7. QSO

Root visits a recovering Fusco and hands him an exit strategy for himself and his son consisting of IDs and documents made by the Machine. The Machine discovers that Samaritan uses the radio wave frequencies of station AM 520 to communicate with its operatives via a sophisticated code that most people believe to be feedback noise. Upon realizing the reason why the Machine sent her there, Root uses Samaritan's own equipment to send a message to Shaw to give her hope. Finch does not necessarily agree with the Machine not forcing the radio host to quit, but Root believes the Machine allows for humans' free will and will not interfere with it.

After Fusco is recovered, he is visited by Finch who refuses to waver from his stance that keeping Fusco in the dark keeps him safe. Fusco points out that it is not working, and quits. Shaw is escorted by Lambert and told to kill an innocent woman. Believing that it is another simulation, Shaw complies and is later shocked when told that it was not a simulation. Shaw is about to kill herself when she receives the message from Root, regaining hope. She stealthily makes preparations to escape.