Homeland security serves as the the backdrop for three of this year's network forays into high concept serialized event television CBS's Hostages (which we've already reviewed) and both NBC's The Blacklist as well as their midseason entry Crisis. Each focuses on threats to our national security and all three feel as though they have built in expiration dates (whether said end points are honored or not).The Blacklist has a little more potential for an extended life though.
The basic premise is that onetime FBI agent turned most wanted criminal mastermind Raymond Red Reddington (James Spader) after years of eluding the Feds turns himself in with the promise of aiding the agency in capturing a blacklist of the world's worst criminals. His one demand That he speak only with first day on the job Agent Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone).
It's James Spader's charisma versus the FBI in NBC's The Blacklist.
As you might imagine the central mysteries are 1. Why did Red suddenly turn against his country all those years ago abandon his young wife and daughter and become a mercenary for sale to the highest bidder 2. Why has he without any discernible cause turned himself in now And 3. What is his interest in young Agent Keen There's a rather obvious potential answer to the last query of course she's his daughter.
The pilot leaves the question open ended but if Keen does indeed turn out to be Reddington's long lost child that reveal may only serve to frustrate some viewers. If the writers have gone the Occam's razor (the simplest answer is the most likely to be true) route on that one then it's probably best to let that particular cat out of the bag sooner rather than later. The show's success doesn't depend on some big twist in terms of their relationship. However if they needlessly drag out speculation only to after a full season disclose that the nature of their connection is exactly what we'd assumed it was all along it will likely feel like mystery boxing for the sake of mystery boxing and become an unwanted distraction.
Having said that again The Blacklist's appeal doesn't rest on the strength of this one as yet unsolved puzzle. Once we know why Reddington wants to collaborate (because he's not really cooperating per se) with the FBI and understand the genesis of his interest in Keen one of two things may happen Red and Agent Keen become a father/daughter global crime fighting duo putting down threats and frolicking in the stormy waters of international intrigue in what would become a weekly episodic adventure series. Or it turns out that he's been pulling off an elaborate scheme with her as a pawn. In which case she is forced to try and apprehend him utilizing everything she's learned from their brief time together. Either way the series continues.
The Blacklist Megan Boone on Working with Spader
In an ideal world we'd see more short lived serialized offerings that know what they are and exactly how much time is needed to tell their stories and as such get in and out as it were. Less preferable are the shows that try and continue on after what was a natural arc has been completed. Everyone is working to master the serialized/episodic balance these days though. The Blacklist seems to understand the climate enough to enter the scene via a big event while simultaneously creating a structure that lends itself to a weekly self contained story structure. It's unclear if the crime of the week aspect of the series will remain engaging once the central mystery is solved but Spader's odd ball charisma goes a long way toward keeping things lively.
There is an inherent Clarice Starling/Doctor Lecter quality to Agent Keen and Reddington's relationship that adds to the enjoyably goofy nature of the series. Neither The Blacklist nor its star James Spader are taking themselves too seriously thankfully which makes the show that much more of a pleasure to watch. There a moments in which it feels as though not every member of the cast is on board with the sweeping and almost silly nature of the show. In general though the tone is far more of akin to an Alias wish fulfillment/fantasy series (though it doesn't offer quite that level of fantastical soapy spy games fun) than a Homeland Season 1 dramatic nail biter.
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