NBC’s The Blacklist is a gem.

The other day I asked someone if they’d watched The Blacklist.  “No,” they replied:  “I don’t watch much TV.”

Believe it or not, I don’t think that I do, either.  However, I have shows I like.  Elementary, for instance, returned a couple of weeks ago to my delight.  Now I also like The Blacklist, having seen its first two episodes.

The Blacklist begins with a famous wanted man’s walking into FBI headquarters and surrendering.  The wanted man – whose name is Reddington – immediately starts giving his conditions of cooperation.  His ability to tell the FBI facts they want to know confirms his value to them.  Therefore, they decide they must cooperate.  Each agent shows his or her unique brand of distaste for Reddington.  Reddington loves being hated by them – and gives it right back with a smile.

Reddington’s motive for surrendering to the FBI is dubious, but seems to be control.  “The FBI works for me now,” he casually states in the second episode.  He suggests that he, himself, wants to take down high-value criminals for his own reasons.

Here’s James Spader as Reddington.