The Blacklist (TV Series) The Major (No. 75) (2015) User Reviews

A Clip Show with "The Show Up Til Now" exposition

[marydavis-424-614505 · 7/10 · 30 May 2016]

Exposition is the bane of writers. And especially in television, you want to show not tell but sometimes you just have to do it. So, if you have watched every episode you can probably skip this one. But you will miss John Finn as the voice of reason, a characterization which he has perfected. We are shown Tom Keen's origin story, but I'm betting it gets recapped in other episodes so you will learn about it.

The German scenario provided entertaining action and fun macho posturing.

Dembe steps up and challenges Red to do the right thing. That caught me by surprise and it added a whole new level to him.

Weak sauce

[nycweboy1 · 6/10 · 11 February 2021]

A fairly lazy clip show (cue "Memories" and a video album of Tom Keen) interspersed with slow moving plot developments. Sets up a lot of revelations (in "Tom Keen"), but awfully slow going.

Where is The Major?

[ZegMaarJus · 8/10 · 14 July 2020]

This episode begins with a flashback from New York 1994, we see that Tom's previous name or real name is Jacob. Cooper confronts Liz with the case she is linked in. Liz is on trial for the murder on Eugens Ames today. The new name on The Blacklist is The Major. The task force ubducted Minister Krishnan. Liz is at a hearing at the courtyard, we see flashbacks from the first episode for example the first scene of Liz and Red together. Red has a meeting with Minister Krishnan Mahmoud, Red wants to know where The Major is. Liz says to the judge that Tom is dead. Liz looks back on cases Reddington gave to the task force. We see a overview of all the cases so far. A man got shot down in Germany. Red pays Bill a visit, the man from the flashback in the first scene. Dembe wants that Red tells everything about Ton to Liz. Wilcox found evidence against Liz. Really great episode of The Blacklist Season 2, a overview of the cases so far is a interesting twist on the series the episode was not full of action but it was a solid episode again.

Incredible synopsis episode

[yazyab · 10/10 · 23 June 2020]

Watching this episode 5 years after it was released, it feels well made and has stood the test of time. The episode focuses on the entire story so far and does so without hiding any of the important details. The episode puts the viewer in the drivers seat for the mid season point. The loop back to the origins of the entire blacklist is a thrilling show and should be seen by all..

The best episode (no spoiler)

[fabianlightangel · 10/10 · 2 November 2016]

This episode is huge. Deep words some people don't recognize, deep emotions emerge spontaneously, the protection of agent Elisabeth, the greatness of the judge. The power and intelligent of the attorney general. The loyalty of assistant director. The romantic sacrifice in the name of denial love of both parties who were some kind of enemies. The parenthood of Mr. Redington for agent Kim . This episode is perfect simple and most wanted from the audience feelings. The happy sad ending yet Mr. Ridengton described through the mirror represented to him by agent Kim. The writers of the dialogues are geniuses regardless to the plot which moved smoothly and simply to the eminent result.

10/10 for simple plot with complex clever dialogues and for the personification.

Waste

[dirtylemons · 2/10 · 13 March 2015]

Season two started off so well, and when I saw the writers knock it out of the park with 'The Decemberist' and the 'Luther Braxton' episodes, I could hardly wait to see where the rest of the season would go. How my expectations have fallen....

After 'Luther Braxton: Conclusion', we received what is, in my opinion, the worst episode of the series to date, namely 'Ruslan Denisov.' Since then, we've had some good, but not great, episodes, and now this. 'The Major' is really only a partial episode, largely punctuated by quick clips of previous episodes, sometimes set to a song. It really brings down the tension from the modern story line, and it's abundantly obvious that this was done to stretch plot points. Judging by the preview for the next episode, we would have greatly benefited from having the two episodes merged as one.

The real shame of it is that the premise really is interesting. Certainly much more interesting than Ruslan Denisov and the Kenyon Family. A well-meaning detective going after Keen for the murder of an innocent man. His good intentions threatening to expose the Bureau's entire deal with Reddington. Said murder victim was executed by 'Tom Keen', Elizabeth's sort-of husband. And Tom's story is coming to the forefront, more interesting than it's ever been. If only the writers had kept the focus on these elements, instead of prolonging Elizabeth's interview with the judge to a ridiculous length.

For the record, I have no problem with a network series having 20+ episodes, but at the same time, I can not stress this enough: If you are going to have that many episodes, then they all need to maintain quality. Clearly, this is a series capable of grand things. But episodes like 'Ruslan Denisov' and 'The Major' are signs of a series that isn't even trying.

Just how dumb do the writers think we are?

[dubzau · 1/10 · 25 March 2015]

Other reviews have said most of what I think about this episode so I'll keep it brief. Agent Keen often comes across as a bungling idiot, but her interview with the judge took this to extremes not yet seen in the series. It was like she was confessing her sins to a priest. Sure, just spill your guts to some judge, who for all you know could be part of the massive conspiracy that the show has been all about! And do it with a stenographer in the room taking notes, coz I'm sure she's bound to have a Top Secret security clearance and her notes will be locked away in a super secure safe, and she isn't also part of said conspiracy! Beyond absurd. Before this episode I said I'd give it one more chance. That's it. I'll miss James Spader, but no more for me!

It's a Clip show.

[phydeauxfilms · 2/10 · 13 March 2015]

I like this show. (Not this episode.)

It's not very believable.

It's not well written.

It won't get rid of that horrible husband Tom plot. Ugh, it's so bad, just kill him already.

But James Spader is awesome. Such a great... is there a word that means both villain and hero?... I bet the Germans have a word for it.

Anyway, this episode was just a bad clip show like they used to do with sitcoms from the 80's, and done in a stupid way. Why would they have a stenographer in the room when she is going over highly classified intel with the judge? Seems kinda dumb. Also clip shows are dumb in a day where we can binge watch the previous seasons of almost any show to catch up.

No More Clip Shows!

Worst episode so far

[nfire-29741 · 1/10 · 7 December 2020]

Usually have to overlook the "they wouldn't do it that way" things because it's TV. This one was so absurd it was laughable and we couldn't even enjoy the show.

Tons of reruns to repeat everything we already know..

I have enjoyed this series, but this episode was SO BAD, I am wondering if it can recover.

Very bad writing!

[clhooks · 1/10 · 7 April 2020]

Who on earth wrote this episode? Even Lizzy is too bright to tell some judge with a stenographer at his side her entire top secret career. Oh, yes, and all about her "husband". The judge asks her the most ridiculous questions. I really have enjoyed the series, but after this ridiculous episode, I'm not so sure I'll watch any more.

I really hate synopsis episodes.

[jexus12 · 4/10 · 16 August 2019]

Mostly everything has been said about this episode: it is lazy, it is boring, and the writing is unquestionably dumb. I'm giving it 4 stars due to the fact that I'd rate it a solid 8 based on the half that isn't a thinly veiled synopsis, which deserves nothing.

So disappointing its angering

[lettijoy · 1/10 · 26 December 2015]

This episode was enough to put a permanent rift in my relationship with this series. I am a huge fan of James Spader and have loved mostly everything about the show up until this point. However, in this episode there is a horrible mix of Agent Keane's inability to control herself, a ridiculously unrealistic plot line, and, as was said before, numerous clips from previous episodes. It seems as though the best the writers can do is use old episodes and an indictment against agent Keane to give her the psych session that she desperately needs in the most boring, unrealistic, and frustrating way possible. Furthermore, more than half the episode was either old material or material repeated throughout the episode itself, such as "believe me" and "I told you I didn't kill him" and the judge deciding he should have clearance that in reality would have never been allowed. I will watch the following episode just because I am a fan of James Spader and hope to enjoy the series again eventually, however after this episode I am very tempted to just stop altogether. Suspense is good, drama is good, and of course sometimes the content will be unrealistic, I mean, it's a TV show, but we're not a stupid audience, and having one less episode in this season would have been much better than putting this episode on the air.

A Major turd, worst episode to date.

[seedvisions-75373 · 1/10 · 19 March 2015]

What a waste of time.

A Major turd.

Worst episode to date.

Episode 16 likely to be just as bad.

I really like the show.

The 1st season was great.

The 2nd got off to a good start.

Then started going downhill.

I could not believe how much rerun in the Major.

I may consider switching off if this type of rerun continues.

Not recommending this episode

[A_Different_Drummer · 5/10 · 24 June 2015]

The same way that Boone's character in this episode has to "narrate" her story to the 'judge' I will present this review as if it were testimony and let the reader be the judge: 1. This reviewer is a huge fan of the series. My many reviews of single episodes, most rated a 9 or 10 confirm this.

2. This episode is one of those "recycled footage" episodes that you often see when (a) a show is a hit and the producers want to educate brand-new viewers about the core story and (b) the reviewers believe they can accomplish their first objective by recycling footage from earlier episodes, thereby saving a bundle on the cost of the episode. This effectively puts 'cash in the bank' which can be used to enhance a coming episode (make it better) or alternatively if the producers were over-budget on their year's shooting, the savings here puts them even again.

3. Because of the constraints explained above, these episodes invariably lack the look and feel the normal episodes of the series.

4. This "recycled footage' episode is especially annoying because it contains a plot twist that is supposed to shock the viewer but if you watch a lot of TV you probably saw it coming anyway.

Bottom line: this is a great series, one of the best ever. You can enjoy it without watching this episode,

Terrible episode

[billcronin · 1/10 · 27 February 2021]

Filler episode. Recap of old episodes. Skip it and you'll thank me later. Nothing new. Lazy writing. The plot has been incredibly unrealistic recently, but damn, this is getting stupid. The judge does not have security clearance to discuss classified cases, move along, nothing can come from any of this dialog.

Filler episode

[cmwollen · 1/10 · 3 January 2021]

No character development

No advancement of a story arc

Waste of an episode

Pointless - Really just a recap of the Series so far

[harrys-00730 · 2/10 · 12 April 2020]

Great if you havent watched any of the previous episodes, but having binged watched the first series, this episode was just waste of my time, couldnt wait till it was over. Watched it hoping it was gonna reveal something new but left me more frustated. Agent Keen explaining everything to Judge simply didnt seem logical. i mean after what shes seen in all the previous episodes why would you spill your guts out without knowing that he wasnt working for someone on the Blacklist. I havent watched the next episode yet so previous statement cant be a spoiler but either way it doesnt make sense. Best advice i can give is skip episode 15 and jump from 14 straight to 16.

Update , have now watched all of season 1 & 2 and this episode id definately the worst of all the episodes in those seasons. Apart from this episode its a Great show.

request to writer

[bilal_riaz40 · 2/10 · 30 April 2020]

Can writer please come online and tell me what wisdom behind lizzy opens up her life security interests infront of judge???

Worst Episode of the first two seasons

[jftomhawaii · 1/10 · 4 October 2015]

Luckily I'm watching this entire series on Netflix so I can fast forward through episodes on a whim or skip them entirely. This episode is the first I'm not even willing to fast forwarding through; sure there may be actual plot points that could be meaningful in the future episodes but with at least 8 more to go in Season 2 I'm cutting my losses clean. Unless Netflix includes a feature to filter through idiotic plot lines that add nothing but more contained hate for that piece of turd Michael Kostoff I'm not watching the rest of this episode.

Let's face it, the writers seem to be at a loss for spacing. It occurs throughout the first season with the "Tom is innocent" theme that was probably the easiest thing to overlook if you actually had common sense. They extended that for far too long. Now, the innocent harbor master being murdered story. I'm sorry, but unless this harbor master turns out to be a member of Cabal or Dembe's father or something I fail to see how this is advancing the plot with Judge Denner fighting for "justice" yet providing little or no justice to Elizabeth Keen. The whole episode is a legal quagmire. I should be feeling bad for Detective Wilcox but they struggle between making him a likable character or a pompous loser. I'm cheering for him and Judge Denner to get shot; it's that bad. There is really no logic or defensible part of this plot making sense. Reddington needs to get Tom...okay but he's able to kill the Director of the FBI and not give a damn? This Judge and detective are doing their best to indict Keen and thus is affecting his business directly, but for some reason he's shackled and can only use his connections to get to Aleko...the least important person in the entire plot? It's beyond stupid what they are trying to force feed us.

I won't let this episode ruin my life, but I'm going to skip any court proceedings even if it means cutting short Season 2. It is a worthless, merit-less plot line that ruins Season 2 and I'm standing behind that.

Steady Children

[Hitchcoc · 5/10 · 11 November 2022]

Once again, people feel they are owed a perfect storyline and a sophisticated plot every week. And if they don't get their ways, they will stop watching the show. There's a lot of other shows out there. See you! I too thought this episode which puts all of Liz's interactions in front of a judge was relatively worthless. It simply summarized what has happened through two seasons. But I'm not going to turn my back on this creative enterprise because they decided to remind us where everything is now. So I am rating this lower than usual (not a 1 or a 2) because I know it will lead to something significant. We have damning evidence introduce and knucklehead Tom is out there. Let's see what happens.