Though season three has suffered a slow decline in viewership, Mr. Robot‘s ratings have risen to near critical acclaim at the same time. That’s certainly a good thing, and likely one of the influences behind USA’s decision to move the drama forward into the next season.
“Elliot and Mr. Robot are completely apart. Much like how he’s trying to solve the world’s problems by essentially trying to pretend it never happened,” says series creator Sam Esmail. “He’s trying to pretend Mr. Robot is no longer there, and moving on with his life. But again, after going through the realization that he has this condition and he does have this dissociative identity disorder, can he just push it away?” This is what it all’s been building up to, and having Elliot successfully wipe his alter ego from his mind would end the series right here, which we now know isn’t happening.
USA Network’s Mr. Robot, on the cusp of its season three finale, sets up the confrontation between Elliot and the titular alternate version of himself. The show is 32 episodes along, including this finale, and has garnered praise for the way it accurately represents the digital underground and cyber work.
The writing room’s door for season four is open, and Esmail himself has stated that he plans the series to last four to five seasons, whether it be a couple short ones or two full runs. “It’s something the writers’ room and I take very seriously. We never want to feel like we’re treading water.” However it may turn out, the show’s goal is in sight, and it won’t be long before the conclusion. Keep an eye on the USA Network and The Nerd Stash for details on the show, and remember to regularly back up your data and update your antivirus software.