The Blacklist - Season 1 follows a blacklist of politician mobsters, spies and international terrorists. Now watch how the world’s most-wanted criminal mysteriously turns himself in and offers to give up everyone he has ever worked with.
Spader is amusingly smug and hammy, as he manipulates the FBI honchos, Keen, and the criminals who think he's on their team. Even so, there is nothing in the pilot that makes me eager to return.
Neither The Blacklist, nor its star, James Spader, are taking themselves too seriously, thankfully, which makes the show that much more of a pleasure to watch.
Portraying a brilliant criminal mastermind who opens the drama by turning himself in to the FBI, demanding the presence of a specific rookie agent, he (Spader) is effortlessly captivating.
The Blacklist is never going to be anyone's idea of great art, but at least it has a pulpy kind of momentum that may well be worth watching for a while; I will stick around to see whether Spader's performance really is the only dish on the menu.
Yes, it's a preposterous premise, and Boone as well as the character she plays are in over their heads, but if NBC is willing to spend money to make this formula work, it could have a hit on its hands.
