A Season of Surprises and Excitement
I have to admit, I am absolutely thrilled with how The Blacklist has evolved this season. The change in format had me hooked from the start, and my enthusiasm only grew as the season progressed. I knew the last couple of episodes would be intense, but I could never have anticipated the exhilarating rollercoaster ride that The Blacklist has taken us on.
This Week on The Blacklist
In the latest episodes of The Blacklist, plans come together and new ones are formed in the effort to exonerate Elizabeth. Reddington assembles a team consisting of Mr. Kaplan, Marvin Gerard, Dembe, Aram, Samar, and Harold Cooper to assist in his plan. Ressler guards Keen from the inevitable assassination attempt. Tom Keen finally brings Karakurt down into federal custody as the final chess piece is put into place.
Embracing Change and Fresh Perspectives
SPOILERS: I’m genuinely pleased that Elizabeth can’t be an agent, at least for the foreseeable future. Don’t get me wrong, I adore her character and don’t wish her any harm. However, the changes in the status quo have been working wonders for the show so far. The first eight episodes with Elizabeth on the run managed to maintain the show’s framework while still delivering a fresh and captivating story. So, I sincerely hope that Elizabeth doesn’t return to being an agent, as I believe the fresh perspective will keep things intriguing.
A Powerful Ensemble Takes Center Stage
One of the best aspects of this episode (and most of this season) is the strong use of ensemble. Season 2 became somewhat bogged down, focusing primarily on Liz, Tom, and Reddington. While they are fantastic characters, the rest of the cast was left with little to do. Season 3, particularly in “The Director” and “The Director: Conclusion”, has made excellent use of the ensemble. The show has delved into the previously one-dimensional characters like Aram (Amir Arison is phenomenal, by the way), Samar, Harold, Ressler, and even Dembe (you can never have enough Dembe), creating well-rounded, realistic characters. Several of these characters had entire Season 3 episodes dedicated to them, and that investment has paid off in these last few episodes. Watching this episode, I couldn’t help but marvel at how well-developed the ensemble has become.
Music That Enhances the Viewing Experience
The music on this show is simply fantastic. There are very few shows that make me look up songs just so I can download them later, but The Blacklist is one of them. There were several great tunes in “The Director: Conclusion”, but one stood out above the rest. Used in the opening sequence was Johnny Cash’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”. As each member of Reddington’s rag-tag little team arrived, the intensity of the scene was perfectly set by this song. It was a gritty, powerful tune that got me amped for the rest of the episode. This ability is so undervalued on television today, but when used properly, music can truly enhance your viewing experience.
Looking Forward to More Excitement
I am incredibly pleased with the direction that the show has taken, and I hope that it continues to break molds and exceed expectations. If the new shift in status quo is anything like the last one, we’re in for the most exciting ride yet.
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know!
The Blacklist airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC
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I love this article about Season 3, Episode 10. The scenes for the next ‘Blacklist’ makes viewers anxious to watch it. It also just hit me that the actress at court with Elizabeth Keen was the actress who played in ‘Unbreakable’ as Samuel Jackson’s mom. I knew I recognized her voice!