While Aram was having his LSD trip and doing the Groundhog Day thing, he learned some important things that will hold him in good stead later. Yes, it was a departure, but once again the incredible impatience is a sign of a "have to have it now" culture we live in. Short attention spans. Those that say nothing happens need only look to Reddington and his discoveries based on his contacts. We see a significant DNA test done to discover the identity of the woman who was burned in the explosion. We see Cooper continue to show great strength as he faces some serious life changing events. Hey, it's not personal when they try something new. I thought it was refreshing if not cliched.
36 Reviews
The Blacklist is fading to black.
thinkMovies7 May 2022
After Megan Boone and John Bokenkamp departed The Blacklist at the end of season 8, and the identity of Reddington remained an elusive hypothesis, the show struggled to remain relevant and coherent in season 9.
Eighteen episodes into season 9, they were lost at sea, about to fall off the edge of their by now flat Earth so, in a desperate attempt to beg for renewed interest they started bringing characters back: Mr. Kaplan from the dead and Samar Navabi from wherever she went to after her mind started fading away. But they can't bring back the character that ties it all together, Keene, and her creator, Bokenkamp. Also, they are at least one season or two totally overdue to move forward towards the true identity of Red Reddington (oh, and whatever really happened to the real Katarina Rostova?).
Aram can hallucinate all he wants. The Blacklist is fading to black. And they have season 9 to conclude and season 10 planned. By now, most viewers tune in due to some kind of weird Stockholm Syndrome, or morbid curiosity, or in some false hope that they did not waste 9 seasons of viewing...
Eighteen episodes into season 9, they were lost at sea, about to fall off the edge of their by now flat Earth so, in a desperate attempt to beg for renewed interest they started bringing characters back: Mr. Kaplan from the dead and Samar Navabi from wherever she went to after her mind started fading away. But they can't bring back the character that ties it all together, Keene, and her creator, Bokenkamp. Also, they are at least one season or two totally overdue to move forward towards the true identity of Red Reddington (oh, and whatever really happened to the real Katarina Rostova?).
Aram can hallucinate all he wants. The Blacklist is fading to black. And they have season 9 to conclude and season 10 planned. By now, most viewers tune in due to some kind of weird Stockholm Syndrome, or morbid curiosity, or in some false hope that they did not waste 9 seasons of viewing...
Snore
bobbo9997 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Hate to join the haters...but an aram episode is going to be a buzzkill...especially with his cloyish Boy Scout attitude about leading the team....even the previously Boy Scout Ressler has been thoroughly broken by now!! Now, I don't hate the character and certainly like the actor, but this wasn't a fun episode and hopefully the next 3 will more than make up for it!!!
Sometimes different can be good
dineshvedanth18 May 2022
Like another person said, the people here aren't getting the point of this episode. It is about Aram coming face to face with the choices he's made and is an introspective look into his lack of confidence and the effect it has had on others. Hopefully it causes his character to evolve as we head into the final (most possibly) season of the blacklist.
Do I feel Mozhan Marno could've been used better? Yes, and I do hope she returns at least one more time in the series. Was the episode one of the best? Definitely not, but it was still good.
I've seen plenty of people complain about Aram's lack of confidence and grumbling and it's quite sad that when the writers attempt to give them what they wish with this episode, they complain.
If the only reason you're here to complain was because it felt like a detour from the main story, by all means feel free to skip this episode. It is most definitely not for you.
Do I feel Mozhan Marno could've been used better? Yes, and I do hope she returns at least one more time in the series. Was the episode one of the best? Definitely not, but it was still good.
I've seen plenty of people complain about Aram's lack of confidence and grumbling and it's quite sad that when the writers attempt to give them what they wish with this episode, they complain.
If the only reason you're here to complain was because it felt like a detour from the main story, by all means feel free to skip this episode. It is most definitely not for you.
Throw away Episode! What a waste!
ewhite-220178 May 2022
I see some 10 out of 10 reviews and guess those are just Die Hard Blacklist fans that like everything this show puts out. This was a waste of an episode similar to the one that Chronicled Ressler. Aram is Basically on an LSD trip for the whole show and his Anxiety ridden hallucinations are the theme of this episode that absorbed at least 75% percent of the script. This show used to be the best when they just stuck to going after Blacklisters and had secondary themes that just stayed in the background. This episode does just the opposite. I gave it 3 stars because of the small amount of time they spent on Cooper's problem and Reddington's small role.
Much needed episode for charecter development!!! Damn, I miss Agent Samar!!!
tanzimkh7 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Let me start with the ending of the episode. One of the reason, I love this TV show is because of this small yet impactful attention to details in terms of showing tribute & respect to the crew/actors who have died while the show was running. This is what it makes a show stand-out from the100 other TV shows. We have see this is other episodes of the blacklist and this episode was no different from that. 10/10 for that.
Now about the episode. I think this episode was important for charecter development. We have been seeing this for the last few seasons that how Aram has been traumatized with everything that is happening to his closest people. In fact everyone of this taskforce had experienced some level of trauma after they started working in the task force. We have seen Park and Ressler coming out of a loop of traumatic event and now it was Aram's turn and I would very much want him to be in his excellent state for what is coming in the future events.
I am still confused who is part in this huge conspiracy to put Harold in this situation and was responsible for Elizabeth's death. That lady in the balcony matched 50% DNA sample with Mr Kaplan and question remains that who made the trap for Reddington's crew to fall for it All I can think of is someone who has much more access to Reddington and also knows the taskforce members from inside & out. Marven Gerrad can do that but he does not have the motive to do such thing. But, someone from the government can, who might want to end this Taskforce and Reddington altogether. That's a speculation that I want to believe in, but hey, something big is coming, something that we are not anticipating. The more I think of it, the more nervous yet excited I get.
The other thing is that, I realized after so many episodes that Agent Samar was such a badass charecter and I think her coming back from her medical condition and rejoining the task force would be so cool. Only 3 episode left for this season. Something big and upsetting is coming and till then good wishes to the writers , actors and crew members.
10/10 for the episode!!!
Now about the episode. I think this episode was important for charecter development. We have been seeing this for the last few seasons that how Aram has been traumatized with everything that is happening to his closest people. In fact everyone of this taskforce had experienced some level of trauma after they started working in the task force. We have seen Park and Ressler coming out of a loop of traumatic event and now it was Aram's turn and I would very much want him to be in his excellent state for what is coming in the future events.
I am still confused who is part in this huge conspiracy to put Harold in this situation and was responsible for Elizabeth's death. That lady in the balcony matched 50% DNA sample with Mr Kaplan and question remains that who made the trap for Reddington's crew to fall for it All I can think of is someone who has much more access to Reddington and also knows the taskforce members from inside & out. Marven Gerrad can do that but he does not have the motive to do such thing. But, someone from the government can, who might want to end this Taskforce and Reddington altogether. That's a speculation that I want to believe in, but hey, something big is coming, something that we are not anticipating. The more I think of it, the more nervous yet excited I get.
The other thing is that, I realized after so many episodes that Agent Samar was such a badass charecter and I think her coming back from her medical condition and rejoining the task force would be so cool. Only 3 episode left for this season. Something big and upsetting is coming and till then good wishes to the writers , actors and crew members.
10/10 for the episode!!!
Unnecessary filler
rjt-904307 May 2022
People missing the point of the episode
chrisboringlife7 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Throughout the season, Aram has been insecure and almost pathetic at best.
His constant questioning of his own abilities finally manifest after kicking his former partner out of Greylock and Greylock out of the market entirely.
The consequence of taking a step towards taking control is the confrontation with a side of him, that had been buried for a long time.
I do believe the building of character, and the transition towards more self-control and thus more control over the team, even against Reddington, who has been pulling at his self-control all season, is incredibly well-placed and vital.
The loop might be a bit cheesy and overdone, but the transition is what matters.
The real annoying part of the episode was actually Reddington's former wife. After walking away from him to let him do what he must do to find the killer of Elizabeth, she instantly tries to assert control over his actions, while coming back for someone else. This constant distraction is really Reddington's bane as someone questioning his authority and judgement is nothing more than his Achilles heel and really stagnating the story progression, unnecessary and annoying.
His constant questioning of his own abilities finally manifest after kicking his former partner out of Greylock and Greylock out of the market entirely.
The consequence of taking a step towards taking control is the confrontation with a side of him, that had been buried for a long time.
I do believe the building of character, and the transition towards more self-control and thus more control over the team, even against Reddington, who has been pulling at his self-control all season, is incredibly well-placed and vital.
The loop might be a bit cheesy and overdone, but the transition is what matters.
The real annoying part of the episode was actually Reddington's former wife. After walking away from him to let him do what he must do to find the killer of Elizabeth, she instantly tries to assert control over his actions, while coming back for someone else. This constant distraction is really Reddington's bane as someone questioning his authority and judgement is nothing more than his Achilles heel and really stagnating the story progression, unnecessary and annoying.
An extreme outlier episode
bosporan7 May 2022
A ludicrous Aram centric episode with no Reddington and a lame Groundhog Day hallucination plot. This nuclear option literary device is immediately apparent, its mushroom cloud removes all jeopardy, eradicates further interest and turns the story into a toxic wasteland.
The only positive is a welcome, albeit brief, appearance from the sorely missed Mozhan Marnò.
A floating, cheap, filler episode with no coherence - an awkward, appalling atrocity!
The only positive is a welcome, albeit brief, appearance from the sorely missed Mozhan Marnò.
A floating, cheap, filler episode with no coherence - an awkward, appalling atrocity!
Nobody likes dream episodes
Hitchslapped7 May 2022
Yet another unnecessary filler episode
jikhan26 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode plays on Aram's continuing insecurities by having him trip out repeatedly on psychedelic infusions. I don't know how much this episode cost to make, but they should either skipped this and moved on (e.g. Continuing with the weird revisiting of Mr. Kaplan, and the stuttering investigation into Cole/LaCroix and so on).
Also, please can we move on from Elizabeth Keen? I'm not a hater of hers like so many others who have watched this series, but this has gone on far too.
Although, to be honest, I did like the 'Bear Mask' version of Aram. He had balls, of the kind that Aram's desperately needs.
Also, please can we move on from Elizabeth Keen? I'm not a hater of hers like so many others who have watched this series, but this has gone on far too.
Although, to be honest, I did like the 'Bear Mask' version of Aram. He had balls, of the kind that Aram's desperately needs.
Enjoy This One for What it Was - A Zany Fun Ride!
ttmdoc7 May 2022
Some of my fellow reviewers who disliked this episode seemed to have lost their sense of fun & only seem want episodes to be done in one formulaic way. Me? I think is was a wonderful, zany, crazy episode, with a focus on Aram but plenty of Red. Loosen up and enjoy!
Worst worst worst episode in 9 seasons
voxxrocks20 August 2022
I can't believe anyone in the production of this series approved this ridiculously absurd episode. Absolute garbage. I watched about 35 minutes of it, then deleted it. Terrible. I don't know how the cast got through it. They can eliminate this episode and it would never be missed!
Well that was interesting
neverenoughgold26 May 2022
Maybe a combination of last season Person of Interest with Groundhog Day? An interesting episode bringing back a few old characters from the dead. I know some viewers will hate this episode, and I understand why; but you must admit, it was entertaining, at least for a while.
Personally, I do not like psychoanalysts, but that is just me.
Personally, I do not like psychoanalysts, but that is just me.
Unnecessarily convoluted
foamythefearsome30 June 2022
This has to be my least favorite episode of the series, and this coming from the fool that actually likes the "Groundhog Day" episodes in series. They're usually filler, but generally bring comic relief and pose interesting scenarios, and how different actions can have different consequences. This episode did none of those things.
But worst of all, the whole Bear Mask story took away the focus from the season's main storyline. It progressed, but because the lucid nightmare was so incomprehensible, it hogged all the attention and made anything else hard to follow, so for this episode it would've been objectively better - be it boring - if it was the team going on a picknick instead of the bear nonsense.
I love Aram as a character, but in this episode he couldn't really deliver, even though Arison tried. I generally think giving him the lead wasn't the best call, as he's much better as a tech-spec. Making him whiny and insecure about it also didn't help - this kinda fit his previous role, and even then, he has established he can be a badass when necessary, but in his new role he has only done one thing worthy of his character. But then again, who else would you put in charge? Drug addict Ressler? Not-fit-for-duty Park? Criminal Dembe? Cooper was the only one with leadership capabilities within the team, and it worked as such, but not when you take him away and have to fill the void with someone unqualified to lead.
Making that call gave us the interesting observation that everyone in the team fulfills their role but that some members are simply irreplacable, but honestly, Id rather they'd let Panabaker call the shots in the meantime (or at least after an episode or two when it has become clear that it does not work this way).
In either case, this episode was a swing, but mostly a miss for me.
But worst of all, the whole Bear Mask story took away the focus from the season's main storyline. It progressed, but because the lucid nightmare was so incomprehensible, it hogged all the attention and made anything else hard to follow, so for this episode it would've been objectively better - be it boring - if it was the team going on a picknick instead of the bear nonsense.
I love Aram as a character, but in this episode he couldn't really deliver, even though Arison tried. I generally think giving him the lead wasn't the best call, as he's much better as a tech-spec. Making him whiny and insecure about it also didn't help - this kinda fit his previous role, and even then, he has established he can be a badass when necessary, but in his new role he has only done one thing worthy of his character. But then again, who else would you put in charge? Drug addict Ressler? Not-fit-for-duty Park? Criminal Dembe? Cooper was the only one with leadership capabilities within the team, and it worked as such, but not when you take him away and have to fill the void with someone unqualified to lead.
Making that call gave us the interesting observation that everyone in the team fulfills their role but that some members are simply irreplacable, but honestly, Id rather they'd let Panabaker call the shots in the meantime (or at least after an episode or two when it has become clear that it does not work this way).
In either case, this episode was a swing, but mostly a miss for me.
A True Filler Episode
monticellomeadow-953567 May 2022
Every so often the writers have to put together an episode that stinks, just to reach their season quota. The Bear Mask was such an episode. After 10 minutes I was sorely tempted to fast-forward to the end because it was apparent what Aram was going to go through. And he did. To absolutely no benefit to the advancement of the story. None. I recall a few years back when the show Person of Interest, in its steep decline years, went through a similar "Ground Hog Day" episode. A certain scene played over-and-over, with slight variations each time. To nothing accomplished and no interest. Such was The Bear Mask for The Blacklist.
Loved this character driven episode! Go Aram!
Fan20208 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I loved it! Any character driven episode where we can see more insight into the mind of a beloved character ( in this case Aram) is of interest to me. The mystery of the story did still move along..not every episode is going to be an in your face action packed answer. I am grateful that Amir Arison in his role as Aram was able to show the depths of his acting- in this I think -very emotional self analysis of his psyche. He has immeasurable guilt in his own verdict , which is helped to balance itself by his conversation with himself and a hallucination of Samar. We still got to see glimpses of a very healthy looking Reddington ...so I loved this episode. Not a filler episode at all to me. I will be doing a rewatch tomorrow!
LAME LAME LAME
cudax14 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I love this series, and, only lately I've had a chance to see past season 8. So fat in the 9th season, I keep wondering why the writers would ever even consider making Aram a supervisor in charge of an elite unit. Sure, he's some kind of IT Wizard, but I am sick and tired of his constant sniveling, whining and his self doubts that just don't fly for me, even if he had a traumatic experience with being kidnapped by a major drug cartel kingpin.
I can't help but wonder about Reddington's mindset of late. He seems to be broke, whereas previous seasons he had nearly unlimited resources, and, a few loyal employees who did his bidding and kept him safe.
Anyway, I'm disappointed in this episode in particular. In my opinion, it is the worst episode of the entire series so far.
I can't help but wonder about Reddington's mindset of late. He seems to be broke, whereas previous seasons he had nearly unlimited resources, and, a few loyal employees who did his bidding and kept him safe.
Anyway, I'm disappointed in this episode in particular. In my opinion, it is the worst episode of the entire series so far.
One of the greatest episodes of the series
panters9826 June 2022
Sad for me to see the extremely negative reception this got. The writers dared to do something refreshing/outside of the box and the negative reception makes me fear for any chance of continued creativity as opposed to the formulaic nonsense the show has been running into the ground since season 7.
No, it didn't drastically progress the central plot the way people might have expected it to after the previous episodes cliffhanger, and I can see why people would have been disappointed because of that, but the best thing this show can do for me at this point is work outside of the box and show us these characters in unique situations.
Props to the director for the fitting, stylized direction and everyone else involved, as they clearly had a vision, which for me the episode succeeded in. Maybe I'm biased as someone who has suffered from anxiety and depression, but regardless of that, for anyone who has watched this show up until this point, how could you not feel anything for Aram in this episode?
No, it didn't drastically progress the central plot the way people might have expected it to after the previous episodes cliffhanger, and I can see why people would have been disappointed because of that, but the best thing this show can do for me at this point is work outside of the box and show us these characters in unique situations.
Props to the director for the fitting, stylized direction and everyone else involved, as they clearly had a vision, which for me the episode succeeded in. Maybe I'm biased as someone who has suffered from anxiety and depression, but regardless of that, for anyone who has watched this show up until this point, how could you not feel anything for Aram in this episode?
Worst ever
dougjhuman10 May 2022
THE WORST EPISODE IN TV SERIES HISTORY
adxpitz19 July 2022
I still can't believe Blacklist could stoop this low. I fastforward the brutal dream sequences and went straight to the end within 10 mins and it was such a relief.
It is one of those filler episodes where they kept on stitching the outtakes out of pure boredom, lack of commitment or the show makers venting out their stress and frustrations.
It is one of those filler episodes where they kept on stitching the outtakes out of pure boredom, lack of commitment or the show makers venting out their stress and frustrations.
so bad i actually skipped half of the episode
maryoraffael7 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Title. Lmfao. The writers literally run out of ideas.
When the Aram dream started i knew it was a dream like 10 seconds into the scene.
So so so so so so so bad i stopped the movie and come here for the review.
Stop it. Make it about reddington, task force, and blacklist criminals.
This episode was terrible, like the dream of reddington had near the sea house and same for the ressler episode.
Actually garbage non watchable, this is the 3rd episode i had to skip or fast forward in all 9 seasons.
TERRIBLE. PLS STOP IT.
When the Aram dream started i knew it was a dream like 10 seconds into the scene.
So so so so so so so bad i stopped the movie and come here for the review.
Stop it. Make it about reddington, task force, and blacklist criminals.
This episode was terrible, like the dream of reddington had near the sea house and same for the ressler episode.
Actually garbage non watchable, this is the 3rd episode i had to skip or fast forward in all 9 seasons.
TERRIBLE. PLS STOP IT.
Aram did a great job!
jeersNcheers17 May 2022
Skip this episode altogether. Rubbish
BrentCowey15 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Writing this while I am watching it and genuinely contemplating turning it off.
This is not a Blacklist Eposode - it is a "filler" only and is a east of viewing time.
This premise has been done-to-death by so many shows and so many variations of the theme Drugs, hallucinations and a Groundhog Day of self doubt, paranoia, and drug induced "what if" Even though I haven't finished it, I am assuming this will be about Aram's insec, lack of confidence and second guessing if he is really up for his job position ..... YAWN!
This is not a Blacklist Eposode - it is a "filler" only and is a east of viewing time.
This premise has been done-to-death by so many shows and so many variations of the theme Drugs, hallucinations and a Groundhog Day of self doubt, paranoia, and drug induced "what if" Even though I haven't finished it, I am assuming this will be about Aram's insec, lack of confidence and second guessing if he is really up for his job position ..... YAWN!
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