eps2.9_pyth0n-pt1.p7z

In September 2016, USA Network announced that the eleventh episode of the season would be titled "eps2.9_pyth0n-pt1.p7z". The episode was written and directed by series creator Sam Esmail. This was Esmail's eleventh writing credit, and fourteenth directing credit.[1]

In its original American broadcast, "eps2.9_pyth0n-pt1.p7z" was seen by an estimated 0.686 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 11% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 0.765 million household viewers with a 0.3 in the 18-49 demographics.[3]

"eps2.9_pyth0n-pt1.p7z" received positive reviews from critics. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 83% approval rating for the episode, based on 18 reviews. The site's consensus states: "The most brilliantly weird installment to date, 'Pyth0n-pt1.p7z' is a lucid odyssey full of riddles and clues and the astounding return of a key character."[4]

Matt Fowler of IGN wrote, "The second half of Season 2, which has focused more on fsociety realizing that they're in way over their heads and were probably used as pawns (by Elliot's subconscious mind), has been a much better ride than the first half. But I still wish it had paced out its reveals a little better so that the upcoming season finale didn't have the extra burden of having to, pretty much, satisfy on all fronts."[5]

Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "'Pyth0n-pt1.p7z' begins the process of pushing Mr. Robot into bold new territory, and that transition might be too much to accept for those who thought the show took place in our world, or at least a practical extension of ours. Much like the confusing whirlwind of events surrounding Angela Moss, the show is lurching out of the accepted reality that has anchored it to a universe recognizably our own."[6]

Alan Sepinwall of Uproxx wrote, "This season, particularly in its second half, has pushed so much beyond that story, and emphasized its various mysteries over and over, that it will feel frustrating if we don't get at least some explanations next week – and ones that justify the amount of time Esmail has strung us along on them, even if he's done so with such great storytelling flair."[7] Kyle Fowle of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "'eps2.9pyth0n-pt1.p7z' is perhaps, for lack of a better word, the trippiest episode of season 2. After last week's gut-punch of a thriller, tonight's episode is more muted in its delivery, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have teeth. In fact, this one might hit just as hard, but the shot goes for the brain instead of the gut."[8]

Jay Bushman of IndieWire gave the episode an "A+" grade and wrote, "The episode opens will Elliot attempting to induce a lucid dreaming state so he can switch places with Mr. Robot and discovers what he's planning. This dream-like quality extends to the rest of the hour, a brief, fitful pause between the high-action end of last week and next week's season finale."[9] Vikram Murthi of Vulture gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "While the tone of 'eps2.9_pyth0n-pt1.p7z' kept me on edge, and certain scenes had spark, it mostly felt like a Zen koan without any of the promised enlightenment. Here's hoping that Elliot and Tyrell's beautiful friendship leads somewhere in the finale."[10]

Alec Bojalad of Den of Geek gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "I almost never believe that shows can stick the landing when it comes to finales. It's such a difficult feat to rationally conclude a season of 12-24 episodes. But Mr. Robot by becoming more inscrutable every week has paradoxically made it clearer and clearer that the end will somehow satisfy. Because how could it not? Just even to gain a semblance of clarity. in some ways, however, I hope they don't. This feeling of the apocalyptic schizophrenia is hard to top."[11] Caralynn Lippo of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "As is now the usual for Mr. Robot, 'Python' was an artistic dream, but it was super, super slow – especially after the tense cliffhanger we left off on and especially since this is part one of the two-part season finale."[12]