The Blacklist

Once again I see people criticizing a good enjoyable show because it's not like reality and "Real governments and law enforcement organizations don't operate that way!!!!" Get a grip people! Batman isn't real either but he's fun to watch! The delineation of James Spader's Raymond Reddington is more important than any hang ups you could possibly have with the plot. I just can't see passing up such a good performance and character study because a fictional show isn't reality. It's not often a real good character comes along and I feel Spader has pulled this one off excellently in every respect. Don't cheat yourself people. It's a good show.

I am getting so tired of her character. She is getting tiring and irritating.

Plot

A new FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen, has her entire life uprooted when a mysterious criminal, Raymond Reddington, who has eluded capture for decades, turns himself in and insists on speaking only to her.

Cast

James Spader gloriously leads and to an extent that even the worst supporting cast could have been saved by him. Supporting we have Megan Boone, Ryan Eggold, Diego Klattenhoff, Hisham Tawfiq, the excellent Harry Lennox and wonders such as Amir Arison and Mozhan Navabi. As you can imagine because of its length you see countless familiar faces in both small and recurring roles.

Verdict

The Blacklist was a recommendation, I'd have likely never watched it if it hadn't have been. I believe I assumed it to be yet another US drama/crime show in a world saturated by them. But The Blacklist isn't, not exactly anyway.

You see the first thing I noticed about the show was just how interesting and engaging our leading man was. Raymond Reddington in a remarkably short period of time became one of my all time favourite characters and I mean that across television, movies and video games. He's just SO enjoyable watch made good of course by James Spader who puts in a simply legendary performance.

The show itself is interesting and certainly has its moments but if it weren't for Spader I genuinely believe it wouldn't have worked, it would have been bland, lifeless and uninspired and though there's some talent in the supporting cast I don't think could have saved it.

I binged it, and I do think it became a chore. With lots of mediocre filler episodes, plots that just didn't grip me and moments that honestly didn't make sense I would have phased out altogether if it hadn't been for Reddington who make whatever the show threw at me watchable.

Did it arguably last too long? Absolutely, undeniably yes! But did I enjoy the journey thanks to "Red"? Certainly.

Sadly after over 10 seasons and 200 episodes people had high hopes for the finale and very few appreciated it including this guy. However though I found it questionable I don't think it killed the show like many claim, it was just a very strange writing decision. And the unanswered questions? Nothing wrong with a bit of ambiguity.

A flawed show certainly, but thanks to the incredible Raymond Reddington it's a journey worth taking.

Rants

Look at the lowest rated episodes, one was deemed an attack on the 2nd amendment and the other an attack on pro-lifers. I mean, they aren't in the slightest but some political stances and subjects cannot be touched upon without being believing themselves under fire. Lighten up, it's a tv show about a billionaire international super spy.

The Good

Raymond Reddington is truly one of the greatest characters put to film Some fantastic supporting cast Many great episodes and storylines

The Bad

A lot of senseless filler episodes Not every story was engaging That animated covid episode!

The killer robot episode, oh dear.

James Spader is superb in his roll as Raymond Reddington. I find all the characters in the show top rate and believable....except for Megan Boone and the character Elizabeth. This character is so sanctimonious and self centered it just grates against my nerves.This character does anything she "feels"is the best thing even if it's against protocol and puts the team in danger. Then berates Reddington, who is actually helping her, because he colors outside the lines.The fact that the show went from an interesting "get the really bad guys" show to all about "Lizzy" has gotten really very annoying and is starting to get old. There are 6 other characters to shed some focus on. I understand the background story between her and Reddington is important....I get that. But all the drama and, not to mention, all the dumb selfish things Elizabeth does is really starting to be a turn off. Whoever the writer is for this character needs to be fired. Also, what's up with Lizzy's miraculous healing powers? She can get punched in the face by a man and not only get up right away, but never has a scratch on her. She should have had black eyes for at least a couple of weeks. Everybody else on the show gets realistically (believably) injured and goes through the healing process. But not cast iron Lizzy. Come on guys, give it a rest. Please don't turn a great show of intrigue,espionage and edge of your seat stories into a soap opera with a bad leading actress. I TRULY want to continue watching this show. Needless to say, this is why I gave a 9 rating instead of a 10.

If it weren't for Spader I would stop watching. The rest of the characters are great, but suffer at the hands of script writers insistent on perpetuating the horribly contrived Elizabeth character.

As a spy story, the show works. But the mommy issues and daddy issues are tedious to endure.

Yes, the FBI does make deals with criminals. But the constant excuses Elizabeth's "team" make for her violent & illegal behavior are ridiculous & unrealistic. According to their logic, terrorists have "good reasons too" (if we got to know them). - Rubbish.