Mr. Robot continues to deliver all the punches three episodes in. “Forbidden” opens with the tale of how Whiterose came to be. In the early 80s, he is seen mocking IBM consultants in his native Mandarin to his colleague Peng Chen. In the hotel room, it is revealed that Zhang and Chen are lovers. He hopes that Zhang becomes the Ambassador to the US so they can start living as their true selves: two men in love. This prompts Zhang to present her true self to him, dressed in a wig and her mother’s dress, to which Chen’s response is “you’re beautiful.”
Flash forward to Chen’s arranged wedding, which was made even more unbearable when Zhang said as she was appointed the Minister of State Security. Chen announces he can no longer go on in this world and promptly slits his throat. It was in this scene we notice Zhang’s gift of white roses, the funeral flower, and suddenly her name makes sense. It is maybe also a wake-up call that her project may be more related to love than anything else. Back in the present, despite being warned that they should hold off, Whiterose announces that the Deus Group will meet on Christmas in hopes of tripping up Elliot and Price.
Elsewhere in the episode, Elliot sidelines Darlene in order to go hack Olivia, Susan Jacobs bank contact, but finds they need her key code fob. Mr. Robot and Elliot learn she’s going on a blind date, so they go stake out the bar. Seeing that she’s being stood up, Mr. Robot takes over and offers to buy her a drink. They end up sharing personal struggles with substance abuse and parental loss, but when she leaves, Elliot stays behind. Then in a surprising twist, runs out and kisses her. This moment shows that Elliot still needs connections to people, because otherwise, what is this takedown even for?
The episode ends with Elliot finding Tyrell in his apartment, announcing that they may soon have their chance to take down Whiterose and the Dark Army. Elliot has to physically shut him up, pointing outside and mouthing that “they’re listening.” I’ll be interested to see if that announcement backfires, considering Whiterose plans on naming Tyrell the new CEO of E-Corp after Price steps down. I can’t wait!