The first season of The Blacklist was a mixed bag of bad writing, bad acting and the fabulous James Spader. The show continued to improve from episode to episode and thankfully so did my recaps. I started this post to link you to all of my recaps but basically in the beginning there was a lot of ew…um… ick…. can anyone explain this to me.
was basically me saying “I can’t recap this shit.” Now that there is a season two I have a feeling there was a lot of important information stuff in that episode. I’m going to rely on you all to let me know what I missed there.
Things got better in this episode where Liz finds the passports and cash hidden in the floor of her apartment.
This is the first time we meet Gina, but not the last time we see her.
The Blacklist: Frederick Barnes [No 47]
This is the one where the guy poisons a bunch of people on a train.
The Blacklist: Episode 8 General Ludd [No.103]
Remember the cute father son opening where they are tossing around a football in the park and dead bodies rain out of the sky? This is that one.
The Blacklist Recap: Anslo Garrick Part Deux
This two parter that was really violent and central to everything else that happens. Maybe. I had my eyes closed a lot.
The Blacklist: The Good Samaritan
I don’t remember much about this one. It was creepy.
The Blacklist Recap: The Alchemist
Things start getting serious. And by serious I mean, kinda gross.
The Blacklist Recap: The Cyprus Agency (No. 64)
Oh this one I do remember. It’s the baby farm one! And the one where for some reason Tom is gung ho to adopt a child. That has never made since given what we find out later.
The Blacklist: Madeline Pratt (No. 73)
In this one we meet a former love interest of Red’s! It’s complicated.
The Blacklist Recap: The Judge
This is the one where The Judge is a lady and she imposes her own sentences and runs her own jail in a horse stall. Or something.
The Blacklist Recap: Mako Tanida (No. 83)
At this point we are dying to know the deal with Tom Keen. They just keep teasing us and driving us crazy. And taking us to far away countries where dangerous convicts are breaking out of prison and killing people.
The Blacklist Recap: Ivan (No. 88)
You will just have to read this one. Nothing is coming to mind.
The Blacklist: Milton Bobbit (No. 135) Recap
This is that one where someone is paying old people and terminally ill people to kill other people in exchange for tons of money for their families.
The Blacklist Recap: The Pavlovich Brothers (NOS. 119 -122)
This is the much anticipated episode where Liz and Tom confront each other. Most of the episode takes place in China though. Again dribs and drabs of information.
The Blacklist The Kingmaker (No. 42)
And off we go to Prague. But not for long.
The Blacklist Berlin (No. 8) Part One Recap
We start off with the people coughing up blood all over people. And we start to find out about “Berlin.”
The Blacklist Finale Recap: Berlin Conclusion Finale
The bizarre, inconclusive final episode.
So there you have it. Views and comments are notoriously poor for this show. Recapping is very tedious and time consuming once I started doing them right. Therefore, I am going to have to insist you watch, comment and answer my questions about this show whether you want to or not. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Now get to your weekend reading assignment. Bring your insight and questions to comments so we are all ready on Season 2 premiers Monday night at 10 on NBC. Check out the official website for videos, etc.
I’m planning to be here for it!!!
I just watched season one last weekend on Netflix. I figured if Netflix paid $44 million ($2 mill per episode) they must think this is worth it.
That first episode grabbed me and I was so hopeful. The rest was as you have said a mixed bag. I’m looking forward to season 2 though and I hope some improvements are made. James Spader is fantastic in this and it has so much potential. I told my daughter she needs to get back to writing and do something to help this show.
I was new to your site and started reading your recaps around mid-season. Of course always on point. Spader is fantastic!!! Lizzie somehow lost it for me and I kept thinking they need to replace her. I cannot wait to see what happened to Tom! I hope they don’t drag out if Red is her Dad and tell it upfront….we’ve been waiting waaay too long.
I am soooooo excited. Not a Scandal fan like most of my friends so I look forward to your recaps so I have other folks to scream WTF when there are bizarre things goings on. Like getting others opinions on WTF happened. These show generates more conspiracy theories than the JFK assassination! I am hoping they do the last show repeat to refresh. They better not disappoint us with a BS opener…we’ve waiting too long and may revolt. Looking forward to your excellent recaps so have a libation ready and hunker down. We’re watching.
I stopped watching halfway through the season. I’ll just read your recaps and skip the show.
Did I say you could do that? Sure for Real Housewives shows it’s fine, but I need you to explain this one to ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Fri, Sep 19, 2014 at 9:16 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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OMG! NO! Tamara’s recaps are great, but she is no James Spader! You have to see his body language as he recounts how Lizzie’s father rescued her from the fire and ensured her safety before he disappeared to understand why commenters feel that he is Lizzie’s real father. Please try it again. You won’t be disappointed
i have watched from the beginning and loved your recaps, some were really gross and some where head scratchers. i love red, love him, love him! lizzy grows on you i guess, as does resler.i also want to know what tom’s game was, so confused on that one
I’m in with you, Tamara. Agree that the writing was all over the place but Spader’s acting makes it so worth watching. Anyone else remember how beautiful he was when younger? White Palace, Sex Lies and Videotape…
My main past time though is watching to see if Lizzie is ever able to manage a facial expression. No sign yet but I am hopeful.
I just hope they have enough money to light some scenes this year.
On Fri, Sep 19, 2014 at 9:48 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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James Spader makes any show worth watching. I thoroughly enjoyed him in The Blacklist. I miss Boston Legal. Logo used to show the reruns, but it’s been replaced by Roseann and The Nanny.
Thanks for making the homework easy, teach!
I didn’t know about this show until recently. I’m a huge James Spader fan, so I’ll be watching.
Between this homework and the video I saw that recapped the entire season in 9 minutes (it was hilarious!), I’ll be ready.
I was wondering if you were going to recap The Blacklist once again. I watched last season, read the bog and my only comments were probably regarding the actress that tries to portray Lizzie. I don’t like her. Her emotional range is nonexistent and she has never captured who I think the character should be, I’ll go so far as to admit I actually hated her performance last season.
I was hoping she would be re-cast although I know producers are extremely hesitant in recasting leads. I’ll be back though. James Spader rocks my boat, tickles my fancy. Lol. I really hope the sophomore season brings it. Better writing, better story arc and more character development, backstory revealed.
Now, there’s one more issue I us bring up. American Horror Story: Freak Show.
Where is Urethra? Is he chained to the radiator or is he free until the series begins, roaming around wherever he roams? Get him back and under control soon. I will be relying on him for all the subtleties I miss weekly.
Chain him up soon, Tamara. And don’t cover your eyes this season. Unless your scared of downs. Bwahahah
I just caught the tail end of James Spader on Fallon. He says that everything is better and more this season. Deeper relationships, funnier funny parts and darker, dark parts. They played a clip. It was awesome.
UF has a life of some sort lately. I shall do my best to rechain him. I will not be watching AHS.
On Fri, Sep 19, 2014 at 11:38 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Let us all remember that Red is a friend to the animals. That should bring in new viewers. PETA meets LAMO (Loves Animals Mutilates Owners)
Oh Please please please….Bring on MORE James Spader …..ahhhhhh .. Love Him !
Just binged the first season on Netflix. Love, love love Red and his minions. Love hot IT guy. Stll intrigued by Tom. Everyone else needs to be killed off – especially Lizzie.