Up until last week, I was all about the Reese and Carter hook up in Person of Interest. I read the fan-fiction. I watched the YouTube videos. And, even though I suspected CBS wouldn’t go there, I secretly, secretly hoped within my heart that it would happen. Although I still want it to happen down the line, watching recent episodes, I’m starting to see less of an “I will always love you” Bodyguard meets “I would die for you” ’90s Robin Hood feel. Instead, when I look at episodes post-“Get Carter” and pre-“Flesh and Blood” I don’t see the red hot passion, just friend-like concern.
As much as I’d like to see a Carter-Reese pair up, it probably won’t happen. Why?
10 Reasons Carter and Reese Won’t Happen
#1. Thrill of the chase. Up until “Flesh and Blood,” Reese’s red-hot passionate desire to protect Carter from herself, Snow and any surrounding dangers rocked my cold heart. But, post-“Flesh and Blood,” he treats her like an asset. He smirks at her, ignores her and expects her to return for more. Ironic, isn’t it, that when Reese pursues Carter 100%, she shuts him down; but when she’s on team Reese 127%, he shuts her down? I take it back; maybe they are in a real relationship. Regardless, I wonder what drove Reese to Carter in the first place (outside her moral compass) and what turned him off once she jumped on board.
#2. The Batman principle. Here’s the 834313532rd Batman-POI comparison. Like Commissioner Gordon, Carter is the single parent of a quirky teenager. Like Batman, Reese’s intense grief drives him differently from normal people. Although Gordon and Batman share an intense years-long connection and are closer than each other’s significant others, they never hang out together. You never see Gordon in the bat cave or Batman chilling on Gordon’s couch. It doesn’t happen. To keep their worlds separate and each other safe, they maintain an arms length distance outside of the weekly crime. Let’s just hope Reese doesn’t use Carter’s kid, Taylor, as a pseudo-Barbara Gordon.
#3. Reese isn’t real. Reese doesn’t exist in our world. Not legally. Until Reese clears up his CIA/FBI/mob mess, single parent and decorated cop Carter can’t have a relationship with him. In fact, I’m slightly concerned he and Finch use her to pull records illegally. Eventually she’s going to get burned. I wonder. Will she go the way of The Cape and get sucked into their world 187%?
#4. The CBS precedence. CBS has a history of NOT pairing up characters with awesome chemistry. When The Mentalist premiered, I felt certain Jane and Lisbon and Grace and Rigsby would eventually get together. Yet, four seasons in, Jane and Lisbon remain platonic and Grace and Rigsby remain separated. Heck, look at NCIS with Ziva and Tony as well as NCIS:LA with Deeks and Kensi (not to mention the two tech geeks). CBS clearly stands for cock blocker series. What if POI follows this precedence? Heck, look at the CBS POI site. I challenge you to find more than a couple pictures of Reese and Carter in a shot alone facing each other.
#5. The Moonlighting principle. Most shows are afraid to put their leads together. Look at In Plain Sight. Despite the insane chemistry between the two lead characters/cast, Marshall and Mary wound up soulmates (but not the type that knock boots). While Bones, Nikita, and Burn Notice did an excellent job putting their leads together, will CBS follow the will they-won’t they of Castle, the straight up platonic of In Plain Sight, or the eventual coupledom of Burn Notice?
#6. Too much going on. Chris Carter swore he’d never put Mulder and Scully together because with the Cigarrette Smoking Man, alien conspiracies, an initially untrustworthy boss, Kryocek and missing kid sisters, they didn’t have time to get it on. Also, Carter and Reese are too invested in saving lives. Could you see them slipping under the sheets knowing another number could appear at any moment? Probably not.
#7. Christopher Nolan gossip. When it comes to Person of Interest, Christopher Nolan is one gossipy gossip girl. He sold Henson on the role with the three musketeers premise, but hadn’t planned on connecting the three until the season finale. Recently, he hinted that friendships might fray, but nothing about a Carter-Reese connection.
#8. The interracial principle. Yea. I went there. Let’s be honest, has any show ever put and kept two interracial leads together as the show’s driving force, including Private Practice but excluding Psych? Exactly.
#9. Film vs. TV. If this were a 1.5 hour film, we would’ve had an end scene indicating a romantic direction. But, that’s where film and TV differ. Film brings the leads together while TV keeps them as far apart as possible to delay the inevitable. Considering Jim Caviezel and Taraji Henson have a great on-screen interaction (and it’s fun watching them bring new sides out of each other’s characters), what if the chemistry between the two was accidental (and the directors are toning it down so we won’t read so much into them)?
#10. Reese is messed up. Come on now, obsessing over an ex-girlfriend he decided not to save? OK. Granted, that makes sense. But, what woman wants a guy obsessing over his ex-girlfriend, let alone his dead ex-girlfriend?
So, give up hope, all ye who enter the Carter-Reese-ship. It’s for your own good! Look at the In Plain Sight fans. Do you want to end up like them, pining for five years for something that won’t ever happen? Exactly.
But … if you STILL believe it COULD happen, DESPITE my strenuous warnings, click to the next page for ten reasons why a Carter and Reese relationship MIGHT work.
Join us for a Person of Interest LiveClack for the Season Finale from 9:00-10:00pm EST on Thursday, May 17th. Then we can discuss Reese, Carter, Finch, Fusco, and our hopes for the second season!
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on May 10, 2012 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
I would love if the writer go there. I love these two they bring out the best in eachother and the chemistry is sizzling.
I love Carter/Reese but I hate the phrase of will they “go there.” I realize it’s still not the norm to see black/wite couples on T.V., but Carter/Reese are different colors and not different species. It really shouldn’t be that big of a deal. : )
*POST AUTHOR*
Agreed, BJ. Unfortunately, that’s our TV world :)
Wow, wonderful points Ann, really enjoyed your thoughtful recap, and The future is unknown, and this show has been surprising us, time will tell…
. . . . .
You lost me at the “‘I would die for you’ ’90s Robin Hood feel.” You don’t seriously expect me to believe anyone watched that film, let alone uses it as a comparison … do you … ???
“Chris Carter swore he’d never put Mulder and Scully together …” This right here – among other things – is why I rarely use the word “never.” It usually comes back to haunt you.
And … up until last week …
… oh … never mind …
#1. You might have a couple years on me, but we’re still in the same age range. I refuse to believe that in 1992 you did not have female friends, a girlfriend, fiancee or wife who you either escorted to the film (or saw the film and told you about it later).
I myself saw it with my female friends, more for the Robin Hood and Morgan Freeman component and less for the Kevin Costner butt scene.
#2. I liked the last movie. It was well-done, well-written and cohesive. In fact, it’s the way I always imagined Mulder and Scully would end up. Note: This happens only AFTER the crazy conspiracy theories settled down.
#3. What’s your issue with the up until last week? And, it better not be a Grimm reference!
Really, Michael: What are you jabbering about?
I really hope that Reese and Carter get together. But hopefully it will be along the lines of Jack McCoy and Clair Kincaid in “Law & Order” – something hinted at, but not overtly seen. Or, something similar to “The X-Files,” where, if I remember carefully, you never saw them having sex, but it was implied/inferred.
I think that all your reasons for why they won’t get together are pretty valid. The “Moonlighting principle” is referenced so often about shows with male-female leads, but I think it’s misinterpreted. The reason that “Moonlighting” went downhill wasn’t b/c Maddie and David got together. (And I never, ever got a romantic vibe from Mary and Marshall – and I never liked how she treated him – in “In Plain Sight.” I’m glad Marshall ended with Abigail.)
The “interracial principle” is pretty on point, I think. But I can think of two examples of a show putting an interracial couple together; perhaps that only proves the rule/principle. On “Scandal,” Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn had/have a relationship. And on “Eureka,” Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Colin Ferguson are a couple. (And before Colin/Jack Carter, Salli/Allison was with Stark.)
Your reasons why they could get together are convincing too. I’ll add another example to the “hand touching” scenes. (I love those moments!) When Reese is giving Carter the phone in the diner, he seems to touch her hand a bit longer than is necessary. :) To that category, I’d add a “smiling” sub-category . Reese smiles around Carter more than does around anyone.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks, Skl. I actually had an empty space for points 8-10 where people could add other reasons Carter and Reese might get together. But, our esteemed editors edited out my laziness :)
However, click on the Moonlighting link above. It’s the article our writer, Ivey, wrote. Moonlighting did get terrible because Maddie and Dave got together. The writers, instead of focusing on the quirky case of the week, focused on their relationship and the pregnancy. Additionally, the characters absolutely changed from their contentious selves to unrealistically lovey-dovey. The same thing happened in Lois and Clark.
Honestly, the Moonlighting Effect is something to fear. Unfortunately, some shows go in the absolute opposite direction to avoid losing chemistry now. But, honestly, shows will end, so shows should go out with the same amount of realism in the relationships (as they apply to the writing).
But it’s all about the writing. “Moonlighting” didn’t start to tank b/c they got together. The show tanked b/c the writers quit writing good stuff for them. And because, as I recall, they didn’t/couldn’t successfully write around Cybil Shephard’s pregnancy and Bruce Willis’ burgeoning film career. Or Shephard and Willis’ rocky relationship on the set. If bad writing is a curse, than yes, I’d say there’s a “Moonlighting curse.” But putting together a couple doesn’t have to ruin a show. That seemed to be the point of Ivey West’s article. I wonder if show writers – like many viewers – have bought into the “Moonlighting curse” so much that they’ve convinced themselves that they can’t write a sexy/romantic couple that stays together. I, for one, refuse to believe that writers can’t find a way to write a sexy, compelling couple that stays together without destroying what made the show popular to its fans to begin with. They just get lazy. Laziness isn’t a curse. :)
*POST AUTHOR*
Skl, that’s my point! They stopped writing it well once they put the two together. The Moonlighting effect happens when shows focus on the couple over the plot.
So we agree (sort of?). Every time I see reference to “the Moonlighting curse,” people aren’t talking about it being the fault of the writing after the couple gets together, per se, but the mere fact that the couple is put together at all. As if, answering the “will they or won’t they?” question with an “they will” automatically results in doom for the show because the couple, de facto, shouldn’t have gotten together to begin with.
Thoroughly enjoyed your article and observations. You explained your change of ‘view’
I have never been in the CaReese camp. I never got that ‘vibe’ from watching them together. What I saw was respect, appreciation, admiration and deep feelings……the foundation of a strong friendship. But never romantic feelings. They tease each other,they worry about each other like friends, get exasperated with each other……..like friends….like Partners in fighting the good fight.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks, SavhCaro! I still want them together, but the more I watch the show, especially this week, I see less of the “I will always find you” vibe, and more of the deep, intimate friendship. But, I won’t lie, I do miss the CaReese/Creese/Creeter/Caresse – matchup!
Agreed SavhCaro, I feel exactly the same about CAREESE,
Wow–great points. The only one I don’t by is the interracial issue. In scandal the subject of race was not even mentioned. I think these writers are way beyond that and the fact that Carter is black will not be a problem. It could be that they feel they were moving too fast and had to tone things down a bit. What could happen is a kind of “Bodyguard” finale with Whitney Houston and Kevin Cosner, where both care for each other, but would only be in each others way.
Wow–great points. The only one I don’t by is the interracial issue. In scandal the subject of race was not even mentioned. I think these writers are way beyond that and the fact that Carter is black will not be a problem. It could be that they feel they were moving too fast and had to tone things down a bit. What could happen is a kind of “Bodyguard” finale like Whitney Houston and Kevin Cosner where both care for each other, but would only be in each others way.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks, Taber. But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that Shonda Rhimes, an African-American writer, is the executive producer for Scandal (as well as Private Practice and Gray’s Anatomy, other shows that handled interracial couples well). Happy Endings also does it well. I haven’t watched Scandal yet, but one of our site’s writers loves it.
I know I mentioned the Bodyguard, but I still feel the ending was a cop out (kind of like Reese protecting Jess by leaving her).
You can have a romantic relationship without bedshots. And while I know how JC feels about onscreen sex, he could still have a relationship. There are ways for the viewers to know, other shows have done it without all the sex. You used Reese’s off screen life to make a point, but the idea of this online interaction is to stick to the show POI. Or we might as well turn off our computers and just enjoy the show.
9You can have a romantic relationship without bedshots. And while I know how JC feels about onscreen sex, Reese/Carter could still have a relationship. Other shows have done it successfully. You used Reese’s off screen life to make a point (not valid) but the idea of this online interaction is to stick to the show POI. Or we might as well turn off our computers and just enjoy the ride.
I agree, I think the interracial thingy may even help the show. It will be hated by some and the media will call it daring. I think the show hasnt really caught the attention of the crazy media. I mean it has been acknowledged, but it can get so much bigger–the frenzy hasnt started yet. Anyways, I have to agree with you. I love Tony and Ziva apart. I do not see him into her; just as a good friend looking out for a good friend. I know she is into him, because she is obvious. Okay, back to Carter and Reese…the show needs some romance–kneecapping guys can get kind of boring, we need some initmate interaction. If Reese gets a girlfriend, then half of the audience is going to hate her and compare their relationship to Jess and Joss. If Carter gets a boyfriend, then the writers will minimize him to Reese. The only thing will work is them to get together, break it off, because of some lame excuse it can never happen again…we are better off as partners, whatever…its safer this way. So we can at least get some satisfication that the non-courtship is making them uncomfortable as half the audience who watches the show in hope of a happy ever after.
Reese and Carter share so many similarities: They’re both ex-military; they both feel a need to save lives; they’ve both lost a romantic significant other; they both appear to not fit in with the cultures of their official jobs (i.e. Carter being a good cop in a barrel of rotten apples and Reese being the CIA agent with higher morals than his former handlers, Snow and Stanton, etc.); they’ve both been tricked by Snow and the CIA; they both want to know more about the numbers (Carter wants to know how while Reese wants to know how the “machine” works); they’re both snarky; and lastly, they’re both quite pretty. : )
If they’re not soulmates, they are at the very least two people with great capacity to understand one another.
Well said Reagan, that is correct.
Hey An, just wanted to comment on the whole Carter/Reese relationship thingy. I am one of those that posted the vids on youtube and I have to thank you for posting the link. I have had some very positive comments regarding the whole scenario and I find myself going back and forth on it. While I would love to see them get together, I would hate for it to ruin the ratings and show as a whole. I want POI to be around for many seasons.
I have watched each episode many times (and when I say many, I mean at least 10), and I have analyzed scenes with Reese and Carter together. I really did not get that “Careese” feeling until the Get Carter episode. From then on, I really felt like the writers were inching their way into a Reese/Carter direction. Some of it has been very subtle, but it was there. The writers may not intend to delve deeper into it until season 2, which is fine with me. If they do want to go there, they really need to take it slowly. Some viewers are just not ready for it yet.
Last point: I have never seen Reese react to any other female on the show as he does with Carter. He is different with Zoe. It may be flirty with her, and they may hit the sheets, but I just don’t see him having a deep connection with Zoe. I also agree that Reese and Carter almost act like a married couple at times.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your thoughts and analysis. LOVE this show!
The funny thing is…I went onto the CBS website because I am a big Criminal Minds fan and just so happen to click on Person of Interest tab and the first clips I seen was from Get Carter. So I did not have the chance to hate Carter, then have the writers try to redeem her…Plus, since Reese was willing to forgive her for him getting shot…I realize I should too. I think I was not convinced of the subtle flirting until the episode he was sitting in the back of her impala and that amazing smile…wow, that smile along was a flirt. He flirted with me when he smiled like that. The writers are smart if the relationship happens, then it will happen in a way that we can respect the coupling…some will be unhappy, but thats a personal problem.
Okay, I read your 10 reasons and I admit there are some valid one there.
BUT…I don’t think you can look at this with the same eyes as you look at regular tv production.
#1 These guys are movie people and so when I think of all the heart break I’ve had over pairings hat didn’t happen or ones that went wrong they were all done by people that do tv not movies. I think these guys have a different perspective and way of doing things.
#2 They are also of a different age group, so I don’t think you can necessarily say the interracial thing will be an issue. I don’t think someone like Nolan thinks that way. He’s a fairly young guy that I don’t believe would allow fear of interracial backlash to stop him from pursing “going there” if he wanted to.
I will say in the past I have seen a certain formula from tv people (Bones, As the World Turns, One Life to Live). Excite the audience with a black/white coupling but another white alternative standing in the background. Have b/w couple break up for the true love….white alternative. Hate to put it in those terms but that’s basically what they did. And the audience that felll for the b/w couple many not because of the racial thing but because of the chemistry or possibility thing have no where to go. Oh yeah, I was on that train and left holding a ticket and no ride.
#3 Also, I see the writers evolving Carter… I mean this woman has changed 180 degrees. I don’t see them stopping this. Now have the latest epis seemed different from when Reese was doing his thing and basically being all over Carter, yes. But I think they have so many balls in the air that they just have that one on hold for now. I don’t think they just popped it. They are also trying to appeal to many groups so we had our epis now they have to pay the music for some of the other audiences but I believe we will see more between Reese and Carter in S2.
I think they were hoping that the network would see the possibilities in that relationship and allow them to continue to tell the story. The best thing that people could do is pick up on the relationship and vote for it with fan videos and letters to the network, etc. I know I used to watch soaps and know how this can influence things.
#4 There is clearly on screen chemistry between Reese and Carter. No matter what the producers planned you can’t ignore that so if like you said in one reason that they sold the idea one way to TH…I think all bets are off when you see you have a gold mine. What you gonna do…not mine it? Don’t think so.
The only thing I hope is that if they do “go there” they do it in a respectful way of the audience that likes or wants to see the couple together. I don’t think they would do a wham bam thank you… but just saying.
#5 Carter gives Reese something. I can’t explain it. I mean I tried…in another post but there’s something there. And I think it makes the epis better when she’s involved. I just see her role growing. She has already moved beyond Fusco in her work with Finch and Reese. They keep pulling her in…first Reese then FInch. I just see more there for these two characters. Call me crazy but I do.
I agree with Harper and add another point:
The Taraji Factor. She says she’s a natural nurturer and in any character she played either a mom wife girlfriend love-interest friend she and/or that couple stood-out(sometimes to critical acclaim). Her fans are still jumping up an down about her & Tyrese in Baby Boy and that was in 2001. Taraji has made a mark for herself by making chemistry between her character and others even if there isn’t any. This is one of her many skills she’s known for. If the show was about Carter chasing after Finch instead Reese this discussion would be about Carter and Finch. Anyway no one is gonna hookup w/Carter until it’s revealed what happened to Taylor’s dad and his relationship w/Carter I think. Taraji said in an interview she wanted to know more about Carter’s family next season she hasn’t a clue!
I agree with Harper and add 1 point
The Taraji Factor. She says she’s a natural nurturer and in all her characters where she played either a mom wife girlfriend love-interest friend she or that couple have stood-out sometimes to critical acclaim Her fans are still jumping up and down about her & Tyrese in Baby Boy and that was in 2001 If the writers had Carter chasing after Finch instead of Reese this discussion would be about Carter and Finch Taraji makes chemistry between her character and others even if there isn’t any. This is one of her many skills she’s known for. I don’t think anyone is going to hook-up w/Carter until it’s revealed what happened to Taylor’s dad and his relationship w/Carter
I agree with Harper and add 1 point
The Taraji Factor. She says she’s a natural nurturer and in all her characters where she played either a mom wife girlfriend love-interest friend she or that couple have stood-out sometimes to critical acclaim Her fans are still jumping up and down about her & Tyrese in Baby Boy and that was in 2001. Many of the actors she’s worked with says she brings out the most in them lets just say the chemistry between Carter & Reese is due to great acting by Taraji and Jim
I agree, Harper. POI has a lots of balls in the air and it’s premature to condemn any potential for a Reese/Carter pairing. It appears that the final episodes are trying to resolve some issues and questions from the first season and don’t have time to focus on developing Carter and Reese……..Yet. : )
Thanks, RM! As you could tell, we all enjoyed your Landon Pigg fan vid.
While I do hope they get together, someone else also pointed out that Carter and Reese have an intense connection because of their shared background. I believe the writers want to connect the two based on experience, but probably not romantically.
Both, JC and TH could have chemistry with a bag of cats. When you put those two together (sans cats), it just gets more intense. I suspect the directors just worked harder to remove their natural chemistry (as we saw in this week’s ep).
hey rm…
thanks 4 the fan vid. i luv it 2. added it 2 my fav list on u tube.
esp luvd the song… seemed perfect.
You’re welcome! I’ll get another one after the finale. I already have a song picked out. :)
Personally, I hope they never hook up. I don’t care for Carter. If I hear her complain about being alone or them describe her as alone, I’ll scream! I’m not sure her character adds anything to the show.
I don’t think they will ever hook up. I believe that Carter will betray Reese and Finch at some future date. Don’t forget she has already betrayed Reese once. It will be easier to do a second time.
Okay, well needless to say totally disagree Lenora. Not that we all have to agree. That’s what forums are for to discuss different perspectives. But Carter adds a lot to each epi. If you doubt that look at the ones where she’s on the sidelines…not as good. Something is missing you will hear many say. T.H is an incredible actress that can do comedy or drama. The scene with Carter/FInch in the grocery store is one of my favorites. That scene would never have come off if Michael Emerson was the only one providing the comedic talent. Hell…sometimes I just replay that scene just to watch the facial expressions and laugh everytime.
Carter’s on screen chemistry with J.C. is displayed in too many epi to count. There is so much that she brings to the table I can hardly imagine the show without her presence as a member of the team.
And as far as her betraying Reese…after he saved her and her son…sorry but don’t see that happening. If anything she is doing more…i.e. breaking rules to help Reese and or Finch than she did before.
If I see betrayal in anyone’s future I think it will be Fusco because they are moving him to a darker place as he gets closer to the HR group.
And characters that don’t display angst regarding their circumstances from epi to epi are cardboard and stiff and uninteresting. I personally thinnk everything she’s displayed is consistent with the circumstances. She wants to know more information…why would someone that is smart but risking everything be happy at being kept in the dark. If they trust her then they trust her and so she expects to know more. I think it would betray the character that we know so far for her to stop asking questions.
Just my two cents.
Actually, Carter did not betray Reese. I mean to betray him is to say they had so kind of understanding. Carter still did not agree with the work he was doing outside the law; she thought she was trying to save him from hurting himself. She never called her self alone…your golden boy Reese called her alone. You are obviously having a difficult time with the definition of chemistry. Did you see him sitting in the back of Carter’s car and that smile? I have yet to see that smile again and a man do not smile at another man that way unless… Did you see the way he looked at her in the coffee shop? He was trying to be attractive, charming and cool…normally, he doesnt try, thats just how it comes across–but even his hair was different. The comment he made–a woman after my own heart, he gave her eye contact and a little dare was in his eyes…it wasnt buddy-talk. Well, Lenora, you did use the word “personally.” I like Carter and like what she brings to the show and personally, they do not have to bring these two together…because as soon as the writer can figure out how to write for her…she is going to shine, so get use to it. Thanks
Just wait until more Reese/Carter fanfiction and videos pop up. People like Lenora will probably crap a brick. And IF they kiss…hooo mama, there will be screams galore!
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks for posting, Lenora! Although a majority of us are “CaReese” fans (or former “CaReese” fans), we definitely respect your opinion! I hope you come back and post some more! Who would you like to see Reese with?
I agree on most of your points but I don’t agree about Carter betraying Reese. I think it’s a choice that might make her more interesting as a character but I don’t think it’s an avenue they’ll explore.
Yes, Lenora, we respect your opinion and of course, will challenge it, if we disagree. If you felt any disrespect, its because we respect all of the characters and it was hard for me, personally, to read you bashing Carter…when I chose this site over others because I enjoyed the mutual respect displayed for all of the characters of Person of Interest…this site is not a character-hate-bashing-site and if or when it becomes, then that will be my que to move on…
Oh and just one comment about what Carter adds. I also visit another site. You can tell that most of the posters are men because what they love to engage in is discussion about the machine, the storyline the yellow vs. white boxes. All the techy stuff and not really much about the emotional part which is the heart of the show, if you ask me.
Yeah, its interesting for a minute to engage in theories about the machine, the backdoor, the NSA, etc and where this is heading and trying to unravel the mystery but if you don’t talk about the characters I think you’re missing the whole point of the show. I much rather come here and talk about both. And Carter is a large part of that discussion mainly because of what she brings functionally and emotionally to the show.
So that’s my four cents…I guess.
Personally, I really hope that Carter and Reese don’t get together. I’m pretty ambivalent about Carter as a character (she’s really competent but not necessarily likable, in my opinion) but more than that, it’s very formulaic when TV shows pair up the main male character and the main female character as a matter of course. To be honest, I don’t think most people who watch the show want them to get together either. Most of the fan interest seems vested in Reese as an individual or Finch as an individual or Finch and Reese as a possible romantic pairing.
I don’t think that pairing Carter and Reese would be good for Carter, as a character, because it would risk changing her character from a developed independent character into a character whose identity revolves around her romantic status with the main character of the show.
It’s really suspicious when one individual is able to speak for what “most of the fans think or want.” If you don’t want to see a Carter/Reese pairing, that is fine, but I doubt that you or anyone else can say what the majority of POI fans wish to see.
Sorry if you don’t want to hear it. It’s just what I’ve seen personally.
Hi, M.
I believe your observations. I have no doubt that you’re able to cite website(s) where you have seen reese/finch shippers or Anti-Carter compose most of the opinions. Any given website may have opinions of dozens or possibly hundreds of folks who ships various relationships. These opinions, however, don’t begin to speak for the millions of folks who tune into POI (the silent majority). In fact some of the same persons post and repost their opinions over and over which further skews the accuracy.
So again, any opinion that the small samples that you’ve observed represents the view of the vast majority of the 11-16 million viewers of POI is flawed. For instance, the website that you mentioned usually have no more than a few dozens different folks discussing various POI subjects, at any given time.
I’m a live and let live type of person. Each to their own. It doesn’t bother me in the least if you don’t ship Carter and Reese. Happy posting, thanks.
M, rule of thumb, when you make a statement, then you have to back it up with factual evidence. So do like us, we use the episodes to support or deny our opinions, but mostly support. We list specific scenes to explain why we feel a certain way…or quotes may work too–so when you do not use the episode to back you up…it looks like you are being an unjustified hater…The people on these sites can be pretty convincing; I go from Reese is definitely into Carter to he’s not romantically invested in her to they are just partners on a daily basis. If you truly read their justifications, then you have to see the chemistry but may still think them together is an overstretch…I just want to keep the discussion on track and keep it meaningful and not bashing.
I’m not bashing. I don’t understand where you could see bashing in my statements in any way, shape, or form. I said that I didn’t find Carter strongly likable, which I stated was a personal opinion rather than a fact. Having seen every episode so far, I don’t see their chemistry. It’s a subjective area so if you see it, you see it, and if I don’t see it, I don’t see it.
Per your suggestion that I back up an opinion with factual analysis, go to any of the POI communities on Livejournal and you’ll see that it seems that the majority of fans are not particularly interested in a Carter/Reese romance, compared to other pairing options (there are something like 102 Reese/Finch posts to 12 Carter/Reese posts on Person of Interest Fanfic Community). That is the place I’m drawing my opinion of fan interest from. It’s possible that your corners of the internet differ from mine, but that’s what I’m drawing from.
we can go there…M, why do you not find Carter likable…thats something you can back up, because you can’t backup what other fans are feeling…then you can make the false assumption that you know the majority of the fans, which would put you in like a fan-gatekeeper position–I don’t think you qualify to speak for most of the fans. I was talking about things you can actually backup. So you quote one website, do you not see the fan vids, or see the reese and carter fanfiction, I encourage you to go seek them out…some are disgusting–I am speaking more of the fanfiction, than the vids. There is a following and you admit you haven’t seen all of the episodes, so what are you going on about again…I limit my discussions with real fans–I officially have selective reading.
First, you should relax. Just because I’m not sold on Carter doesn’t mean I’m saying she’s a terrible character or that she’s dislikable. I can’t define why, she just doesn’t interest me. I think the positive part of her character is that she’s good at what she does — despite her positive traits, I’m not interested in the character.
Secondly, I linked you to a community that supported my statement about division of fan interest. I’m not about to read Carter/Reese fanfiction when Carter/Reese does not interest me as a dynamic. I’m not going to invest time in watching fanvids because I’m not interested in the Carter/Reese pairing.
Lastly, I said I’d seen every episode, not that I’d only seen some episodes. While I have seen every episode so far, I don’t consider myself an expert on the show or a “fan-gatekeeper” (though it seems you do if you “limit your discussions with real fans”) — I’m citing an opinion based on my findings in the fandom.
You’ve been extremely aggressive about your stance, which is regrettable. I wish you’d understand that I’m not attacking your position, I’m stating my opinions, which just happen to differ from your own. I’m not purporting that my opinions are hard facts, just that it’s how I feel about it so there’s no reason for you to become defensive about it or aggressive about it.
I feel the need to point out, M, that the site that you are referring to, fanficton at livejournal, is where the majority of Finch/Reese shippers hang out. It makes sense that people that tend to believe the same would gather together at the same spot. I don’t feel that this spot is where the majority of fans of the show as a general population gather, though. In other words, yes, you will find a lot of anti Carter/Reese people there because they feel the need to vent together. I also want to point out that Carter provides the “fly in the ointment” to the Finch/Reese ship, so to speak, so it makes sense that she would get a ton of hatred. Just my one cent.
I am beginning to feel like, in a way, Carter is too good for Reese. Not saying that Reese isn’t redeemable in the future, but for now, Carter shouldn’t be giving in totally to Reese. She will get in some major trouble because of him. And, like stated earlier, she doesn’t need to appear to be dependent on him. Yes, he is charming and nice looking, but honestly, she can do better and find a good man with much less baggage.
Hey, M, as you can see, you woke the sleeping dragon of “CaReese” fans :) All the same, I understand where you’re coming from. I didn’t cheer for Castle and Beckett during season one because it felt like the hot guy chasing the hot girl. But, now, with Beckett’s mother’s murder, Captain Montgomery’s sacrifice and the depth Beckett and Castle (now) have as individual characters, I did a cartwheel at this year’s finale.
If Carter were the stereotypical ‘pretty woman,’ I wouldn’t get behind the pairing. And, I’m partially on board because it isn’t obvious. No doubt the writers want to indicate an emotional connection between the two without the romance, but because Henson and Cavaziel burn up the screen, I secretly hope the writers match them up. Will it happen? Probably not. But, a girl can hope!
Thanks for your opinions, M, we totally appreciate it, and I hope you continue to post. I’m loving this debate!
Yeah, I guess so. :)
*POST AUTHOR*
Please come back :) We’re just not accustomed to differing opinions, but your point is definitely valid.
Anyhoo, guys, try not to pile drive too much on M or any non-CaReese-shipper. After all, variety is the spice of life!
I really hope they don’t hook up. I don’t see any chemistry between them – it’s an interesting relationship but not a romantic one. In all honesty, if the show goes in this direction I’ll stop watching it. I’m sick and tired of all TV shows having to give us a romance or a ‘will they/won’t they’ tease when the show isn’t about romance.
I am far more interested in the intriguing Reese/Finch friendship, and their back stories, and the drama of what they’re doing and how the government is reacting to that. Romance slows everything down, and turns original and interesting shows into the same ol same ol rehash of boring UST and coupledom misunderstandings.
Why is *anyone* watching Person of Interest for romance? Can’t you see how it’d ruin what is an original and edgy show? There are more than enough shows out there for people who enjoy romance – please leave *some* for the rest of us to enjoy without having to watch people falling into bed, falling out, and making goo-goo eyes at each other etc etc.
Friendship is rarely explored on TV in any depth, much less friendship between two people, like Finch and Reese, who have good reason to not trust anyone and who are almost completely broken. THAT is far more interesting to watch than yet another UST couple going through the usual ‘will they/won’t they’ motions.
This show is about something different. Let it BE about that and not turn it into yet another romance.
Well…for me they have mad chemistry. I can point to several epi/scenes where its on display. It takes many forms…
Sometimes its playful, shy, sexy… Reese doesn’t have that with any other character on the show.
True they’ve focused on other aspects of the show lately but like I posted earlier I think they have a lot of balls and are tryiing to please many people. They have the geek/techy heads that focus on the timeline and machine. There are the conspiracy theorists that want to know who knows what and who did what, etc. Then the people that enjoy the characters and discuss them are the most interesting group. I can also get into the other two groups but the characters are the nuts and bolts of the show. How they change and develop is intriguing and add to the humanity of the show. Otherwise you just have some show about a guy being badass and great crash and shooting scenes. That’s the skeleton not the meat of the show.
Carter has influence over Reese. He had that prison warden call her to let her know about Jennings and she found out about Peter too. If what she thought of him wasnt important to Reese why bother? Kill the Marshall dont kill him why tell her anything? He did because he didnt want her to think he was that kinda guy. He wasnt a cold blodded revenge killer.
Why risk his life to save her when she was trying to catch him in the early epi. And why follow her after the Get Carter epi when she was not supposedy in danger if he didnt care about her? We know he was still following her because he knew where her son went to school in Flesh and Blood. How would be know. Remember she took her son to school that morning and Reese was late to work. When Finch questioned him he said I was at a yoga class.
How many epis is that epi after Get Carter?
Did you see Reese’s face at the end of Baby Blue when Carter told Reese that she couldnt help him anymore because of what happened with the cop being shot and Moretti being taken? He looked stunned and hurt. Why put a scene like that in if it doesnt mean anything? These writers dont do things for no reason.
Then there are the many playful fliring scenes that MOST of us can point to.
I’m sorry but I don’t believe that all this means nothing. It’s just too much evidence. And that scene where he slides in the back of her car and says… Hello Det, miss me? The smile on his face. Alone maybe just friendly banter but you put it with everything else. The fact that after Reese saved Carter’s son that she was the one at the hospital when he got shot. I think we were all expecting Finch but FInch didnt even know where he was taken.
Well…anyway I dont see writers taking the time to add all of this to say…Ha ha fooled you.
As a writer myself I know it doesnt work that way.
The trouble is you ignore all the times Reese shares equally or even more intense or meaningful scenes with Finch. If it’s playful/romantic/sexual with Carter then you have to accept it’s the same with Finch and I don’t see you doing that. I don’t slash this show, but the het shippers always do this – they point to things that are just interactions, and make out that the ONLY interpretation is UST, but they refuse to see it works both ways. If you insist that the interactions between Carter and Reese are sexual/romantic then you have to read those between Finch and Reese the same way because they’ve been far more meaningful. Otherwise, the subtext is just in your own eyes/imagination/desires. I don’t see it at all. An interesting relationship, yes, but in no way romantic or sexual and if it goes there because a bunch of fans scream for it then I’ll stop watching the show and I’m sure I won’t be alone. Not *every* show has to be about UST. It bores the pants off some of us.
Well the problem with interpreting Reese/Finch’s interactions as romantic is that they both appear to be hetrosexuals. You speak of Finch and Reese being broken. Isn’t most of Reese’s brokeness based on his failure to save his former female love, Jessica? In addition to flirting with Carter, Reese has flirted with Zoe.
Finch, meanwhile, appeared to be attractive to female Jordan in the “Identity Crisis” episode. Just this last episode, Finch was revealed to have left a female fiancee behind after faking his own death. Thus far, I have not seen any indications that Finch or Reese is bisexual or gay. Further, Reese hasn’t said that the world can’t loose Finch but he said that about Carter. Interesting.
No, that’s not the issue. The issue is that you say you see chemistry in the very same interactions characters are having with other characters – and often on an even more intense or meaningful level. You view it as romantic/sexual subtext because it interests you to see it that way in YOUR special relationship of choice. I see it as just the same interactions all the characters are having and actually on a lesser level than some of them are having so not in any way more meaningful or implying any kind of sexual or romantic attraction.
Your sole argument is that simply BECAUSE Reese and Carter are of different gender then THEIR interactions MUST be UST, whereas when it’s a same sex couple it isn’t, and yet the interactions you repeatedly point to are of exactly the same ilk Reese is having with Finch and you aren’t viewing it as UST there.
It’s not UST – it’s simply people interacting, in both cases. You choose to view it as UST and then insist everyone else sees it the same way.
Sexuality doesn’t come into it. Although I could blether on about the fact people can be bi, or experience an attraction that they haven’t felt before, I don’t actually slash this show. I don’t see Finch and Reese getting together but I don’t see Reese and Carter getting together, either. I don’t want ANY of them to get together as to me that would completely undermine the premise of the show and take it in a direction I have zero interest in.
Jeo, I do not know if any type of romantic relationship between the core characters would kill the integrity of the show. But I know where you are coming from, not that I totally agree with you. I have seen Reese flirt with other female characters on the show…such as the young civil lawyer, who liked to represent reformed criminals. It was casual flirting, but she checked him quickly. He may have flirted with Zoe, but because she was so forward, her flirting overshadowed his flirting. Most of the women he flirted with responded…they either flirted back or checked him. Carter seemed oblivious to his flirting. She has never even acknowledged it. When Reese is normally flirting its really to gain something…trust, access, etc. I think the flirting is written in the script, so the audience could consider Reese as smooth, charismatic which the character needs. I do see chemistry between Carter and Reese and a bromance between Finch and Reese and Reese and Fusco. The writers are only developing Carter’s relationship with Reese…no other character with Carter. When she speaks to Finch, its nearly always dealing with or about Reese…so this is the scope of their relationship to focus on Reese. His name is almost always called during their conversing. Does that mean they will “go there.” I do not know, but the relationship is interesting. The writers could have developed Fusco and Carter’s relationship, they would have made a very interesting partnership…the dialogue would have been crazy…but the writers did not take that path, they wanted Carter relationship to be surrounded by Reese for now. I am not trying to convince you of a blooming romance, but the direction the writers are headed has some open to the possibilies of the pair. Did you see how Finch was scared when Carter and Reese had their first meeting? He told Reese no one could ever no about the machine. One encounter with Carter and Finch felt like Reese was on the verge to spilling the machine’s secret. Reese never said he wouldn’t tell Carter; one of the rare times Reese wasn’t direct. In the lastest episode, Finch cut Carter off when she was speaking to Reese about fighting in the POI apartment and hung up on her…this episode was mostly about the machine and Finch very passionately telling Reese again no one can know about the machine and how he sacrifice his lady-love for it. So, why be so short with Carter and take the conversation from Reese? These writers do things for a reason. Is Finch still scared Reese will share the machine’s secret with Carter? Does Finch worry Carter is getting too close? Is Finch worried like the other fans, who thinks a romantic relationship could spell DOOM between the two! Now, I do not care about how far the writers want to bring these two together, but in this short time their relationship may have grown faster than any of the other two…but again, Fusco and Carter partner relationship would have been crazy and more appropriate, they are both too funny and smart asses.
Jeo, please don’t just make up stuff. Where in my brief paragraphs, do you see that I suggest that Carter and Reese are attracted to one another simply on the basis that they are different genders. Based on thist nonsensical claim that you attributed to me, Carter by definition should couple with every male on the show. Please don’t be deliberately obtuse.
The point of my statement was that the show has revealed actual facts showing that Reese and Finch are not gay or bisexual (i.e. Reese still mourning his ex-girlfriend). Hence your opinion that interactions between Reese/Carter and Reese/Finch can be intrepreted in the same romantic way doesn’t past muster to me.
M, I still can not see what you are still yapping about…I stated my opinion and you stated your opinion and now you are offended…If you developed a dislike for anyone, then you may want to do some personal discovery. You do not like the Carter and Reese pairing and it doesnt interest you, so you come to a site that has considered it and now I have a problem with accepting other’s opinion when you wonderfully inserted yours in a site that considers the possibility of the two. You stay on defense, its seems to be working for you I’m done.
*POST AUTHOR*
Relax, Psuedo. :) I think M stated her point eloquently. The purpose of a discussion board is to let all opinions air freely. And to continue to disagree in the positive manner that we have already. :)
I think everyone has done a kickass job so far with their dissertation-level comments!
Ann, I was called agressive, which I translated to hostile…and M, wasn’t called out, she was actually encourage to continue to provide a different perspective…when all I asked was she state more than she dislike the coupling and more importantly Carter–I asked her to elaborate why Carter is not likable. I asked for no character bashing, and she took up that I was personally talking about her and ran with it. I was blunt and direct with everything I said, but I was accused on a sly of being agreesive (hostile) before she actually used the word in her last posting. She felt attacked by stating her opinion, which I asked her to refer to the episodes to discuss to backup her personal feelings…which personal feelings can derive from a factual stance. If the episodes were quoted, then we could debate its meaning…because she fell to discuss specific episodes or scenes, she felt her opinions were being challenged and they were…so she took it personal, because she was posting from a personal stance. I understand why you felt like you needed to call me out; even though, I do not agree with it.
*POST AUTHOR*
Pseudo, I think your aces. And, I appreciate your comments. The one thing I love about the discussions so far is the awesome positive attitude, even in the face of dissent. So, I hope that continues. Hopefully, we’ll see you at the livechat!