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The Blacklist - Ep 1.17 - Ivan (No. 88) - Review

Mar 27, 2014

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"When I was a little girl, I had these terrible nightmares...
My dad would lay in bed with me, and hold me in his arms,
And hum that song. He'd tell me I was safe. That everything Was going to be ok."
- Liz to Red

Trailers for upcoming episodes of any TV show are usually misleading, deceitful and often puzzling. They are meant to attract viewers to watch the show when it airs rather than wait for our DVR or TiVo recording. The trailer for the latest episode of The Blacklist, Ivan, performed all of the above. It was so captivating I watched the original airing, which I never do; I usually watch the episode the following morning around 6AM (I know, I get up way too early, but I do that every morning not just for TV...sometimes). I couldn't wait. When I saw Tom hiding behind that back door at 1896 La Vista Street (his spy lair) with Liz creeping up to that very same door, it appeared they locked eyes through the hinge-gap (I just created that word - don't worry, I can do that); I just had to see what came next. It was well worth it, because what came next was some great scenes and the reveal at the end had worn out my remotes rewind and play buttons.

The episode last week showed Tom burying the dead bodies of The Cowboy and Jolene and I thought to myself, "There is no way anyone will be able to find those two". This week's episode begins with Mr. Kaplan standing vigil, in her uber expensive Vicuña wool jacket, over the open grave site of the recently deceased. How did she do that?!? I suppose it doesn't matter, however this new information allows Red to initiate a missing persons case for Jolene. Hopefully, for Tom's sake, he did a better job at hiding evidence for his double-homicide side mission than he did in getting rid of Uncle Flippo.
This weeks criminal is the elusive Russian hacker Ivan, number 88 on the blacklist. There were plans to change the title to Harrison Lee, but I suppose that did not pan out. Perhaps we will see more of Ivan in a future episode where he can get an entire hour devoted to Red poking fun at him and the FBI trying to catch him? The main culprit of the episode is Harrison Lee, an intelligent high school student skilled in the intricacies of cyber-hacking. You would think he would computer-hack his way to a billion dollars, but instead he utilizes his vast knowledge of breaking and altering computer code to get the object of his affection and her family to not move out of state. At first, Red and the FBI suspected it was Ivan that hacked the vehicle's on-board computer, causing it to crash, killing the NSA agent driving. However, it is later revealed to be Lee behind the accident and subsequent theft of sensitive program data. The program that was stolen is dubbed 'The Skeleton Key' and was created as a means to disrupt foreign communications during times of war. As Red so eloquently put it, "It is the digital equivalent of a nuclear warhead".

I've mentioned before how Liz has been getting bolder and more courageous in her duties since her first day on the job and, of course, the day Red came literally strolling into her life. In each episode she appears to be getting more mentally capable and apprehends Harrison Lee using more daring choices, however, she also puts herself into more precarious positions as a result. Either way, I like Liz a lot more now than I did at the beginning of the season. She makes quicker decisions now and the chase scene in the subway was really cool the way Liz leapt onto the moving train to get closer to Lee.
The secondary story this week involves Tom and Liz's turbulent relationship and with the triumphant first season of The Blacklist coming to a close in the next few weeks we should probably call that the primary feature. Red calls in a missing persons report for Jolene and as a result a detective comes to pay Liz and Tom a visit. What surprised me is Tom, being a super-spy assassin, looked remarkably suspicious when answering the door and giving simple responses to the detective regarding Jolene's whereabouts. Shouldn't he have the foresight and the training needed to stay cool and calm in situations like that? The creators did such a great job building up Tom's clandestine background only to have him fumble his way through Monday night's episode. Still, the way he slammed that door in her face before punching her was cringe-worthy and I felt he was going to get caught right there (stupid trailers). I had a feeling that the Uncle Flippo toy would mean something later on, but I had no idea a simple children's novelty would play a crucial role in Tom's downfall.

The episode ends with a heartfelt moment between Liz and Red set to classical music. She recalls the night a fire ravaged her home and smoke was everywhere. The orange glow of the flames and the stuffed bunny in her flashbacks, if you recall, are from a similar scene she remembers back in Episode Ten. The memory is bittersweet as Liz notes her dad would lay in bed with her some nights and hum the song playing on Red's 1940 Sorrento music box. It is implied in this scene that Red is Liz's father, but I still don't think it is a definitive answer. If you recall earlier in the episode, Liz asks Red what he knows about Jolene and during this scene he says to her, "I have never lied to you". At the end of the mid-season finale he tells her, "No", when asked if he is her father. Now, I am just confused. I think we still need a little more information before we can truly say that Red is or is not Liz's dad.
The Blacklist on Monday night was a little slow at first but it definitely had memorable moments. Liz discovering Tom's true identity is not something I expected to see, especially this early on in respect to what promises to be a long run for the series. The scene with Liz and Red at the end was ambiguous, but important in bringing Red and Liz closer in their relationship. Liz will certainly need Red and all his resources in the coming weeks if Tom realizes she is aware of his double-identity. There are only 5 more episodes left this season and the one next week is looking to be another great hour for The Blacklist...at least it looks that way from the trailer.

Thoughts And Questions

- I usually place a relevant quote from the song that is playing during the episode, but since there were no lyrics to this weeks musical piece I'll just give you the Title and Artist here: Tempo Di Minuetto in the Style of Mozart - Leslie Howard
It was very tranquil and relaxing which was paradoxical next to the scenes of fire and smoke that Liz was recollecting.

- Not that it's important, but how did Mr. Kaplan locate the bodies of Jolene and The Cowboy? She made it clear that she didn't know who did it so it's not like she followed anyone there.

- I thought it was funny when Red said to Ivan about Ivan's tablet, "Do you find all the fingerprints distracting, or does that sort of thing not bother you?

- Is anyone else concerned that some country could possibly have a program like 'The Skeleton Key' in their possession?...Just kidding...or am I?

- I thought it was funny the way Liz described her assailant - Male, Caucasian, Over 6 Ft. Tall, Dark Hair - does that sound like someone you know Liz, lol??? It should have been - Male, Caucasian, Over 6 Ft. Tall, Dark Hair, ...Glasses, Is a Substitute Teacher by Day/Spy at Night, Answers to the name Tom, Is My Husband...

- Did Liz go to Red because he was right about Tom all along or is it because she just feels safe around him? Or is it a hybrid of the two?

- I hope we get to find out who 'Berlin' is that Tom keeps referencing.

- Do you think, because of that final scene, that Liz believes Red is her father? How else would Red know that her dad used to hum that song to her?

Thank you for checking out my Review! Please comment below so we discuss the episode further!

About the Author - Geo N
My name is George and I am from Detroit, MI. My favorite shows are The Blacklist, Hell On Wheels, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, LOST, Sons Of Anarchy, Sleepy Hollow and countless other shows. When I'm not watching tons of TV, I enjoy reading, playing hockey, comic books, weightlifting, and writing. Thanks for checking out my post.

26 comments:

  1. Great review again George, always look forward to your thoughts.

    - I thought it was funny when Red said to Ivan about Ivan's tablet, "Do you find all the fingerprints distracting, or does that sort of thing not bother you?

    I laughed as well lol


    And as for Berlin I was starting to wonder if I had missed something in an earlier episode. I want to know who it is

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  2. Excellent review and one of my favorite episodes of the season. Hands down: Best New Drama this year! In fact, I haven't been addicted to a drama like this since Lost!

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  3. Thank You! My sentiments exactly!


    I haven't looked forward to any show like this since Lost was on. They really have done a great job with this show.

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  4. Thank you!


    That scene was great with Ivan and his tablet.


    As far as Berlin, I think it's the codename for either Tom's handler or whoever he is working for. This is the second episode they have mentioned it.

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  5. I never expected that The Blacklist would live up to the ranks of three of my favorite shows, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and The Walking Dead (I binge watched all of those three last summer). I will never ever forget how awesome those shows are especially The Blacklist!!! Sometimes, The Blacklist is funny (in a good way) because of Redington!

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  6. Lol, James Spader definitely makes the show. His lines are great. I actually binge watched Breaking Bad and Mad Men too. Too bad one has ended but at least Mad Men will be on soon!


    And to be honest I started watching The Blacklist when I was home one day and it was the only thing on. So, I binge watched through episode 5, lol.

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  7. Awesome review. The 'main' story could have been really good... and then by the end it was so boring. The "I'm doing this because of the girl I love" motive is possibly the most ridiculous one ever.
    As for the ACTUAL main story (the so called 'secondary' story), that was awesome. I love how she knows about Tom now.

    Red was again, excellent. I don't recall them but he had some fantastic lines throughout.

    Mr Kaplan is just awesome. She is like a bloodhound (as Red suggested).
    And, Red is not Liz's father. If he is, I will not be happy.

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  8. Thank you!


    I agree that story was a little ridiculous as well. Maybe we will see Ivan again? He would have made a better blacklist story.


    Red's lines were awesome and I don't know what I think about him being Liz's father. On one hand I want to believe everything that comes out of his mouth like when he said 'No' to her question about it, but then an episode like Monday night's airs and the ending was so ambiguous. It's so confusing, lol.


    Thanks for the eMail earlier by the way. I appreciate it.

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  9. I think the next time we see Ivan, Mr Kaplan is disposing of him after Red puts a bullet in his brain.



    Thing is, as far as I remember, Red HAS never lied to her. He may not have told the whole truth, but he hasn't lied. I don't think he is.


    No problem :)

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  10. Red knowing the song Liz used to listen to was interesting!
    It played off of the stalker Harrison Lee knowing what Quinn Fisher fell asleep listened to.. Creepy! XD

    I'm still not sold that Red is in fact Liz's father....
    The more the show pushes that theory on me , the more I reject it I guess. It feels like too obvious a ploy at this point. Why drag it out so long giving so many hints in so many episodes if everyone has expected it in since Episode 1?

    The show did similarly with Tom giving hints repeatedly that he was not a spy and then only recently revealed he was in fact an agent... If they follow form, giving so many hints that Red is Liz's dad could mean he will later be revealed to not be.... They like their bait and switch.

    Seems like they are setting up a larger pay off down the road than just Red being her father.
    Could be he is Liz's father though, who knows.

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  11. Great, great review.
    The Ivan storyline was good a little slow and predictable but good, the line about the fingerprints was funny tou can count on Red to do somethingf like that. They should use that kid skills for something 17 and he did all that?.
    Tom, Liz and Red definetly are a great team not together but their scenes are always great, i thought she was going to caught him when he was out there and whem he hit her and in the house he was all protective, it was like "men this SOAB can act" and the BIG reveal, a little toy screw things up, Oh Tom how could you not noticed that.
    I cant wait how they both are going to start this Mr. and Mrs. Smith kind of play to see who cracks first. Red needs Liz to find out why is Tom targetting him (cause i think he believes that's why he is with Liz but in the end Tom Mission is Liz herself) i wanna see how this will go.

    If Red is not her father he must be someone really close to him, it's like you said why after he said he was not her dad will he talk and made that music boz with only a thing she and her father knew about?

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  12. Very good observation about the Harrison Lee and the song!

    I think we need more info regarding Red being Liz's father. I don't think its as simple as he is or is not the dad. It must be more complex than that.

    But going off of what you said about Tom, maybe it's going to be the same and because w writers made it so obvious it's true? And since everyone already thinks it maybe Red is her dad? Lol, I'm so torn... I'm all over the place re: that issue.

    One thing I do hope is they don't go too crazy with the second season like some shows do and go off the rails.

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  13. Thank you! I appreciate that!

    I was trying to think of that movie title when writing the movie and you just typed it, thanks, lol. I think it will be just like you said, a 'Mr. And Mrs Smith' type situation between the two.

    I just hope they play this story-line out a little longer than just one episode, like they did with Toms arc.

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  14. Red is the only one that knows about Tom, so I'm guessing she went to him because he was the only one she could talk to about it.

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  15. Lol, I think you're right. Mr. Kaplan is going to be real useful real soon.


    You're right, Red has never lied to Liz and thats what convinces me that he is not her father, but then so many questions pop up as a result of that.

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  16. You're absolutely right, If Red is not her dad then he is close to it but he treats her like a daughter in any case.

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  17. Guys do crazy things for Girls, everyone knows that. Don't argue.

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  18. I really need to make the time to rewatch these last two episodes, they were really epic! And you're so right about how promos are misleading. I bet you any other network would have put in Ressler 'getting shot', to create a hype. This PR team is way cooler with their suspense. The hinge-gap (lol) moment killed me!! And next week's promo??? Seriously this constant unmitigated awesomeness is hazardous.

    "Do you find all the fingerprints distracting, or does that sort of thing not bother you?" was one of my favourites too, and you're right, we definitely need one whole hour dedicated to Red bothering Ivan haha.

    Tom is vicious! But, yeah I was also surprised at how jittery he was being around the cops. I guess he never ever expected anyone to find her.

    Some of my favourite moments were Aram's "Liz...Ahem Agent Keen!" , and all those bits where Liz was so concerned about Ressler.

    The music box scene was amazing. Very powerful, and yes so confusing!!!! He said he's never lied to her, but in the first episode he also told us that criminals are notorious liars...While it makes sense for him to be her father, it would be too simple an explanation too. I would find that revelation a little disappointing at this point in the story. I loved the scene though, I'm glad Liz has someone she can count on. Man, I really need to rewatch!!

    Thanks for the great review :) Always fun to read after a great episode.

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  19. Who was in the grave? I can see Joleen but the cowboy was black and the guy in the grave was white with a scruffy beard

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  20. I'm pretty sure it was The Cowboy, but I will go and try and get a better look right now...Stay Tuned...

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  21. Thank you for the kind words!


    I loved that moment with Aram too...too funny!


    I remember that in the first episode when he said criminals are notorious liars but he looked so serious when he said to Liz, "I have never lied to you". I'm so torn on what to believe! LOL


    One thing is for sure thought, the next 5 Eps are going to be really great.

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  22. No argument here, lol. buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut Harrison went a little beyond the call of duty, dontchya think? :)

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  23. The body one the bottom of the screen (closest to Red and Mr. Kaplan) is Jolene...The other body is The Cowboy. I had to look twice the first time I watched because Jolene appears to be a white male.

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  24. Of Couse.
    One would think a hacker like him had Common Sense brain but I guess it was to analytical. There was no need to mimic her to know everything about her. He could of done a bunch of things differently for sure.

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  25. I tend to believe that he has never lied to her. I don't think he tells her the whole truth but even in this episode he would rather not tell her anything then to lie to her.


    I am not really sure but I want to say in the first or second episode Red said to Liz that everything she knew about him was a lie and that everything she knew about herself was also a lie. I am not sure what the exact words are but there is more to the both of them. I don't want him to be her father but I understand why it would make so much sense. I am excited to see how the rest of the story unfolds.

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  26. I remember Red saying that to her also. I have a feeling that Season 2 will be about Liz's history and interesting aspects of it that we have yet to learn....And possibly she has yet to learn, lol.

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