It’s at all times enjoyable to see what’s trending with my Netflix subscription and discover a present like Blindspot. Starring Jaimie Alexander as Jane Doe, a girl with amnesia lined in tattoos that she doesn’t perceive, the twisty sequence first ran in primetime on NBC, constructing its fandom between 2015 and 2020. Up to now, I’m only some episodes into the primary season, however I’m already fearful it may go the identical route as The Blacklist, one other present I loved at first, however fully tuned out of by the tip. Right here’s why I’m fearful.
I Truly Like Procedurals And ‘Story Of The Week’ Community Reveals
I grew up within the Nineteen Eighties watching numerous primetime TV (it’s all we had!), so I truly actually respect community exhibits that inform self-contained tales in 45-minute chunks. Within the age of streaming (and DVDs earlier than it), tv clearly advanced, and even in broadcast, most exhibits inform longer serialized tales throughout total seasons.. Among the finest exhibits of the height period of tv, like The Sopranos, Dexter, and Sport of Thrones, are nice examples of how status tv has modified the entire sport.
I actually miss the previous model of TV in that means, although. There are nonetheless a number of common exhibits on the 2025 TV schedule that principally observe procedural narratives, resembling freshman hit Excessive Potential and veteran drama Gray’s Anatomy, amongst others. I can nonetheless veg out on previous (and new) episodes of Regulation & Order all day, whereas The West Wing, which was a mixture of each codecs, is one in every of my favourite exhibits of all time.
The Blacklist, starring James Spader and Meghan Boone began like that, telling a core overarching story about Pink Reddington’s shady previous and his connection to Boone’s Liz Keene, whereas additionally deftly telling a cool “story of the week” as effectively. That’s, till it didn’t, and it turned all about Pink’s backstory, with the serial elements fully taking on.
Blindspot Feels Like The Blacklist
Up to now, Blindspot feels quite a bit like The Blacklist, and for now I imply that in the easiest way. There’s a larger thriller to be solved, however with every episode exploring self-contained items of the grander puzzle, every primarily based on one in every of Jane Doe’s (performed by MCU star Jaimie Alexander) tattoos. This isn’t not like the self-contained journey of every of the Blacklist episodes primarily based on a reputation on Sapder’s character’s record.
I liked that early on, The Blacklist would reveal some clues about Spader’s relationship to Boone as episodes went on, however that these particulars had been wrapped into the story of the week. Up to now, so good with Blindspot on that entrance, however given the best way most TV performs out today after a number of seasons beneath community constraints, you possibly can perceive why I’m involved about the place the present is perhaps going.
I like exhibits that inform lengthy tales and have large over-arching plots that take a number of episodes and even a number of seasons to play out. Nevertheless, not each present has to show into one large thriller the place the golaposts transfer to maintain the suspense going. Typically, like studying a guide of Stephen King’s quick tales, I need one thing that places a pleasant bow on a narrative in beneath an hour. I can not wait to see simply how Blindspot wraps up.