Bradley Burgess | Rawr
The opening of the new television show,“Blindspot” sets an enigmatic tone for the first episode.
The show begins with a mysterious duffel bag left in Times Square with a note that says, “Call the FBI.” When the bag is opened, a naked woman covered in tattoos (Jamie Alexander) emerges.
As the FBI investigates, they realize that their Jane Doe may be much more important than they think — her tattoos give insights into crimes that have been committed, but she has no memory of the tattoos or how she got them.
The concept of a mystery surrounding an amnesiac is nothing new, but “Blindspot” takes it a step further with the idea of a body of clues, as it were. It’s a unique take on a traditional mystery — the clues in plain sight, but disguised enough so that it’ll take time to figure it out.
One of the biggest mysteries is why FBI agent Kurt Weller’s (Sullivan Stapleton) name is tattooed on Jane’s back. The whole angle has a very “The Blacklist“ feeling to it, which is clearly a tone the network is trying to capture.
Where “The Blacklist” falls short is the fact that it tries to do too much too fast. “Blindspot’s” mystery seems like it’s been thought out, but revealing everything in season one may turn viewers off. It’s an odd thing to wish that a show would drag out a mystery, but sometimes less is more.
The irony of the show is that the character who is supposed to be the most mysterious is the most
developed.
Alexander earns every bit of sympathy as a character that knows nothing about herself. Most other actresses would milk this part for pathos, but Alexander does it all with the look in her eyes, which is no easy feat.
Stapleton as hardened FBI agent Weller is clearly playing the tough guy role here, but hopefully, he’ll lighten up as the show goes on. The two are starting to warm up to each other in the pilot, and the show hints that they may have a past together, which could be interesting to explore.
“Blindspot” opens with a strong pilot and an intriguing mystery that should reel viewers in for the next week. There are a few issues with development, but that’s what the rest of the show is for. It’s definitely a show to check out and could very quickly become an addiction.
Anthony
I just worry that they will keep adding overlays to the mystery till the point that it turns people off. So far, I have enjoyed it. I like the characters, and I appreciate that they seem to have a little depth, and that their motivations aren't so two dimensional. I hope they can keep it up.