It was a good episode but not as good as Anslo Garrick part one. I am disappointed by the promos for next week because I think they are just toying with us. She will remember a glimmer, but we won't get any real answers. I enjoyed Red's speech about the fish. And, it was bad ass when he went through the prison killing everyone... plausible? Not really. Haha
Well any of this being plausible is dependent on how you believe the covert intelligence community works. So accept the fiction that Red is just AWESOME. :-D
It was freaking awesome!! Definitely one of my favorites episodes of the show thus far.
This episode was jam packed with incredible action, great guest stars, and Reddington's humor that l love so much. Everything that makes the show awesome, this episode had and it was fantastic to watch. Also, Ron Perlman was just phenomenal as Luther Braxton. Having him be Reddington's "worst nightmare" is a perfect choice and I think this is one of my favorite performances from him.
I really thought that we would be losing Samar for a second there. She was not looking too good and Luther would have taken her life away in a heartbeat. Thank god that didn't happen because she's a very interesting character and I still need to know how the hell she knows Reddington and what they're working on together. Can't wait to find out more on that in the future.
Reddington walking through the prison, with a rifle in hand and shooting everything in sight had to have been my favorite scene of the episode. Another badass moment from James Spader!
Yes! We finally know what the fulcrum is! Oh shit, thank god Luther couldn't get his hands on it because Liz and Reddington blew up the server room. That would have been a disaster for everyone.
"I know about the house, the fire, the girl" Aaaahhh!! Looks like Luther knows a lot about what happened on the night of the fire. Can't wait for Thursday's episode! It feels so great to have The Blacklist back.
I think it is pretty clear that Red loves Liz like a daughter, rather or not that means he is her bio dad or not I dont know (but I believe that in the original incarnation of the story Bokenkamp was going to have Red be Liz's father but he might have changed it after everyone who watched the trailer figured it out before the show even aired). I agree with you that the writers are only going to make things harder on them by not revealing it sooner than later.
Coming after the Super Bowl and all the promo it has received about its move to Thursday night I have no doubt that it will win its time slot this Thursday its every Thursday after that, that I am curious about. Although after the promo for Scandal on Thursday I think Shonda is expecting us to leave our brains at the door if we are expected to buy into the ransom demand. Love me some James Spader so I hope he continues to win in this new time. Was it just me or did it seem as though the episode started off with a nice little intro for all those audience members who had never seen the Blacklist before tonight.
I agree. I dont think the writers are going for any sort of realism, at least I feel that they havent since the pilot episode, so if Red guns down 100 guys it does not bother me.
If you ever want to complain about an implausible fight scene just watch Kill Bill volume 1: The Bride versus the Crazy 88... Why does no one pull a gun and shoot the woman! Ha!
I think the show finally has the "tougher" Liz that was promised at the beginning of the season. My guess is the future narratives will focus on revealing more about Liz' background and connection to the Fulcrum [why don't they just call it a "MacGuffin," as Hitchcock would have]. I don't expect to learn too much more about the Red/Liz possible familial relationship; and at this point, I've pretty much given up caring.
Strategically, I see the show completing what it set out to do last year--position Red with Liz and Cooper's Task Force, all working together against enemies far more dangerous to the country than Red. Which, I believe, was Red's intent in turning himself in at the beginning of the series: to gain allies in his fight against the (to use a reference from "Alias") SD-6 like criminal organization. The success of the series will depend on the pacing of the reveals: too fast, and they run out of story; too slow and the viewers are frustrated, and stop watching.
Finally, the Winter "Recess" was far too long. I understand the Network's motivation in not running repeats during the low-ratings' end of year. But, I believe that except for binge-watching, viewers watch series' as a habit. So, breaking the habit for up to 10 weeks is just bad programming.
Very fun episode with Raymond at his "Red-est" and Ron Perlman at his... well he was about the same as every other role I've seen him in! XD
I figured Fulcrum was a intel/ blackmail list and Liz either knows where it is located or has the key to unlocking it. However, I had no idea that some black site would have similar intel like this prison did! That made for an action-filled and fun episode.. even if one of the less believable! XD
I love David Strathairn as the Director. He should fill the great Alan Alda's shoes nicely as our POV into The Alliance... Or is it now the National Clandestine Service?
I liked the refresher! It reminded me of the supplemental video "E! True Hollywood Story: The Raymond 'Red' Reddington Story" from before the season began. A lot of fun.
My favorite line of the night: "Well, sadly there isn't a prison on Earth where I don't know a few guys."
yeah i think that was on purpose, the creator wanted to bring in new viewers so he made the beginning easy to understand to those who have never seen it, actually when it started i thought it was still giving the Super Bowl Post-Game until i heard the reporter said Red's name LOL
1) Because that is not on the minds of the characters as much as it is on some viewers' minds. No one other than Liz has a reason to worry about the connection to Red. at least not nearly as much as some viewers do. The team has other things on their minds that are much more pressing like trying to save the US or stay alive on any given week.
2) It is the central mystery of the show and should not be revealed in Act I. I think it should come at the end of Act II or beginning of Act III. It should not be revealed too soon since that revelation could completely change the dynamic of Liz and Red, and even the series as a whole.
The question is how long will the show run and when does each act begin or end! If the show only runs a few years I guess this season could be Act II and we could learn about it near the finale.... or as a game-changing element at the start of Season 3. Personally I hope the show runs 4 or 5 seasons and I would not mind not knowing the truth of their relationship for another year or two.
Some classic TBL moments. Love my Red. Liz was tough as nails. I could even suspend belief that Liz somehow evaded capture even though the dudes saw her, but OK. What pushed me to just give OK was the missile. Seriously, the govt put order to destroy without a trace and the whole crew somehow survives that and manages an escape next week. And, how is that the Red's crew all ended up in the room? Did they not disperse when all the doors were unlocked? It's OK, because it's a fun ride and Spader is worth the price.
Hmmm... I'm not sure honestly. I used a few different names for the group until I read "Alliance" somewhere and liked it. I like Syndicate as well, but I'm not sure of the "official" name of the clandestine group.
Here's my collage of the group from Season 1 and 2 caps from tonight's episode.
Pearlman may play the same role all the time, but you're right... he does it so damn well. Adding in Strathairn though, I'm practically giddy about what he can add. As for the group name, I could have sworn I heard the name Syndicate before... Then again I recently rewatched some X-Files.
I was actually worried the Fulcrum was going to end up being some device. But a massive blackmail file makes a lot of sense.
I thought it might be a device at first too, but the connection between Fulcrum and the Alliance/ Cabal/ Syndicate questioning whether or not Red had the unknown "it" made me think it was financial records or intel about the group.
Oh yeah, another fun name for the organization is The UN of Evil! XD
I still think there could be a device of some sort connected to Fulcrum though. A code key of sorts maybe.
I think something needs to connect the dots between Liz's scar and the "Y" symbols on Tom's and Gina Zanetokas's go boxes,the envelope Tom left for Liz and whatever else I'm forgetting with that symbol. Too many uses of it for it to not mean something or connect to Liz's past... Maybe her memories will inform us?
Yeah I did think that too for a while but it seemed too easy so I thought possibly it might be her real father? And her memories will lead to him? I'm not sure, just whenever they reference 'The Fulcrum' it seems more like a code name for someone.
This episode was so hyped up, that i honestly didn't think that it would live up to it's expectations, boy was i glad to be wrong. It had suspense, it had glimmer of answers, it had great team work between Red/Lizzie. And off course it had Ron Perlman and that man is one awesome baddie and Red did show us some Bruce Lee moves while killing everyone. Liz should have shot Luthor, but i understand why she didn't and finally the scar will be explained!
I wondered if Fulcrum was a person too for a little bit... MY first thought was it was an object (the cause of or connected to Liz's scar), but then I thought Liz could be Fulcrum after that. Maybe a repressed memory of hers or a song her dad taught her might be a coded message etc...
Still could be maybe I guess.... It's the pronoun that keeps pulling me back to thinking it is a list or files etc... Fitch and the Alliance referred to Fulcrum as "It" and so did the Director tonight. Red did too If I recall....
Of course maybe TPTB are playing pronoun games to confuse viewers....
I think all signs point to it being a blackmail list/ evidence against the Syndicate.. 1) Fulcrum is used for leverage... Like evidence in blackmail. 2) Being referred to as "it" repeatedly. 3) Liz being the key to finding it means she probably is not it. 4) It helps explain why Red asked for her specifically as well I guess.
I would not bet on it being just intel though... With so many vague clues it can still go a lot of directions!
I prefer a winter break than episodes being sprinkled here and there. A 10 week break is certainly better than
1 episode <3 weeks off> 1 episode <3 weeks off> 2 episodes in a row <3 weeks off>
Very good episode of The Blacklist. I really think that this season is really turning The Blacklist into a great show.
The action was great. We got the requisite Reddington monologue and humor mixed in with the badassery. That scene where he was walking through the courtyard reminds me of Die Hard 4 mixed in with The Terminator.
I really hope that part 2 pays off in a big way that sets us up for the second half of the season.
I agree. And Red being her father or not doesn't change the way the show is portraying their relationship: very fatherly, very paternal, very loving. If she isn't his bio daughter, she's definitely someone he considers as such.
Finally watched it. Such an amazing episode. Wasn't expecting them to bring the show main mythology front and center, really liked it. And the scenes of Red walking over the prison were amazing, Spader killed it! One of the best episodes of the show.
NOTE: Name-calling, personal attacks, spamming, excessive self-promotion, condescending pomposity, general assiness, racism, sexism, any-other-ism, homophobia, acrophobia, and destructive (versus constructive) criticism will get you BANNED from the party.
Really good episode. Nice cliffhanger too.
ReplyDeleteGreat episode still don't think it's great moving it to Thursday though
ReplyDeleteI think it will do good on its new day and time.
ReplyDeleteFinally we get ti see Liz's past this Thursday!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good episode but not as good as Anslo Garrick part one. I am disappointed by the promos for next week because I think they are just toying with us. She will remember a glimmer, but we won't get any real answers. I enjoyed Red's speech about the fish. And, it was bad ass when he went through the prison killing everyone... plausible? Not really. Haha
ReplyDeleteAwesome, can't wait for the next episode
ReplyDeleteNow my thursdays: TVD, The Blacklist, HTGAWM (later TBBT)
ReplyDeleteshould we be horrified?
ReplyDeletehow many answers do you think we'll get?
ReplyDeletegood episode but i really wish they would put it to bed if Red is her father or not
ReplyDeleteAt this point it would probably take more to explain Red being her father than not.
ReplyDeleteWell any of this being plausible is dependent on how you believe the covert intelligence community works. So accept the fiction that Red is just AWESOME. :-D
ReplyDeletein order? LOL
ReplyDeleteSomehow Red manages to look more badass every episode.
ReplyDeleteIt was freaking awesome!! Definitely one of my favorites episodes of the show thus far.
ReplyDeleteThis episode was jam packed with incredible action, great guest stars, and Reddington's humor that l love so much. Everything that makes the show awesome, this episode had and it was fantastic to watch. Also, Ron Perlman was just phenomenal as Luther Braxton. Having him be Reddington's "worst nightmare" is a perfect choice and I think this is one of my favorite performances from him.
I really thought that we would be losing Samar for a second there. She was not looking too good and Luther would have taken her life away in a heartbeat. Thank god that didn't happen because she's a very interesting character and I still need to know how the hell she knows Reddington and what they're working on together. Can't wait to find out more on that in the future.
Reddington walking through the prison, with a rifle in hand and shooting everything in sight had to have been my favorite scene of the episode. Another badass moment from James Spader!
Yes! We finally know what the fulcrum is! Oh shit, thank god Luther couldn't get his hands on it because Liz and Reddington blew up the server room. That would have been a disaster for everyone.
"I know about the house, the fire, the girl" Aaaahhh!! Looks like Luther knows a lot about what happened on the night of the fire. Can't wait for Thursday's episode! It feels so great to have The Blacklist back.
I think it is pretty clear that Red loves Liz like a daughter, rather or not that means he is her bio dad or not I dont know (but I believe that in the original incarnation of the story Bokenkamp was going to have Red be Liz's father but he might have changed it after everyone who watched the trailer figured it out before the show even aired). I agree with you that the writers are only going to make things harder on them by not revealing it sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteanything's plausible when Raymond "Red" Reddington is involved LOL
ReplyDeleteCRAZY AWESOME EPISODE!!!!!! loved all of the Red speeches, especially the one he had with Liz about the fish
ReplyDeleteyeah me too, for a second i thought Braxton would call Liz Red's daughter
ReplyDeleteBut if he isnt her father why cant they just definitely say he isnt her father
ReplyDeleteComing after the Super Bowl and all the promo it has received about its move to Thursday night I have no doubt that it will win its time slot this Thursday its every Thursday after that, that I am curious about. Although after the promo for Scandal on Thursday I think Shonda is expecting us to leave our brains at the door if we are expected to buy into the ransom demand. Love me some James Spader so I hope he continues to win in this new time. Was it just me or did it seem as though the episode started off with a nice little intro for all those audience members who had never seen the Blacklist before tonight.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I dont think the writers are going for any sort of realism, at least I feel that they havent since the pilot episode, so if Red guns down 100 guys it does not bother me.
ReplyDeleteI'm stumped why someone thought this was an awful episode.
ReplyDeleteExactly, just accept Red is a badass.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever want to complain about an implausible fight scene just watch Kill Bill volume 1: The Bride versus the Crazy 88... Why does no one pull a gun and shoot the woman! Ha!
yeah, except for big bang
ReplyDeleteGood, though not Great, episode.
ReplyDeleteI think the show finally has the "tougher" Liz that was promised at the beginning of the season. My guess is the future narratives will focus on revealing more about Liz' background and connection to the Fulcrum [why don't they just call it a "MacGuffin," as Hitchcock would have]. I don't expect to learn too much more about the Red/Liz possible familial relationship; and at this point, I've pretty much given up caring.
Strategically, I see the show completing what it set out to do last year--position Red with Liz and Cooper's Task Force, all working together against enemies far more dangerous to the country than Red. Which, I believe, was Red's intent in turning himself in at the beginning of the series: to gain allies in his fight against the (to use a reference from "Alias") SD-6 like criminal organization. The success of the series will depend on the pacing of the reveals: too fast, and they run out of story; too slow and the viewers are frustrated, and stop watching.
Finally, the Winter "Recess" was far too long. I understand the Network's motivation in not running repeats during the low-ratings' end of year. But, I believe that except for binge-watching, viewers watch series' as a habit. So, breaking the habit for up to 10 weeks is just bad programming.
Thought it was awesome. Hopefully we get some clarity regarding the fire, and they aren't just baiting us with the promo for Thursday.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping we get to see how Liz got her scar. Did anyone notice how they kept focusing on it when she was pointing her gun at Luther?
Very fun episode with Raymond at his "Red-est" and Ron Perlman at his... well he was about the same as every other role I've seen him in! XD
ReplyDeleteI figured Fulcrum was a intel/ blackmail list and Liz either knows where it is located or has the key to unlocking it. However, I had no idea that some black site would have similar intel like this prison did! That made for an action-filled and fun episode.. even if one of the less believable! XD
I love David Strathairn as the Director. He should fill the great Alan Alda's shoes nicely as our POV into The Alliance... Or is it now the National Clandestine Service?
I liked the refresher!
It reminded me of the supplemental video "E! True Hollywood Story: The Raymond 'Red' Reddington Story" from before the season began. A lot of fun.
My favorite line of the night:
"Well, sadly there isn't a prison on Earth where I don't know a few guys."
yeah i think that was on purpose, the creator wanted to bring in new viewers so he made the beginning easy to understand to those who have never seen it, actually when it started i thought it was still giving the Super Bowl Post-Game until i heard the reporter said Red's name LOL
ReplyDeleteyeah, it was exactly when Braxton was mentioning the house, fire and the "girl": Liz, it was cool
ReplyDeleteLOL that line was hilarious, oh so Strathairn's the Director? cool, he's definitely a threat, i'm sticking with The Alliance it sounds cooler LOL
ReplyDeleteI can think of two huge reasons...
ReplyDelete1) Because that is not on the minds of the characters as much as it is on some viewers' minds. No one other than Liz has a reason to worry about the connection to Red. at least not nearly as much as some viewers do. The team has other things on their minds that are much more pressing like trying to save the US or stay alive on any given week.
2) It is the central mystery of the show and should not be revealed in Act I. I think it should come at the end of Act II or beginning of Act III. It should not be revealed too soon since that revelation could completely change the dynamic of Liz and Red, and even the series as a whole.
The question is how long will the show run and when does each act begin or end! If the show only runs a few years I guess this season could be Act II and we could learn about it near the finale.... or as a game-changing element at the start of Season 3. Personally I hope the show runs 4 or 5 seasons and I would not mind not knowing the truth of their relationship for another year or two.
I giggled at the plausibility of this episode as well! XD
ReplyDeleteStill a lot of fun though...
I reckon some low voting, especially if there's no comment explaining their vote, is just trolls.
ReplyDeleteDavid Stratthaim is the director of NCS of the CIA......probably he will be a villain
ReplyDeleteRessler is my favorite character, but they barely use him, and it's really pissing me off
ReplyDeleteI think we will get just enough to give Red a clue as to where Fulcrum is....
ReplyDeleteNot much more..
Maybe some more details about what happened the night of the fire, but I seriously doubt we will learn the entire story or how Red and Liz relate
HaQ! XD
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that Strathairn is the Director of NCS... but sometimes articles get their details, speculation or spoilery facts a little wrong....
sadly it reminded me of a Sylvester Stallone Movie mixed with The Rock and yet another shell game twist.
ReplyDeletesomeone thought that? well then they're not a fan
ReplyDeletewell he's part of The Alliance so he's definitely a villain
ReplyDeleteHaQ?
ReplyDeleteSome classic TBL moments. Love my Red. Liz was tough as nails. I could even suspend belief that Liz somehow evaded capture even though the dudes saw her, but OK. What pushed me to just give OK was the missile. Seriously, the govt put order to destroy without a trace and the whole crew somehow survives that and manages an escape next week. And, how is that the Red's crew all ended up in the room? Did they not disperse when all the doors were unlocked? It's OK, because it's a fun ride and Spader is worth the price.
ReplyDeleteRight.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if that is all he is though...
Much like Alan Fitch had a government job and was a member of the Alliance.
Plu, the meeting in the shadowy room was with the Alliance. Some of the people were the same members shown last season.
when did they start using the name "The Alliance" I only remember it refer to as the Cabal
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I'm not sure honestly. I used a few different names for the group until I read "Alliance" somewhere and liked it. I like Syndicate as well, but I'm not sure of the "official" name of the clandestine group.
ReplyDeleteHere's my collage of the group from Season 1 and 2 caps from tonight's episode.
Typo! :) I meant Ha!
ReplyDeletePearlman may play the same role all the time, but you're right... he does it so damn well. Adding in Strathairn though, I'm practically giddy about what he can add. As for the group name, I could have sworn I heard the name Syndicate before... Then again I recently rewatched some X-Files.
ReplyDeleteI was actually worried the Fulcrum was going to end up being some device. But a massive blackmail file makes a lot of sense.
Awesome episode, we are finally learning about her past who her father is and she is getting some answers awesome.
ReplyDeleteah LOL ok
ReplyDeleteI thought it might be a device at first too, but the connection between Fulcrum and the Alliance/ Cabal/ Syndicate questioning whether or not Red had the unknown "it" made me think it was financial records or intel about the group.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, another fun name for the organization is The UN of Evil! XD
I still think there could be a device of some sort connected to Fulcrum though. A code key of sorts maybe.
I think something needs to connect the dots between Liz's scar and the "Y" symbols on Tom's and Gina Zanetokas's go boxes,the envelope Tom left for Liz and whatever else I'm forgetting with that symbol. Too many uses of it for it to not mean something or connect to Liz's past... Maybe her memories will inform us?
LMAO The UN of Evil, that's awesome heh
ReplyDeleteme too, actually i thought when Red told Liz that Braxton wouldn't be able to get it without Liz it was because LIZ was The Fulcrum
ReplyDeleteMy Thursdays are really full now: Grey's Anatomy, TBBT, Mom, The Blacklist and finally HTGAWM.
ReplyDeletePersonally Ive always thought fulcrum was a person.
ReplyDeleteYeah I did think that too for a while but it seemed too easy so I thought possibly it might be her real father? And her memories will lead to him? I'm not sure, just whenever they reference 'The Fulcrum' it seems more like a code name for someone.
ReplyDeleteRed's her dad LOL, but yeah it's more code name-y than object name-y
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong... I don't really care if it is plausible... ;)
ReplyDeleteThis episode was so hyped up, that i honestly didn't think that it would live up to it's expectations, boy was i glad to be wrong. It had suspense, it had glimmer of answers, it had great team work between Red/Lizzie. And off course it had Ron Perlman and that man is one awesome baddie and Red did show us some Bruce Lee moves while killing everyone. Liz should have shot Luthor, but i understand why she didn't and finally the scar will be explained!
ReplyDeleteI wondered if Fulcrum was a person too for a little bit...
ReplyDeleteMY first thought was it was an object (the cause of or connected to Liz's scar), but then I thought Liz could be Fulcrum after that. Maybe a repressed memory of hers or a song her dad taught her might be a coded message etc...
Still could be maybe I guess....
It's the pronoun that keeps pulling me back to thinking it is a list or files etc... Fitch and the Alliance referred to Fulcrum as "It" and so did the Director tonight. Red did too If I recall....
Of course maybe TPTB are playing pronoun games to confuse viewers....
I think all signs point to it being a blackmail list/ evidence against the Syndicate..
ReplyDelete1) Fulcrum is used for leverage... Like evidence in blackmail.
2) Being referred to as "it" repeatedly.
3) Liz being the key to finding it means she probably is not it.
4) It helps explain why Red asked for her specifically as well I guess.
I would not bet on it being just intel though... With so many vague clues it can still go a lot of directions!
I prefer a winter break than episodes being sprinkled here and there. A 10 week break is certainly better than
ReplyDelete1 episode
<3 weeks off>
1 episode
<3 weeks off>
2 episodes in a row
<3 weeks off>
Very good episode of The Blacklist. I really think that this season is really turning The Blacklist into a great show.
The action was great. We got the requisite Reddington monologue and humor mixed in with the badassery. That scene where he was walking through the courtyard reminds me of Die Hard 4 mixed in with The Terminator.
I really hope that part 2 pays off in a big way that sets us up for the second half of the season.
I prefer a long break with fewer weeks off before and after the hiatus as well.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to lose interest in a show I like during a longer hiatus... In fact I generally want to watch the show more when it returns.
I loved that speech about the fish! I also love that Red descends into an eloquent speech at least once per episode. haha
ReplyDeletehe does doesn't he? LOL but Spader knocks it out of the park every time though
ReplyDeleteI agree. And Red being her father or not doesn't change the way the show is portraying their relationship: very fatherly, very paternal, very loving. If she isn't his bio daughter, she's definitely someone he considers as such.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I missed you, Red... :D Loved the episode!
ReplyDeleteWhen Red picked up that shotgun, I was like "YAY, RED RAMPAGE!!" xD
Red rampage indeed! XD
ReplyDeleteSuch an awesome episode...glad to have this show back on the screen :)
ReplyDeleteI won't even mention to you mine, it's ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteFinally watched it. Such an amazing episode. Wasn't expecting them to bring the show main mythology front and center, really liked it. And the scenes of Red walking over the prison were amazing, Spader killed it! One of the best episodes of the show.
ReplyDeleteHa, lol
ReplyDelete