The show was praised for technical accuracy back in the day.
Unlike most shows with IP addresses like 398.146.298.456, which breaks the specification before the hacker even starts hacking, Mr. Robot at least tries to be realistic.
And somehow, this became a problem for me.
My mind keeps analyzing two versions at once:
the TV show version
and the likely reality
So based on the first episode, I can confidently say this:
Mr. Robot is more real than almost any hacker show or movie I have seen before.
But it is still heavily simplified from reality.
I already have a lot of notes.
A few examples:
Elliot admits social anxiety. And yet he approaches a stranger who runs a porn site.
As someone with a similar observer-heavy mind, I know what I would probably do.
I would avoid direct social contact and use the computer.
His exposure therapy goes straight to hard mode. Usually, you start smaller. Like asking for coffee.
Another thing: his hair.
He wears a hoodie, but his hair is clearly styled and maintained.
Again, I have been there.
I did not care much about my appearance until I realized other people did. Only then did I start reworking my style and looks. That process is still ongoing.
So yes, the hoodie is believable.
The perfectly trimmed hair is more interesting.
The server attacks and the genius hero employee saving the day are also far from normal reality.
But that is what makes the show enjoyable.
Reality is often boring.
Story bends reality so we can watch it.
For non-technical viewers, Mr. Robot probably gives one of the most realistic hacker depictions on screen.
For people like me, the show becomes even slower.
Because we watch the episode once.
And then we mentally watch the likely reality running behind it.
Posting this at 2 AM as proof that my mind also stays awake deep into the night.
