The Blacklist: is it worth watching?

If you’re here for the short answer, then my opinion would be ‘Yes. Watch it. Go for it!’

And if you don’t mind spending time reading the long-winded answer, then here it is…

I am currently in the middle of season 6 of the Blacklist, and I’ve been enjoying it so much I’ve basically been talking the ear off of my family and friends, recommending it to them. But as soon as I told them it had 10 seasons, they immediately looked put off.

I got the feeling when they asked me how many seasons it had, they were hoping I’d say ‘Oh, it’s just four seasons’. Which I understand, because I too thought it would be five or six seasons, seven at the most.

So, I thought about it for a bit and replied with my usual response: ‘I know it sounds like a lot, but it’s totally worth it. Trust me, it’s great!’

But then I thought it over again about a week or so later… and I realised not many people are going to take my word for it, just because I was strangely passionate. Realistically not many people have the free time to dedicate themselves to such a big series.

Maybe I should change my approach…

So, to anyone asking, is the Blacklist really worth the watch? I’m going to say instead, ‘All you need to do is try the first season. The way the writers structured it, it could be a stand-alone story, even if it leaves you with more unanswered questions.’

If you do have a bit more time and want a new series to get stuck into, I’d suggest watching up to season 5 and seeing what you think.

The Blacklist is one of those rare shows that hooked me almost immediately. It mixes crime, mystery, family secrets and shifting loyalties in a way that keeps me constantly guessing.

Seasons 1-5 show a broad range of what the series is about, and the evolution of the characters and the story. I find it so absorbing that I lose track of time. Before I know it, three hours have passed.

I’m only a few episodes into season 6, but so far, it’s managed to evolve and step up the danger as well as the character development and deception in each season.

I’ve always loved a good mystery, and The Blacklist has become one of those shows that keeps giving me new questions to think about.

If you’re on the fence because of the episode count, my advice is simple: try Season 1 and see if it hooks you.