409 Conflict (Mr. Robot)

"409 Conflict" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the American drama thriller television series Mr. Robot. It is the 41st overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Kyle Bradstreet and directed by series creator Sam Esmail. It originally aired on USA Network on December 1, 2019.

"409 Conflict"
Mr. Robot episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 9
Directed bySam Esmail
Written byKyle Bradstreet
Produced by
Cinematography byTod Campbell
Editing by
  • Justin Krohn
  • Chris Guiral
Original release dateDecember 1, 2019 (2019-12-01)
Running time47 minutes
Guest appearances
  • Evan Whitten as Young Elliot
  • Vaishnavi Sharma as Magda Alderson
  • Jing Xu as Wang Shu

The series follows Elliot Alderson, a cybersecurity engineer and hacker with social anxiety disorder, who is recruited by an insurrectionary anarchist known as "Mr. Robot" to join a group of hacktivists called "fsociety". As the series progresses, Elliot finds himself at odds with his real persona and with Mr. Robot's plans. In the episode, Elliot and Darlene prepare to make the hack, while Price meets with Zhang at the Deus meeting.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.363 million household viewers and gained a 0.1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the performances, writing, directing and atmosphere.

Plot

In Elliot's mind, Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) converses with Magda (Vaishnavi Sharma) and young Elliot (Evan Whitten), asking them in helping Elliot (Rami Malek). They want to tell him what happened, but Mr. Robot wants to do it until after the hack is finished. He suggests in showing what Elliot has done and Darlene (Carly Chaikin) might be able to awaken him.

At a motel room, Mr. Robot reunites with Darlene, refusing to tell what happened to Elliot until he is ready. Before they begin the hack, they are visited by Price (Michael Cristofer). He gives them a USB, asking them to destroy Whiterose's machine to avenge Angela's death. He then leaves for the Deus meeting, finding only Zhang (BD Wong) present. Zhang is aware that he cooperated with Elliot and offers him a peaceful death if he reveals their plan. Realizing that the Deus meeting was moved to a new location, Mr. Robot sends Darlene to check while he stays in the motel to watch over Price and Zhang.

Zhang is alarmed when he is informed that Tyrell is not at the Deus meeting. He is then called by Mr. Robot, offering him a deal. If they drop their plan, he will reveal Angela's location, claiming she is still alive. Elliot suddenly wakes up, but refuses the offer. Then, Elliot discovers a news report. It depicts Darlene using an fsociety mask to expose the Deus group, revealing their location at a restaurant and posting their private files. Zhang is overwhelmed with concerns from the members due to the exposure, and advices them to stay inside the restaurant.

Elliot hacks a nearby cellphone tower for Zhang's data, while Darlene blocks the restaurant's garage from opening and preventing the members to leave. As pedestrians overrun the nearby streets, the members barely get to leave when the cars finally arrive. Elliot eventually discovers Whiterose's number and uses it to make a bank transfer, bankrupting the Dark Army. As Zhang leaves the museum, Price mocks him for letting Elliot humilliate him, also remarking that Angela lives on in her loved ones. An irate Zhang then kills Price with a gun, which is witnessed by Elliot and Mr. Robot. As Zhang leaves on a car, he sees Elliot in the street. Later, the police raid Whiterose's house while she puts on her make-up, with gunshots heard across the house.

Production

Development

The episode was written by executive producer Kyle Bradstreet and directed by series creator Sam Esmail. This was Bradstreet's ninth writing credit, and Esmail's 34th directing credit.[1]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "409 Conflict" was seen by an estimated 0.363 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 decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 0.376 million household viewers with a 0.1 in the 18-49 demographics.[3]

Critical reviews

"409 Conflict" received critical acclaim. 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, "This is all great fun to watch, in large part because we've spent so long watching the show set up these dominoes, and now it's knocking them down. But it also manages to generate tension right up to the very end."[5]

Kyle Fowle of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "One massive goal may have been achieved here, but there's still a very uncertain future unraveling before them."[6] Alicia Gilstorf of Telltale TV gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Mr. Robot delivers an episode that is equal parts triumphant and terrifying."[7]

Sean T. Collins of The New York Times wrote, "there's still that nagging suspicion that maybe there really is something to Whiterose's grandiose claims. It is fitting, given Whiterose's obsession with time, that only time will tell."[8] Vikram Murthi of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Esmail and company have been super cagey with this final twist, which I assume they'll keep close to the chest for as long as possible. While the type of circular dialogue and obfuscating language employed in the first scene represent Mr. Robot at its worst, they do present one last mystery for Elliot. There's still 'the other one' out there."[9]

Lacy Braugher of Den of Geek gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "All of these things are potentially intriguing stories, but are they necessary ones? We've never been closer to Mr. Robot's conclusion – and somehow, it's still never felt further away."[10] Paul Dailly of TV Fanatic gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "This episode may well be one of the show's best, and that's saying something. Mr. Robot Season 4 has been remarkable. Now, it's all down to Sam Esmail and whether he can stick the landing."[11]

References
  1. "Mr. Robot – WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  2. Metcalf, Mitch (December 4, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.1.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  3. Metcalf, Mitch (November 26, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.24.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  4. "Mr. Robot: Season 4, Episode 9". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  5. McLevy, Alex (December 1, 2019). "After four seasons, Mr. Robot finally arrives at its fateful confrontation". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  6. Fowle, Kyle (December 1, 2019). "Mr. Robot recap: Rise up". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  7. Gilstorf, Alicia (December 2, 2019). "Mr. Robot Review: Request Timeout (Season 4 Episode 9)". Telltale TV. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  8. Collins, Sean (December 1, 2019). "'Mr. Robot' Season 4, Episode 9: Downfall". The New York Times. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  9. Murthi, Vikram (December 1, 2019). "Mr. Robot Recap: Turning the Tables". Vulture. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  10. Braugher, Lacy (December 2, 2019). "Mr Robot Season 4 Episode 9 Review: Conflict". Den of Geek. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  11. Dailly, Paul (December 1, 2019). "Mr. Robot Season 4 Episode 9 Review: Conflict". TV Fanatic. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
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