The Blacklist: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

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

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 10, 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 six as it pushes ahead from the startling revelation which punctuated season five for 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 six. Find below links to the previous five seasons on Blu-ray.

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

Note: What follows contains major spoilers for seasons five and six.

Official synopsis: Following the startling revelation that Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) isn't who he says he is, Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) is torn between the relationship she's developed with the man claiming to be her father and her desire to get to the bottom of years of secrets and lies. Meanwhile, Red leads Liz and the FBI to the most strange and dangerous criminals yet, growing his empire and eliminating rivals in the process. All throughout, Liz and Red engage in an uneasy cat-and-mouse game in which lines will be crossed and the truth will be revealed.

Season six's twisting dynamics are not quite so world-shattering as some of those from season five, but The Blacklist holds steady to its essentials with its own twisting dynamics, certainly building on the season five revelation that Red is not really Red while forging ahead into a new narrative focus that involves the highest office in the land. The season further builds the Red-Liz relationship as it has once again been upended with major revelation. It hums along with another terrific performance from James Spader, who brings a striking depth and assuredness to a part that is necessarily now in the good kind of narrative turmoil. With sharp writing and gripping ebbs and flows, The Blacklist remains one of TV's best.

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

Disc One:

• Dr. Hans Koehler: Red (James Spader) and the Task Force search for a plastic surgeon who creates new identities for wanted criminals. Meanwhile, Liz (Megan Boone) and her sister Jennifer (Fiona Dourif) secretly investigate the events that took place the night the real Raymond Reddingnton died.
• The Corsican: Liz and the Task Force race to stop an imminent bombing by an elusive Blacklister, and Red has an encounter that will change the trajectory of his life forever.
• The Pharmacist: While Liz and the Task Force track a notorious underground biohacker, Red initiates a strategy to extricate himself from a problematic position. Meanwhile, Cooper's (Harry Lennix) integrity is tested with a difficult choice.
• The Pawnbrokers: Red acclimates to his new surroundings in federal prison, where he is challenged by an old rival. Samar (Mozhan Marnò) goes undercover to stop a black market organization that fronts cash to criminals. Meanwhile, Liz and Jennifer continue their investigation into Red's past.
• Alter Ego: While Red argues in court to uphold the validity of his immunity agreement, Liz and the Task Force question a man whose recent inheritance seems too good to be true, and Dembe (Hisham Tawfiq) offers Red some advice.

Disc Two:

• The Ethicist: When Red is sent to a federal medical institution following his request to the court for a psychiatric evaluation, Liz and Jennifer use his time away to research for a Blacklister they believe may have valuable information about Red's past.
• General Shiro: While Red and Dembe enlist Glen's (Clark Middleton) help in stacking the jury to Red's advantage for his upcoming trial, the Task Force investigates a series of mysterious deaths resulting from weaponized insects.
• Marko Jankowics: Liz and Jennifer's pursuit of a lead on the truth about Redidngton puts them in unexpected danger. Red steps in to help mediate a brewing prison gang war.
• Minister D: As his trial begins, Red puts Liz and the Task Force on the case of a Blacklister who uses incriminating evidence to extort people, and who Red believes can prove his innocence.
• The Cryptobanker: The Task Force delves into the unregulated world of cryptocurrency in order to stop an impending attack, while Red undertakes a risky endeavor in order to secure his freedom.

Disc Three:

• Bastien Moreau: Liz and the Task Force make a play to uncover the truth about an international assassination in a last-ditch effort to save Red's life.
• Bastien Moreau: Conclusion: Cooper puts his reputation on the line to appeal to the White House on Red's behalf, as Liz and the Task Force resume their search for The Corsican (Christopher Lambert), a Blacklister with ties to an international conspiracy. Meanwhile, Samar's abilities in the field are tested.
• Robert Vesco: Red and the Task Force hunt for legendary fugitive Robert Vesco (Stacy Keach), one of history's most notorious con men. Samar makes a life-changing decision.
• The Osterman Umbrella Company: Red directs Liz to investigate a secret organization of assassins hired by global intelligence agencies to eliminate former agents, a case with ramifications that will change the Task Force forever.

Disc Four:

• Olivia Olson: The Task Force searches for a woman who specializes in hostile takeovers of criminal organizations, and may have intelligence connected to an international conspiracy involving presidential advisor Anna McMahon (Jennifer Ferrin). Meanwhile, Aram (Amir Arison) enacts a daring plan to gain leverage over Red.
• Lady Luck: Liz and Ressler (Diego Klattenhoff) investigate a Blacklister who offers to erase gambling debts -- at a deceptively high price. Dembe grows concerned as Red tests loyalties of their business associates in search of the person who turned him into the police.
• The Third Estate: Red and the Task Force spring into action to stop an anti-capitalist terrorist group from kidnapping and torturing the children of the one percent. Ressler goes behind Liz's back to fond out what happened to her mother, Katrina Rostova.
• The Brockton College Killer: The Task Force is drawn into the investigation of an old case that has gained notoriety due to a popular true crime podcast. Red visits Dom Wilkinson (Brian Dennnehy) for help making a difficult decision. Ressler makes a discovery about Katarina Rostova's past.

Disc One:

• Rassvet: Alone in a foreign country after a mission goes catastrophically wrong, Katarina Rostova (Lotte Verbeek) goes on the run to avoid the forces trying to hunt her down. Out of options, she seeks the only person she trusts: a man who has vowed to always protect her.
• Guillermo Rizal: When multiple children are abducted under similar circumstances, the Task Force rushes to find the kidnapper. Red goes on the hunt for a man who can find anything, while Liz considers a big change.
• Anna McMahon: Presidential advisor Anna McMahon faces off with Cooper and the Task Force in a winner-takes-all race to locate the missing dossier containing details of a conspiracy against America.
• Robert Diaz: As the President's true plan comes into focus, Liz and the Task Force fight to avert disaster. Red meets in secret with a man who holds information about his past.

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

As with previous seasons, season six's Blu-ray presentation is quite sturdy and stout, delivering a well-rounded watch that is nearly perfect, here only hindered by some modestly dense noise, seen primarily in lower light scenes. Otherwise the picture quality is commendable, delivering the usual array of higher end digital excellence, showcasing precise and complex facial features with ease, impressively defined clothing fabrics in most cases, and complex environments across a diverse array of locations seen throughout the season. Indeed, whether outdoor or indoor, natural light or near dark, the picture never wants for greatly added clarity and textural finesse. Colors favor a pleasing neutrality, enjoying midline contrast; there's no appearance of grossly overstated tones or any desaturation in excess. Well lit exteriors are certainly amongst the highlights; the image springs to life in such places with rich, dense tones seen on natural greens and numerous city accents, for instance, though nicely illuminated interiors also reveal clothing colors and additional tones with relative ease. Black levels rarely stray from a true black experience and flesh tones appear dialed in for the duration. There are no serious encode issues to report.

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

The Blacklist: The Complete Sixth Season features the series standard DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation is of a high quality, offering plenty of activity emerging from around the listener. The front speakers are certainly key in presenting the show's various sounds, including, predominantly, music, which is often such a vital and frequent companion. It emerges from the front with high end clarity while, at the same time, being supported by prominent but balanced surround content and subwoofer output. The track additionally offers a good bit of action type effects, those more prominent and engaged as a frontal element. Clarity of such is always high, while at the same time supported, again, by both surround and subwoofer content. Ambient effects are rich and purposeful in volume and placement alike. Dialogue is clear and precise, center focused and well prioritized for the duration.

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

The Blacklist: The Complete Sixth Season contains a number of deleted scenes, scattered commentaries, and a few brief additional extras on disc five. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not currently appear to ship with a slipcover.

Disc One:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p): For "Dr. Hans Koehler:" Reinstated (0:45) and Koehler's Client List (2:17). For "The Pharmacist:" I Made the Adjustments (0:24).

Disc Two:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p): For "The Ethicist:" Is It True? (1:22). For "General Shiro:" 5 Minutes (0:32). For "Marko Jankowics:" I Still Feel It Moving (0:22), Get Your Things (0:28), and I Need to Know What You Told Them (0:35). For "Minister D:" It's Complicated (1:25) and Femme Fatale (0:39).

Disc Three:

• Audio Commentary: Amir Arisonn and Sean Hennenn for "The Osterman Umbrella Company."

Disc Four:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p): For "Lady Luck:" We Always Knew This Day Would Come (0:31). For "The Brockton College Killer:" Justice for Tobias (1:46), She's Our Killer (0:24), and I'm Leaving Him (0:56).
• Audio Commentary: Orlando Machado Jr. and Sam Christopher for "The Brockton College Killer."

Disc Five:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p): For "Rassvet:" Doorstep (2:21), Come Inside (0:31), Gathering Supplies (0:44), and Is She Really Here? (0:37). For "Robert Diaz:" Ms. Pacman (0:42).
• Dark Figures: Secrets & Deceptions (1080p, 8:32): Building off the season five revelation, the Liz/Red dynamic, key moments, cast performances, and more.
• Behind The Blacklist: Season 6 (1080p, 21:53): Actor Harry Lennix hosts a comprehensive exploration behind the series, with a series recap, a quick season five breakdown, and a more thorough exploration of season six, including shooting locations, introducing Liz's sister, the casting process, Red's real identity, fan theories surrounding the series, and what's to come.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 3:33): Humorous moments from the shoot.

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

The Blacklist: The Complete Sixth Season delivers more sharp content and terrific performances. The narrative continues to flow freely and with both gripping drama and engaging surprise. As always, Sony's Blu-ray is well rounded, delivering high quality video and audio presentations as well as a fairly basic array of extra content. Highly recommended.