The story is developing, and that is very much appreciated but it was so great to see Spader given a wider array of emotions to work with this week. He was calm, manipulative, a bit maniacal on the phone with Park, and downright chilling at the end. It's a blast to watch him. As for Rakitin, that little pest is no more. This episode did feel closer to "The Blacklist" I know and love, but something was still off, and no, it's not Liz's continued absence. I get the feeling maybe we're supposed to be turning against Red, or at least more sympathetic towards Liz's endeavor but it's not working. Having the taskforce borderline pledge allegiance to Liz after the offscreen stunts she's pulled feels like a disservice to their chracters. And Ressler has had a way to get in touch with Liz this entire time? Give me a break, they've really dumbed him down and made him a super sap for her. So that stuff is frustrating, but the Red stuff is insanely compelling. Excellent work by the cast.
Review of Rakitin (No. 28)
