Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

The Blacklist: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Nobody Knows Raymond

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 4, 2020

'The Blacklist' is a complexly interwoven show that offers both episodic and serialized components, though narratively favoring the former as its characters and world dynamically evolve with regularity. Such is particularly true with season five as it pushes ahead towards a startling end season revelation towards which there have been several hints scattered along the way and, of course, all of the necessary legwork for it to pay off. In that light, viewers are strongly encouraged to begin at the start rather than jump in with season five. Find below links to the previous four seasons on Blu-ray.

• Season One
• Season Two
• Season Three
• Season Four

Note: Spoilers for seasons four and five appear below.

Official synopsis: Feeling surprisingly unencumbered, Raymond Reddington (James Spader) is back, and in the process of rebuilding his criminal empire. His lust for life is ever-present as he lays the foundation for this new enterprise -- one that he'll design with Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) by his side. Liz finds herself torn between her role as an FBI agent and the temptation to act on her more criminal instincts. In a world where the search for Blacklisters has become a family trade, Red will undoubtedly reclaim the monicker as the "Concierge of Crime."

Season five sees a number of plot maneuverings and machinations that circle back to previous seasons. Here, the dynamic between Red and Liz has forever been altered with the revelation that she is, in fact, his daughter, a truth which will greatly impact season five's surprise end reveal. As the season begins, Red's operation has been reduced to almost nothing, but his resourcefulness and manipulations will certainly see it, and him, rise again. What role will Tom play in the season, and will a newly rekindled relationship with Liz hold? What to make of the bag of bones? There's no shortage of intensive drama in season five. It's a veritable roller coaster that will assuredly leave fans breathless from start to finish.

The following episodes comprise season five. Summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray packaging.

Disc One:

• Smokey Putnam: With his criminal empire destroyed, Red (James Spader) enlists Liz (Megan Boone) to help him rebuild it by working as bounty hunters to bring a fugitive embezzler to trial.
• Greyson Blaise: Liz and the Task Force join Red on an international adventure in pursuit of a billionaire who moonlights as a high-end art thief. Meanwhile, Denbe (Hisham Tawfiq) chases a lead, and Tom (Ryan Eggold) seeks outside help in identifying the remains in his suitcase.
• Miss Rebecca Thrall: While the Task Force investigates a series of suspicious police shootings, Agent Ressler (Diego Klattenhoff) is distracted by increasing external pressures. With his back against the wall, Red drafts Tom in executing an elaborate plan to help re-establish his criminal reputation.
• The Endling: Liz and the Task Force hunt for an elusive criminal who will stop at nothing to destroy some of the world's most precious treasures. Meanwhile, a surprise encounter leads a cash-strapped Red toward a new business opportunity, and Tom takes acton to investigate the bones in the suitcase.
• Ilyas Surkov: Red gets intel on an International terrorist that puts the Task Fore on a collision course with the CIA.

Disc Two:

• The Travel Agency: As Ressler leads an investigation into the resurgence of a dormant murder-for-hire ring, Tom continues investigating the suitcase of bones despite a warning from Red.
• The Kilgannon Corporation: Red and the Task Force place Dembe undercover to infiltrate an international human-smuggling organization, but when communication is lost, they must intervene. Tom continues his investigation into the suitcase, landing him in grave danger.
• Ian Garvey: When Tom goes missing, Liz turns to Red and the Task Force for help. While the team scrambles to retrace Tom's steps, Red takes a more direct approach.
• Ruin: Liz abandons her old life for a fresh start in a new place, but is forced to draw on her emotional and physical strength in a brutal fight when a threat finds her.
• The Informant: Red directs the Task Force to find a Blacklister who sells sensitive information; Ressler finds himself at risk of exposure; Liz plans her next move.

Disc Three:

• Abraham Stern: Red goes on the hunt for a legendary treasure; Liz studies the methods of one of the Blacklist's most dangerous criminals.
• The Cook: As Liz works with Red to hunt for Tom's killers, she begins to question his motives. Meanwhile, the Task Force enlists the help of one arsonist to catch another.
• The Invisible Hand: Red points the Task Force toward a group that targets people for reprehensible, but legal, acts. As Red helps one of his employees, Liz investigates Tom's murder, bringing her closer to the truth about her past.
• Mr. Raleigh Sinclair III: Red assists the Task Force in tracking a mysterious Blacklister who carefully develops airtight alibis for murderous clients. Meanwhile, Liz's reinstatement at the FBI hinges on an evaluation with a psychotherapist.
• Pattie Sue Edwards: As Liz works a new angle in tracking Tom's killers, Red looks to find a creative solution to a tax issue in his money-laundering operation. Meanwhile, Aram (Amir Arison) ventures into the field as the Task Force investigates a mysterious woman behind a deadly viral outbreak.

Disc Four:

• The Capricorn Killer: As Liz investigates new details in a cold case from her early work as an FBI profiler, she explores her darker impulses in therapy with Dr. Fulton. The Task Force takes action to bring down Tom's killers within the legal system, while red takes a different approach to closing in on Ian Garvey.
• Anna-Garcia Duerte: When an associate of the Nash Syndicate is murdered, Red sets Liz and the Task Force on the case in order to recover evidence crucial to bringing down Ian Garvey. Meanwhile, Aram considers a step forward in his relationship with Samar (Mozhan Marnò).
• Zarak Mosadek: In an attempt to apply pressure to Ian Garvey , Red and the Task Force head to Paris to track down a prominent heroin supplier for the Nash Syndicate. Distrustful of Red's agenda, Liz takes her own path in going after Garvey.
• Ian Garvey: Conclusion: Liz uses intel from an unexpected source to force a race with Red to uncover the secrets he holds, as Red initiates a plan to retrieve the duffel bag of bones.

Disc Five:

• Nicholas T. Moore: The mysterious appearance of an unidentified young girl sends Liz and the Task Force on a hunt to discover her connection to the secret Red is hiding. However, when her family steps in to protect their own secrets, the investigation turns into a race to save the little girl's life.
• Lawrence Dane Devlin: When Samar lands in the crosshairs of an unconventional Blacklister, Aram and the Task Force spring into action to find her before it's too late. Meanwhile, Red journeys to Costa Rica to prevent the duffel bag of bones from being sold to the highest bidder at an underground auction.
• Sutton Ross: Liz and Red face off in a climactic race to find the Blacklister in possession of the duffel bag of bones, forcing the truth about the bones to finally come to light.

The Blacklist: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Blacklist: The Complete Fifth Season features a 1080p transfer true to the series' previous output. It's exceptionally sharp and clear, particularly in daylight and very well lit interiors where facial definition is revealing and intimate and location details are strikingly dense and clear. Even in lower light the image holds its own for textural output and efficiency, but it's certainly where the light is most forgiving and diffuse that the picture finds its best visual qualities. Colors are firm and accurate, enjoying neutral contrast that doesn't betray a natural array of hues, again in any lighting condition. Clothes and natural greenery are two highlights, but various examples of colorful urban tones and location interiors, whether wall artwork or illuminated screens, are all presented with impressive tonal accuracy. Black levels are excellent, whether considering nighttime exteriors, low light interiors, or the black clothes so pervasive in much of the season. Noise is a minor irritant in low light but it's not at all bothersome elsewhere. No other source or encode inefficiencies appear in enough quantity to report.

The Blacklist: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blacklist: The Complete Fifth Season's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers some potent elements, particularly in its musical output. The score, and a blend of popular songs, present with impressive depth and plenty of wide stage coverage, dominant along the fronts but never failing to engage the back end, and the subwoofer, with good, balanced output for the duration, too. Action effects are impressively dense and engaging, too, particularly gunshots but also crashes and chases and various din in support of the show's more high energy scenes. Conversely, atmospherics are a treat, blending into the larger whole with ease and efficiency to aid in environmental recreation in the home theater setting. Dialogue is clear and center focused. It is also well prioritized for the duration.

The Blacklist: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Blacklist: The Complete Fifth Season contains some deleted scenes, two episode audio commentary tracks, a gag reel, and two additional featurettes. The set features Sony's obnoxious television menu system whereby everything is listed on every disc, only to prompt users to insert this disc or that. Note that as it ships now an expired digital code is included and a slipcover may not be available.

Disc One:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p): For "Greyson Blaise:" Biga (0:55). For "Miss Rebecca Thrall:" The Car (0:44) and Dark Impulses (1:15).

Disc Two:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p): For "The Travel Agency:" An Opportunity (1:19) and Prescott Calls (0:44). For "Ruin:" Alternate Introduction (1:40), Agnes (0:38), Medicine Cabinet (0:54), and Trap (0:36).
• Audio Commentary: John Eisendrath for "Ian Garvey." Jon Bokenkamp, Sean Hennen, and Orlando Machado, Jr. for "Ruin."

Disc Three:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p): For "Abraham Stern:" I Want to Report a Crime (0:36) and The Stewmaking Begins (0:43). For "The Cook:" Samar's Offer and an Agreement (1:51). For "Pattie Sue Edwards:" Entertaining Other Offers (0:24) and Sucker (0:52).

Disc Five:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p): For "Lawrence Dane Devlin:" Looking for Intel (1:00) and Alternate Opening (3:43).
• Like Father, Like Daughter (1080p, 9:52): A look at the Liz-Red relationship and as it changes throughout the season, the season's tone, Red's rebuilding of his empire, larger story beats, and the season's major end reveal.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 3:11): Humorous moments from the set.
• Celebrating 100 Episodes! (1080p, 4:29): Cast and crew talk up the accomplishment of making 100 episodes.

The Blacklist: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Season five begins following a major revelation and ends on another. The writers certainly know how to not just hold audience interest but continue to build the narrative forward, and in surprising ways, while still holding fast to the core components that have seen the show grow into one of TV's best. Sony's Blu-ray is quite good, too, delivering high end video and audio presentations and a fair selection of bonus content. Highly recommended.