Blacklist, the - Season 02 [DVD]

The Blacklist has two things going for it, namely: 1. Some genuinely interesting and unusual villains; and 2. James Spader The formula is well-worn and will be familiar to those who have seen the first series: super-criminal "Red" Reddington (effectively) grasses up other criminals out of either a desire to see worse people than him put in jail or for economic profit. The criminals are then caught after about 45 minutes thanks to knowledge that Reddington provides, improbable feats of IT from the technical bloke and a bit of a dust-up in which the rugged ginger haired chap (the magnificently named Diego Klattenhoff) gets punched in the face. Meanwhile, Liz Keen (Megan Boone, with snazzy new haricut) performs heroics and tries to get to the bottom of her personal history and relationship with Red. Spader gets the best lines and the best outfits. His Reddington is a magnificent creation, multi-faceted and sympathetic, even while shooting people and being generally rotten. He is clearly having a wonderful time but he also manages to make the viewer care about the relationship with (the otherwise fairly dull) Liz and to overlook some spectacular plot holes: how does Reddington know everything that he knows, despite appearing never to use regular communication channels? why don't other criminals know that he is an FBI informant? why does no-one ever hear Dembe creeping up behind them? The Blacklist occasionally flags when he is not on screen. Likewise, some of the recurring plots are just too complex and silly - the first 2 episodes resolve the 'Berlin' cliffhanger from the first series and are a little too twist-heavy and complex for their own good, but things pick up from there. There is also a sprinkling of high quality cameos from the likes of Ron Perlman (playing the same character as usual), Alan Alda and Lance Henriksen and a new baddie in the form of 'The Cabal' (which is essentially a direct replica of a plotline in Chuck and many others before it). Great fun....

The Blacklist is probably the best series issued in recent years in the US. For this reason the defects of the dvds are extra disappointing. The audio is not always as clear as it should be (and was when watched online) and above all the subtitles are defective. When I watched the episodes online, the conversations in other languages were translated and rendered in subtitles. Almost all these subtitles have disappeared, only a fraction are there, which means that unless you remember what they are supposed to be, you have no way of knowing what they are saying. This even if you understand the language, because unfortunately the actors all too often obviously do not speak the language they are supposed to be speaking (e.g. the German spoken is almost totally incomprehensible). It is a great pity, because the series is wonderful and above all James Spader's acting superb.

So - this is binge watching. (What? I had a cough. I needed TLC. Or Spader.) I was gripped. Some plot twists I could see coming (albeit just seconds ahead of the Big Reveal), but most took me by surprise. I also wonder if the writers were having a bet as to whether they could include leylines as part of a serious plot. Well-played, writers. I liked the tiny details like the smily face on the sticking plaster at the beginning of Episode 22. I loved the name of the lipstick that Red named. And the Russian tango. The writers have a good grasp of complex issues. Not just in terms of plot twists, although they're pretty darn good at those. Also in terms of the words they put in the mouths of their characters. I almost understood the logic of the "conservationist" who was secretly part of a wildlife poaching organisation - despite the fact I vehemently disagreed with him. I was bowled over by Red's speech about the human cost of wildlife poaching. The last time Spader had a chance to deliver such an impassioned speech was in his "Boston Legal" days. (Red's little aside about waterboarding was a throwback to those days.) That's all Spader needs to shine: brilliant writing and a feisty brunette. (Almost all his memorable work relies on his having a feisty brunette co-star. Sometimes, other hair colours suffice, but he has seldom done good work where the female lead is underwritten.) He very clearly revels in playing a character with such moral ambiguity. Whenever Red does something nice for people (and he does seem to have a soft spot for dogs and underdogs), there's almost invariably something in it for him. The rest of the cast doesn't hold him back. And, although accents aren't my area of expertise, I liked Ryan Eggold's German accent. I have a couple of minor quibbles and one really big one. The tiniest quibble - when I thought that the guy with the most piercings Red had ever met didn't really have as many facial piercings as a couple of people I've seen in real life (also, why would Red complain about tattoos? I thought we established that he had some). A bigger quibble - Agent Ressler has been in so many road traffic collisions that surely he should be signed off work with whiplash by now? The episode with the flashbacks - good for new viewers to catch up, gives the actors a rest, but is it wise for a character to comment on how improbable the plot is? I don't know if this is a plot hole or not - but there is a scene early on in the series where Red indicates that he knows that another character is seriously ill. You might think that it might be to his advantage to get his experts to help the character to ensure that character's absolute loyalty to Lizzie (who seems to have given up on asking Red if he is her daddy). But Red does nothing and events would probably have unfolded better for him had he intervened. There was a big plot flaw in "The Front". People who kvetch about humanity being a plague on the face of the Earth either don't get pregnant or don't get to the "7 months pregnant" stage. And the biggest problem of all. The really, really bad first aid. You do not tell whether someone is alive by spending a couple of seconds feeling for a pulse. You do not just do a couple of chest compressions, yell at someone that you want them to breathe, and magically bring them back. The lack of attention to detail in this matter is disappointing. I've given this 5 stars, but I'm very cross that the writers are still getting this wrong. Every time that they ignore how the human body actually works, they make it impossible to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story.

Not watch it yet

Criminal mastermind Raymond Reddington continues secretly to help the FBI - he a superb source of information and practical help that enables long sought fellow Most Wanteds at last to be netted. All this in exchange for immunity. An odd arrangement really when one considers how many people Reddington is to kill in the next twenty two episodes. James Spader helps make it all work in a role which ranges from high drama to comedy. (I particularly enjoyed his verbal sparring with a scruffy private eye, services needed because an expert tracker - can here at least he have met his match.) Subjects include organ harvesting, brain manipulation, possible deliberate reintroduction of the Black Death, animal poaching, and - a theme beloved of such series - dodgy religious cults (in fact two of those). Of guest stars Alan Alda especially impresses. It is all preposterous but immensely entertaining. At first I worried about the highly intrusive (and largely unnecessary) music track, but commonsense seems to have prevailed, it becoming more restrained. Two bonuses. A fascinating study of Reddington as bon viveur. Wherever he goes (which is practically anywhere in the world), he knows exactly the best places to eat - often far removed from the posh restaurants. The second feature concerns Episode 18 - in several ways unique, the creators completely altering their original intention, instead to explore exciting new possibilities. As ever, much to intrigue with a dramatic climax - in fact so dramatic one wonders how the series can proceed. No need to worry. Such audacious creators will ensure James Spader's immense talent is again put to exhilarating use.

I highly recommend The Blacklist particularly to fans of James Spader . He is superbly cast as Reddington in this series , and his acting is simply the best ! This series is full of twists and turns and although I do agree with other reviews in that the plots are questionable, one can overlook that because Mr Spaders acting is superb . He plays the part of a criminal , albeit with a strong moral compass; one cannot resist being drawn to his character. This has to be at the top of my list of favourites the box sets . Excellent viewing, good quality DVD's at a very reasonable price .

James SPADER is the best actor ever and this is the BEST SIX SEASONS YOU WILL EVER WATCH. How did they make such an amazing series? I am in shock at how how good James Spader is and the storyline. Stop watching whatever you are and watch every season of THE BLACKLIST. Its the best thing I will ever watch. Pure genius. I downloaded it and am going to watch in 4K. OK I admit the rest of actors and actresses on this are nothing short of remarkable especially Susan Blommaert. This series will never ever be beaten by anything. It deserves a million stars.

This is a truly fantastic series - so much so I cannot wait for season 3. Essentially the story has been evolving over the last two seasons. Season 1 first episode began when a master criminal called Red Reddington walks in to the FBI office, and hands himself in. Having done so, he will only talk to one individual - who happens to be a criminal profiler on her very first day in the job! Since then there have been many twists and turns. The series backdrop being the relationship between these two individuals (if there is one?); and each week Red giving the FBI information leading to the arrest of a criminal - who happens to be on the "blacklist". Absolutely first rate drama and highly recommended.

Tension filled. Excellent acting. This draws you in to the point you are ordering the next season before you are finished watching this one. For those who enjoy the edge-of-your-seat, omg-I-can't-look action and tension, this is for you!

Diese Serie ist absolut sehenswert. - Tolle Schauspieler, - komplexe und tiefgründige Story - super Soundtrack - tolle Ausstattung, sehr hochwertiges Set - der Spannungsbogen wird weiter hochgehalten - James Spader liefert mal wieder ein grandiose schauspielerische Leistung ab und spielt den Bösewicht mit sehr viel Stil. Zunächst (bei Staffel 1) fragte man sich in den ersten Folgen, wo das alles hinführt - ich kann nur sagen, es war eine der besten Serienentscheidungen dran zu bleiben und zu sehen wie sich diese Serie entwickelt. Absolute Kaufempfehlung, erst recht wenn man mal was anderes möchte als den "üblichen Fall der Woche" in einer der sich ewig gleichenden Crime-Serien durchzuhecheln.

Pas la langue française !

The glue that holds this show together is the mysterious relationship between Elizabeth "Liz" Keen and the enigmatic, irreverent Raymond, "Red" Reddington. The second season is better in many ways than the first. The bad guys are more realistic and the plot lines explore the realm of international politics and important domestic issues. The research into the background of the procedural aspects of the show holds up well, making it "educational TV" for an America naive about matters like neurobiological research, human trafficking, the "down" side of capitalism and the dangers of secret international agendas (electronic surveillance, the various threats to national sovereignty and insidious threats to security) that threaten democracy. Red's values come into better focus as matters from his past turn out to have national and international implications. By mid-season of Season Two, we gain a better sense of Red and Liz's connection and the show continues to tease the father/daughter theme, even as the writing and acting make it increasingly apparent that something deeper has long existed and continues to develop into a love (or at least a "like") direction. Spader's acting is impeccable, rich in nuance and good humor, sometimes subtly breaking the fourth wall. Perhaps most notable are the increasingly polished performances of the other actors, especially Megan Boone as Liz, who is maturing as an actress, her character stronger and less idealistic, increasingly capable of plot-changing action, in which she moves the story forward even as she struggles with her personal demons and seeks to uncover the secrets of her past. The guest stars have also been remarkable. Alan Alda, Peter Stromare, Gloria Rubin, David Strahairn, Ron Perlman, Mary-Louise Parker and Scottie Thompson, Jeffrey DeMunn, just to name just a few. All seem to thrive playing alongside James Spader. The writing is remarkable, the language approaching Shakespearean at times, with plot twists and turns in every episode. Spader is known to be actively involved in the writing, as he was in Boston Legal because, as he says, "I have to perform it." There are fewer gratuitous explosions this season and the gunplay seems more focused and necessary. Something not often noted are the educational aspects of the show, especially about the legacy of the Cold War, as we continue to feel the aftershocks of its purported "End." Red, it appears was a possible player in the demise of the Soviet Union and mystery heaps upon mystery as he himself tries to understand the workings that led to his exile. The series so far has not addressed the Middle East – other than casting Iran and Syria as a source of bad guys. I hope The Blacklist takes on the religious extremism of ISIS and provides the kind of sophisticated exploration it does of the Cold War and the 'death of ideology.' The show has been renewed for a third season and I hope it goes on for many more. The Blacklist is complex and requires binge watching of previous shows for those newly interested in it. The Blacklist reflects the trend toward delayed viewing. The switch to Thursdays seems to have accelerated this trend, and those watching live are sometimes outnumbered by those watching over the weekend or within a week. A detective story in many ways, The Blacklist holds its cards close to its chest. For every storyline or plot point that is resolved, one or two more are frequently introduced, often in the final moments of each episode. This is a show that can quickly become addictive. Overall, this is the best TV series I have ever watched. M*A*S*H may come close. It is more upbeat than "House of Cards" with more relatable characters than "Game of Thrones." With none of the obscenity, somewhat less violence and relationships stressed over sex, this network show proves that quality viewing is not restricted to cable. The Blacklist rules. Five stars.

Perfect