Plot
A new FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen, has her entire life uprooted when a mysterious criminal, Raymond Reddington, who has eluded capture for decades, turns himself in and insists on speaking only to her.
Cast
James Spader gloriously leads and to an extent that even the worst supporting cast could have been saved by him. Supporting we have Megan Boone, Ryan Eggold, Diego Klattenhoff, Hisham Tawfiq, the excellent Harry Lennox and wonders such as Amir Arison and Mozhan Navabi. As you can imagine because of its length you see countless familiar faces in both small and recurring roles.
Verdict
The Blacklist was a recommendation, I'd have likely never watched it if it hadn't have been. I believe I assumed it to be yet another US drama/crime show in a world saturated by them. But The Blacklist isn't, not exactly anyway.
You see the first thing I noticed about the show was just how interesting and engaging our leading man was. Raymond Reddington in a remarkably short period of time became one of my all time favourite characters and I mean that across television, movies and video games. He's just SO enjoyable watch made good of course by James Spader who puts in a simply legendary performance.
The show itself is interesting and certainly has its moments but if it weren't for Spader I genuinely believe it wouldn't have worked, it would have been bland, lifeless and uninspired and though there's some talent in the supporting cast I don't think could have saved it.
I binged it, and I do think it became a chore. With lots of mediocre filler episodes, plots that just didn't grip me and moments that honestly didn't make sense I would have phased out altogether if it hadn't been for Reddington who make whatever the show threw at me watchable.
Did it arguably last too long? Absolutely, undeniably yes! But did I enjoy the journey thanks to "Red"? Certainly.
Sadly after over 10 seasons and 200 episodes people had high hopes for the finale and very few appreciated it including this guy. However though I found it questionable I don't think it killed the show like many claim, it was just a very strange writing decision. And the unanswered questions? Nothing wrong with a bit of ambiguity.
A flawed show certainly, but thanks to the incredible Raymond Reddington it's a journey worth taking.
Rants
Look at the lowest rated episodes, one was deemed an attack on the 2nd amendment and the other an attack on pro-lifers. I mean, they aren't in the slightest but some political stances and subjects cannot be touched upon without being believing themselves under fire. Lighten up, it's a tv show about a billionaire international super spy.
The Good
Raymond Reddington is truly one of the greatest characters put to film
Some fantastic supporting cast
Many great episodes and storylines
The Bad
A lot of senseless filler episodes
Not every story was engaging
That animated covid episode!
The killer robot episode, oh dear.
