'Person of Interest' season 5 spoilers: The Machine to see 'ethical' alterations; details of Shaw's return

CBS

The previous season of "Person of Interest" saw the Machine eventually destroyed, although that won't stop lead character Harold Finch (Michael Emmerson) from rebuilding it from scratch. Speaking to TVLine, actress Amy Acker revealed that rebuilding the Machine will lead to her character Root and Finch disagreeing with each other.

"Root is still the Machine's No. 1 champion," Amy Acker explained, "so she is trying to convince Harold that we should maybe make some 'modifications' while we're rebuilding Her."

However, as the report states, there is the ethical issue about modifying the Machine and altering its formula. Executive producer Jonathan Nolan adds that this disagreement between Root and Finch regarding the Machine and its potential capabilities was a dynamic that was fairly enjoyed since the series' beginning.

"What's great fun about the early episodes is watching the two of them argue about, if they can adjust the Machine's secret formula, should they?" stated Nolan. "Given that the stakes are higher and time is running out for them, what are the ethics in changing your strategy?"

With season 5 speculated to be the finale season for "Person of Interest," it is likely that whatever changes are implemented will create a significant change in how the characters approach each individual case and how the series' pacing will pan out.

Also revealed in the report is that season 5 will reveal what happened to Shaw (Sarah Shahi) after she left the show. Her last appearance was when she was taken in by The Samaritans and it was presumed she was killed off. However, Shahi stated that the events that happened within the months she was gone will be explained.

Shahi also told TVLine that the Samaritans "did a number" on Shaw, indicating that the character may have been emotionally or mentally beaten down and could have significantly changed.

"Person of Interest" season 5 will premiere in early 2016.