Of course, one of the biggest differences between the first and second seasons is that there’s more focus on all the background machinations of the shadow government, as it’s also called in the series. While there are still the individual people from the blacklist, these seem to be fading further and further into the background. The Cabal, which seems to replace the Syndicate, and Fulcrum are at the center. However, the word “Syndicate” was used very rarely. I think they weren’t sure which direction the whole thing should develop. When David Strathairn appeared, that seemed to change, and they knew they would call this secret society Cabal.
I had previously mentioned that such series often feel like a reunion because many actors from other series come together. But also often actors who have played a certain role for a long time before. Then, like Peter Fonda or Ron Perlman, main actors from big Hollywood films also join, and we have another one with Lance Henriksen. However, he’s not a one-shot and appears more often, as Tom Keen’s instructor.
I found episode 15 a bit strange, because such recap episodes always give the impression of something that is to be ended. You’re used to something like that from the end of a season, but in the middle, it’s weird.
This whole story about Tom Keen is getting weirder and weirder, and the depiction of the German is terribly bad. I mean, his codename is Christof Mannheim. Seriously? Okay, I can still accept the tattoos to get into the scene, but they didn’t even bother to actually shoot a few settings in Germany. Yes, here and there you see license plates that would like to look like German license plates, but they don’t. Here and there few graffiti on a large garbage can and nameplates of bars and shops in German. Sorry, but if you still see typical fire escapes of American buildings in the background, then it all doesn’t really make sense. A little more research and a little more effort could definitely have been invested here, as well as in the language skills. Plus point for the fact that the actors actually speak German, but they could have given them a little more training. Or just take German actors directly, would have been even better. Just please don’t let them synchronize themselves, few can do that!
The highlight is then another firecracker when Elizabeth is forced to shoot Connolly, because he not only works for the Cabal, but also intends to smash the task force. Previously, it was announced that Elizabeth is responsible for the death of a senator because she carried a virus and transmitted it to him.
Yes, at the end of the second season, so much happens and also much bundled, what I would have liked to see a little distributed over the whole season, because here and there were a few lengths. You could now argue that these are certainly necessary to take a breath, but I’m of a different opinion. They could have made everything a little more fast-paced and exciting.
I’m also thinking all the time whether Amar and Samar will get together or whether that will fall by the wayside. I always find such connections quite exciting, because they could spread a nice message, namely that the slightly strange computer nerd doesn’t make such bad material as a partner, and that without bending him. Furthermore, I don’t want to strike into TBBT, they do that absolutely subterranean and unworthy, but you’re always so keen, also in such crime series like The Blacklist, to convey a message, especially in today’s Hollywood, you could do a little more on this track. Even if we’re talking about 2014-2015 here, you weren’t as concerned about something like that as you are today, it’s still not too much to ask!
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