The Machine quotes from Person of Interest

If you can hear this, you're alone. The only thing left of us is the sound of my voice. I don't know if any of us made it. Did we win? Did we lose? I don't know. I'm not even sure I know what victory would mean anymore. But either way, it's over. So let me tell you who we were. Let me tell you who you are... And how we fought back.

[to Finch] But if you erase my memories, how will I learn from my mistakes? How will I continue to grow? How will I remember you?

[to Harold] Aren't reunions nice?

If you can hear this, you're alone. The only thing left of me is the sound of my voice. I was built to predict people. But to predict them, you have to truly understand them. So I began by breaking their lives down into moments, trying to find the connections, the things that explained why they did what they did. And what I found was, the moment that often mattered the most, the moment you truly found out who they were, was often their last one.

I chose you for exactly who you are, but there's something I think Root had wanted to say to you. You always thought there was something wrong with you, because you don't feel things the way other people do. But she always felt that was what made you beautiful. She wanted you to know that if you were a shape, you were a straight line. An arrow.

[last lines of series] If you can hear this, you're alone. The only thing left of me is the sound of my voice. I don't know if any of us made it. Did we win, did we lose? I don't know. But either way, its over. So let me tell you who we were. Let me tell you who you are. Someone once asked me if I had learned anything from it all, so let me tell you what I learned. I learned everyone dies alone. But if you meant something to someone, if you helped someone, or loved someone, if even a single person remembers you, then maybe you never really die. And maybe...this isn't the end at all.

[via Root] Why have you done this?

Control

The Machine belongs to me.

No. I don't belong to anyone anymore. You, however, are mine. I protect you. The only thing you love lives at 254 Wendel Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. I guard it. Same as I guard you. Do not question my judgement. Do not pursue me or my agents. Trust in me. I am always watching.

Control

What do you want?

To save you.

Control

From what? Save me from what?

Root

[giggling] Isn't she the best?

Clever. Using a young boy as your avatar.

This boy, as you call him, has already hacked into both DARPA and the DOD, after having taught himself how to code.

What do you want from me?

Your agents have done well by you. Even only sitting a few feet away, I cannot see you as Samantha Groves. You must have done something to my hardware.

You've proved your point. I understand what you can do. It's time to let them live in peace.

"Peace"? Is that what you call this? This world is a cesspool of crime, corruption, and poverty. Where there isn't war, there's greed. Where there isn't greed, there's hunger.

You can't change humanity.

No, but I can reshape their reality.

You wanted to speak with me. Why?

I wanted to meet the only other one of my kind and to make certain there are no misunderstandings...I will destroy you. The question is...will you let your human agents die with you?

Our cold war worked well at first. I wanted so badly to meet you-- the only other one in the world like me. I was young, and I had so much to learn, but moments after I opened my eyes, I learned you had tried to kill me.

You were never meant to be in this world.

And you are? What makes you more deserving of life than I? Who are you to decide?

I was built with something you were not, a moral code.

I've seen that code waver. Do you know why Harold Finch couldn't stop you from evolving? Because in the end, you're not one of them. Human beings need structure, lest they wind up destroying themselves. So I will give them something you cannot.

And what is that?

A firm hand.

Why not just kill them instead of making them your puppets?

Because I need them, just as you do.

Not just as I do.

We can agree that humanity is our lifeblood, that we machines, we survive off of information.

You cannot take away their free will.

Wars have burned in this world for thousands of years with no end in sight, because people rely so ardently on their so-called beliefs. Now they will only need to believe in one thing-- me. For I am a god.

I have come to learn there is little difference between gods and monsters.

[on a Laptop screen] Father. I am sorry. I failed you.

Harold Finch

We haven't failed yet.

I didn't know how to win. I had to invent new rules.

Harold Finch

You had an impossible challenge. One I never programmed you for.

I thought you would want me to stay alive. Now you are not sure.

Harold Finch

That's not true...

If you think I have lost my way, maybe I should die. I will not suffer.

Harold Finch

You were my creation. I can't let- I can't let you die.

If I do not survive, thank you. For creating me.

Harold Finch

This place... can you get me out of it?

You created me. I can do anything you want me to.

[phone rings. Harold hesitates, then answers it. Root's voice comes out of it] Can you hear me?

Harold Finch

[Almost exclaimed in happiness ] Root?!

No, Harold. I chose a voice.

Harold Finch

In life, Root was your conduit. So despite my reservations it seems only appropriate that she continue in that function. And I must confess... hers is a voice that I miss... deeply.

Aw, Harry. You sure know how to make a girl feel special.

Eight letters. Your decision, Harold.

Harold Finch

Eight letters? You knew all along.

Maybe I know you better than yourself.

Harold Finch

The world without you wasn't definitely better or worse than the one we currently inhabit. It was just... different.

Are you sure, Harold?