In fact, it’s downright frightening but that’s what makes it such a powerful hour.
(which was coincidentally the last time we saw Shaw).
That’s only one hint at some of the emotional baggage she’s carrying from her time with Samaritan.
Credit: John Paul Filo/CBS
Once the boys leave, Root tries to put the moves on Shaw, but Shaw shuts her down.
Afterward, Shaw opens up about the psychological torture she endured while she was with Samaritan.
Eventually, she goes to the bathroom and has a seizure as she touches the scar on her neck.
However, she decides not to tell Root about any of it.
By the time morning comes, Shaw has grown even more restless and reckless.
She forces Reese and Root into going after Greer earlier than planned.
So Reese, Root, and Shaw storm Greer’s hideout and capture him.
Shaw can’t believe it and has another episode during which she shoots Greer in the head.
However, Reese becomes suspicious about how Samaritan found them and knew that they were coming for Greer.
So Shaw shoots him and leaves him to die.
It’s as upsetting as it sounds.
She tells Root and Finch that Samaritan operatives killed him.
There, she admits to shooting Reese and says she doesn’t know who is controlling her.
“Nothing’s safe,” says Shaw.
Then, Shaw does the unthinkable: She shoots herself in the head.
Each time she kills Greer, and each time she kills herself.
But I didn’t feel that way here because the narrative rig was very much in service of character.
“6,741” packs such an emotional punch because it’s all about Shaw’s relationship with her teammates.
Even though she’s unconscious, she’s doing everything she can to fight back.
That’s exactly what Shaw is doing here.
Each time she kills herself, Shaw is doing what’s necessary for her side.
The writers successfully turn such a trauma-filled story into one about friendship and loyalty.
The twist ending also reveals just how horrifying and dehumanizing Samaritan’s tactics are.
Samaritan is actually using her emotions and feelings against her.
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