The Blacklist - Eli Matchett (No. 72) - Review: "The Reapers"

"Shot outta hell like a bullet from a gun,
A flip of a switch,
A thief on the run,
Since the day you left me baby,
I can feel the lonely,
I can hear the crazy.
- Creepin' - Eric Church

Three episodes into the third season of The Blacklist and I am beginning to really enjoy the 'Liz-on-the-run' story arc that we knew was inevitable since the finale of Season Two. Unfortunately, the ratings are not reflective of one person's enjoyment. They are not bad, but I always feel better when the ratings of my favorite show move in an upward trajectory. I'm certain that the recent story line of Liz not being part of the FBI has alienated some viewers who tune in solely for the procedural part of The Blacklist plot and couldn't care less about the overall plot details regarding Liz's connection to Red or her mother.

Liz and Red continue their run from the law chasing down blacklister number '72', Eli Matchett, in an episode reminiscent of "The Front" from Season Two. Both episodes deal with eco-terrorists and a man Hell-bent on bringing down humanity by creating a world-wide epidemic. Since the first season, I have wondered what a team consisting of Liz and Red would look like if they had to go it alone and these past three episodes have shown us exactly that. It is difficult to say if together they are greater than sum of their parts because Red is so formidable all by himself, but Liz has proven that she can work well with Red. So far, however, she is occupying a role that Dembe would be performing and with a little more flair. I would love to see Liz break out of this morose funk she is in so we can really see what the duo can accomplish. Perhaps they will work together to rescue Dembe and Mr. Vargas?

Red's plan for Liz currently is two fold - put the Cabal in a position where they have no choice but to exonerate Liz and take out The Director at the same time. I wonder if all of this will be enough to put Liz back into the good graces of the FBI so she can be a part of the task force once again or will it only succeed in clearing her name so she no longer has to be on the run. Either way, I can see this story line going on to the midseason finale, which is fine with me as long as we get some great blacklisters in between here and there.

I know some may disagree, but I am glad that Tom is getting back into the mix. He such a great character regardless of the malevolent actions of his past. Him and Liz may have had a rocky history and they probably should not get back together yet something tells me they are destined for each other or at least belong in each other's orbit. Tom came out of hiding and went to Ressler, whom he knows hates him, because he knows that Liz needs help - that's a 'true-blue' friend.

One theme I have noticed so far this season is Liz coming to grips with her new lifestyle and what it takes to walk in Red's shoes. She has killed before so that's not what has her stomach all tied up in knots. The problem she has been experiencing lately stems from the recent killings not being justified by more than just her and Red (and Cooper). In this past episode, Liz and Red need to locate a group of farmers called Los Segadores - 'The Reapers'. This could be a far fetched connection to what Liz and Red are experiencing, but could it be that they are reaping what they have sown? Liz has been increasingly mirroring Red's life over the course of the past two plus seasons and it has finally reached a critical juncture and has caught up with her. She is becoming more and more like Red and she is finally realizing that actions have consequences, hence her current situation. If what we know about Red is true, that he can evade and escape any perilous and/or risky situation, then Liz will have to learn to do the same if she is following in his footsteps. she just needs to overcome this grief and feeling of guilt for doing what Red would have done or what Red knows is the right thing to do. Hopefully Red can teach her this sooner rather than later so Liz can stop making ridiculous phone calls to Ressler at the most inopportune moments.

The episode was a good hour for The Blacklist, but, as much as I love this series, it feels that something is missing. I loved the episodes in season one and two where the blacklisters felt like a genuine threat and I just don't get that sense as much anymore. However, I have faith in this show that we all enjoy and hopefully we get some more interesting criminals coming up this season. Maybe I am the only one that feels this way or sees this, but if any of you do as well I would love to hear about it in the comments. We have discussed before about the quality of certain blacklisters and each time I said to myself that the ratio of bad to good is very small. I would just like to see more like the "Stewmaker" and "The Good Samaritan" and "The Alchemist". I have faith that this season and Liz and Red's new story line will prove that the series is just as good as it has ever been.

Red's Quotes

- "Sometimes bad luck is the best luck you will ever have"
Red to Liz

- "Our journey begins in the home of the double-bacon corn dog. Welcome to Iowa."
Red to Liz

Music from the Episode

- 'Creepin'' - Eric Church
In the cornfields of Verdiant Industries several workers are killed

- 'Tu n'y es pour rien' - Nancy Allaire
Glen goes into Bico's Restaurant, he requests a gluten-free chicken Gorgonzola

- 'Somethin Goin' On' - Romi Mayes
Liz & Red argue over whether they should trust Ressler

- 'Wicked Campaign' - Modest Mouse
Red tells Liz to accept that bad things happen to good people; Cooper advises Ressler to trust his instincts regarding Tom; Glen tells Red that he thinks Dembe was kidnapped

Thoughts and Discussion

- Did you notice...There are quite a few hidden 'color' and 'number' references in The Blacklist (The series is called The 'Black'list after all and the main character's pseudonym is 'Red' so, while not a lot, there are some references regarding this, as well as, 'numbers', since the blacklisters are all numbered). Knowing this, I've noticed a few references to Tom's '7' (he is #7 on the blacklist) - for example, Liz is supposed to call the restaurant Tom is waiting in 'for help' at '7'.

- Did you notice...Red has a painting in his Cargo Home that we have seen before. We last saw it in "Leonard Caul" inside Red's secret flat. It is called "Woman hands over money to her servant" by Pieter de Hooch. It continues the theme of Mothers and Daughters we have seen with Liz lately. Red really loves that painting.

- I love that Red had the Clapper installed in his Cargo Home, Lol.

- Does anyone else have an issue with how quickly the FBI found Liz and Red this episode? They seem competent, but always one or two steps behind at all times.

- As always, the music in The Blacklist is top notch. They have some of the best musical montages on TV.

- What is next for Liz and Red? Where do they go from here?

- I really do enjoy the Tom story line. I'm glad he is back in the mix and hope to see more of him and Cooper working together. I have to admit that was a great plot thread the writers have inserted into the story. Perhaps one day Tom will work for Red in much the same way that dembe does?

- That story Red told Liz about 'Mugz' was hilarious and classic Red. I love how the story has a deceptive resolution - one moment we think 'Mugz' made the right decision and then the next it turns out he didn't. It was a no-win situation perhaps mimicking how Liz feels at the moment?

Thank you for checking out my review! Please comment below so we can discuss the episode and the series some more. Every Thursday I am conducting the Live Discussion of The Blacklist so please join me and others for the next episode! Just look for the post on SpoilerTV's homepage a few minutes before the episode begins or at anytime the episode is airing. Have a great week everyone!

About the Author - Geo N

Geo N is from Detroit, MI. His favorite shows include The Blacklist, Hell On Wheels, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, LOST, The Leftovers, The Strain, Sons Of Anarchy, Sleepy Hollow and countless others. When he's not watching tons of TV, he enjoys reading, playing hockey, comic books, weightlifting, and writing. Thanks for checking out my post.

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