The Blacklist: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 500 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 500 Ratings

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The Blacklist

Now Playing: The Blacklist

Season Details & Credits

NBC | Season Premiere Date: September 23, 2013

Starring: Parminder Nagra, Harry J. Lennix, James Spader

Summary: One of the FBI's most wanted criminals, Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader), offers to turns himself in to help catch a presumed-dead terrorist, but only if he is partnered with newly graduated profiler, Liz Keen (Megan Boone).

Creator: Jon Bokenkamp

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

7.8
S1:E22. Berlin: Conclusion
Air Date: May 12, 2014
tbd
S1:E21. Berlin
Air Date: May 5, 2014
7.8
S1:E20. The Kingmaker
Air Date: April 28, 2014

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Metascore

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Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

David Wiegand

Sep 19, 2013

You think you know this situation and how it will turn out, but there are surprise, yet entirely credible, twists throughout Monday's episode. Read full review

Jeff Jensen

Oct 9, 2013

Here and now, The Blacklist is top-of-the-list escapism. Read full review

Matt Zoller Seitz

Sep 23, 2013

It's probably a mite too ridiculous for the dire tone it sometimes affects, but it's confident, verging on brazen, and one tends to respect that quality in entertainment. Read full review

Mark A. Perigard

Sep 22, 2013

Blacklist doesn’t have the pulse, say, of a '24,' but it races in the right direction. Read full review

Tom Gliatto

Oct 11, 2013

[A] pleasurable, cheeky new crime drama. [21 Oct 2013, p.47]

Maureen Ryan

Sep 23, 2013

The Blacklist is never going to be anyone's idea of great art, but at least it has a pulpy kind of momentum that may well be worth watching for a while; I will stick around to see whether Spader's performance really is the only dish on the menu. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Sep 19, 2013

The pilot episode is stylish and swiftly paced, but that’s all it is, and despite some intriguing plot twists, there’s not a lot of motivation to keep coming back. Read full review

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User Score

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7.8

User Reviews

Xyled777

Nov 28, 2013

Definitely a great show to watch! I was very skeptical with the same ol same, woman cop as the lead role, but James Spayder adds the much needed intrigue, witty dialog and awesome acting to move this series to the top.
The fam and I are soon to be long time fans of this one.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

BrandonBD85

Feb 21, 2016

This show has crept into my top 10 as i have watched it more and more. Not since 24 i have i seen a show that keeps you watching as well as The Blacklist. I am sorry to the people who feel this show is "unrealistic". 80% of the most popular shows and movies are not actually possible. GetThis show has crept into my top 10 as i have watched it more and more. Not since 24 i have i seen a show that keeps you watching as well as The Blacklist. I am sorry to the people who feel this show is "unrealistic". 80% of the most popular shows and movies are not actually possible. Get over yourselves.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

joef123

Sep 28, 2013

The Blacklist is an amazing, intense, well-acted, well-written, and well-directed. James Spader and the female lead (I forgot her name) are amazing together. I highly recommend this show

9 of 17 users found this helpful98

seventhseal

Sep 23, 2014

Spader is simply brilliant. The series on a whole is very good, albeit there are some episodes which would have been improved by simply not airing. I feel 22 episodes is too many for a TV series. Why air so many, surely less is more?

Overall I would highly recommend this series, it isSpader is simply brilliant. The series on a whole is very good, albeit there are some episodes which would have been improved by simply not airing. I feel 22 episodes is too many for a TV series. Why air so many, surely less is more?

Overall I would highly recommend this series, it is clever and fresh and with strong script and Spader is just too good not to watch this series.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

diogomendes

May 18, 2014

Jesus Christ! James Spader performance in this show is incredible. While the effects could been better, 'The Blacklist' still offers an entertainment, likeable and awesome TV serie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

missinglink123

Mar 1, 2016

I like the show. However, it is really hard to watch because half of each episode is filmed so the screen is so dark you can't see what's going on. It doesn't enhance the viewer experience, Every time the screen goes dark, I just think, whats going on now, because I can't see anythingI like the show. However, it is really hard to watch because half of each episode is filmed so the screen is so dark you can't see what's going on. It doesn't enhance the viewer experience, Every time the screen goes dark, I just think, whats going on now, because I can't see anything that is happening. I hate directors that think this enhances or experience as viewers, IT DOES NOT!!! Film it so we can actually see what is going on.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

tellmewhy

Mar 12, 2018

Blacklist goes politically correct this season with disparaging remarks from Reddington about the wall, Trump's wall, and other little liberal digs against the President of the United States. This isn't what I've been watching this show for, not that I'll ever watch it again.

The Blacklist: Season 1

Season 1 Episodes

Seasons & Episodes