Moving onto Krysten Ritter (yes, that Krysten Ritter was on The Blacklist), as Rowan Mills, a data engineer who is somehow connected to Berlin and Lord Baltimore. Eventually, it’s revealed that Rowan had a twin sister, Nora, who was molested by their uncle and grew into a dark and angry girl. The result? Nora went crazy (who wouldn’t? I think we can all sympathize, to a certain extent, with the poor girl here) and wanted to become Rowan aka “the good sister,” so she killed her and developed a dissociative identity disorder transitioning back and forth between Nora and Rowan.
Oh, but that’s not the only personality she embraces. She is also Lord Baltimore. Bam! Did you expect that? Who would’ve thought that Ritter would play some kick-ass villain with a dissociative identity disorder? Admittedly, I didn’t think she could do it (I’m so used to her funny side), but I think she did a well-done job on this twisted storyline.
Now, for the most interesting part of the episode, Berlin, who we first see soaking in a tub filled with water and ice — probably because his heart is as cold as ice. Thanks to Berlin hiring Lord Baltimore (anyone else want to belt out “Good Morning, Baltimore” from Hairspray every time that name is uttered?), they capture a woman named Naomi Highland (played by the ever-so-talented Mary-Louise Parker), a woman Red is very concerned about. Why? Oh, maybe because she was his wife at one time. Wait, that wife who supposedly died, alongside his daughter who just might be Lizzie? No, this is a different wife. Red, you truly are a man of mystery.
Moving on, Berlin declares to send Naomi back piece by piece, like Red did to his daughter. He ain’t joking around, because Red does indeed receive a piece of his former wife — her severed finger.
And, in what is probably my least favorite part of the episode. Did anyone else find the scene with Red getting kidnapped by Mossad agent Samar Navabi (House of Cards’ Mozhan Marno) boring? Red’s weakness was showcased here, because he was thrown off his game and got captured. I like my Red tough, but at least he maintained his cool factor while being tied to a chair and questioned. That’s the Red I know and love. Also, this moment interrupted the flow of the episode. Maybe it’s going to come into play later on? I mean, surely she’ll be back on Red’s radar, and then it’ll get interesting.
The episode closed with Keen getting a haircut (I assume this is Megan Boone sporting her real hair, so anyone who complained last season about her wigs, just calm down), officially divorcing Tom and keeping his last name, after all he was an imposter and that was never his name.
Overall, the sophomore season premiere left me thrilled and wanting more. Spader just seems to have the touch. With the fast-paced storyline, the quick transitions, the revelations, Amir Arison finally a series regular and the discovery of even more mysteries, The Blacklist is off to good a start, but I wouldn’t expect anything less.
