"I'll hold you to the light, let you shineI'll hold you against the floor and say it's alright
'cause down beneath the water's skin where we will swim
And there's diamonds on the surface then
And, they'll come clean us, we'll both live again"
- "Baptisms" - Radical Face
The Blacklist aired its conclusion to 'Luther Braxton' last Thursday night and it was another perfect hour filled with action and full of compelling storylines. We were treated to some more answers about Liz's past concerning the fire of her youth as well as The Fulcrum. It's possible we will get some more information regarding The Fulcrum and what that little box Liz was holding at the end really was in the coming episodes, but the writers could decide to hold off until the season two finale.
The episode starts right where Sunday's Super Bowl special airing ended, with the CIA ordering the airstrike on the rig. Ressler comes to Navabi's aid Liz is taken away in a helicopter by Braxton, who now knows The Fulcrum's secrets lie within Liz's memories. The first two episodes of this season were remarkable in that the action sequences were top notch and the story line has even gone full throttle, introducing The Fulcrum and playing on the infamous fire from Liz's youth much more.
Since season one we have seen Liz, and her younger self, in flashbacks clutching a stuffed white bunny that obviously meant a lot to her. It was after the first few times I noticed the stuffed bunny that I began to associate it with Lewis Carroll's 'Alice In Wonderland' story and the common phrase of 'going down the rabbit hole'. To 'go down the rabbit hole' means to enter a state of chaos or confusion, something Liz was forced to do when under the hallucinogenic cocktail Dr. Orchard injected her with unwillingly. It's worth mentioning that I believe not only is it Liz that has descended down the rabbit hole, but Red also. Red is experiencing the effects of memory extraction, but in a completely different way; he is reliving those moments along with Liz.
Whether Red is Liz's father or not, he was in the fire from Liz's youth and may be the only person right now that knows the true events of that day. This became even more clear after we hear Dr. Orchard tell Liz, at the end of the episode, that Liz's memory of the fire could be more complex than previously thought. Dr. Orchard tells Liz that, although the memory is still there, the people involved are the same and their roles in the event might be reversed or swapped. This is due, she tells her, because someone has tampered with her memories before at some time. What we can take from this is that the flashback that we witnessed occurred in that manner, however, it is still unclear what Red's role was in the fire. It definitely left us, in true Blacklist fashion, with many more questions than answers given.
Red's Quotes
- "You will make a mistake, and when you do, I will be there to indulge in the undeniable pleasure and sweet satisfaction of 'I told you so'.
Red to Braxton
- Braxton's business associate says, "What's in it for me?". Red responds with, "Life". I though this was perfect.
- "If you're looking for your driver he's napping in the trunk."
Red to Braxton
Music from the Episode
- "Baptisms" - Radical Face
Goodson does a media outlet about the prison breach; Red has a drink while he watches the news story; Liz is told that someone else has looked into her memories before.
- Did you notice...Liz was taken to Braxton's 'safe site' and strapped to a chair so Dr. Orchard could perform her memory extraction technique. The process was done in an empty pool, or a 'hole', making the analogy to 'going down the rabbit hole' a little more real. Is that a stretch?...Maybe that's a stretch...I'm keeping it anyway...
- What sad news is Agent Cooper receiving from Dr. Levin? We see him at the office near the end of the episode with his wife hearing the news for the first time.
- I thought it was funny when Aram hugged Navabi so tight when he first saw her back then shook Ressler's hand. I hope he asks her out in the coming episodes. I would love to see them on a date.
- I think The Blacklist could show a whole hour devoted to Red shooting his way into different rooms and it would still be a great episode.
- Did you notice...At one point, when young Liz is in the closet, a man hands her a white rabbit. We can clearly see a 'red' ring on one of his fingers. Young Liz is also wearing a 'red' nightgown. I thought it was worth mentioning the colors and potential symbolism whether meaningful now or in the future.
- Images from the final flashback of the fire: House engulfed in flames; Young Liz holding the stuffed bunny while staring at the flames; Doll face with right side burning and melting; Christmas ornaments surrounded by flames, Christmas tree going up in flames; A drawing by a child of some kind of animal that begins to catch fire; Drawing by a child of a family standing outside - a man (wearing red), a woman and a little girl; Young Liz walking down the hallway with the stuffed bunny hanging down; Man laying facing down and attempting to get up with young Liz yelling, "Daddy! No!".
"Why did Red leave the military, a wife and kid all those years ago in the first place? What was the catalyst that made him completely change his life and leave everything he loved behind."
"Who put The Fulcrum in the stuffed bunny?"
"What exactly is The Fulcrum? Liz was holding it (or what we assume is The Fulcrum) in her hand at the very end of the episode. Is it a 'key'? Is it a computer chip? Is it a clue that leads to another clue leading to another?"
- Did you notice...Red says in last Sunday's episode concerning The Fulcrum, "It's the only thing keeping me alive". In Thursday's episode the man in the flashback says in the background (presumably about The Fulcrum), "It's the only thing keeping me alive".
- Did you notice...When Liz holds Red's hand in real life young Liz holds someones hand in the 'memory' - subsequently, when Liz lets go of Red's hand in real life, young Liz lets go in the 'memory'.
- Did you notice...Young Liz called adult Liz 'Masha'. Is that Liz's real name? In Russian language it is a diminutive of the name Maria.
- Did you notice...There is a Russian lullaby playing during one of the flashbacks of the fire. Perhaps there is a connection to Liz being called 'Masha', a Russian name, and there being a Russian lullaby as well? seems like more than just a coincidence.
Thank you for checking out my Review! The Blacklist is off to a great start in this second part of season two and I believe there are many more incredible episodes yet to come this season to talk about. Please comment below so we can discuss the episode and all the intricate details further! Have a great week everyone!
Great review! I actually liked this episode better than part one because it felt more satisfying for long term fans where the first episode was to bring new people in. This episode put me firmly in the he is her father camp. If he "killed" her father (even if it isn't Red, I think he is still alive), and the guy wasn't a complete sociopath, I think that would kill Liz and Red's relationship. You can't kill, or think you have killed, both her dad's and get away with it, ;)
ReplyDeleteI get the strong sense that Red had two lives or something to that effect Because of his position in government it wouldn't surprise me. It seems strange to me that he can track down any piece of info, but lost track of his supposed bio daughter Jennifer and seems concerned, but overall disinterested in finding her. I keep thinking back to Naomi saying he's not who you think he is. I think that could be literal.
The big mystery is his identity, what he was doing for 4 years before he came back, and what his motives are.
Other big clue that he is her father iis he called her is ray of light in the cave. Everybody knows she hasn't been much of a ray of light to him with the stomping around, calling him monster, and stabbing in the neck... Fatherly blindness. Lol
What is your opinion of her crazed look when she found the fulcrum? I didn't get it.., Megan Boone... Sigh...
I agree, this episode was better than part 1.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words Ashley!
ReplyDeleteI liked this episode better than the first one as well but both were great.
Very good points about Red and possible 'double identity'. I have a feeling that Jennifer will be a story for the finale and expanded upon in season three.
I love this..."Other big clue that he is her father is he called her is ray of light in the cave. Everybody knows she hasn't been much of a ray of light to him with the stomping around, calling him monster, and stabbing in the neck... Fatherly blindness. Lol" Thats hilarious.
I think there are many clues that point to him being her father. That is a good one.
I am still up in the air about what she actually found...Its possible it is The Fulcrum, but like I said in the Review it could be something related to it, something that will lead someone to where it is located...a piece of the puzzle, perhaps...
That look in her eyes I think was just Liz coming to the realization that she found what everyone has been harping about... You're Megan Boone comment at the end made me laugh, lol
I still believe that Red is Liz's father. This episode only further confirmed it for me. The doctor at the end of the memory recovery session even pointed out that Liz had already received some sort of treatment that blocked her memory and changed how she was to remember the situation. There is no way that Red would or could fake that concern and paternal treatment for Liz.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the epi, and hope that they don't drag out this reveal.....as I think there are other storylines that can be explored, once they reveal that Red and Liz are father and child. I would like for them to explore who and where Liz's mother is. As well, I would love to see the show play with Liz's morality and ethics a bit more....after all she is her father's child.
Great storyline over all!
I am not jazzed by the actress playing Liz. I think James Spader is such a powerhouse that he is actually showing her up.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is they are going to hold onto this mystery until the 3 season, and they are renewed for a fourth for syndication. I agree with you though. I think there are many more mysteries to be explored!
ReplyDeleteAlso, love your idea of an entire episode of Red going on a stoney faced rampage.
ReplyDeleteLol, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI meant Mr. Kaplan
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen that article but I expected as much about the Big Reveal. I would also be surprised if it was next year and not much later... I am enjoying the journey however...
That would be another Russia connection! Good point!
Love Mr. Kaplan!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great episode not that full of action like the last one but it kept us wondering WTH was going on.
ReplyDeleteI really like how they keep the mistery if Red's is Liz father, for the looks of those flashbacks, the theory that he was the one to save her was on point but of curse Mrs. Dr came and told her someone maybe changed her memories of that day. That way the scars on Red's back indicates that he really is her father and they all thought he was dead but there is one thing here. the others that she saw are either fake ones or they took her and Red came out kill them all and went to Sam's house and let Liz there.
At the same time it's confusing cause if Liz's father knew where the Fulcrum was (and if her father is really Red), why didnt he take it knowing that it could reveal a lot and for the sounds of it Red never knew anything about until the old guy (i forgot his name) was killed or was it that he didnt know what was the info inside of it?.
I didnt like that the Fulcrum was so easy to find and was in the bunny teh whole time, I just cant picture a person moving something in or out everytime you move and not touching it and not feeling a small box inside of, it wasnt like the bunny was one of those who has a music ox, this was a plain stuffed animal and 26 years later she finds something on it... Nop not buying it but whatever they already did it.
I think the Dr. probably told Cooper that what he has is inoperable and he might die. ( I wil patienly wait for Red to give Cooper the name of some crazy Dr that can help him).
And Aram is so sweet. Seriously next time their on air they will probably play "Kiss the Girl" from the little mermaid xD. What is he waiting for?.
Great Review. I was thinking maybe Marsha was her middle name, we have never heard it after all.
It was an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in which Megan Boone said she did not think there would be a reveal of Red/Lizzie's relationship this year ( I overstretched my memory when I said she said next year- she did not say that, sorry).
ReplyDeleteWe Know Red knew what the fulcrum contained, but he has been bluffing he had it. Sewing the device into a bunny seems like it might have been Liz's mother. Since the name Masha is Russian, it makes me think the mother was perhaps Russian as well. I don't see why a secret organization would keep incriminating files on themselves... Seems like something a spy would do. I swear Red was somehow involved in a double life, perhaps in a position sort of like Tom, marrying a suspected spy, gathering intel... I believe the mother was shot that night (May or May not be dead) and Red was left to die.
ReplyDeleteWhen Naomi said something to the effect that no man could better make you feel like the only woman on Earth better than Red, it made me think he had another woman all those years ago.
But this is all crazy conjecture!
Mind blowing review, now I'm a fan of yours. O.o
ReplyDeleteHonestly don't understand why people keep complaining about Megan's acting. she has improved so much since season one. She did such an exceptional performance on the last two episodes, particularly the Luther Braxton Conclusion and her chemistry with the little girl, coz honestly sometimes actors act alittle awkward with little kids. Plus Megan said she had to fight for the role and the producers said that they actually set the bar up to Megan's standards because she was that good. So clearly that's how the producers want her to act or they would have done something about it.
ReplyDeleteRant over
On this page is one exceptional review. I am amazed at how you tend to pick up on every detail especially down to the colors, numbers shown, and especially all the unforgettable Red anecdotes from every episode. Your words captured every nuance precisely from the show in the manner where I found myself watching each scene again in my head. I too enjoyed the past and present Liz together. Being someone who has extracted many of music boxes from stuffed animals, I doubt that was what Liz had in her hands. I also believe she had a memory burst where she remembered something was placed inside the rabbit. Due to low lighting, I would say it is, like you mentioned, a piece to the puzzle of the pernicious fulcrum in its protective case leaving you once again hanging, most likely as you predict, to the season finale. At this time I would also like to give kudos to you for the outstanding live discussion you presented during the night of the show's airing. I was amazed at how well it was orchestrated and definitely look forward to this week's discussion event as well. Keep up the phenomenal work!
ReplyDeleteI guess Red's knickname is also associated with Russia as well as short for Reddington... haha
ReplyDeleteAgree to disagree on that... :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about her improvement. Plus I think it's unfair to measure her against James Spader, from what I hear she is a bit of an acting novice and he could probably make watching paint dry look interesting.
ReplyDeleteI guess I didn't pay as much attention as I thought...
ReplyDeleteYou got me interested with the Russian name and lullaby, so I just had to find both parts (oh yeah, I'm Russian). I was trying to listen more carefully for everything in the memory, and it wasn't just little Liz saying that Masha is Liz, in the first memory you can hear a woman asking where's Masha and a man replying that she's not coming back with her, like they're her parents, and it was her mother who told people who wanted to kill Liz's dad where he was.
And the lullaby... It is kind of Russian lullaby, but I have to say, it's a creepy lullaby written for a movie. Hmm, it's words are repeating like someone's coming to get the child to whom you sing the lullaby and by the end of it he's ready to grab the child.
That is great that you could shed some light on that lullaby!
ReplyDeleteWhen I watch the episode with captions turned on this is what I read... When the lullaby begins to play, at the bottom, the caption reads something like "horror Russian lullaby", lol or something like that...I will have to go back and check... but that is interesting...
That is an awesome point! This is getting better and better...Thank you
ReplyDeleteThe lullaby begins with the memories, the first part is about someone outside knocking on your door, and it says he's behind you and ready to grab when little Liz leaves the closet.
ReplyDeleteBut I am really not sure if those words have any meaning here.