The Blacklist Season 4 Episode 1 Review: Esteban
Sean McKenna
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What? No happy ending for The Blacklist Season 4 Episode 1?
The return of The Blacklist was a fast-paced hour that was all about rescuing Liz. It’s just too bad Red only managed to get close multiple times, only to have any type of victory squashed.
Sure, going up against Liz’s alleged father Alexander Kirk wasn’t going to be an easy task, but at least getting Agnes back would put some light into such a dark situation.
Nope. That last-second twist as Red’s vehicle was rammed and Agnes was kidnapped again was a real shocker to cap off an engaging premiere. Did anyone see that coming?
Red certainly going on a ruthless rampage on his quest to get Liz back wasn’t really anything new. Though sometimes it’s easy to forget that Red still plays by the rules of the bad guys. Cutting off heads, shooting down those that get in his way or making deals with evil blacklisters is just what he does.
And when it comes to Liz, he’s clearly willing to do whatever it takes to get her back.
Though, it does make you wonder about Mr. Kaplan’s pleas for him to change. Can Red change?
Can he even forgive Mr. Kaplan for her betrayal?
I was pleased that her getting back Agnes might help swing things back in her favor in regard to dealing with Red, but Agnes getting taken again probably shifted the scales back.
I am curious to see how things will go forward for them. And for the FBI team with Liz when she manages to get back.
Harold, Ressler and Aram were at least interested in helping her out. Samar felt burned by the deceit and really didn’t want any part of getting her back. It was good to see them feeling a bit conflicted by it all and not just happy she was alive.
But I did like that Ressler was willing to be the one to head on down to meet up with Esteban. At the same time, he still managed to stick true to his character by sending out the anonymous tip to have Esteban captured. He totally could have let it go because Esteban helped lead Red to Liz, but he didn’t.
And it was great to see the blacklister be a part of the larger story rather than some subplot that really didn’t matter. Esteban was ultimately just a means to an end, but it was a good way to make things more than just a case of the week.
Unfortunately, the scenes with Tom felt like they dragged on, and I was surprised it took him so long to even manage to gain the upper hand from his captor. I like his character, especially after The Blacklist Season 3, so I’m looking forward to when he gets into more of the action instead of being tied up and stuck in a trunk.
The whole relationship angle with Liz and Red seems ready to burst open with truths. I feel like I believe Kirk when he says he’s her father, but there’s so much more to the history between him and Red that I’m eager to explore.
I was hoping Kirk might divulge a bit more to Liz, but it’s also tough to see him trying to be on her side when he’s kidnapped her and won’t let her go.
It definitely makes Red look more like the good guy than the bad guy as Kirk claims.
I can’t wait to see the two men face off without a mirror in between them. Though that scene was certainly intense with the military making their move in, Kirk making his claims, Liz telling him to run, and Red saying he was going to get Liz back.
Plus, seeing Red give glimpses of his emotions is always fantastic. Sure, it’s fun to see him be the bad ass, but its seeing his care and concern for Liz, Agnes and the ones closest to him that truly stands out.
This was a great start to the new season, getting right into the action, kicking up some relationship conflicts between characters, providing some teases, and leaving fans wanting more.
Let’s just say the bad guys are really going to regret leaving Red alive at the end...
What did you think of the premiere? Were you shocked by the ending? Is Kirk really Liz's father? Sound off below, and catch it all again when you watch The Blacklist online right now!
NOTE: The Blacklist Season 4 Episode 2, "Mato," airs Sep. 29 at 10 p.m.
Sean McKenna was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. He retired in May of 2017. Follow him on Twitter.
