The Blacklist: Redemption premieres tonight, February 23rd, 10pm on NBC.
I’ve been watching The Blacklist throughout its (many) highs and lows. Currently in season four, the procedural format is growing stale, but there are still enough twists and turns to keep me interested. It helps that every episode leaves you with questions, keeping viewers tuned in for the following week.
Now NBC is airing a spin-off series, The Blacklist: Redemption. It follows a collection of the criminals we’ve seen on the main show seeking, well, redemption. Scottie Hargrave (Famke Janssen) will lead the elite mercenary crew. A bunch of minor characters will also be present, but the main focus will be on Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold).
As with any spinoff, you’re probably wondering if it’s necessary. Well, NBC has had much success with spinoffs in the past (the entire “Chicago-verse”) but that doesn’t guarantee a hit here. (It’s noteworthy that Redemption is being marketed as more “sexy, fun, and explosive” than The Blacklist. This could imply a wildly different tone.) In this case, with a shortened eight-episode season, I think this extra programming is justifiable.
I’ll definitely be watching if only to get some background on Tom. I’ve got lots of questions about his mysterious past. Tom is secretly Scottie’s long-lost son, and she has no idea. It will be exciting to watch that unfold.
TV and City 