Mr. Robot: 10 must-watch episodes that explain why it has a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score

Mr. Robot is a US drama thriller TV show produced by Sam Esmail for the USA Network. It stars Rami Malek, who plays the role of Elliot Alderson. Elliott is a young, antisocial computer programmer who works as a cybersecurity engineer during the day. At night, he works as a vigilante hacker. The enigmatic leader of an illegal hacker collective recruits him to join their group. Elliot faces a moral conundrum, as his primary mission is to assist in the demise of corporate America, including the business for which he is paid to defend it.

Mr. Robot has offered some of the most powerful storytelling in television because it combines technology, psychology, and tension. Some episodes have stood out throughout four seasons for their bold direction, emotional appeal, and plot twists. These are ten episodes that one must watch, as they clarify why the series deserves a high rating of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Please note: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

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The 10 must-watch episodes of Mr. Robot that explain why it has a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score are listed below:

10. eps1.7_wh1ter0se.m4v (S1E8)

In this episode, viewers have seen that the happy Darlene declares her love for Elliot when he informs her of the success of their plan. Darlene feels repulsed when he kisses her. She asks him whether he forgot again.

Though he doesn't remember her, Elliot knows that Darlene is his sister. It turns out that Mr. Robot is his father after he discovers a CD with old family photos. This twist shocked both the audience and the critics. Rotten Tomatoes critics have given the episode a perfect score. According to Margaret Lyons of Vulture on Rotten Tomatoes,

"But among all the surprises in the episode, one stood out as the most surprising, .....pull this off."

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9. eps1.8_m1rr0r1ng.qt (S1E9)

In the ninth episode of the first season, a customer chastises Edward (Elliot's father) after he accuses Elliot of stealing $20 from him. His father chooses to take him to the movie theater despite his admission of guilt, stating that he is still a good boy.

Rami Malek strikes a moving performance that sends shivers up the spine of most viewers. This episode has ten reviews and a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The A.V. Club criticized that,

"M1rr0r1ng" was downright playful at times, even while dealing with the heaviest of subject matter and most significant of plot machinations."

Mr. Robot's high rating of 94% can be attributed to its intense character development, breathtaking twists, and cramped emotional moments.

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8. eps2.3logic-b0mb.hc (S2E5)

Those who have watched Season 2 witnessed Joanna (played by Stephanie Corneliussen) dealing with some unsettling situations. Darlene (Carly Chaikin) reaches out to Angela for assistance. The FBI agent Dom (played by Grace Gummer) travels to China to investigate a case involving a group known as 5/9. Meanwhile, Elliot is still involved with a particular online game. Rotten Tomatoes has rated this episode at 94% with 18 reviews. Rotten Tomatoes top critics like Paul MacInnes from the Guardian said,

"For me, Mr. Robot doesn't need another subplot. It already has enough on its plate........narrative to boot."

According to critics, it is described as having recaptured its former mojo, and critics declared it a sick beat-up that resonates with the best horror programs. All this action, fear, and suspense explain why this series ranks high on Rotten Tomatoes.

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7. eps2.6_succ3ss0r.p12 (S2E8)

The most gripping sequence in Season 2, Episode 8 is when Angela sings at the karaoke bar and the fsociety discovers Project Berenstain is an illegal surveillance. FSociety releases this information and causes problems for the FBI. The viewers were in suspense with her jittery leadership and impending cracks in the group. The episode received a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus referring to it as,

"One of Mr. Robot's most haunting and suspenseful episodes, "Successor" focuses on Darlene and fsociety, where the stakes have been raised immeasurably and the group is on the brink of collapse."

The series' remarkable rating can be attributed to its ability to create atmosphere and a sense of danger through the use of brooding, subtle terror, and a focus on supporting characters.

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6. eps3.4 runtime-error.r00 (S3E5)

Critics praised this series as one of the year's best TV shows, and this episode is presented in a single, continuous shot. In this episode, Elliot wakes up with no memory, realizes that Stage 2 is about to begin, and, despite protests, fails to stop it. A report by The Hollywood Reporter showed that the viewers were captivated by the smooth tension of the single-take sequence inside the E Corp facility. Rotten Tomatoes gave the episode a 93% rating. Rotten Tomatoes consensus stated,

“A searing look at corporate greed and banality, with dazzling editing”

The reviewers claim it as one of the top episodes of the series, like a real-time recording of a state of frantic reality. The anxious atmosphere amplified by intensive one-take work and sound design also won praise from fans.

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5. eps3.5kill-pr0cess.inc (S3E6)

In this episode, Dom becomes weary of the red tape, Tyrell has a new idea, and Elliot battles Mr. Robot. The most exciting scenario is when Elliot ends Stage 2 by visiting the data recovery center. Mr. Robot tries to stop him, but when he discovers that the center does not have paper records, he helps him. Fans had a jaw-dropping moment when this brutal turn took place. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a perfect score of 100%, with the consensus being,

“Another adrenaline rush, draped in Mr. Robot’s unique visual stylings.”

This is an extremely effective work of art, with its fast character transformations, sharply expressed tension, and even Elliot's internal conflict. The combination of technical prowess and internal soul-searching explains the brilliance of the series. This episode demonstrates that the show remains bold and fierce, which is why it has a 94% rating.

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4. 401 Unauthorized (S4E1)

This episode explains what happened shortly after Season 3's last episode. Angela continues the conversation she had with Phillip in that episode. It ends badly for her when she declares that she plans to exact revenge on the Whiterose for tricking her into helping to attack the 71 Buildings. In Rotten Tomatoes, Kyle Fowler from Entertainment Weekly refers to this episode as,

“A perfect conspiracy thriller that plays to all the show’s strengths.”

This episode had an approval rating of 89%. Season 4's premiere not only begins afresh, but it also sticks to its fundamentals.

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3. 404 Not Found (S4E4)

One of the most memorable situations in 404 Not Found is when Elliot's discussion with Tyrell is overheard by a stranger in a van outside Elliot's apartment. In an attempt to appear unconcerned, Elliot states that he is starting up his computer. We later see the van strike a deer. The agent ends his own life after shooting at Elliot, Tyrell, and Mr. Robot. Tyrell is injured and fades into white light as he enters the jungle. On Rotten Tomatoes, the episode has a 100% score, and Sean T. Collins from the New York Times wrote,

"One of the show's strangest and most deeply empathetic episodes.”

The best parts of this series are the tight silence and the focus on the characters. This episode explains the series' high rating by bravely removing the common tech parts and diving into emotion rather than simply retiring.

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2. 405 Method Not Allowed (S4E5)

In S4E5, the viewers are dazzled by a scene when Elliot and Darlene sneak around a VR office to hack. Viewers have seen Darlene pick Elliot up after he destroys the van on Christmas morning. The suspense is created only by the use of the camera and soundtrack. Rotten Tomatoes awards this episode with a fresh score of 100%, and C.H. Newell referred to it as,

“Another wonderful chapter in the series swan song”

The reason is that this show has good cinematography and uses silence cleverly. The story is sustained by the silent tension, which also demonstrates the series' ability to convey the notion through visual storytelling.

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1. 407 Proxy Authentication Required (S4E7)

Vera has been holding Krista captive in the 407 Proxy Authentication Required as he attempts to exploit Mr. Robot's expertise to persuade Elliot to join him. However, Krista stabs Vera and kills him after he and Elliot bonded over their childhood trauma. The episode is rated 100% by Rotten Tomatoes, based on a total of eight reviews. The critics praised the dramatic, subtle performance of Rami Malek and the risky direction of Sam Esmail. Sean T. Collins from the New York Times said,

"Mr. Robot" has always been at its best when engaging in high risk, high reward maneuvers.

The series' emotional journey, gritty performance, and actual stakes make it appear edgy while remaining believable. This is a great episode that also reminds us that this is one of the reasons why the series holds 94% acclaim on Rotten Tomatoes.

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All these episodes of Mr. Robot mentioned here were impressive with their captivating scenes, raging emotions, and brilliant implementation. The series continued to push the edge, capturing viewers and impressing reviewers. It was critically acclaimed for its unique approach to narrative and willingness to take creative chances, placing it among the best modern TV dramas.