🔴 Looking Ahead to Season 3

May 20, 2015

Here is James Spader on Red and Liz’s evolving relationship:

Q: “Looking back over Season 2, in what ways would you say that the relationship between Liz and Reddington has changed?
James Spader: In terms of that relationship, it has its hills and valleys and I think it has to continue to be that way. It’s a very, very complicated relationship between the two of them. As much as she doesn’t know the true nature of their relationship, I think it’s quite equitable for Reddington as well because I think he’s trying to grasp a hold of what the true nature of their relationship is now. Forget the past, regardless of what that the past represents. What is the nature of their relationship now and what are even the possibilities of a relationship with her. I think he’s enormously conflicted that he’s there. He certainly has a protective instinct but by the same token he does bring an awful lot of crisis and strife to her life. And I think he probably wrestles with that quite a lot.”

⋙ GlobalTV: James Spader on Season 2 of The Blacklist and the finale http://bit.ly/1HhywbJ // 5/12/2015

This is not the description of a “man who fell in love with an infant” (I know the people who say this are joking), or of any static definition, but of a relationship as a process which develops and changes over time. Spader says, “Forget the past, regardless of what that the past represents. What is the nature of [Red’s and Liz’s] relationship now and what are even the possibilities of a relationship with her?”

Episode [2:22 Tom Connolly] totally blew everything apart regarding Red’s and Liz’s relationship and all the others on the Task Force. Until now, Red has been in Liz’s world; now she will be in his. She’s had financial independence; that will have to change. She thought he was keeping information from her for selfish reasons. Now she sees him as “my sin eater,” someone willing sacrifice for her. The tone of her voice was soft when she related how she remembered shooting her father and her look was appreciative and humble, in contrast to how distraught and devastated Red appeared when she acknowledged his selflessness. It reverses their roles from the Sorrento music box scene in Season 1.

This is so much richer than a yes/no bet on Liz’s paternity. It promises a complex, evolving relationship. Did you notice how the Blacklisters also have become more nuanced and less cartoonish in Season 2? The show has moved away from the Batman-style names, “The Stewmaker,” “The Freelancer,” “The Alchemist.” Blacklisters like Ruslan Denisov and Vanessa Cruz actually turn out to be somewhat sympathetic characters. Likewise, the supporting cast has been more fully developed this year, each developed individually rather than portrayed as parts of a team. Spader again:

“I really think it’s safe to say that you don’t really know what the nature of the relationships are going to be, and also what the future holds for each and every one of the individual cast members; and really what the status of the group as a whole will be. That is completely thrown into disarray.

“For me the show is what I had hoped for when I first read the pilot. It has a broad landscape in every aspect – in terms of tone, storyline, the development of characters, and the development of the relationship between different characters. And also in terms of what you learn – how the characters evolve and what you learn about them. Not only where they are right now and where they’re headed but also about their past. I like that ‘varied geography.'”

⋙ YahooScreen: James Spader Interview http://bit.ly/1cQ3OOU trx by Tumblr: asundayinaugust // 5/13/2015

This change in the writing and the characters came into evidence fairly dramatically beginning with [2:8 The Decembrist], perhaps an episode or two before. Many have noted this change; some like it, some don’t. Yes, the show has changed. During most first seasons, when the creative and production staffs are first getting a foothold (see Spader’s excellent Aug 2014 Playboy interview http://bit.ly/1HkjB0r) are often different from follow-on seasons. The Blacklist’s aspirational level has changed – from being “a Batman a week” (Jon Bokenkamp) to greater complexity in both characters and plot. I attribute this change to some extent to the influence of Spader and of Daniel Knauf, creator of the critically acclaimed Carnevále, who came on the show beginning in Season 2 as a writer and co-executive producer (a senior position). FYI, the other writer co-EP, James Campalongo, will be leaving the show to write for a new show by the same production company, The Player http://www.nbc.com/the-player, to air right after The Blacklist in Season 3.

The show may lose some current viewers in Season 3, but is positioned to gain others, such as Millennials who are interested in “conspiracies” (especially those which which have some basis in reality, like the lies told to get us to invade Iraq) and who, according to Pew, are increasingly religious agnostics, and are distrustful of others, institutions, and government http://pewrsr.ch/10OU1Tc. They are also, of course, the core of “the demo” (18-49 year olds, the viewership most valued by advertisers). Not only has this viewership been increasing recently for The Blacklist (increasing 140% in live+7day viewership over same day), but those in the demo who do watch are upscale (incomes >$100k/yr, college educated) http://bit.ly/1JvRMJ4. There is a lot of background on government secrecy and conspiracy theories on my blog, here http://bit.ly/1CiILyQ and here http://bit.ly/1zawBSj, if you are interested.

The Blacklist Top Rated Episodes

2.22 Tom Connolly. (No. 11) 9.1
1.9 Anslo Garrick (No. 16) 9.1
2.19 Leonard Caul (No. 62) 9.0
2:9 Luther Braxton (No. 21) 9.0
2:8 Berlin 2 (No. 8): 9.0
1:10 Anslo Garrick 2 (No. 16) 9.0
2:10 Luther Braxton 2 (No. 21): 8.9
2.21 Karakurt (No. 55) 8.8
2:8 The Decembrist (No. 12) 8.8
1:21 Berlin (No. 8) 8.8

Source: IMDb on 5/26/2015

So, like the relationships of the characters and the story lines of The Blacklist, the show itself is evolving. It is trying to become better. According to the entertainment professionals who vote at IMDb, it is succeeding: six of the top ten rated episodes of the two seasons have aired this year, beginning with [The Decembrist]; three aired in the final month. Amazon ratings are also up this year. The negative response of commenters on this blog [ the WSJ Speakeasy blog on The Blacklist ] does not appear to synch with objective measures of the overall success the series. And even if there is some sacrifice of viewers in order to produce a better show, Daniel Knauf says the show can lose up to a third of its viewers (from current levels) and still remain on the air. My guess is it won’t have a problem staying on for at least through 2016-2017 season, at which point keeping it going long enough for syndication becomes a factor.

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RATINGS and Renewal Summary

⋙ see also Ratings Update 6/28/2015 http://wp.me/pDKwi-1ey

The Blacklist remains NBC’s top-rated scripted drama – and NBC is moving toward more drama, not away from it. The fact that The Blacklist production group will be doing the show just after it shows they have confidence it this team and in The Blacklist. They are keeping TBL on Thursdays to anchor two new shows. And VOD and L✛3D do matter. Advertisers just wish they didn’t.

Source: TVLine (5/22/2015)

CarterMatt: ‘The Blacklist’ season 2: Episodes still charting high in DVR ratings http://bit.ly/1INNDiH “We would be surprised to see this show conclude at any point before 2017”
// 5/5/2015

HollywoodReporter: Broadcast Ax: Networks just went on a cancelation binge http://bit.ly/1HkUt9R With one exception, NBC renewed all shows between 2 and 6 seasons (the one they cancelled had just completed 2 seasons)
// 5/8/2015

MediaLife (5/18): ‘The Blacklist’ soars w DVR viewership http://bit.ly/1Khr32C 18-49yo +142%, all +75% week ending 5/3/2015 http://pic.twitter.com/WxzWCQ5VzV
// 5/18/2015

NBCUniversal: NBC Wins the 2014-15 Primetime Season in Adults 18-49 http://bit.ly/1R6VM3d #TheBlacklist up 160% for time slot
// 5/19/2015, “‘The Blacklist’ … has improved NBC’s Thursday 9-10 p.m. hour by +160% in 18-49 since moving to the time period in February”

Variety: Ratings: NBC, CBS Win Season Titles http://bit.ly/1Pzjvvz
// 5/19/2015, “And though “The Blacklist” fell off as it moved to Thursday Island, it remained a big DVR draw; combined with its early-season Monday averages, the James Spader drama finished as the fourth most-popular broadcast drama among adults 18-49 (Live+7 for original episode)”

TVSeriesFinale: NBC 2014-15 Season Ratings (updated 5/21/15) http://bit.ly/1Sk6chq the top six shows were renewed; The Blacklist is #1 for NBC
// 5/21/2015

DeadlineHollywood: Full 2014-15 TV Season Series Rankings: Football & ‘Empire’ Ruled http://bit.ly/1SrJILD
// 5/21/2015, The Blacklist is tied for #13th overall and is NBC’s top scripted drama; the closest is Chicago Fire at #35, followed by Law & Order:SVU at #54
Among non-scripted programs, sports leads, including NBC Sunday Night Football at #1. The Voice is ranked #10

TVLine: Sunday Night Football, Empire Top Ratings for 2014-15 Season; Forever Among Highest-Rated Axed Shows http://bit.ly/1F2f0yy
// 5/22/2015