Jerusalem posted:

That's why I loved the episode where they guess (I don't think it's ever really specifically confirmed) that the Machine wanted them to kill that congressman. Harold, despite knowing all the horror and misery that leaving him alive will unleash, just refuses to do it. I can't remember if it happens before or after the flashback episode where Harold teaches the Machine chess and explains why he doesn't like the game, but it was just perfectly handled.

Which also makes Greer's final "For a genius you are a lousy chess player, Mr. Finch" taunt all the better, because Greer is playing chess but Finch is playing a far more complicated and difficult game and he loving wins it