The Blacklist 4x14 Thoughts
Feb. 23rd, 2017 01:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
iariaThe Architect (No. 104)
I actually liked the episode though this is mostly grumbly.
• I loved the return of Elise and her interactions with Aram. They were surprisingly fun together.
• Harold was unnecessarily harsh though I did like him calling Red on bringing up his daughter. And while what he said was not entirely untrue he also wasn’t completely right either. What particularly sticks out is ‘why those closest to you betray you’. I mean one of the things that’s always stuck out with Red is how much loyalty he inspires in others. The only betrayals I can think of off the top of my head are Grey (being blackmailed), Mr. Vargas (money?) and Mr. Kaplan (did it out of love and loyalty for Red). The last episode had Santos dying to give Red time to get away even though it was Red’s enemies that got his beloved wife murdered and put him in that situation. Red’s people tend to stay loyal. Red also seems to be generally well liked.
Red is alone (ignoring all those loyal people who welcome him with open arms, also Dembe) because that's how he chooses to be. Whether it's entirely out of practicality or because he's punishing himself or is afraid, or all of the above. Okay, and also because his business is dangerous and people keep dying. He's 'hunted' not because of his personality or selfishness but because he's a goddamn criminal.
It feels like the show is pushing this narrative of Red losing it this season and in a lot of ways it's working but this... nah. Harold's words clearly hit Red where it hurt but I don't agree with them.
• So who could have 'catastrophically compromised' Red and his business? The obvious suspects are Mr. Kaplan and Dembe but I just really don't buy. For one thing, they're too obvious. For another, I think they're both far too loyal to Red regardless of what's happened. Mr. Kaplan has reason to be angry but the last time we saw her she was defending him to her kidnapper. Dembe is Dembe and regardless of things he's said recently I will never buy him betraying Red. Finally, I really don't think either of them would be a part in killing the people around Red in order to punish him.
So who does that leave? An unknown enemy? Someone else in his empire? Or perhaps someone that connects him to Blacklist Redemption like maybe Tom's dad?
• It’s a slightly weird how little involved Liz has been in the cases during these last couple episodes. She got to go on a field trip with Ressler (fun) at the beginning but otherwise she’s been sticking to the Post Office. I wonder why? If she hadn’t gone undercover with the Harem I’d think they were purposefully keeping her close to base because of her notoriety and that would make sense... but no. She’s not even really doing much at the Post Office either. Idk, it’s weird to me.
• I didn’t really buy Aram rocket launching the Architect. Not that long ago he couldn’t bring himself to down a helicopter to save a lot more people and I don’t feel like the show has done enough to build up either any change in him or made this situation important enough that I could see him taking this step.
• Well Isabella Stone was rather disappointing considering a) how far up the list she was, and b) how scared Red was when he learned she was behind everything. I'm honestly surprised that he gave her back to the FBI considering that she killed several people he really cared for and hurt his reputation so badly. She should by rights be dead by his hand. Is he that worried about his relationship with Harold and the FBI?
• Why is Tom trusting Red's word here considering he doesn't actually trust Red?
I actually liked the episode though this is mostly grumbly.
• I loved the return of Elise and her interactions with Aram. They were surprisingly fun together.
• Harold was unnecessarily harsh though I did like him calling Red on bringing up his daughter. And while what he said was not entirely untrue he also wasn’t completely right either. What particularly sticks out is ‘why those closest to you betray you’. I mean one of the things that’s always stuck out with Red is how much loyalty he inspires in others. The only betrayals I can think of off the top of my head are Grey (being blackmailed), Mr. Vargas (money?) and Mr. Kaplan (did it out of love and loyalty for Red). The last episode had Santos dying to give Red time to get away even though it was Red’s enemies that got his beloved wife murdered and put him in that situation. Red’s people tend to stay loyal. Red also seems to be generally well liked.
Red is alone (ignoring all those loyal people who welcome him with open arms, also Dembe) because that's how he chooses to be. Whether it's entirely out of practicality or because he's punishing himself or is afraid, or all of the above. Okay, and also because his business is dangerous and people keep dying. He's 'hunted' not because of his personality or selfishness but because he's a goddamn criminal.
It feels like the show is pushing this narrative of Red losing it this season and in a lot of ways it's working but this... nah. Harold's words clearly hit Red where it hurt but I don't agree with them.
• So who could have 'catastrophically compromised' Red and his business? The obvious suspects are Mr. Kaplan and Dembe but I just really don't buy. For one thing, they're too obvious. For another, I think they're both far too loyal to Red regardless of what's happened. Mr. Kaplan has reason to be angry but the last time we saw her she was defending him to her kidnapper. Dembe is Dembe and regardless of things he's said recently I will never buy him betraying Red. Finally, I really don't think either of them would be a part in killing the people around Red in order to punish him.
So who does that leave? An unknown enemy? Someone else in his empire? Or perhaps someone that connects him to Blacklist Redemption like maybe Tom's dad?
• It’s a slightly weird how little involved Liz has been in the cases during these last couple episodes. She got to go on a field trip with Ressler (fun) at the beginning but otherwise she’s been sticking to the Post Office. I wonder why? If she hadn’t gone undercover with the Harem I’d think they were purposefully keeping her close to base because of her notoriety and that would make sense... but no. She’s not even really doing much at the Post Office either. Idk, it’s weird to me.
• I didn’t really buy Aram rocket launching the Architect. Not that long ago he couldn’t bring himself to down a helicopter to save a lot more people and I don’t feel like the show has done enough to build up either any change in him or made this situation important enough that I could see him taking this step.
• Well Isabella Stone was rather disappointing considering a) how far up the list she was, and b) how scared Red was when he learned she was behind everything. I'm honestly surprised that he gave her back to the FBI considering that she killed several people he really cared for and hurt his reputation so badly. She should by rights be dead by his hand. Is he that worried about his relationship with Harold and the FBI?
• Why is Tom trusting Red's word here considering he doesn't actually trust Red?
