Critics from The A.V. Club and IGN highly praised the episode for its "well-paced escalation" and the chilling performance of the young actor playing Samaritan's avatar. Person of Interest Season 4 Episode 10 Review: The Cold War

The title reflects the ideological battle between the two AIs, fought primarily through surrogates and manipulation rather than direct open warfare—mirroring the real-world Cold War.

Flashbacks to 1973 reveal Greer’s origin as an MI6 agent who was betrayed by his superior. This betrayal led to his disillusionment with human leadership and his belief that a superior, impartial intelligence should govern humanity.

By the end of the hour, Samaritan begins its next phase—accessing the New York Stock Exchange to trigger a massive economic crash. Key Character Developments