The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
09-24-13 | 01:11 PM
#26
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
Also, at the end he's in a little box. Does that mean they didn't take him up on his deal? Because they would be really dumb to. He admitted (though he did mention he might be lying) that he arranged for the guy to come into the country. He arranged for the bomb to get stolen. He didn't even need Elizabeth Keen to be at the zoo, all she did was calm the girl down, his guy (conveniently nearby) did the rest. For all they know it was an elaborate ruse to get someone else to make the bomb so he could have it, and get the guy to do him a favor to force Keen's husband out in the open.
It reminds me of Lost, when Ben Linus willingly got captured and then had to have a ton of things go right for him for that all to work out. I don't care how much of a master manipulator you are, there's still a chance that they just refuse your demands and lock you up.
I just hope there's a master plan for all this (from the show's plotters) and they're not just making it up as they went along (ala Lost, or, well, Alias)
It reminds me of Lost, when Ben Linus willingly got captured and then had to have a ton of things go right for him for that all to work out. I don't care how much of a master manipulator you are, there's still a chance that they just refuse your demands and lock you up.
I just hope there's a master plan for all this (from the show's plotters) and they're not just making it up as they went along (ala Lost, or, well, Alias)
09-24-13 | 05:18 PM
#27
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Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
Not terrible, but not gripping either - kind of meh, but seems worth giving another shot or two.
The opening of the show made me think this was one you can't take too seriously. I thought it was a bit over the top to have the cliche 20 guns (or however many) trained on him in a circle on multiple levels. Sending 3 SUV's and a chopper for kicks to pickup an agent seemed just a bit overkill - a phonecall and a car would be less dramatic, but may have sufficed.
If they keep him locked up I think it's going to be a tough show to watch, as it will have the same issues with The Following - how is he staying one step ahead of setting up moves with no external communication. If they let him out (like they did in the hotel) or have him with some kind of advanced tracker under some kind of surveillance than he can at least plausibly communicate to the outside world.
Speculation:
The opening of the show made me think this was one you can't take too seriously. I thought it was a bit over the top to have the cliche 20 guns (or however many) trained on him in a circle on multiple levels. Sending 3 SUV's and a chopper for kicks to pickup an agent seemed just a bit overkill - a phonecall and a car would be less dramatic, but may have sufficed.
If they keep him locked up I think it's going to be a tough show to watch, as it will have the same issues with The Following - how is he staying one step ahead of setting up moves with no external communication. If they let him out (like they did in the hotel) or have him with some kind of advanced tracker under some kind of surveillance than he can at least plausibly communicate to the outside world.
Speculation:
Spoiler:
09-24-13 | 09:13 PM
#28
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
Reddington clearly set up the attack on the husband. He said as much to the terrorist. The choreography of the attack was umm, choreographed so that the blood would end up on a specific section of the rug to force Profiler to tear up the rug and find the box, insinuating that Reddington knew the box was there.
I like the show will be watching each week.
I like the show will be watching each week.
09-24-13 | 09:54 PM
#29
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
I really, really enjoyed this. The 20 minute intro was excellent and reminded me of a "24" intro.
09-25-13 | 02:02 AM
#30
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
I'm going to cross my fingers and hope it's not that simple. We know Reddington arranged the scene at her house so I'm going to assume the line about him being obsessed with her was intentionally told to her. Reddington seems to be a guy who plays things close to the vest and so it wouldn't make much sense for him to be that obvious to a criminal associate.
09-25-13 | 08:34 AM
#32
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
I had the feeling that Spader was thinking "how would Kevin Spacey play Hannibal Lecter" in developing his character.
I'll give it another shot, but not sure how long I'll last.
I'll give it another shot, but not sure how long I'll last.
09-25-13 | 08:52 AM
#33
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
kind of entertaining, but hitting the artery with the pen, then havinghim stiched up ni no time then he repels the side of the building? and the 4star hotel treatment.. all a stretch.
but still found it kind of entertaining, not sure I am sticking with it for the ful season but will give it another ep or two to see...
but still found it kind of entertaining, not sure I am sticking with it for the ful season but will give it another ep or two to see...
09-25-13 | 09:04 AM
#34
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
I really liked it up to the point where they set it up to be a procedural with his "blacklist". I'll watch it in hopes that they can do a good mix and not just be procedural every week.
09-25-13 | 11:17 AM
#35
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
I thought it was pretty good. Mainly highlighted by James Spader. Red Reddington is an interesting character. Kind of a mix of Hannibal Lecter and Alan Shore. I liked how Spader played him as being snarky and sarcastic like Alan Shore. BTW, if you haven't seen the trailer that I posted in post #1, don't watch it. It pretty much gives away every key plot point in the Pilot.
The action sequences, including the kidnapping sequence were pretty exciting and well directed. Kudos to Joe Carnahan. I wonder how much of this was actually shot in Washington DC.
As for Megan Boone as the female lead. I thought she was okay. I think the Elizabeth Keen character has room to grow.
I enjoyed this far more than the Pilot of Revolution, which aired in this timeslot last season. I noticed the showrunner of this is John Eisendrath. He was the showrunner for Alias & the later seasons of the original 90210. Hope that he and his writers keep it up for future installments.
I can tell that this show will be a little mix of procedural (finding the Blacklist people) with some character and long-term story arcs (Keen and Reddington's past). I think ratings-wise, this is going to do really well. Being episodic as opposed to serial is going to help it gain viewers throughout the year.
Going to call it right now:
Spoiler:
I was on the fence about even watching this. Watched Hostages first and I was pleasantly surprised by this. Better than Hostages.
09-26-13 | 06:13 AM
#36
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
Watched and enjoyed, will keep with it. Agree with DJ on all points, although I hope your spoiler isn't true since it was my same thought as well.
Also thought it reminded me of Alias. Good to know why.
Do we know if it has a full season order?
Also thought it reminded me of Alias. Good to know why.
Do we know if it has a full season order?
09-26-13 | 07:58 AM
#37
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
Really enjoyed this. Thought it moved along at a good speed for a pilot. As I said in the SHIELD threat, I wish the cast of this was in the cast of SHIELD. Much more likeable/talented.
09-26-13 | 09:55 AM
#38
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
09-26-13 | 12:30 PM
#39
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
Reddington left his wife and kid, right? I thought the FBI would have kept close tabs on them, unless he had an illegitimate child or something before that (I think he left them 23 years ago or something like that).
09-28-13 | 06:53 PM
#40
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
09-28-13 | 11:49 PM
#42
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
once the box was revealed, i cannot wait for Emily Thorne to cross over into some episodes.
Miss purple underpants/poor man's Olivia Wilde hand scar = infinity tattoo.
Miss purple underpants/poor man's Olivia Wilde hand scar = infinity tattoo.
09-29-13 | 12:06 AM
#43
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
I'm surprised at the mixed reactions here. I thought it was a breezy, enjoyable first hour. Sure, you can't think too hard about some of the plot twists, but Spader seems like the perfect guy in this role.
This probably ended up being my favorite pilot of the Fall season to date.
This probably ended up being my favorite pilot of the Fall season to date.
09-29-13 | 12:09 AM
#44
Thread Starter
DVD Talk God
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
Kiefer Sutherland was initially approached to play Reddington, but he passed on it.
I love Kiefer, but I think he would have been miscast playing Reddington. Spader was definitely the better choice.
I love Kiefer, but I think he would have been miscast playing Reddington. Spader was definitely the better choice.
09-29-13 | 12:12 AM
#45
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
Didn't watch the pilot because the preview looked incrediblly corny. Spaders dialogue was laughable. The Network drama is dead.
09-29-13 | 01:31 AM
#46
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Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
I couldn't hang. Two seconds after Spader tells them the guy they thought died six years ago just got off a plane, they already had footage on the screen and a 'latent fingerprint'. Whatever. Pass.
09-29-13 | 02:20 AM
#47
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
09-29-13 | 02:08 PM
#48
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
I'm surprised at the mixed reactions here. I thought it was a breezy, enjoyable first hour. Sure, you can't think too hard about some of the plot twists, but Spader seems like the perfect guy in this role.
This probably ended up being my favorite pilot of the Fall season to date.
This probably ended up being my favorite pilot of the Fall season to date.
09-30-13 | 08:45 AM
#49
DVD Talk Gold Edition
09-30-13 | 03:37 PM
#50
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: The Blacklist -- Series Premiere -- "Pilot" -- 9/23/13
I agree. This was a fun show. Some stuff unbelievable, but that's a good chunk of drama and action tv shows and films anyways. Def going to see what happens next. And the female lead is stunning, so that always helps.