Something New
So, we’re trying something new. I know. Scary, but sometimes you have to mix things up.
When I began Fortnightly Fixations posts the intention was that they would be an update on whatever thing or fandom had weaselled its way into my obsessive brain that two weeks. It, however, morphed into these posts reflecting on a show or an aspect of a show in its entirety, which as you may guess, are not easy to write when one is mid-watch. So? Catch Up’s.
The intent here? They’re still part of the FF post schedule, same tab, same category. The point is brevity. If it’s a new show, you’ll get the usual boring bits, and after that it’s just, as the name implies, a catch up. The explorations of a show to come when I’ve finished it.
This is largely because not only is a look at a show difficult to write while your mid-watch, but it’s a lot like commenting on something you only know half the facts for. You could be wrong, and there’s innumerable times when I have been rewatching something when I have thought I had all my facts straight, and I’m ready to write about it, and then in Season 4 Episode 3 there’s one line I’d forgotten about that changes everything. So, yes, it is safer to wait till I’m done, but as much as I would wish I could I cannot finish most shows in two weeks… So, let’s try this.
Begin!
Catch up #1: Blindspot.
Firstly, yes, this post is late. We can all see that. It’s Fortnightly Fixations, and it’s been more than a fortnight. I apologise, I was very busy these past few weeks, but it is here now, if a week late. So, let’s dive into this.
In brief? I bloody love this show. Owns my little fandom heart, and I currently find that heart rewatching it… with some delays from time to time. I love this show so much I own it, and as some of you may know, purchasing shows is not cheap. Blindspot, however, is one of those that went criminally underrated, and as such did not land itself a permanent place to stream (at least here in the UK). So, it was bought. One of the few shows I ever have, because, and let me restate this, I adore this show.
So, quickly…
An Introduction
Blindspot is an American crime drama series that aired on NBC. The Pilot aired on 21st September 2015, running for five seasons with the series concluding with its 100th episode on 23rd July 2020. Blindspot was created by Martin Gero, who would serve as a producer on the show, amongst an array of others. It was produced by Warner Bros. Television, Berlanti Productions and Quinn’s House.
The series shot primarily in New York City, New York, which was the main setting for the show.
The show starred Sullivan Stapleton, Jaimie Alexander, Audrey Esparza, Ashley Johnson, and Rob Brown alongside a slew of fantastic reoccurring guest stars including the likes of Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Ennis Esmer, Luke Mitchell, Archie Panjabi, Michelle Hurd, Ukweli Roach and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Not to mention some very special appearances by Bill Nye.
Further details about Blindspot‘s cast and crew can be found on IMDb.
Blindspot is not currently available for streaming in the UK but can be purchased in all the usual places such as Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.
A Summary
Jane Doe (Jaimie Alexander) wakes up in Time Square, covered head to toe in new tattoos, and no recollection of who she is. The only clue? Kurt Weller’s (Sullivan Stapleton) name on her back. This is the starting point of all the intriguing mysteries that ensue, as they follow the tattoos and try to figure out who did this, what they want, and why. The first mystery they try to answer? Who is Jane Doe?
Every season thereafter then unfolds from there.
This is your SPOILER warning.
Where Am I?
Season 3, currently. Actually, as I write this, I’m about to hit the midseason finale, but as much as Season 3 currently stands as my favourite season of the five, in my personal opinion a lot of the mid-season arc… sucks, it sucks. So, I’m procrastinating, taking it an episode at a time.
To be clear, the mid-season arc sucks for the characters, not from a writing perspective.
From a writing perspective, as far as I’m concerned, this show can do very little wrong… and it’s far from perfect… I’m just willing to ignore a lot of it. For the large part it’s very well thought out considering the complexities of its plot. It has some of the most engaging villains I’ve ever had the joy of watching, I love the entire main cast, it’s surprisingly diverse, and the mysteries aren’t half engaging, and still fun on a rewatch. For its faults, it shines in other areas.
Speaking of the villains; watch this show and tell me you don’t fall in love with Roman, despite the numerous people he kills. Tell me that Shepherd isn’t at least interesting, regardless of her being a terrible person. Tell me Borden’s betrayal doesn’t hurt, but it makes him no less of a compelling and intriguing character. This shows antagonists are fantastic. Though I can’t comment on Madeline right now, but most of them, and it hurts to admit, have a point. Shepherd thinks the US Government is corrupt. Well, based on the shows own evidence, she was right. Her methods were objectively terrible, but her point was valid. Roman has arguably some very justifiable anger, from what I recall, bad expression, but righteous justification. I love these guys, none of them are just “I’m evil just because.”, though like I said I am saving judgement on Madeline.
I say that I cannot comment on Madeline because, despite the fact I have watched Seasons 1-3 numerous times, I’ve not actually finished Season 4 yet, and yes, I know Season 5 began airing before COVID. However, I see your point and raise you that the end of Season 4 was going poorly for them, and stuff was changing… and I don’t like that. I am heavily invested in their happiness, and then I heard rumour of how it ends and if I’m being honest it did not leave me with high hopes for that happiness I am invested in… So, I’ve put it off… But! That obsessive spark has been reignited and we’re here now, watching it again (occasionally a little slowly), and I will watch all that pain I didn’t muscle through last time, and you’ll hear all about it.
We’re not there yet, though. We’re on Episode 307: “Fix My Present Havoc”, where currently Jane and Weller are our happy couple, huge part of why I love this season so much, and a good chunk of Season 4 while we’re at it. We know Jeller are about to have a wrench hit their rhythm though, which is probably why I’m not so eager to continue… it’s only like 5 or 6 episodes, right? … I’ll get my way through.
This does not mean the other side is any brighter, I personally find Avery to be somewhat annoying, but it’s fine… at least Roman’s fun, which brings me to a good point. Roman is so fun to watch this season. I know he’s the mastermind, but I love our angry traumatised psychopath, okay? Every scene he’s in is golden, and he is going all over the damn place.
The last two seasons are mostly localised to New York bar some exceptions, like that one island with the plane, and that time Shepherd took a very long trip for nuclear material… but for the most part, New York (and then briefly DC). This season though, we’ve gone global. The first episode alone takes us to Colorado, Nepal, Venice, Venezuela, and then, of course, New York. Then following that Roman is doing Australia, and then prancing around following Blake around the globe. We can’t forget Berlin, both past and present (to come for me). The season ends in South Africa! Season 4 is just gonna add more locations. They got the chance to branch out, and they hesitated not.
Season 3, despite its annoyances, has a lot to love. Mostly Jeller, but CIA Zapata just feels right, and Patterson’s owning the lab, and oh my god… Rich Dotcom, best addition to the cast they ever made. That man is an icon, and I adore him. If nothing else can convince you to watch the show, go watch some edits of Rich Dotcom. I’m so glad he gets added to their band of misfits this season, which brings me back around to… I love this season, I’m glad to have reached it (I swear), and I do hope I shall finish it soon and I can give you more thoughts.
Regardless, this was a successful Catch Up, right? It feels like it.
To Conclude
As always, thank you for reading, and joining me in a new exploration of a post. I hope it was fun as always, and you’ll be back for the next one, which is, because this one was late, next week.
Do you feel caught up? You know where I’m at now, what could be to come, and you got a little post with some brief thoughts and observations to hold you over… to hold me over, lest I explode this information all over my dear friends I’m all too thankful for, who get stuck listening to everything that doesn’t make it into a post.
Blindspot is one of those shows I come back to again and again, if occasionally just in thought. One of the few shows I have ever attempted to watch as it airs, as I found it as Season 3 concluded. I have a lot of love for it, as evident, and I hope at the very least, that was communicated.
This is a trial run of these posts; we’ll just go with the flow and see where it takes us. Hopefully, regardless, they’ll all be fun to read, and you’ll come back for the next one. Just be patient, we’ll figure this out, and see what shape they take.
Thank you once more! I’ll see you in the next!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the images, narratives or characters present or referenced in this post. All rights belong to NBC, Warner Bros. Television and all other relevant parties.