"Cuz I can feel the riversWinding 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!
Great Review! I'm really liking the way that Liz is developing this season, we've seen more this season then we have since the middle of last season. It makes the dynamic between Red and Liz so much more complex
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I love the new dynamic between them and the ending of that last episode only added it to it.
Great review ! I loved the first two episodes of the season as well. I'm just a little disappointed that Red and Liz didn't have a lot of scenes together. They don't seem as close as the end of last season. I don't really see the father/daughter relationship that was obvious at the end of last season... I hope they will have more scenes together in the next episodes, especially now that Naomi is safe !
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your review. I am glad that they are raising Liz's gamesmanship-- she will never have a level playing field with Red but it makes things more devilishly intriguing if she is clever too. And could we just toss this whole extraneous Ressler pain pill addiction sideline right this moment. Pretty please. Wondering if that cargo number Kaja gave Ressler is the same cargo that Berlin was telling the bank manager he had to have his money for or he would peel him. Also,like you, wished Red and Berlin had talked more--- I wanted Red to plant a seed of doubt in Berlin about the big bad who had led him on this long case of Red ,but I guess Berlin questioning whether or not Red really was to blame for his daughter does not fit in with the storylines the writers have planned for Red and Berlin's continued duel ups this season. Can never have enough Mr. Kaplan - was a nice moment. Very pleased with this season's comeback so far.
ReplyDeleteNice review. I was making my breakfast when I watched it and I'm pretty sure I need to watch it again as I've forgotten a lot of the episode. But one thing I did pick up on is, along with the premiere, these two episodes have both included some sort of psychological thing - in 2.01 it was the Disassociative Personality; here Hyperthermesia. Maybe that's gonna be a recurring thing this season?
ReplyDeleteThanks bud!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good observation. At the beginning of the series last year I thought they might try arcs with blacklisters (or the characters associated with them) having similar traits. I didn;t notice anything last season, but maybe they will try something like that in Season Two. I definitely write down and note any similarities between different blacklisters to see if there is a trend or correlation, maybe I should add that to the Reviews.
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing about their relationship. I thought that at the end of last season Red and Liz would become so close. That's how they made it appear. She came back, they talked about Berlin and Tom. They also talked about Liz's 'Dad' on the staircase. It seemed like a meaningful thing that raised their relationship to another level. But, so far, this season I don't see that. They are keeping things from each other and it appears that not only does Liz NOT trust Red, but Red does NOT trust Liz. It's a little odd.
Personally I am happy Liz is a bit more emotionally removed from Red this year!
ReplyDeleteI found the back and forth emotional swings last season VERY annoying!
I'm not sure they don't trust each other though...
I think their relationship is evolving and trust limits are being set at more realistic levels on Liz's part at least. I think Red still feels like he always has. He trusts her enough to let her come to him on her own terms when she is ready.
If she stays at arm's length more so and looks at him as the man she is protecting and working with (like she mentioned when discussing Berlin's bank accounts) I think there will be less of me having to deal with "I'm done with you, Red" / "You're the only one I trust" back and forth.
Separating them a little bit allows the more emotional moments to have a larger impact I think. Plus, if they keep them a bit more emotionally removed people may not be thinking of "Is Red her dad?" quite as often as last season.
Great review! It was a good episode, but at times it seems a bit disjointed. It was great to see Ressler have a more active and more Alpha type role in this case. Two odd things: 1) why the 'secret Santa'? It didn't take a genius to figure out why Red, who gave them the Bank case, wouldn't have an interest in the money being held there; 2) Red mentioning the manicurist being a doctor and Liz figuring out that's who was caring for Kaja - duh! Why would Red make that slip? He always does things intentionally. I think it was a test - whether Liz would actually let Naomi die, which Red knew she wouldn't. Not sure what to make of those last scenes - because it seemed like the created extra drama to fill episode.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good point. But, last season they became very close, especially with Liz, quite a few times, seeking comfort in Red's arms and company. He even built a music box with a song from her youth. then the emotional roller coaster for him and her in the finale they made it appear that they were a 'team'. I say they don't trust each other because Red not only has a Mossad agent on the inside of the Task Force working for him, but he doesn't tell her about it. Then Liz can't reveal her source to Red. It just seems like their relationship took one step forward in the finale then two steps back in the past two episodes.
ReplyDeleteYou know what I mean? I was hoping for more of a 'force-to-be-reckoned-with' type of relationship out them this season.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI like that they are raising Liz's abilities and strengths this season as well. I really like how her character has evolved and I would for her to continue doing so and possibly become this super bada$$ agent...Lol...too far?
I love your theory about Kaja giving Ressler the Gonzalez Cargo Account Number and it possibly being linked to Berlin and either his Mogadishu plan or something else. Very cool. I think that will come back around.
You may be right about his mole though, I just have no idea why he sent her in so I'm withholding any judgement or theorizing until I know more.
ReplyDeleteThat was exactly how I took Red's reaction to Naomi as well....
ReplyDeleteIf they ended it badly anything he says could just make things worse so better not to speak. For that matter even if they were on congenial terms when she entered WitSec, her relationship to Red is what got her kidnapped, tortured, and mutilated so I'm sure there is bound to be some anger! xD
but at the end she knows it was Red who saved her (well i think she knows). I was waiting for a "sorry" to come out of his mouth but this way was better, she was going to blame him anyways and all those hard feelings and stuff will hurt him more at the end.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ron!
ReplyDeleteVery good points! I like your theory that maybe Mr. Kaplan reached out to Liz for help with Red. I could see the motive for Liz keeping something like that form him if it was Kaplan that gave her the info. Which made me think of something else...There has to be a connection between Liz's mole and Red personally and maybe that is why Liz chose not to tell Red about their identity and not because she didn't trust him. ...Maybe?...
The Samar Navabi Story line will be very interesting to watch in the next few weeks, I can't wait.
Very good point! We need to know how they ended things and what terms and then look at this scene again.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else think the writers have done a very creative job at diverting attention away from everyone talking about Liz being Red's daughter? I feel the story lines the last two episodes have cleverly put that topic on the back burner on purpose.
ReplyDeleteI think she does know that it is Red that saved her.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely...
ReplyDeleteI think it was a very deliberate decision to step back a bit. One because it allows Red's wife to have some room on the show, but also I think it's a smart play for the Red/ Liz dynamic as well.
The thing is with this team of writers doing such a strong job we can never be sure if they are putting Red and Liz at a distance to bring them back together or if they are establishing a new normal! Is it a case of making us look one direction so they can surprise us later or is it just the evolution of their relationship... or both? xD
Well put!
ReplyDeleteyes, she knows i watched that scene again and a moment after she is rescued Red steps in fron t of Baerlin's car and Dembe calls him. Naomi must have heard his name, she knows Red saved her and not talking to her was for her own good. BTW when she was walking torwards Red i couldnt stop thinking that Berlin took her eyes off, i thought he leave her with a twisted gif for Red just for him to know that he is not playing (how fucked up am i DDDDDD: )
ReplyDeleteYep, they have tune down a bit the whole father and daugther thing and gave us more about his ex wife and more about his backstory with Naomi, i'm sure this will all connect to that storyline, maybe Naomi knew Red's first family assuming that Naomi was his second wife and from that incident she had to be sent to the witness protection program.
ReplyDeleteVery good theory
ReplyDeleteLol
ReplyDeleteI think at the start of season one I was sceptical of how interesting they can make this story when it was 'so obvious Red was her father', and I thought hang on that's too easy, and I hoped for a different connection. Towards the end of season one I came to a point where Red and Lizzie's interactions were my absolute highlight of the episodes (it might also be because James and Megan's chemistry had improved over time or that's the writers purposely built the interactions up over time to be more interesting anyhow) and I all of a sudden couldn't imagine there NOT being a close family connection. To the point where NOW I would almost be disappointed if Red weren't Lizzie's father!!!
ReplyDeleteKnowing this show I will be amazed by however the story unfolds but it surely shows it's brilliance by making me do a 360 on my feelings! Which reiterates your point DarqueMode at perhaps that's making it feel that a father daughter relationship could be nothing but the norm!
Another good episode. i'm really intrigued for the rest of the season.
ReplyDeleteberlin needs to shave that mustache
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great review. When I found out about Jennifer and Red's ex-wife, I was confused. His story to Madeline Pratt sounded so real. I was convinced Red's daughter was dead! Cannot wait how this plays out!
ReplyDeleteThis episode was definitely an improvement over the premiere. They really outdo themselves every time . I admit I don't enjoy the Blacklister being an organisation as much as when it's a person, but it did tie in nicely with the Berlin storyline, which was the real highlight of the episode. I liked Kaja a lot too, and her hyperthymesia. I felt super happy, because thanks to Unforgettable I knew exactly what it was!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Ressler's interactions with her too. My favourite scene was definitely Ressler and Liz's escape. I like how they're upping their dynamic this season. Also, love how badass Liz has become!
You are so right about there being lingering feelings between Red and Naomi. That was such a great scene. Loved 'Long Way Down' too. The second I heard it I was sure it was Tom Odell! Didn't realise how young he is till I youtubed him. He's really good.
Can't wait to see who Liz's source is... And what those bank account details mean. Besides that, I felt this episode didn't bring up too many questions. It did well with tying up some loose ends. Like I'm glad they got Naomi back quick. All those body parts in boxes were starting to creep me out...
Yes that guy really punched Liz hard! Honestly, as mean as it sounds, I like seeing my faves get beat up a bit... As long as there's zero chance of them being killed off! Then everyone gets to see how cool they are! I can't stand senseless killing off of characters though... It drove me away from Grey's Anatomy and Chicago Fire.
Looking forward to your next review! Episode 3 had a lot of material, and I couldn't help thinking while I was watching 'Hmmm I wonder what George will write about that! "
Yeah I'm still totally confused with that whole thing :/
ReplyDelete