John Reese quotes from Person of Interest

Harold Finch

Hydrating on a stakeout is a double-edged sword anyway.

John Reese

You forget your water bottle, Finch?

Joss Carter

Still trying to get used to this. Being early.

John Reese

Early?

Joss Carter

I'm Homicide, John. Usually if you're spending time with me, it's because you're already dead.

John Reese

No one changes, Carter. You're here because this is where you were always headed.

Joss Carter

"No one changes," says the man who was a hobo the first night I met him. You might not have changed, but your wardrobe has. So whatever path you were on, you took a detour.

John Reese

I wanted to talk to you about her. I just wish we had more time.

Joss Carter

Yeah, well, that's something we never get enough of.

Carl Elias

You're calmer than normal, John. Given the circumstances.

John Reese

I took a trip to the mountains, and I saw an old friend. Just reminded me what I've been missing.

Carl Elias

And what is that?

John Reese

Life.

John Reese

What's our status?

Root

Well, I've got one and a half clips, a metro card and God's either dead or running on double-As.

Harold Finch

The lock's jammed. I can't get it open.

John Reese

[flashing a grinding machine] That's it. Step aside, Harold.

Harold Finch

Mr. Reese, there's sensitive electronics inside. We need to open it, not give it a lobotomy.

John Reese

Right now, we need a heartbeat. When doing CPR, sometimes you got to crack a few ribs.

Harold Finch

John, there's something I need to tell you. Samaritan didn't send that woman. The Machine hired her.

John Reese

What? Well, that's a hell of a bug, Finch!!

Harold Finch

Where's John?

Lionel Fusco

He's trying on some new threads. Got him to join our league.

Harold Finch

[Seeing John in new shirt, laughs] My goodness.

John Reese

Yeah, I'm not doing this.

Lionel Fusco

You kidding? You'll be the social chair of the department by the end of the month.

John Reese

How about I stuff this polyester down your throat?

I'm afraid there's still some... unfinished business we need to take care of.

John Reese

There always is.

Harold Finch

Mr. Reese. How was your lunch with Dr. Campbell and her parents?

John Reese

It was a bit rocky at first. By the end, I think I was growing on them.

Harold Finch

An experience I can personally relate to. So things are going well between the two of you?

John Reese

Well enough. Iris still has a lot of questions.

Harold Finch

Be cautious in your answers.

John Reese

I intend to be.

Harold Finch

Otherwise, I think it's good that you're attempting to have a more normal life. That is, when you're not risking your life saving people.

John Reese

Or trying to stay a step ahead of an artificial super intelligence bent on world domination.

Harold Finch

Or that.

Harold Finch

Please don't shoot. I have no wish to make my final confession.

John Reese

Why'd you bring us here, Finch?

Harold Finch

Turns out this is the best place to hide from a god.

John Reese

[about telling the difference in sound waves] How can you tell that?

I can hear it. I was just born this way.

Harold Finch

[Finch is at a wedding, with the pretense of being an estranged uncle from Ireland. At the wedding reception, he is brought onstage, and asked to sing with his- "Uncle Ralph's"- renowned voice. Finch faces the waiting audience and is petrified. He speaks, with an Irish accent... ] Does no one remember that I suffer from stage fright?

[the groom says to the audience] Just being modest, Uncle Ralph!

Harold Finch

Uh...

A little liquid courage will cure that. [Pushes a glass of liquor into Finch's hand]' Don't be nervous, just sing, whatever comes to mind.

Harold Finch

Good lad. Cheers. [Finch downs the whole glass. Long silence. The audience looks on] Um.. [Approaches the mic. Long silence. He haltingly starts to speak lyrics, with the cadence of an Irish protest song - the actual song's original melody is unrecognizable] We've got the right to choose it. / And / there ain't no way we'll lose it. / This is our life, this is our song. // We'll fight the powers that be, just / don't pick our destiny, 'cause / you don't know us. You don't belong.

Root

[whispers to Reese] How come Harry never sings to us?

John Reese

He doesn't sing to you?

Harold Finch

[the chorus] We're not gonna take it / No, we ain't gonna take it / We're not gonna take it anymore.

Harold Finch

Mr. Reese, have you managed to secure an invitation to the wedding?

John Reese

I did. Phoebe's sister, Janna, invited me. Turns out I'm her type.