The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Anyone watching The Blacklist with James Spader?

Very interesting, no one is who they seem.

I've been watching it, I think it's been pretty good so far and I love James Spader :)

I watched the premiere. When Elizabeth stabbed Red in the carotid, it lost me. Red would have died from an attack like that, and it seemed so over the top. The Elizabeth character is just unbelievable. Spader is wonderful as Red, but the premise lost me.

The missus likes it very much, as she says, she'd watch James Spader read the telephone book. I haven't been able to get into it. I've watched a couple of times, but it kind of just leaves me cold.

I've watched them all and really enjoy the twists and turns, Still not sure about her husband!

This isn't a spoiler as it hasn't been revealed but I think Red is Elizabeth's father.

Donna wrote: "This isn't a spoiler as it hasn't been revealed but I think Red is Elizabeth's father."

I initially thought the same thing, now I'm not sure

And I agree with Denny - I'm really not sure about her husband.

And what was the big hint/threat by Red to the head FBI agent (can't remember his name at the moment)?

I'm with Donna. I believe Elizabeth is Red's daughter. As for hubby, is he Mr Goody Two Shoes? I don't think so.

I liked the series a lot at first, but it's becoming too unbelievable to me now. The whole timeline with the bomb last night was so off. And they seem to only send in two people to find the uber dangerous bad guys. One agent that keeps getting the crap kicked out of him, and the rookie woman. I love James Spader, but the laugh is also getting a little too contrived (though I think that's because I hear it every 5 minutes on the commercial.)

I used to think James Spader was the father. Still do most of the time. Hubby? I'm not sure. I'll keep watching it for sure, but hoping they dial it back a little so I'm not consistently bumped out of the plot.

Love the line about James Spader reading the phone book, but that alone would not make me watch. Other person in the house likes the series so we watch it. Most of the group I play mahjong with really likes the series but no one remembers the dog. The way they handle the dog (sometimes he is there and sometimes he is not, and never has to be fed or walked) drives me crazy. I was accused of taking the fun out of things. Okay, I do. Whose dog would not be right there when they are cleaning blood off the carpet, or at least poke a head out when people come in and plant cameras? Why have him there if he is not going to "be there"? Thanks for giving me a place to rant.
I do not think he is her father, but has some connection to her father.

Ah yes, the dog. It does seem to come in and out. Like it's just a plot device to make them seem normal.

I completely forgot about the dog!

Never heard of it. Where/when?

In the first episode Elizabeth and her husband have a dog, then you don't see the dog for awhile, then it was back for a bit but I think they should quietly drop the dog from the show as it just isn't believable now.

I think Donna is right. Just go on and pretend they never had a dog. Someone said Elizabeth is wearing a wig. Who knows anything about that?

I'm with Tracy on it being too unbelievable. I wanted to like it because of James Spader, one of my favorite actors.

Hi Linda, I said from the beginning it looks like Elizabeth is wearing a wig. There is just something off about her hair.

Donna wrote: "Hi Linda, I said from the beginning it looks like Elizabeth is wearing a wig. There is just something off about her hair."

My wife said the same thing, Donna. Great minds must think alike..

I love this show! I think it's well done and it doesn't bother me at all that it can be over the top-it keeps me on the edge of my seat! love james spader and the rest of the cast too.

I think red might be her father but not sure- I do believe that husband of hers is no good lol.

About the dog . . . besides Frazier, I can't think of another series that regularly features a pet. Maybe it's just too distracting to have one on the set - and they do tend to steal scenes. Red as the father just seems too obvious - maybe he's repaying a debt to her parents. The husband seems so innocent that he must be guilty of something. There's still something not quite right with this show. For one thing, the wide-eyed female lead isn't that good an actor. She doesn't make the character believable.

Agreed on all fronts. Although Lost had a pet as a recurring character.

I'm still having fun watching James Spader have fun being evil. I do wish they'd found a female lead old enough to drink legally, though. And the husband keeps reminding me of Daniel Radcliffe in the last Harry Potter film.

That's a good point, Lance. Spader needs a good female counterpart ---an enemy with whom he had an affair, for example. Now we need to examine actresses who could play the part. Sharon Stone has not been in any good movie lately. Perhaps we could recycle her and put her into good TV. Any other idea?

Marie-Jo wrote: "That's a good point, Lance. Spader needs a good female counterpart ---an enemy with whom he had an affair, for example. Now we need to examine actresses who could play the part. Sharon Stone has no..."

I like the Sharon Stone idea. But how do we tell the producers?

We could sign a petition. Some brilliant (and modest) Blacklist fans demand (but diplomatically so) that you hire Sharon Stone as the powerful, evil, love-to-hate Spader's mistress, etc.

Rene Russo.
Carla Gugino.
I'd say Vera Farmiga, but she's busy.

I like Rene Russo.

I love the Blacklist. My mother and I watch it together and she believes Lizzie is Red's daughter, but I think that is the simple answers

Well after last night's episode, so do I

I've been catching up on this...It has kept me interested but its missing something and I dont know what it is? I dont know if I really like the female lead or not? The addition of a strong female would help, I agree. I would even put in for Maria Belo or even (lol Sean Young's crazy ass)...or take a chance and play against type...dust off Debra Winger and put her in a smart, evil, villian role. Or Beverly D'Angelo...her voice wold be perfect for Spader. Since I'm waxing...have to say that the Stewmaker episode was the best yet...layered, creepy and the writing was brilliant.

I agree, don't really care for the female lead, but Spader is always irresistible! He's such a good bad guy

Don't care for the female lead either. I think they picked the wrong actress. They also picked the wrong costume and hair designer as far as she's concerned.

Her hair also was completely different between episode one and two...although that might be due to producers and focus groups....always meddling...when it just comes down to good writing and good acting

Hi

Yes like all of you here, I really enjoy the series and especially James Spader performance.

One of a string of good series at the moment, with Person Of Interest, Arrow, Nikita, Hawaii Five O, Chicago Fire, The Americans.

regards

Sean

Don't forget Boardwalk Empire, if you have HBO.

Marie-Jo wrote: "Don't forget Boardwalk Empire, if you have HBO."

What a great series!

The best show on T.V. It's just how I like my Mystery novels, leaving more questions than answers. I know we all get mad when they do it to us. Yet we grip onto our seats and can't wait until next weeks episode. This show gets a 10 out of 10 from me.

We watch it. It's one of our favorite new shows besides Almost Human. James Spader does excellent in it. I couldn't think if another actor that could play the role as well as he does.

I just watched the fall finally of The Blacklist. I thought Red was her father. So now the question is, Is he lying to her or not?

Love it... gets a little gritty and gruesome but just the right of sarcasm and Spader humor....
great casting
you won't be disappointed

We had a tough time suspending our disbelief, but have gotten into it. I guess once you accept the impossible, then you enjoy the plots. I can't decide if killing her father was in mercy or to keep him quiet. There are certainly implications of a connection.

Bill wrote: "The missus likes it very much, as she says, she'd watch James Spader read the telephone book. I haven't been able to get into it. I've watched a couple of times, but it kind of just leaves me cold."

About the phone book -- by far Lawrence Kudlow on CNBC is better.

Ll

I happen to love the blacklist, and enjoy every minute of it. does anyone know of any mystery authors that write in the same style of the show.

Sandi wrote: "We had a tough time suspending our disbelief, but have gotten into it. I guess once you accept the impossible, then you enjoy the plots. I can't decide if killing her father was in mercy or to keep..."

I have to agree with Sandi completely - we have come to love this series. Of course it is over the top; few tv shows are not. Looking forward to the new episode next week as I can't completely remember where it left off for the holidays.

waiting to see the Alchemist, the last chapter...I think the husband is a bad guy, let's see how he developes!!

Watched the Alchemist last night; really too much story for one show. I'm really confused about her husband. I felt like I had missed a show.

Hi

Love the Blacklist.

Great performance by James Spader.

regards

Sean

Donna wrote: "Anyone watching The Blacklist with James Spader?

Very interesting, no one is who they seem."
Love it still have whole season dvr