The Blacklist | In the action packed follow-up to the previous episode’s major cliffhanger; Liz, Dembe and others scrambled to save a wounded Red. In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, “The Fulcrum” was finally unveiled along with Red’s secret lair and the truth behind his employment of Tom. “The Blacklist” showed signs of reinvigorated life in its return.


It’s no secret that the show has been in a bit of a sophomore slump and it showed massive strides in turning that around for its last batch of episodes. There was definitive forward momentum in the overall arc of Liz and Red’s connection and the evidence continued to point to him being her father. Clearly this is the most obvious reason and it’s the only logical one that really works.

Why else would a man like Red go to the lengths he has to protect Liz? Why would he keep a high school picture of her? How would he have a picture of her as a kid with a mystery woman? Why would he hire a man like Tom to protect her 24/7 and then fire him when he got intimate with Liz? That is a total dad move. Why the show is playing possum with revealing it, is befuddling. They won’t be losing anything story wise. Exploring who her mother is and why he’s kept his distance, only to draw her back into his life when she’s a grown adult, still leaves a lot of story to be told. 

Side Notes/Burning Questions: The reveal of the mole was predictable and a letdown. They were the most likely suspect to begin with. Tom’s speech to Red was very telling and a positive sign for a Liz/Tom reunion. Red holding off baddies in spite of his condition was classic Red, fearlessly bad ass.

The Vampire Diaries | Elena’s facial expression when Damon said he would take the cure with her was one of the most confusing mixed signals in the history of “Vampire Diaries”. It was a blend of surprise, hesitation, repulsion and ‘how can I keep this from happening?’ Nina Dobrev’s exit story is clearly in full swing and with Elena complaining more than usual about no longer being human it seems that exit will include fulfilling her long held wish.

The issue with that is if Elena were alive and human, there’s no real reason she wouldn’t remain in Mystic Falls. So she’ll either die or inexplicably leave town to hang out with Jeremy for a while and never be discussed again a la Peyton on “One Tree Hill”. The most interesting thing that could come from this storyline would be Damon actually becoming human and playing with a different side of his personality. It would also give Ian Somerhalder something to play besides Damon’s one-note angst.  

Side Notes/Burning Questions: Why didn’t Elena, a pre-med student with an ample history of vampires who’ve turned off their humanity switch, make a copy of Caroline’s mom’s letter? Why couldn’t Stefan reveal his humanity switch had turned back on before he burnt up the letter? It was so nice to see Bonnie standing up to Damon. It’s about time she fought for her own happiness. 

Reign | While he began the episode framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Conde was eventually revealed for what he really is, a royal opportunist. Mary won’t be able to sweep his latest deed under the rug and Francis’ spot on analysis of Conde’s taking advantage of her, should rattle her resolve. Why Mary feels she owes a low life like Conde any loyalty is gob smacking.

The guy is guilty of everything Francis accused him of and his comeuppance cannot come soon enough. It was great to see Catherine springing into action to draw justice closer and by episode’s end he seemed to be cornered. As for Mary, only a sharp rebuke of Conde and a complete withdrawal of her feelings can save what remains of her character. There is definitely a willingness to sympathize with her as a victim of his manipulations. However, only when she admits what Conde’s done to her, will her redemption come into play. 

Side Notes/Burning Questions: Lola and Narcisse’s chemistry continues to be a refreshing sight. Nonetheless, Catherine and Narcisse are a perfect match given their penchant for the diabolical. Has Bash really moved on or is he trying to make Kenna jealous? Despite Bash’s bravery and heroic rescue of kids, Kenna was still making eyes at another man, sigh.

Vikings | The most shocking revelation of the season finale was how upsetting the thought of the series without Ragnar was. It wasn't until thinking he was really gone that the true magnitude of his impact on the show really hit home. Michael Hirst has created a vastly complex character. Ragnar isn't your run of the mill protagonist or antagonist. He's conniving, ruthless, predatory and capable of a brutality that is startling.

On the flip side, he's shown a capacity for forgiveness with his willingness to give his brother several second chances and he's a pretty loving father. He's a higher evolved character, impossible to categorize as either a hero or a villain. He's a survivor that has the ambition to go further than just hanging on by his fingernails. He's a thrive-r, a thriving survivor working to enrich his and his people's quality of life through whatever suffering he believes needs bearing. 

Earlier this season Ecbert asked whether he was a good man to which he replied "yes". When asked whether he was a corrupt man, a sly glint crept into his eye as he answered "yes". Clearly, those two answers don’t go hand in hand but for a split second, Ragnar's genuine belief that they could co-exist made one do a double take, his confidence almost selling the mirage.

As well-written as the character is, actor Travis Fimmel has ripped Ragnar off the pages with a performance that constantly keeps you guessing. He embodies him with a wickedness that is unnerving and a compassion that is disconcerting in its sincerity. It's a daring portrayal that breaks the mold of what one would expect when thinking of a stereotypical Viking warrior and that's what gives the show a great deal of its edge.

Even after three seasons of watching this character do the most horrible things, you can't help hoping he'll somehow find redemption or an evolved level of humanity. "Vikings" wouldn't be "Vikings" without him and thankfully fans won't have to find that out through experience.

Arrow | In order to save Thea’s life, Oliver relented to Ra’s Al Guhl’s demands, joining the League of Assassins as Ra’s eventual successor. Of course, there were arguments attempting to dissuade him and he continued regardless. The issue with any of this is that Oliver at no point considered taking out the League of Assassins with a sneak attack or bait and switch tactic. This is a coven of ruthless killers who do nothing positive for the world; who knows if the “justice” they delve out is truly that. Not to mention they pose a global threat, as opposed to the isolated instances Team Arrow focuses on in Starling City.

Let’s move on to the relationship portion of the episode. Why Felicity? Why? Perhaps the better question is how could Felicity choose Oliver over Ray? The choice was sadly inevitable given Ray is headed for the big spin-off in the sky and since reports haven’t placed Felicity in the cards to join him; her decision was pretty much a foregone conclusion. It didn’t make the bitter taste of her decision any less sour. Ray continued to prove he was the bigger person, still loaning his private jet to Oliver and company so they could fly to Ra’s Al Guhl’s hangout and revive Thea, Lazarus-style.

Felicity and Oliver’s hook-up felt rushed and not just the events leading up to it. Their tryst lasted .5 seconds before Oliver was recounting his latest flashback. Why would sleeping with Felicity enact flashback mode? Speaking of the flashbacks, they have grown more and more tedious, dragging the show’s momentum down exponentially. They have always been the series’ weakest link as they add absolutely nothing to the current narrative. There is enough story material going on in the present without having to weigh the proceedings down with these thankless plot points on the past.

Side Notes/Burning Questions: Can Olicity's "will they/won’t they" flirtation actually sustain a full blown relationship? Will Oliver ever stop having flashbacks at the most inopportune moments? Why did no one discuss the bizarre sight of Thea leaping from the Lazarus Jacuzzi? The show captured the anguished dread of having to leave Oliver behind with a sentimentality that didn’t completely overdo it.