We've seen Mr. Robot interact with the bartender when ordering the appletini, with Tyrell when Elliot isn't present, and the black dude when he's growing weed. I think it's pretty clear that he IS really there. But, was this the whole plan from day one? Did he fake his own death? If he's capable of FSociety, then he's probably capable of faking his own death. Did Darlene know their dad wasn't dead this whole time? It seems like it had much influence on Elliot's development as a human, and is kinda f'd up if she knew the whole time. Is Angela's mother really dead?