eps2.7_init_5.fve

In August 2016, USA Network announced that the ninth episode of the season would be titled "eps2.7_init_5.fve". The episode was written by Kyle Bradstreet and Lucy Teitler, and directed by series creator Sam Esmail. This was Bradstreet's third writing credit, Teitler's first writing credit, and Esmail's twelfth directing credit.[1]

In its original American broadcast, "eps2.7_init_5.fve" was seen by an estimated 0.651 million household viewers with a 0.3 in the 18-49 demographics. This means that 0.3 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode.[2] This was a 13% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 0.742 million household viewers with a 0.3 in the 18-49 demographics.[3]

"eps2.7_init_5.fve" received extremely positive reviews from critics. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 89% approval rating for the episode, based on 18 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Brimming with suspense and ripe with intrigue, 'Init_5' answers lingering questions only to raise others as the season approaches what's sure to be a compelling final act."[4]

Matt Fowler of IGN wrote, "Mr. Robot is purposefully keeping something huge from Elliot. It felt like this season was trying to bring them closer together, so that they could co-exist, but this latest splinter turns Mr. Robot, Elliot himself, into his own antagonist (and, conversely, the reason he was being protected in prison). Whiterose is the facilitator, but not the architect."[5]

Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B" grade and wrote, "It was good to have Elliot back in the fold this week, though 'init_5.fve' was weakened by a surfeit of soap opera cliffhangers. Having someone open a door and then making the audience wait a week to see who it is works when it's part of a larger purpose, an intentional disorientation of time and identity that fits into the larger narrative of the show. Having both Cisco and Darlene end this week on 'What'd they see?' teasers felt like overkill, the show succumbing just a hair to the 'tune in next week!' trolling of which critics often accuse it. Normally with Mr. Robot, it’s a clever ploy to undermine those very conventions. Unless something very smart happens in the next episode to justify those delays, this was a bit clumsy, an indulgence rather than a necessity."[6] Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "'init_5.fve' captured Elliot's discombobulating and fatiguing first day out of the slammer. It also put him on a familiar path that could send him back to jail if he isn't careful. He experienced disintegration."[7]

Jay Bushman of IndieWire gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "Elliot forces a meeting with Dark Army contact Xun, who we last saw breaking a needle off in Cisco's finger. But the hack of Xun's phone leads to a shocking reveal from Whiterose — Stage 2 is Elliot's plan. But Elliot doesn't know what is is, nor does it seem Mr. Robot does either. What are the odds that there's a third persona somewhere inside his mind?"[8] Vikram Murthi of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "After last week's tense powerhouse of an episode, it would be understandable if 'eps2.7_init_5.fve' slowed down the pace or eased up on the tension. Instead, it pretty much maintains a steady boil as Elliot, Darlene, and Cisco contend with growing fallout while Angela tries to blow the whistle on E Corp's toxic-waste leaks. The episode is largely a success because credited writers Kyle Bradstreet and Lucy Teitler pare down the focus, which allows the narrative to keep moving at an eager clip. It moves so fast, it'd actually be easy to miss key information, especially regarding Phillip Price's complicated deal with Whiterose."[9]

Alec Bojalad of Den of Geek gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "The longer Tyrell stays offscreen, the larger the boogeyman grows. This season of Mr. Robot is similar in that aspect. The longer it goes the bigger and better it gets, even while the individual episodes stagnate."[10] Caralynn Lippo of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.75 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "As the season hits its home stretch, this episode marks what is sure to be a pivotal installment of the series – and one of the best yet. "Init 5" was deliciously tense and a welcome return to Elliot after the Elliot-less (but still wonderful) 'Successor'."[11]