"Run from me darlin'Run my good wife
Run from me darlin'
You'd better run for your life"
- "Run From Me" - Timber Timbre
On Monday, we tried our first "Live Discussion" for a TV show starting with The Blacklist episode - The Mombasa Cartel. I thought it went great and, so everyone knows ahead of time, we do plan on doing it again on Monday for episode seven. I will give more information regarding the "Live Discussion" at the bottom of this post for those of you who would like to participate, which I hope is all of you because it was a lot of fun.
The episode on Monday had some very interesting elements that made it a unique hour for The Blacklist. I particularly enjoyed the flashback portion and the extra bit of backstory gifted to us regarding everyone's favorite personal bodyguard, Dembe. He is a character we only see every so often and however scant, enjoy every minute we do get of him protecting the concierge of crime and his boss, Red.
Reddington convinces a reluctant Liz to take on this case as he obviously as an ulterior motive for doing so. He identifies the group of human traffickers as the Mombasa Cartel, responsible for a large number of poaching of endangered wildlife, which is why Liz was hesitant to bring this case to the Task Force as she states the FBI protect 'people'. It is clear by the end of the episode why Red wanted The Mombasa Cartel investigated as it hit close to home with someone he (and us fans) care deeply about - Dembe. The investigation, however, becomes increasingly more complex as the Task Force realizes that someone is 'poaching the poachers', as Liz put it at one point. A family from Sitka, Alaska have decided to take it upon themselves to track and kill members of The Mombasa Cartel.
I thought the episode was good in that it mixed varying plot points together very well. I loved that The Blacklist upped the creepiness of the hour to coincide with Halloween also. I'm sure most fans were only concerned with what Liz had behind the 'door' and the reveal, I'm afraid, was something most fans had expected anyway. I do, however, think it was perfect for the reveal to come at this point; if it had been too early it would not have had such an impact and too much later fans would have grown bored with the arc. The first story arc of the second season came to a conclusion on Monday night and now it's time to move on towards the Midseason Finale. Now that it's revealed what is behind Liz's 'door' The next set of episodes before the Winter break are going to be amazing, especially since we know that Liz can't hide the object of her secrecy forever and Red will eventually discover her reticence. I imagine it will be sooner rather than later, however, in the meantime, we will get some great story lines leading up to the break.
- "We're not buddies. I don't have buddies."
- "You plugged the hole, but the dam will fail"
Red to Liz
Music from the Episode
- "Run From Me" - Timber Timbre
Matthew Kincaid works on his newest work - Ressler wakes up in a cage, then is released for the hunt - Played a second time when Rosemary pours a bath - An injured Matthew returns to his mother as the FBI storms in.
- "Drifting Home To You" - Jody Brian Quartet
Ressler comes across the campfire with the corpses sitting around it.
- "Bang Bang (feat. Warrior Queen)" - Poirier
A guy masquerading as a room service attendant kills Joseph Batouala in the Cold Open of the episode.
- "Proud As We Are" - Daniel Martin Moore
Harold is given info on the Mombasa Cartel - Liz examines Rosemary's cabin as she finds Ressler's pill bottle - Red talks with his Zoe - Liz gives back Ressler's pills as Samar watches them from afar.
- I loved that Dembe's backstory was revealed. He is such a great character and a fan favorite. Red's speech to Perl at the end was incredible as we learned about Perl's involvement in Dembe's history. You can definitely sense the bond of brotherhood Red and Dembe share, which is more evident if you were to watch the episode over again, knowing what we know about the little boy 29 years ago that we saw in the Cold Open.
- Dembe Zuma - What a great name.
- The music in The Blacklist is always top notch and this episode is more proof. I loved that the song playing during the creepy wooded scenes with the Kincaid family was "Run From Me" by Timber Timbre. I also thought the song was fitting given what Liz has behind the 'door' based on the lyrics.
- Did you notice...When Navabi was telling the Task Force about folk remedies she mentions erectile dysfunction at the same time she looks at Amar. Amar's face and body movement after that was hilarious. Lol
- Did you notice...Liz's password to the 'door' is '7323'. Some words you can spell with those numbers - SCARED, FEARS, SCAR, SCAB, REDS, RED, BAD. There are tons more, but I thought those were the most interesting considering what was inside and who she tried most to keep it from.
- What will become of Ezra now that Liz called the cops on him? Will this bring unwanted attention to Red? Will Ezra be able to get out of prison? I liked his character and imagined we would have seen more of him throughout this season.
- Will Ressler be able to kick his addiction? I really want that story to conclude and have Ressler do something heroic after what he has been through.
- Red now has the list of all The Mombasa Cartel members (if you look closely, the list repeats about two-thirds of the way down, which I think is just a production error). What will he do with it now? Will it play into future episodes? I can see Red going after each one of them and taking them out for their transgressions.
- How long has Liz had that person (I don't want to spoil what she had behind the door until the next episode airs) locked up? I would love to see flashbacks about how that happened. 'When did it happen', 'How did it happen' and 'Who helped her' are a few questions we would like to know the answer to.
Thank you for checking out my Review everyone! I hope you all have a safe and a happy Halloween! Please comment below so we can discuss the episode and the closing of the first arc of the second season some more! Have a great weekend!
I disagree with this review, and this episode is one of my least favorite (maybe THE least favorite) Blacklist over the two seasons. The reason? The creepiness of the Stuffed People. I get that it makes a wonderful argument against hunting & killing of animals (Star Trek did a similar episode, around one species hunting another--intelligent species--for sport), but if I want to watch this type of graphic gross-out, I'd be a fan of Criminal Minds or Stalker--and I'm not.
ReplyDeleteThe creepiness aside, I liked that they finally let everyone know what we already knew: Tom was behind the door. Now, the question is: what info has Liz been able to get from him? Will Tom, out of gratitude for Liz spearing his life, work with Liz in her quest to find out about her life's mysteries--and help take down Berlin. And, my favorite "hope": will Gina Zanetakos reappear and become part of Liz's covert team?
Great review Geo! You always pick up on these little things like the code to the door, I hadn't even noticed that. This episode was a bit creepy but I was OK with that. Not the best episode of the season, but I'm eagery awaiting Monday's big episode. I just hope it doesn't disappoint but I don't think it will.
ReplyDeleteQuite a few number of fans, from what I have read, did not care for this episode either. I hope that because you didn't enjoy the episode that it dissuades you from enjoying most of my Review. I thought I had some pretty good points. Also, the 'creepy' part of the episode could have been left out of this episode as they were not the 'blacklisters'. The Kincaid family was hunting the 'blacklister' this week. It could have been left out, but I think they added it for the Halloween vibe.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the remaining episodes before the Winter break are better than this past Monday's.
Thanks Daniel! I appreciate that!
ReplyDeleteThe episode was a little too creepy for The Blacklist. To be honest, I enjoyed the season one blacklisters more than this season's so far. And Monday's episode should be great, I can't wait!
I don't think it was too creepy. I liked that we saw Dembe's back story. We all knew who was behind the door. Pretty good episode overall.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The season one blacklisters were stronger than what we have seen in season 2. Hopefully the two-parter that follows the fall finale will be just as awesome or even better than Anslo Garrick.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your interesting review. I am soooo ready for Ressler's addiction plotline to finish. Have been wondering where Liz got the fellow that was keeping guard over her secret dungeon and how she originally managed getting her prisoner there and medically attended to. It's funny how we love Dembe when he usually says only two words ( both often "Red") per episode. The creepy family in Alaska reminded me of another family from one of the most famous X-Files episodes about the inbred family that kept Moma under the bed.
ReplyDeleteLoved that you worked out all the words for the code LIz used. Your attention to detail is amazing. I hope they get through with the drug line story quickly, I want to see some heroic Ressler stuff too! Lol, I loved the part with Navambi and Aram. I really like her, she's a great addition to the team. The stuffed people were damn creepy! It was Halloween Night though, so it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteDembe's so cool. And I loved Red's speech at the end. I hope Ezra gets out okay...LIz is really giving it her all! Can't wait to see how she uses the person behind the door further.
Wish I could join in the live discussion! Time difference doesn't work out. Super excited for what's comping up. The midseason finale will probably be mind-blowing!!!
Thank you for the kind words!
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny that you said that about the X-Files. One of my good friends said the exact same thing. When we were doing the Live Discussion I thought of mentioning also.
Some of those questions I think will not get answered, sadly. Just my theory, I could be wrong, but it just seems like questions The Blacklist pushes to the side. I would love those questions answered however, just like you.
Thank you for the kind words! I really do appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteI like Navabi's character too! I would love to see a romantic relationship form between her and Aram, but something tells me she would break his heart. And I would like to see more scenes with Ezra, hopefully he gets out jail with Red's help.
The Live Discussion was fun, I wish you could participate. The timing was one of the factors we discussed when planning the post, but unfortunately something we couldn't get around.
OMG yeah, she would break poor Aram haha. I'd still like to see something though.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I could wake up early and live stream, but I have to watch with my family. They would feel bad lol.
You hit the nail on the. head: it is the creepy part of the episode that I can't get pass. I usually DVR each episode and watch over and over again--but this one I've erased.
ReplyDeleteBut, I'm still a solid fan of the show; and will read your reviews of other episodes that I don't find so distasteful.
For me, the whole episode was a great way to tell a story. Dembe has come to be the man he is from that awfull incident, it was a sad moment in his life but the beginning of another. He kind of had his revenge tho he didnt ask for it, the whole family of the guy that killed his family was killed in the end.
ReplyDeleteI kind of agree in the way that those guys were dealing the animal killers but then it was all part of their own agenda and it took the good out of it.
I liked the creepyness of it all, how that guy took the skin off and made his own "games", It was crazy and twisted and DAMN anyone that survives that hunting with all that crazy stuff involve will be forever damaged ( i'm looking at you Ressler).
Ressler always get the center of attention when they want to kill him in gruesome ways, first his friend and now this one playing the hunger games, only there was no supposed to be a survival.
It throw me off how easy it was for the guy to find what Liz was hidding after all her methodical process she was found out anyways.
That little comment was a comedy relief in teh episode, poor Aram he was like " WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT?"
Cant wait to see how Zoe is involve in all of his, is she Berlin's daugther or does she know something about her anyways. I cant wait.
Great review, man.
Agree that there will be lots of answers we will never get. Sometimes, the writers just skip the implausible details and march on with the story. On reflection, I think it is partly Dembe's steadfast loyalty to Red that makes us fond of him. ( And that he liked the color in Liz's kitchen)
ReplyDeleteGreat review again!
ReplyDeleteI di not pay attention to the code Liz entered, but....
seeing the numbers you caught it also spells out D-A-D! XD
Also another thing I caught was Liz's alias..
Elsa was the lioness in the classic 1966 animal rights film Born Free. Wonderful movie and the beginning of my love affair with the big cats and wildlife! It is very fitting since Elsa was a lion cub whose mom was killed. A little orphaned lioness raised by strangers... Sound familiar? XD
Lol, I love your last three lines...
ReplyDeleteThank you and awesome observations! I had no idea about the Elsa connection...I kept thinking about Frozen and thought there is no way I can make a logical connection from Liz to the Disney movie, Lol. That is an awesome connection you made.
And when I saw the code I went to see what words we could make and came up with dozens and not one of them was 'DAD', Lol how did I miss that? Thank you for catching it!
I'm really looking forward to the next story arc for the show, it's going to be really good I think.
Thanks Ron!
ReplyDeleteI love Aram and that little bit between him and Navabi was awesome! I wonder if they are going to have a little relationship between them or not?
Even though Dembe didn't ask for the revenge Red gave it to him nonetheless. I think it was necessary, Red couldn't let something like that go.
I agree some episodes are a little tougher to stomach watching over and over again. On average I watch each episode about 3 times. This one I only watched twice.
ReplyDeleteit surprised they didn't show more of hal ozsan he's a great actor and he barely got any lines
ReplyDeleteVery nice review. I especially liked this episode for a few reasons. The Tom reveal, while a little predictable, adds a new psychological level of twistedness that has future potential. The stuffed people storyline reminded me a lot of an XFiles episode. I wonder if it was supposed to be a Halloween nod to the show? And I appreciated learning Dembe's backstory. I've been curious about him for awhile. On a side note, I think I've been in Sitka before. It's an Alaskan cruise port.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, great review!
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a nod to the X-Files as well. I'm really glad they got the Tom reveal out of the way too