408 Request Timeout (Mr. Robot)

The episode was written by Robbie Pickering and directed by series creator Sam Esmail. This was Pickering's first writing credit, and Esmail's 33rd directing credit.[1]

In its original American broadcast, "408 Request Timeout" was seen by an estimated 0.376 million household viewers with a 0.1 in the 18-49 demographics. This means that 0.1 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode.[2] This was a slight increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 0.361 million household viewers with a 0.1 in the 18-49 demographics.[3]

"408 Request Timeout" received extremely positive reviews from critics. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 100% approval rating for the episode, based on 8 reviews.[4]

Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A–" grade and wrote, "And so we end on an open wound of a scene, the emotional counterpoint to Dom's actual open wound. Elliot's hunched, weeping form, being gently held by the person created to make him feel safe, is the embodiment of the hurt visited upon all those who have suffered through this tragic story. And the sense that he just can't go through with his plan, that he's not psychologically capable anymore? Maybe he's right. Maybe both Elliot and Mr. Robot are in no shape to handle this. Sounds like that might require a third person."[5]

Kyle Fowle of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Just as Elliot is finally approaching the moment he's been waiting for, he's dealt a brutal blow that may seal his fate once and for all."[6] Alicia Gilstorf of Telltale TV gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "This episode just goes to show that with phenomenal acting and writing at a series' disposal, viewers will be happy to embrace pretty much anything thrown our way."[7]

Sean T. Collins of The New York Times wrote, "Ending one of the final episodes of a riveting techno-thriller on that note of powerlessness is a bold choice indeed."[8] Vikram Murthi of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "It's a 'badass' moment that feels earned not just because Dom has been so powerless this entire season, but also because Mr. Robot indulges in so few of them this late in the game."[9]

Lacy Braugher of Den of Geek gave the episode a 3.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "does 'Request Timeout' really move the story forward in any serious way? Not really. And maybe that's the point. Maybe 'Request Timeout' isn't just the episode’s title, but it's explanation, a statement that, for Elliot at least, this story needs a minute to reboot. Or at least to refresh the proverbial page, as our protagonist rearranges the central pieces of his existence into a new order."[10] Paul Dailly of TV Fanatic gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "After [this episode], it became clear that we've been underestimating Dom all along. Every single time Janice threatened Dom's family, Dom was scared at the prospect of losing her loved ones for not following orders."[11]