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The Blacklist - Ep 1.18 - Milton Bobbit - Review - 'Sleeping With The Enemy'

3 Apr 2014

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"Who, who are you really?
And where, where are you going?
I've got nothing left to prove
Cause I've got nothing left to lose
See me bare my teeth for you
Who, who are you?"
- Who Are You, Really? - Mikky Ekko

Red made it clear from the start of the season that Liz, and by extension 'the viewers', were not to believe anything Tom tells her with any certainty. Tom cannot be trusted is all Red gave us, but it was enough to make us scrupulously examine every word Tom spoke and every move he made. What we did not know was how it would unfold. We knew that Liz would find out, but how and what would her reaction be. The Blacklist does a very good job of telling a story while simultaneously giving up the secrets to the end game. The latest episode, Milton Bobbitt, continues the story of last week with Liz discovering Tom's secret identity. Liz, being as clever as she is, did not act on this new found information until she investigated further. She needed to find out more about her husband's history and what he is really after, but she was also a woman in love who needed to have her reaction after the startling revelation. In Milton Bobbit we saw her reaction and how bold she can get when she is betrayed by the only person she said she would ever need. Oh, and there was an interesting villain this week, but with the storyline between Liz and Tom being so fun to watch I barely paid any attention to Milton, waiting patiently for more scenes between our favorite couple. I have a feeling that the four remaining episodes will play out much the same way.

Number 135 on Red's blacklist is Milton Bobbitt, a.k.a. The Undertaker. The way Red describes the villain is that Milton is a 'broker of death' who convinces ordinary people to kill on his behalf through a process dubbed 'assassination by suicide'. Milton is a loner who works for an insurance company, which helps him search for his next victim. He locates people who have terminal illnesses and financial difficulties and offers to help their families after they have killed whoever he needs. The team apprehends one of the assassins Milton has hired to kill a pharmaceutical lobbyist and gets important information out of him while halting the attempt. Red, as usual, guides Liz to the pertinent questions she needs to ask herself about the case in order to get Milton. The team figures out what all the victims have in common and conclude that the insurance company where Milton is employed is the common denominator. Milton was involved in a clinical trial that went wrong run by Frederick Osborn. When they arrive Milton flees, but they remember he spends time at a nearby cemetery. At the cemetery, Ressler saves Osborn from Milton, but soon after Milton detonates the bomb he had strapped to his chest and perishes.

Throughout the episode Liz was mostly preoccupied with her situation with Tom. The scene where she loses it and smashes the plate with Tom's 'gluten-free' pancakes set to music was great. The music in this episode was incredible and The Blacklist continues to outdo themselves in that area, week after week. Just as Tom had his own wall with the information he was massing over the years about Liz and Red, Liz begins her own wall to gather all the things she knows about her double-agent husband. One of those things is Tom's supposed brother Craig whom we later learn is really a spy, named Christopher Maly, that works for the mysterious 'Berlin' like Tom and the recently departed, Jolene. Liz takes Tom up on his offer to renew their vows so she can invite his brother to the event and get some information. It seemed that both Liz and Tom were being blatantly obvious about what they know about each other when they were reading their respective vows. Tom's 'brother' says as much when he tells Tom he thinks Liz is on to him. I was glad when we saw Liz's inner cage fighter come out when she kicks the crap out Craig/Chris. She handcuffs him to the sink in his hotel bathroom waiting for Red and Dembe to arrive. Red eventually gets Chris to talk but he doesn't reveal much other than the similar employer he share with Tom. Whoever Berlin works for, however, must be something or someone to fear because Chris would rather leap to his death from his hotel window than suffer their wrath.

Liz, this episode, was as daring as I have ever seen her. She is definitely in a precarious position and she does anything to keep playing the part she has to with Tom. I thought she was a little lax when putting the key back under the lamp and not noticing Tom coming up right behind her. He didn't see much, if anything at all, but it's clear he knows that Liz is onto him. He then takes full advantage of that. Liz's resolve is deep and she will bring her 'A-game' to compete with Tom. I look forward to all their scenes together now that everything is no longer a secret. It truly makes every scene so intense and I hope the writers keep this arc going for as long as possible.
We know that Red was giving the FBI certain blacklisters so he could find Jolene easier, but now that she is gone what is he looking for? He doesn't say anything when Harold asks him what he was looking for when given time with Milton's victim list, which is typical for Red. Could he be looking for another spy, or possibly clues about his adversary or killed his family? He mentions to Liz he has other 'vulnerabilities', so, it's possible he was searching for them. We definitely need more information in this area. He also tells Liz that he has been monitoring Tom since he entered her life, but what has found out? He must know more than he is letting on. One thing that was confusing is that Liz thinks that Tom inserted himself into her life because of Red, but according to Tom and Jolene's conversation a few episodes back Red had nothing to with Tom seeking her out. Red must know that at least, right? He must know that Liz was Tom's main target.

The Blacklist has a penchant for revealing answers to mysteries in a quick and timely manner, much to the delight of many viewers, no doubt. It was not truly revealed on the show until a few episodes ago, but we knew from the first hour that Tom was not to be trusted. Clues about his nefarious nature were sprinkled throughout the season and, if you paid close enough attention, you could puzzle out that Red was right from the start and Liz needed to be more mindful of the man she married. What we don't know is how this 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' role that Liz and Tom are acting out will unfold and ultimately end. That is what I hope remains a secret, and a long one at that. I anticipate The Blacklist's prolific writers have a mammoth-sized cliffhanger waiting for us in four weeks to conclude the fast-paced first season but the story arc between Liz and Tom is such a good one that I hope it spans much longer than just this season. It would also be nice to not have any hints or reveals about how this dance between Liz and Tom will play out because that part of the story is too great to be spoiled. On this, it will be nice to be kept in the dark...until, of course, Red spoils something for us.

Thoughts and Questions

- In case you wanted to know, here is the list of the song titles and their artists from the episode, beside the one I quoted at the top -
I'm Sorry, But I'm Beginning To Hate Your Face by the Eagle Seagulls - This was funny because it was playing when Tom asked Liz to renew their vows.
Can't Pretend by Tom Odell
Keep in the Dark by the Temples

- I loved the scene where Red and Dembe were watching the three stooges, Lol.

- What is the key for that Tom hides under the lamp?

- Red continues to be hilarious and his scenes are always the best. His scene where he takes the glass with Chris's fingerprints to the Vlad, the scientist in the lab, was funny.

- Was there something to that red, carved, cinnabar egg that Red had on the plane? It was odd to me that it was just sitting on his tray table.

- Did you notice...When Red and Dembe take Chris to the museum there is something written on the wall as part of a piece. The name is Quirinus Kuhlman who was a German Baroque poet and mystic. Known for his travels throughout Europe, Kuhlmann spent the last years of his life in Russia, where he was executed because he was considered 'politically dangerous'.

- Who is Niki that Craig mentions in regard to Tom? And does Tom really have a brother in Chicago?

- Was Red being completely honest with Liz about how much he knows about Tom? I think he was but it's possible he was holding something back.

- What is it that Red is searching for when Harold lets him look through Milton's list of victims?

- One thing that was confusing is that Liz thinks that Tom inserted himself into her life because of Red, but according to Tom and Jolene's conversation a few episodes back Red had nothing to with Tom seeking her out. Jolene said that Red was not the target. So, what makes Liz so important.

- Who or what is Berlin?!?

Thank you for reading my Review. Please comment below so we can discuss the episode and show further!

About the Author - Geo N
My name is George and I am from Detroit, MI. My favorite shows are The Blacklist, Hell On Wheels, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, LOST, Sons Of Anarchy, Sleepy Hollow and countless other shows. When I'm not watching tons of TV, I enjoy reading, playing hockey, comic books, weightlifting, and writing. Thanks for checking out my post.

19 comments:

  1. Another awesome review George, thank you.

    And does Tom really have a brother in Chicago?

    I was wondering the same.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank You!



    I wonder if we should believe anything out of Chris/Craig's mouth. He didn't say much but still.


    The next episode sounds really interesting too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your reviews, top to bottom.

    The case wasn't that interesting, like you, I was eagerly waiting for the Liz/Tom/Red scenes. One thing that I find puzzling is that Red found Craig's true identity through some DNA from a glass, why can't he do that with Tom? Or is Tom's cover deeper that Craig's?

    Another thing, was it just me or did Chris look a little scared when he saw Red? I remember thinking Tom looked slighly scared too when he talked to Red outside the hospital. If that's the case, then why?

    Liz's reaction was perfect this episode, and I like the fact she didn't waste any time in investigating Tom. Not only does she need to find out the truth for herself, but if she's gonna take this to the FBI (maybe, maybe not), then she needs proof, and right now she has practically nothing.

    Oh, and one small thing, I loved the scene where Dembe asks Liz the color of the walls. Is the little things.

    I'm enjoying the way things are going, but I don't think this will last until next season, maybe by the end of this one they turn Tom into a double agent or something? I don't know, but I can't wait to find out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you so much Alyssa!

    I was wondering that about Toms DNA also, can't they find more info from doing that on him?

    I saw that in Chris's face too but didn't know what to make of it. I thought at first that it might be because he thought he was going to be tortured.

    I don't think she will take it to the FBI because she defended him the first time he went there and it would be a little embarrassing, don't you think? My guess is Red kills him and that will solidify what he's been saying to Liz all along, that he is there to protect her. Maybe....lol.

    Lol, that comment by Dembe was hilarious!

    ReplyDelete
  5. There 's a photo of Jolene on the board.Liz thinks
    she's missing.Why didn't Red tell Liz that Jolene is dead? He
    wants Liz to find out the truth herself?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very good observation!


    I wonder why Red didn't tell her Jolene is dead? Maybe they didn't think it relevant? Or maybe she didn't have that picture up there yet when Red came in and he didn't think about it?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very good observation!!

    I wonder why Red didn't tell her Jolene is dead? Maybe they didn't think it relevant? Or maybe she didn't have that picture up there yet when Red came in and he didn't think about it?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great review as always. Thanks fo the music list. I loved 'Sorry, I'm Beginning to Hate Your Face". It went really well with when Liz tore apart their house! Love how badass Liz was in this.


    Hmm good catch with the Liz/Red target thing. Her being the sole target makes things infinitely more interesting. I really want to know more about the fire. Something's made LIz special for a long time, and I'm dying to know why. Glad the writers can't pull a supernatural cop-out! This show is way to real and gritty for that.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you!


    Yeah that scene was interesting but they didn't dwell on it, it went by very quick. Liz seems to think that Red is the one that everyone is after. She, or Red I guess, doesn't realize that Liz is the important one. Not that Red isn't important...lol, you know what I mean.


    I would love to know more about that fire too. The writers have given us so little about that event, but I'm sure we will know more before the season is over.


    Here are my guesses for the finale cliffhanger...I have 3 of them, lol. (but I'm wrong a lot...so...)


    1. Red kills Tom to show Liz how much he loves/protects her
    2. Tom kidnaps Liz with Red looking on...helpless
    3. Tom's secret identity is discovered by all and out in the open but he escapes so next season he is out there lurking in the shadows wreaking havoc...or just in the shadows doing nothing...no havoc.


    I'm glad the writers can't take the Sci Fi/Supernatural route either. As much as I love Sci Fi this show is perfect without it. I haven't followed a show this attentively since LOST. It's really good.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The quick pace is fantastic. Haha yeah I know what you mean.

    Yeah the finale will definitely be Tom central. I bet it'll be a huge cliffhanger since they probably hadn't written the finale when it got renewed!

    I think 1 or 2 are more likely. Probably 2. I think Tom's going to go on the offensive! My sister's convinced that Ressler will save the day though. She loves him, so she's biased lol . I think Red will pull through in the no matter what. It'll be pretty cool if Tom takes Liz and not even Red can find her!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jon Bokenkamp is a genius, you are so right. Him and the writers really have a great story with The Blacklist. I can't wait for the next episode!


    Ressler saving the day seems likely as well but I have no idea what the Finale could or will entail.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Finale is going to be great, you're right! Lot's of Red and Aram (he is sooo funny) would be great too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. lol Aram is so under-appreciated...he's just as awesome and lets face it..computer are ALWAYS involved these days...so here's hoping he's a key player down the line:)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Haha yeah! Aram's great. I loved that bit a couple of episodes ago when he's calling Liz "Liz.... Ahem Agent Keen."

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think they'll get him more involved eventually. Liz trusts him quite a bit it seems. I'd like to see more of Meera too :) She's quite cool.

    I'm super happy to see the TV business casting people of different origins in more diverse roles, instead of stereotypical ones. I think Blacklist is especially good at not getting stuck in the usual storylines and clichés. They're surprising us constantly.

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  16. Very good point, The Blacklist is very good at that.

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  17. Yes, I hope he will be around for a while and possibly have his own standalone episode. That would be cool and very funny to have him and Red together for the whole time.

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  18. Fingers crossed that it keeps getting better. So far it is! I hope there's lots of of everyone in the finale. It's going to be great.

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  19. Does anyone know who the artist responsible for the installation in the museum was ?

    ReplyDelete

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