The Blacklist 1.03 Review: Everybody Needs Somebody

Anyone that has yet to watch yesterday’s episode of The Blacklist, titled ‘No. 84: Wujing’, then please do so now. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

Wow. This series just seems to keep getting better and better every week. A nice slow build to the answers we seek, while continuing to pose new questions after every answer we do get. It’s such a thrill-seeking ride watching this show each week, so intense, never a second spent bored or hoping it’ll be over soon. When the end of an episode comes, it comes all too soon, but particularly well done.

Every week watching this – though there has only been three episodes – I have this satisfied feeling that only truly good television can give you after watching it for the first time. The writing is just beyond spectacular or this series. Each week I come in thinking I know what’s going on, but they just seem to be able to change my perspective and opinion at the drop of a hat. And I’m not even disappointed when I get things wrong. And I’ve said it before, but I’m going to keep on saying it until it’s no longer true, the music for this series is breathtaking. It fits perfectly into the scenes it’s chosen for, and while the episodes always seem to open and close with perfect songs, the pattern of use has not grown tedious.

The characters are also very well done. While I’ve said how much I enjoy both Reddington’s character and Keen’s, despite a few flaws, I haven’t said anything about the CIA agent from last week. Although I did express my fondness over the execution of a line she spoke last episode, in this episode she seemed to have a depth of emotion that I really enjoyed seeing. I definitely want this woman to stick around for a while. Donald is another character I’ve become partial to. I know I expressed my desire to see the chemistry between him and Keen flourish, I also like how well built he seems as his own person. This series does very well developing their characters into three-dimensional beings. I very much feel like these people could exist. The one character I would like more interaction with is Cooper, played by the brilliant Harry Lennix.

There are definitely a great deal of questions that have both popped up in this episode, and been further developed. If Reddington is not Keen’s father, who is he? He didn’t completely reject that it wasn’t him, but it no longer seems so. Is the man with the apple surveying Keen her father? If Reddington’s not the father, what could possibly cause him to want Keen in his life so extremely and so protectively? What is up with the husband? Why were the bullets from his supposed gun found at a classified homicide? And finally, what was with the number 042983? Was it an offshore bank account?

I have to take note of one particular scene in this episode, which also relates to another scene. The point where Reddington and Keen are in the car, and she’s asked him her question, and then she goes on to express how she has people and he only has himself. Boone did quite well in expressing the fact she has people she cares about, and then Spader did wonderfully in saying he had her. That also led to the paralleling scenes where she is surrounded by people she cares about, and he only has himself to eat dinner with. I honestly could not help but feel bad for him, looking so very lonely there. There has got to be more than just feelings of regret, or needing to repay a debt to Keen’s father, for Reddington to want to be so readily in her life.

This series is so unbelievably smartly written. It’s honestly no wonder it was the first series of the year to get a full season pick up. I’m just so incredibly excited to keep continuing on this journey with these characters, with no threat of early cancellation. I can genuinely say that this may be my favourite new series of the season, barring any series I have yet to watch. But the fact that this one is put together so beautifully, and poetically, makes me doubt that any could challenge it.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“I prefer to play with myself in private.” – Reddington says, referring to his game of chess, with clever sexual innuendos.

“Friends don’t let friends starve when they’ve been stabbed by violent psychopaths.” – A friend of the Keens’s says, referring to the first episode where Liz’s husband was stabbed. (Yes, I’ve forgotten the name of the character, I have a terrible memory.)

“That’s what they said about deep throat. And the G spot.” – Reddington says to Keen, after she states Wujing is only a myth.

“’Thank you, Aram.’ ‘You’re welcome.’” – Aram, the FBI agent tech guy, whom I hope is back for future episodes, he’s hilarious.

All right, time for dishes for me. Then The Originals is up, followed by one of the sitcoms (New Girl and Trophy Wife) with Supernatural following, and ending with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Blacklist 1.02 Review: The Best Liars are the People We Think We Know

So, I lied. While I did watch yesterday’s episode of The Blacklist, entitled ‘The Freelancer (No. 216)’, last night, I did not get around to reviewing it. I did, however, take a great deal of notes, while watching the episode. Which is why that’s now first up on my reviews.

For anyone that has yet to watch the episode, and hope to do so without the chance of spoilers, then now would be that time to leave and go watch it. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

First off, can I just say how amazing this series does with regards to the music? The opening song was simply a masterful choice, and the scattering of music throughout the rest of the episode fit just well in each scene. Whoever is in charge of the music deserves some sort of award, and I do hope that they stick around for a very long time with this series. I honestly have three separate notes simply about the music in this show, so you know it has to be great.

Now, in regards to where the show’s second episode begins. I was a little confused. There seemed to be a slight disconnect from when last week’s episode ended, and the continuity with this one. I didn’t just imagine that last scene in the pilot where she goes and talks briefly with Reddington about her husband, right? That did happen? I do like the way this episode began, but it felt minutely off from last week. Especially having that discussion a few more times throughout the episode. If it were me, while Liz was being screened by a lie detector test, I would’ve thrown in a brief flashback to last week, just to tie it together a little more cohesively.

I can’t quite figure out what other show this reminds me of, but it does have a small resemblance to Chuck. Yes, this is a drama, whereas that one was more of a comedy, but I can pick up the hints of spy-like similarities, and the way certain scenes are expressed on screen. If that makes sense to anyone. This is definitely an espionage type series, with an interesting twist when it comes to Reddington giving himself over.

One particular sequence of scenes I have a few notes on, is when Reddington and Keen are in the restaurant in Montreal. After she knocks down agreeing to pretend to be his girlfriend, the slight nuance in the way he says, “Fine, you can be my daughter.” It was such a perplexing moment, that I can’t help but strongly feel she is his daughter. If it turns out she’s not, I will be sorely disappointed. And then, the other thing I liked about this scene, other than the classic way Reddington gets away briefly, was the subtle eye contact he gives the man at the bar, and a waiter. I know we’re supposed to catch this interchange, but nonetheless it was magnificently captured for our eyes.

It fascinates me, the way Reddington so easily gets away, but always goes back. He gave himself over, why would they not trust at least some of what he says? Why would a man that is number four on FBI’s Most Wanted list, give himself up to the FBI? Just to show them that he can get away? In the last two episodes, he’s given himself over three times. How do you not trust a man that does that? He obviously wants to be in the hands of the FBI, of what reason we know not of just yet, but he does need to be there. He’s given himself over willingly; please just give him some semblance of trust. Though, the fact that they finally did sign that form to give him build up to immunity did get the ball rolling in that direction. I was suppose it was necessary, getting that into circulation, and that this is only the second episode, so I guess they wouldn’t trust him just yet.

A few of my favourite interactions in this episode are between Keen and Donald. I know she’s married, but that’s obviously not something we’re supposed to trust, particularly due to that box that likely belongs to her husband. Keen and Donald’s interactions are always so full of this quick spark, and the subtle ways in which he looks at her, I can’t help but think he’s beginning to have feelings for her. I suppose she isn’t like the FBI’s usual rookies, all determined, doing what’s necessary, strong-willed, so I can’t help but see that he’d find that interesting. At the very least, the friendship that they sort of strike up, at least partner-wise, could prove to be quite interesting.

I have to just express how beautiful the city is at night. While I love my stars, how brilliantly lit up all the buildings are is just spectacular. The way they brought this place to us makes me yearn to be apart of that nightlife, all dressed up in fancy gowns and having intriguing conversations. My love affair with New Orleans may not be the only city I have a love affair with. I commend the cinematographers for being able to do that. Being one that prefers her trees, to her crowded places, that they were able to spark that interest in me, is astounding.

On that note, I do have a negative comment when it comes to the cinematography. When it came to the point where Donald chases after the Freelancer, the techniques that were used to film these scenes were a little iffy to me. Shaky camera work does have it’s time and necessary place, particularly when you’re trying to involve your audience in the scene and not just make it clinical, but this time around it was a little off to me. Specifically when it came to the glossed over shots, they annoyed me a great deal.

Back around to Megan Boone. I have to just commend her on her facial acting skills. The subtle ways in which she captures the audience with just a look, especially while playing against such an esteemed actor as James Spader, that’s been around a great deal longer than she has. I do think she work on her tone, though. It doesn’t need a great deal of work, but there are some instances where it doesn’t perfectly fit in the character, almost like there’s no change to it.

I find it interesting how much Keen wants a family. I don’t think now is the right time, when she’ll be in constant danger being around Reddington, but it’s astounding how much she still does want kids. However, this is only the second episode, that might come to change with every interaction she has with the criminal mastermind. I’m also perplexed by her desire to not have biological children. Perhaps it is because she was in the foster system, so she wants to give someone like her a good chance at life. Or it could be she doesn’t want her child to have something she feels she might pass on. I expect we’ll learn more about this as the series progresses.

One small part I do feel the need to mention before I sign off was the interaction between Donald and Reddington. His mentioning of the cheese cart was comical. I hope this ability to balance slight comedic moments with the drama that this series is founded upon persists.

My rating: 4 out of 5.

Best Lines:

“I agree with you completely. But it is a restaurant, and it is dinnertime.” – Reddington to Keen. Just the way he agrees with her, but still turns it around to service him.

“Oh yeah? And what’s the CIA look like?” – Margot Malik, whom Reddington rightly guesses is CIA.

“What is it with you and hotel rooms and pens in people’s necks?” – Reddington questions Keen, reference last week’s episode, where she stuck a pen in his throat to get answers.

“Looks like she’s dying. (Nods.) Definitely dying.” – Reddington nonchalantly states.

All right, I’m off to shower then watch Sleepy Hollow and review that. Then it’s New Girl, Trophy Wife, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. No more reviews of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, though, it is the first casualty (other than my lack of actually watching Betrayal, Lucky 7, The Big Bang Theory, and Glee) of shows I’ve stopped watching.

The Blacklist 1.01 Review: Criminals are Notorious Liars

Anyone that has yet to watch the series premiere of The Blacklist and wishes to do so free of spoilers, please step away from this blog now. Just like all the reviews I have written before this, there may be some spoilers. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Wow. I’m still trying to organize all my thoughts about the pilot episode. It was a very intense, and fast paced pilot, and hopefully that’s setting the tone for each episode after this, at least for the most part. There are a lot of questions I have about this show already, and a lot of my own theories, that I’m very curious to get answers to. That’s a very definite plus to this show, peaking curiousity can be such a necessity to get the audience interested and involved, but be warned that answers do need to come, stretching them out for too long can be a very dangerous, and alienating problem.

I definitely think this is a show the audience will have to pay attention to, which makes it easy to stay involved and make the hour go by rather quickly. By evidence of the pilot, this is a very intelligent show, and not in a patronizing way that some series’ can drift towards. But there’s also a danger in that, that it can make it difficult to involve the audience in the drama of these people’s lives. This episode definitely touched on the backgrounds of a couple of the characters, but being able to balance that in a symbiotic can prove harrowing.

The posing of questions in each episode that get answered at some point in that episode is certainly a plus. I can see season long questions being asked, as well as episode long questions to keep us involved and intrigued. There will also be the series long questions that will likely be pieced together as the series moves forward.  It was especially interesting in the way the question was posed about Keen’s husband, and then the promise of answers in the next episode to come. It’s almost like they’re setting up a puzzle for us to immerse ourselves in that will eventually give us a much bigger picture than what we first saw.

There was certainly a fair amount of money spent on this pilot episode. My only hope is that they are able to keep up with that cost from episode to episode, being that most pilots have more money spent on them in order to get a series pick up. The cinematography as well was done in a decent manner, with a few angles that aren’t obvious to just any eye. I would like to see this level kept up from week to week, and that the level of talent involved in this series can grow.

James Spader definitely immerses himself in his character. Reddington is an intriguing and curious individual. Just the way he picks up on minute details, and his snarky, sarcastic tongue, it makes him particularly interesting. Megan Boone does a remarkably wonderful performance as rookie profiler Elizabeth Keen. The casting directors undoubtedly chose well in picking her as a series lead. Her and Spader will likely prove to be a match in this show. I’m also quite happy to see Harry Lennix on my television screen again, and hope that his role as Cooper continues to grow as this series does.

I have to also remark on the music in this episode. I loved the use of Frank Sinatra in the scene where Reddington eats his dinner and cheers the FBI’s camera. The other point in this episode that really spoke to me was the scene in which Liz tears up her carpet and finds that mysterious box. Whomever found that song to fit in there was a musical genius. I will definitely be expecting this level of professionalism from the music coordinators from each episode onwards.

This episode has given me a great deal of theories and questions. I’m curious about the line Reddington speaks about everything he is being a lie. It makes me question whether he might be undercover, like I theorized in my review of the promo, and just how much of him is fabricated. I’m also interested in the parallel’s between his life and Keen’s. Who is her career criminal father? Is it Reddington? Or did Reddington work with her father? There are too many coincidences between their family lives that just have to mesh in some way. Perhaps Reddington’s family is deceased, and he sees his child in Keen. The burn on her wrist is something that also intrigues me. Why would her father give her it?

I was slightly disappointed in this pilot. I do feel the promo gave away a little too much. It sated my curiousity in the series, but it gave away a great deal of the good points in this episode. Nonetheless I will continue this series, though it may be a procedural drama with a criminal twist. It also felt like there a little much going on, that it was difficult to immerse ourselves in the individual characters for too long. Hopefully moving forward, the superficiality of the characters lives grows into more. I also hope it does have an end date, and that it won’t continue on passed its prime.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Best Lines:

“No, of course not, I’m a criminal. Criminals are notorious liars.” – Reddington sarcastically replying to the idea that Keen trust what he says.

“Well, this was fun, let’s do it again sometime.” – Reddington, referring to overcoming the bad guy in this episode.

“Let’s call it the Blacklist, that sounds exciting.” – Reddington alluding to the list he has obtained of the criminals the FBI will want to track down. Also, likely inferring to where they’d held him for questioning, which they prefer to call the Post Office.

That’s all for now, check back in an hour for my review of New Girl. Then it’s on to Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Trophy Wife, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. No review of Lucky 7 tonight.