"Cuz I can feel the rivers
Winding through the lands
Two lines, and a poet
Like a kind old rye
You know we could talk in that language
Only we understand"
- Long Way Down - Tom Odell
There are few shows that I can watch over and over again without getting tired of them. I think I viewed 'Douglas Monarch Bank' four times total. I mainly do that for Review purposes so I may gather every detail I can, but I would most likely watch it more than once if I was not. 'The show keeps getting better and better' is the phrase everyone seems to say immediately when asked about the hit program and it is a gross understatement. So many series falter in their sophomore season and although we are only two episodes in I can't imagine this story arc going south. Especially since The Blacklist has broken so many ratings records and the Season Two premiere had close to twenty million viewers when you count 'Live + 3 Day'. "[The Blacklist] Now has 12 of the top 13 'L+3' total-viewer lifts in U.S. television history, including each of the top four" is a phenomenal achievement and well deserved. *(taken from the SpoilerTV post by DarkUFO on 9/27/14)
This week's blacklister is number 112, Monarch Douglas Bank. A financial institution with locations all across the globe. The reason they are on the blacklist, however, is that they cater to the criminal underworld's monetary transactions. They were a great choice by the creators to include as a blacklist story so early on in the season. It intertwined the different story arcs by having Berlin as a client, which I thought was brilliant. The writers are doing such an incredible job and stories like this show much they are on top of their game.
I never thought Liz to be one to keep secrets, especially from Red, who has helped her on so many occasions. Whether or not he is her father has yet to be determined, but he does treat her like his daughter. One thing I have noticed is Liz's transition into the formidable FBI agent she is today. So, it is possible that her keeping this information from Red is her evolving into someone who can take care of herself among the criminal world. She needs to have her own secrets if she wants to survive. Red had pulled her into some dangerous territory and I suspect this is her updating her profile to stay ahead of the game. But, I suspect that as many steps as she thinks she is ahead, Red is still several more ahead of her.
The episode ended with many plots and secrets coming to light. I loved the much anticipated scene between Red and Berlin in Coney Island. I only wish Red had asked him more questions. It was a great scene and I am glad we did not have to wait long for to see played out. I'm sure it will not be the last meeting between the two, but one has to wonder if Berlin has any plans for Liz now that he doesn't Naomi to de-bone any longer. Also the Mossad agent, Samar Navabi, appears to be the new member of the task force at the behest of Red. I like her character, but I wish she was not joining the task force surreptitiously. She will be a valuable asset, but when Liz finds out that Red was behind it, I am afraid it will drive a wedge between their fragile relationship. I am sure it will be a great story arc nonetheless. I hope The Blacklist keeps up the great story telling and, based on the first two episodes this season, I don't think that will be difficult.
Red's Quotes
"Weevils"
In the pastry shop. Not very significant, but I thought it was funny, Lol.
"Tastes just like Patty Sutton"
Again, not very significant, but funny.
"God can't save you. But I can."
Red's visit to the pastry shop. Classic Red.
"Somebody has a Secret Santa"
Red to Liz about how she knew Berlin was keeping his money at Monarch Douglas Bank.
"Well, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"
When Red is talking to Navabi on the phone at the end of the episode. Not really an original Red quote, but he says it so perfectly.
Music from the Episode
"Legal Tender" - Handsome Furs
Monarch bank is robbed in the beginning of the episode. Red is informed of the robbery.
"Long Way Down" - Tom Odell
Red gets Naomi back from Berlin. Kaja's statement is taken by Ressler. Agent Cooper is informed the Bureau is being funded by Monarch. Liz tells Ressler she is sorry.
"Heal" - Tom Odell
Red asks Liz about how she knew about Berlin's money. Samar Navabi calls Red to tell him the plan is working
Thoughts and Discussion
- Something about the way Salerno hit Liz rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it's all the latest news about domestic abuse lately and recently (reluctantly) viewing the Ray Rice video online has a lot to do with it, but I just cringe when I see that kind of stuff. Anyone else feel the same way?
- Did you notice...Mr. Kaplan turned her head when Red shot that man that was still alive. You would think after all she had seen and done that she would be immune to that sort of thing.
- I love the alliteration in Mr. Kaplan's full name...Kate Kaplan. Sounds like a Superhero character, Lol.
- Did you notice...The scene where Liz calls Red when he is playing the 'shooting game' his targets are soldiers and military objects. Also, in that same scene, he hands a little girl his winnings - a stuffed animal duck.
- The way Red reacts when Dembe walks Naomi past him and stops for a moment makes it appear that Red still cares deeply for her. Of course he does, which is why he went to such great lengths to rescue her, but the scene made it appear that he still harbors strong feelings for her. Did anyone else get that or am I way off?
- I was kind taken aback by Red not asking Berlin more questions. Why didn't he ask who told incorrectly informed him about his daughter's killer? Maybe it was because he thought Berlin wouldn't believe whatever he said anyway?
- What does Berlin want from Mogadishu?
- Why did Red say to Dembe on the plane, "The Copper Mines will have to wait..."? Potential future story arc?
- Did you notice...Naomi used a bone on Berlin's henchman to attempt escape, mirroring the same manner in which Berlin used to aid in his escape many years ago. That was great.
- I am guessing that Kaja offering a dying declaration of 'Gonzalez Cargo, account number 924386' will come into play in the future.
- I loved one of the final scenes of the episode between Liz and Red when Red brought up Liz's 'Secret Santa'. Red tells Liz, "...don't be absurd. I don't have any friends." This mirrors a Season One episode where Liz was upset with Red and she tells him that he has no one, and no friends with Red responding with a calm, "I have you", response.
- I would love to know who Liz's 'Secret Santa' is that Red refers to, providing her with certain kinds of information. I am sure this information is readily available to Red, but his angst is that she is not sharing. Maybe that is why he said, "I don't have any friends" to her in that same conversation?
Thank you for checking out my Review! Please comment below to discuss the episode and the series further! Hopefully, together, we can all make sense of all the clues we are gathering! Have a great weekend, everyone!
