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The Blacklist
S1.E1
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IMDbPro

Pilot

  • Episode aired Sep 23, 2013
  • TV-14
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
6K
YOUR RATING
James Spader in The Blacklist (2013)
The Blacklist
Play trailer1:05
1 Video
15 Photos
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller

Ex-government agent and one of the FBI's Most Wanted fugitives, Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) mysteriously turns himself in to the FBI and offers to give up everyone he has ever wo... Read allEx-government agent and one of the FBI's Most Wanted fugitives, Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) mysteriously turns himself in to the FBI and offers to give up everyone he has ever worked with including a long-thought-dead terrorist but under one condition - he'll only tal... Read allEx-government agent and one of the FBI's Most Wanted fugitives, Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) mysteriously turns himself in to the FBI and offers to give up everyone he has ever worked with including a long-thought-dead terrorist but under one condition - he'll only talk to newly-minted female FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) with whom he seemingly... Read all

  • Director
    • Joe Carnahan
  • Writer
    • Jon Bokenkamp
  • Stars
    • James Spader
    • Megan Boone
    • Diego Klattenhoff
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    8.2/10
    6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joe Carnahan
    • Writer
      • Jon Bokenkamp
    • Stars
      • James Spader
      • Megan Boone
      • Diego Klattenhoff
    • 23User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    The Blacklist
    Trailer 1:05
    The Blacklist

    Photos15

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    Top cast58

    Edit
    James Spader
    James Spader
    • Raymond 'Red' Reddington
    Megan Boone
    Megan Boone
    • Elizabeth Keen
    Diego Klattenhoff
    Diego Klattenhoff
    • Donald Ressler
    Ryan Eggold
    Ryan Eggold
    • Tom Keen
    Ilfenesh Hadera
    Ilfenesh Hadera
    • Jennifer Palmer
    Harry Lennix
    Harry Lennix
    • Harold Cooper
    Chance Kelly
    Chance Kelly
    • Daniel Ryker
    Jamie Jackson
    Jamie Jackson
    • Ranko Zamani
    Delphina Belle
    • Beth
    Charles Baker
    Charles Baker
    • Grey
    Donnetta Lavinia Grays
    Donnetta Lavinia Grays
    • FBI Lobby Guard
    Annet Mahendru
    Annet Mahendru
    • Agent Rosen
    Jeremy Beiler
    Jeremy Beiler
    • Tech (Hive)
    Christine James Walker
    Christine James Walker
    • Cooper's Aide
    • (as Christine Walker)
    Jennifer Kim
    Jennifer Kim
    • Analyst (War Room)
    Nick Blaemire
    Nick Blaemire
    • Analyst #2 (War Room)
    Tyler McGee
    Tyler McGee
    • Marine
    Roman Roytberg
    Roman Roytberg
    • Ukrainian Man
    • Director
      • Joe Carnahan
    • Writer
      • Jon Bokenkamp
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews23

    8.25.9K
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    Featured reviews

    9louis2681

    First day on the job

    SEEN ALOT OF SHOWS BUT SHORTY GOING THROW IT ON DAY 1 OF THE JOB. Ive held back watching this show but now I'm in the for the long haul 8 seasons hopefully every episode is great!
    boba-92

    Mistakes in the Storyline

    I like this TV-show very much, but I have to mention some apparent mistakes in the story of this episode.

    Firstly, the terrorist Zamani was said to be Serbian, but Zamani is actually an Albanian family name.

    Secondly, Reddington said that he is Serbian (Christian) Orthodox and that he would not have a tattoo because of that (when Lizzy was calling him from the park). The Christian Orthodox church does not forbid tattoos and it is common for Serbians to be tattooed. Also Albanian's are mostly Muslim, and definitely not Christian (Serbian) Ortodox. So this is double false.

    I understand that it is only a small group of people who watch the show and understand this, but a show loses it's appeal if such apparent mistakes are made.
    9kellykelvinuzo

    Gone wrong!

    The injuries sustained by Lizzy (on her foreheard) in this episode kinda triggered my trypophobia.

    Was it just me?.
    9nycweboy1

    Start Here

    At first, Spader's scenery chewing and the over the top plot elements may suggest something like 24, or a somewhat less horrific Silence of the Lambs, or a tv size Bourne. But as the storytelling keeps going sideways, it's clear this is all, and none, of that: The Blacklist stands primarily on 2 mysteries - what is the list and why has Red compiled it; and how does Elizabeth Keen fit into his plans? Trying to find out both, or either, makes for some pretty addictive watching. A solid, strong pilot that sets up many interesting possibilities, and doesn't insult the intelligence of the viewer, with solid performances - including Spader, whose over the top approach has a lot more going on than is apparent at first blush.
    6Hitchcoc

    A Bit Too Much!

    This is a pilot. As is the case with any series that I start, I recognize that the characters aren't developed, the plot is somewhat preposterous, the FBI looks incompetent, and so on. So, now, what do they do to fix the sharp edges and get us involved. Our psychotic puppeteer must have some reason for doing what he is doing. I suppose it starts to involve kindred spirits and all that. This episode is so over the top. The thing that sent me into the kitchen to chop vegetables was the abduction of the little girl. It's as if a secret document was opened, saying, "Act as stupidly and as incompetently as you can and get the little girl kidnapped." She could have been protected in so many ways, but off to the highway with danger lurking around every corner. Anyway, give them a chance and see how well written this show is.

    Related interests

    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The birth date on the "Ten Most Wanted" poster for Raymond "Red" Reddington is February 7, 1960, the birth date of James Spader.
    • Goofs
      When Red is kneeling on the floor of the lobby, the armed officers aiming handguns are stood opposite each other, inviting injury should a bullet pass through Red.
    • Quotes

      Raymond 'Red' Reddington: You won't find the girl until you learn to look at this differently.

      Elizabeth Keen: And how should I look at this?

      Raymond 'Red' Reddington: Like a criminal. May come easier than you think. Shall I show you?

    • Connections
      Edited into The Blacklist: Konets (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      99 Problems
      (uncredited)
      Written by Jay-Z, Norman Landsberg, Felix Pappalardi, Billy Squier, John Ventura and Leslie West
      Performed by Hugo

    Top picks

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 23, 2013 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site (United Kingdom)
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Davis Entertainment
      • Universal Television
      • Sony Pictures Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 45m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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