Glad I didn't read the overly critical reviews of the PILOT episode before I watched it. Honestly I have never seen a pilot that I was blown away by. I did find the plot similar to The Blacklist, but so what? It kept my interest and I will watch more episodes.
155 Reviews
Typical, predictable but watchable
thomasdvail26 February 2019
The concept and some of the acting results in so much potential. Character development is weak and the pace is quickened by old plot twists and expected...almost purposeful forced drama that patronizes the viewer. I hope it gets better since many of the actors are very good.
Nice the be the smartest person in the room even if you are a prisoner
youraveragecouple17 March 2019
I have mixed feeling about this show right now, but can see it growing. Jennifer Carpenter plays her role very well IMHO. I get some of her reasoning for what she did does not really make sense, but that is OK for now. It may turn it to be more complicated. I also see the similarity between this and the Blacklist, but actually it is quite different. The easiest difference is the fact that Reddington turned himself in and offered up people on the list. People our government didn't know about.
Either way...time will tell where this goes. I gave it a 7 because so far I am enjoying it.
Jennifer Carpenter is back!!
rekless833 March 2019
This is a show with good twist in the story line. of course there isnt too much info since we are only one episode in, but the potential is there. Chestnut and Carpenter make good opposites. You can tell this season is going to get intense. I would be really disappointed if there wasnt another season after this.
Oops!
dcturner5827 February 2019
FBI/CIA
rover4513-795-33690926 May 2019
villain bad
SnoopyStyle1 June 2019
CIA Deputy Director Erica Shepherd (Jennifer Carpenter) is arrested for espionage after she was secretly blackmailed to surrender four operatives to the mysterious terrorist leader Tal. Three years later, FBI agent Will Keaton (Morris Chestnut) is forced to seek her help after a new coordinated attack. Will's fiancée was one of those killed by Tal three years earlier. Tal is just the tip of a very large iceberg.
There is a lot of bad standardized network writing and the Microsoft product placement does not help. I can push through all of that but it's a lot harder to push through a bad villain. The more Tal gets on screen, the less scary he is. It makes little sense for him to personally get involved in his schemes. She's literally pointing a gun at him and doesn't shoot. The villain doesn't need to be a character so early in the run. At least, leave that reveal to a season ending cliffhanger. While I like Carpenter, her performance is too one-noted. There are a few annoying little touches. The show lasted 13 episodes.
There is a lot of bad standardized network writing and the Microsoft product placement does not help. I can push through all of that but it's a lot harder to push through a bad villain. The more Tal gets on screen, the less scary he is. It makes little sense for him to personally get involved in his schemes. She's literally pointing a gun at him and doesn't shoot. The villain doesn't need to be a character so early in the run. At least, leave that reveal to a season ending cliffhanger. While I like Carpenter, her performance is too one-noted. There are a few annoying little touches. The show lasted 13 episodes.
I've Lost Trust in Rotten Tomatoes
cynthia_ann_davis19 May 2019
I've followed "Rotten Tomatoes" for years but they disappointed me on this one. This show is well-written with excellent actors and I didn't think I had to worry at all about it being renewed. Every episode has been brilliant.
The lame over-dramatics are a joke
Top_Dawg_Critic24 March 2019
Seriously, she's that dangerous she needs shackles? Gimme a break... this is a daytime soap opera playing in an evening prime-time slot, nothing more. Cheesy writing and cheesy acting. And the director needs to invest in a gimbal or tripod or ease up on the coffee-shakes, as the handheld bouncing around camera shots are annoying. A generous 5/10 from me
Popcorn Entertainment
srosen727 February 2019
Yes, we've seen this plot before, but, nevertheless, entertaining. Jennifer Carpenter is terrific in lead role. Maybe I have a low bar when it comes to tv shows so that's why the low ratings surprise me. Acting is decent, writing is decent and storyline is decent. I do like shows like this: Blacklist, Blind Spot, etc. They are in no way stand out tv shows, but for me, they are an hour of fun entertainment and sometimes that's all I need
Scenes
aquasigenfi4 May 2019
Breathtakingly stupid and illogical. Show's creators forgot to include plausible premise.
altereggo12326 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This show is fast-paced and intense, with great locations and decent acting. Sadly, the premise is fatally flawed.
A brilliant CIA analyst gives a terrorist the information he needs to kill several people, gets caught, and ends up in a SuperMax prison. Three years later she turns around and helps the government catch the terrorist she gave the information to. Why?
She finally admits that she helped the terrorist because he threatened to kill her daughter, i.e. she is a good person, not a real traitor. Why didn't she explain this when she was caught and sentenced? Because she didn't want her daughter to know that people died to save her. I guess it's better that the daughter thinks that her mother helped kill people for no reason at all? And better for her daughter grow up alone, thinking that her mother, locked away in Supermax, is one of the worst traitors in US history. Seriously?
No.
The weepy scene in which the brilliant CIA analyst explains that she is now helping the government so she can be a good mother is one of the worst I have seen in a while.
I would have put up with a much crazier scenario that had a hint of intelligence. I can't keep watching a show that is this dumb.
A brilliant CIA analyst gives a terrorist the information he needs to kill several people, gets caught, and ends up in a SuperMax prison. Three years later she turns around and helps the government catch the terrorist she gave the information to. Why?
She finally admits that she helped the terrorist because he threatened to kill her daughter, i.e. she is a good person, not a real traitor. Why didn't she explain this when she was caught and sentenced? Because she didn't want her daughter to know that people died to save her. I guess it's better that the daughter thinks that her mother helped kill people for no reason at all? And better for her daughter grow up alone, thinking that her mother, locked away in Supermax, is one of the worst traitors in US history. Seriously?
No.
The weepy scene in which the brilliant CIA analyst explains that she is now helping the government so she can be a good mother is one of the worst I have seen in a while.
I would have put up with a much crazier scenario that had a hint of intelligence. I can't keep watching a show that is this dumb.
Well done
handsomepackers26 March 2019
Too much nonsense
Junglebrute8 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The first episode has been rolling my eyes already. Starting from the unreal amount of FBI agents standing in a circle pointing their guns at each other like a bunch of idiots. Then keeping the traitor in a cage like she's Hannibal Lecter. It's too much so far and it's making me try too hard to stay interested. I'll give it a few more episodes but I feel
It's a waste of Carpinter's incredible acting ability
Blacklist: FBI Edition
lm49831 March 2019
Stupid premise, but good cast that sold it. This is not an Emmy award winning show, but to my surprise I did enjoy it. I will watch more, but expect this to be cancelled soon.
The story revolves around a brilliant former CIA agent serving time for treason who has a unique set of skills that the FBI needs to stop a terrorist threat. Think Blackhat. There are a few "twists" that almost anyone could see coming, but that did not spoil it for me. If you're looking for great, well-done TV, keep moving - nothing to see here. But if you just need to escape reality for an hour, give it try.
The story revolves around a brilliant former CIA agent serving time for treason who has a unique set of skills that the FBI needs to stop a terrorist threat. Think Blackhat. There are a few "twists" that almost anyone could see coming, but that did not spoil it for me. If you're looking for great, well-done TV, keep moving - nothing to see here. But if you just need to escape reality for an hour, give it try.
What a great way to start a new TV Series Thriller!
belindar-24 March 2019
I have watched some of the best TV Series in the last decade and this is the first one that made me want to watch it because of the first 10 minutes of the show. If the rest of the series is anything like the beginning, this one will be at the top of the list of all the rest. I gave it a nine because the balance of the suspense is unknown. I barely can wait for the additional episodes.
FBI meats The Blacklist
searlaura2 March 2019
Bummer it's cancelled!
energiquester24 November 2019
Better than mindless reality sh$&
jtedd23 March 2019
Blacklist?
selvaggio_vincenzo27 February 2019
Wanderfull
lubna-mukdad15 May 2019
Cancelled
Abdulxoxo7 September 2020
The show got cancelled only after the first season, it's a shame 'cause it's not actually that bad I guess the show wasn't pulling the numbers they expected it would.
Jennifer carpenter's performance is phenomenal, she's one of the few positive things in this show. The storyline is not that original but it's good enough to keep you engaged. Supporting casts are good too.
Jennifer carpenter's performance is phenomenal, she's one of the few positive things in this show. The storyline is not that original but it's good enough to keep you engaged. Supporting casts are good too.
Watchable Only Because of Jennifer Carpenter
frankie14262226 February 2019
The premise is extremely flawed. A highly intelligent, skilled CIA Agent chooses prison over telling the truth to spare her daughter the burden?? That's just unrealistic and hard to over look.
Morris Chestnut is out of his range for this character. His acting isn't good and the writers don't help him because they seem confused about him.
The only bright spot and the only thing keeping the interest is Jennifer Carpenter. Unlike another reviewer she is absolutely perfect for this character.
Morris Chestnut is out of his range for this character. His acting isn't good and the writers don't help him because they seem confused about him.
The only bright spot and the only thing keeping the interest is Jennifer Carpenter. Unlike another reviewer she is absolutely perfect for this character.
Good Show
aguynameddrew30 April 2019
I'm only half way through season 1 so it may be premature to write a review, but i get the sense it will be consistent.
It's got good pacing, nice twists and turns, and a solid cast.
If i had to compare it to other shows, off the top of my head i'd say Homeland and Blacklist. I'm sure there are other examples, i just cant think of any right now.
If you like the spy genre, i think you'll like this show.
It's got good pacing, nice twists and turns, and a solid cast.
If i had to compare it to other shows, off the top of my head i'd say Homeland and Blacklist. I'm sure there are other examples, i just cant think of any right now.
If you like the spy genre, i think you'll like this show.
See also
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