there, smoking trees on his couch. She goes back to her place, which is decorated in a style that can only be described as Mental Breakdown chic: complete with about 30 locks on the door, a ‘Hang in There’ cat poster, and walls plastered with photographs with the faces covered up. She packs up emergency supplies (water and a bunch of copies of Lolita, just like FEMA recommends) and tells someone who doesn’t seem to be there that they need to get out. Wandering the streets, she sees a bizarro Cisco and is once again taken into custody by people in a van, though it is unclear if they are Dark Army, FBI, or some sinister third party (Uber?).
A Rendevous in the Park
Tyrell isn’t the only one with a good news/bad news situation. This episode features an appearance by my favorite character, Leon, but he doesn’t discuss any TV shows or kill any Neo-Nazis. I guess you can’t win ’em all. Leon takes Elliot to meet White Rose’s assistant Grant. Elliot tells Grant about Phase 3. Grant doesn’t seem interested, but Elliot got what he wanted: when one of Grant’s goons scans his computer, Elliot plants malware that will give him access to the Dark Army’s systems.
The typically stoic White Rose shows she’s not wholly emotionless when delays in moving her project to the Congo have her throwing glasses against the wall. Grant tells White Rose about Elliot’s plan (or what he thinks Elliot’s plan is), and convinces her that their best course of action is to kill Elliot, before moving in to kiss her, in what I can only imagine is a violation of the Dark Army’s employee handbook.
Unanswered Questions
What the hell is in the Red Wheelbarrow bag? I imagine we’ll find out next week in the season finale.
What is White Rose’s big project? It may be revealed next week, or it may be a bigger tease, setting up the series finale (whenever that may be).
What is the connection between Phillip Price and Angela? White Rose mentioned this to Price before and at the beginning of the episode we see him give Angela a meaningful look and decide to give her employer, All-Safe, the security contract for E-Corp, despite protests from Tyrell. Is he, as some have suggested, her father? Or maybe he’s in love with her? Could it be that he feels guilty about her mother’s death? It’s hard to imagine him feeling anything other than greed and pride, so the father theory seems most likely to me.
