WITNESS
Harold Finch: "Yes, I imagine espionage was a much safer choice, Mr Reese."
At least then he knew someone might always be gunning for him, and he has the skills to keep it under control. A high school teacher doesn't even think about the possibility. But yes, John gets Finch's point.
Lionel Fusco: "I'm not sure how you usually do what you do, but I'm looking for a guy, and I could use some help. He's a witness, saw a Russian mob hit go down."
He almost tells Fusco, once again, that's he's not working for him, but still, he listens. And he's right to, because if there's one thing John can tolerate from Fusco, it's asking for help saving a life.
(Charlie Burton): "Doesn't seem like I've got a choice."
Oh. Logically disturbed by the current events, but not completely against being helped by a stranger. For once the number doesn't almost get themselves killed because they don't trust him and demand an explanation when there's obviously no time to get into the specifics. He likes that.
Harold Finch: "Do you need me to call in a distraction?"
Finch is getting better at this game. At first, he hadn't even agreed to take an active part in the rescue of numbers, aside from information gathering. Now he's volunteering. He understands that, as skilled as John is, he can't be everywhere and do everything – that there's a higher chance of success if he has a partner ready to act whenever necessary.
(Charlie Burton): "I don't believe in them."
Well, a little faith right now, especially in cellphones, would have been useful.
(Charlie Burton): "The Russian mob is after me, friend. They've got people on the inside. If I testify, I'm dead."
Considering the recent events, Charlie Burton is dead anyway, even if he doesn't. Most criminals don't want you to testify, but they still kill you even if you keep silent, in case you'd change your mind. No safe way out on that one – the CIA sometimes did the same, but obviously, no one ever acknowledged it out loud. Those were the few shady missions John still has doubts about.
(Charlie Burton): "Going to the cops here is like playing Russian roulette."
There had been a time when hearing that would have gotten to him, but it doesn't now. It's not that he doesn't believe in the force anymore. It's just that now, he knows: there are black sheeps everywhere, like there are perfectly good people everywhere.
John Reese: "I'll get you to a police officer you can trust."
He could get Charlie Burton to Carter, but she's a tad too enthusiastic about sending John to jail... And Fusco asked first. While the man might not be the purest detective out there, there's no doubt he'll do what needs to be done. If only because John has him on a leash.
(Charlie Burton): "Thank you for saving my ass, John."
It's nice to be thanked, for a change.
John Reese: "Don't do it. I'm telling you, now."
...And they're doing it. Why doesn't anyone ever listen to him?
(Charlie Burton): "You learn all this in hero training?"
More like survival camp. And assassin training. Not exactly what makes a hero.
John Reese: "That's the second time today I've heard that. It's funny. You remind me of him."
Trying to do good, to change the future of the kids he teaches, but way in over his head.
Will: "Edmond's cool – a survivor, you know? Even though he got his revenge, some bad stuff still stuck with him."
John would know. Revenge helps – the culprit isn't out here, enjoying their freedom as if they deserved it – but it destroys at the same time – the past is still there, and now, there is nothing left to take your anger on.
John Reese: "It's a bad move to insult your hostage taker, Laszlo. Keep your mouth shut, or I'll shut it permanently."
He doesn't want to have to, he swears, but God help him, he won't hold back if the guy endangers them again. He's had his warning.
Laszlo Yogorov: "Hey, what are you – corrupt P.D., gun for hire?"
Sometimes John does wonder if he has "cop" written on his forehead.
Laszlo Yogorov: "You're in the middle of a situation that you don't even understand."
No one ever understands a situation fully while living it, he wants to say. There's always a variable you don't – no, you can't know about. Besides, that's what he agreed to, when he took Finch's job offer.
Carl Elias: "Don't make me shoot you, John."
So that's what it was. The reason why Charlie Burton was perfectly cooperative, and at the same time reasonably doubtful. The reason why the teacher hadn't simply broken into a panic – John had been too delighted having to deal with a cooperative number for once, that he forgot to see how suspicious such a cooperation truly was.
Carl Elias: "I thought about killing you, John. But I realize that that would seem ungrateful. Besides, how do you take the life of someone so talented? I could really use a guy like you in my organization. I wish you luck, John. If you stay out of my way, I'll stay out of yours."
Good to know he wasn't completely wrong on the man, though. Elias is completely driven by his desire for revenge, that much is true, but at the same time... There are some values left in him. Which doesn't mean he's a good guy for all that. It almost makes John not regret saving his life.
John Reese: "And how many of those numbers will come up because we saved one man's life?"
The responsibility is on him, too. John is the one who saved Carl Elias today, not Finch. And maybe that's the reason why Finch doesn't want to admit that sometimes, killing someone is the only way to protect numerous other people: he's not the one shouldering that blame.