Ep 2. Single Point of Failure

In the second episode of Scorpion season 1, titled "Single Point of Failure," the team is tasked with preventing a meltdown at a nuclear power plant. The episode starts with the team attending a tech conference, where Walter O'Brien is approached by a young con artist named Mark who has convinced the organizers that he is a tech genius and is speaking on behalf of O'Brien's company, Scorpion.

Meanwhile, the power plant is facing a catastrophic failure, and the team is called in to help. The challenge is compounded by the fact that the controls at the power plant are outdated and not compatible with modern technology. The team's job is to integrate their modern software with the analog controls.

After arriving at the power plant, the team's biggest challenge is the lack of data. They have no understanding of the plant's systems or the way they work. Sylvester, the team's human calculator, is unable to come up with solutions without sufficient data, and he goes into a panic attack.

The plant's onsite nuclear technician, Ralph, comes to the team's aid and gives them a basic understanding of how the plant's systems work. Happy, the team's mechanical expert, is frustrated with the limited information they have, but the team decides to continue with their plan and connect their software with the power plant's controls.

The team faces a crisis when Mark gets access to the plant's system. They quickly realize that Mark is not who he claims to be and that he is working with a group of hackers who are trying to sabotage the power plant. Mark holds the team at gunpoint and demands access to the power plant's controls, and the team has to act fast to prevent a full meltdown.

The team comes up with a plan to disconnect the power plant's controls from the Internet, so Mark and the other hackers are unable to access them. In a dramatic scene, Sylvester has to crawl through a small space to physically disconnect the Internet cable.

The team's actions prevent the meltdown, and they are able to gain control of the power plant's systems. They also identify Mark as a con artist and turn him over to the authorities.

The episode ends with Walter O'Brien being hailed as a hero and Scorpion being recognized for their heroic efforts.

Overall, "Single Point of Failure" showcases the team's ability to work under extreme pressure and overcome challenges. The lack of data and the presence of a con artist and hackers heighten the sense of tension and make for an engaging episode. The episode also introduces the character of Ralph, who becomes a recurring character in the series.