Pilot

Episode aired Sep 23, 2013
TV-14TV-14
45min

8.3/10

S1.E1

Ex-government agent and one of the FBI's Most Wanted fugitives, Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) mysteriously turns himself in to the FBI and offers to give up everyone he has ever wo... Read allEx-government agent and one of the FBI's Most Wanted fugitives, Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) mysteriously turns himself in to the FBI and offers to give up everyone he has ever worked with including a long-thought-dead terrorist but under one condition - he'll only tal... Read allEx-government agent and one of the FBI's Most Wanted fugitives, Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) mysteriously turns himself in to the FBI and offers to give up everyone he has ever worked with including a long-thought-dead terrorist but under one condition - he'll only talk to newly-minted female FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) with whom he seemingly... Read all

8.3/10

4.3K

Top credits

See production, box office & company info

Videos1

Trailer 1:05

The Blacklist

Director Joe Carnahan and Delphina Belle, in between shots for "The Blacklist."

Delphina with Megan Boone, filming "The Blacklist," Pilot episode.

Delphina Belle in "The Blacklist" Pilot episode.

Delphina (r) with her wonderful, adult stunt double, Emily, filming the Pilot episode of "The Blacklist."

Delphina Belle (Beth Ryker) & Megan Boone (Elizabeth Keene) in The Blacklist Pilot episode.

Megan Boone (Elizabeth Keene) & Delphina Belle (Beth Ryker) in The Blacklist's Pilot episode.

The Blacklist Pilot episode. Delphina Belle (Beth Ryker) with Megan Boone (Elizabeth Keene) .

See production, box office, & company info

Ex-government agent and one of the FBI's Most Wanted fugitives, Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) mysteriously turns himself in to the FBI and offers to give up everyone he has ever worked with including a long-thought-dead terrorist but under one condition - he'll only talk to newly-minted female FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) with whom he seemingly has no connection. For Liz, it's going to be one hell of a first day on the job and what follows is a twisting series of events as the race to stop a terrorist begins. —NBC

woman wears lingerie nickname series title spoken by character worried wife standing on a ledge 29 more

Trivia
The birth date on the "Ten Most Wanted" poster for Raymond "Red" Reddington is February 7, 1960, the birth date of James Spader.

Goofs
Zamani is an Arabic name, not Serbian.

Quotes
Raymond 'Red' Reddington: You won't find the girl until you learn to look at this differently.
Elizabeth Keen: And how should I look at this?
Raymond 'Red' Reddington: Like a criminal. May come easier than you think. Shall I show you?

Connections
Edited into The Blacklist: Konets (2021)

Soundtracks
99 Problems
(uncredited)
Written by Jay-Z, Norman Landsberg, Felix Pappalardi, Billy Squier, John Ventura and Leslie West
Performed by Hugo

Top review

9/10

The Watch list

"The Blacklist," Season 1, Episode 1: "Pilot" (2013) is a professionally produced crime drama about an ex-government agent turned top FBI fugitive, Raymond Reddington played by James Spader, after he turns himself in to capture other top criminals. The only catch in his deal is that he refuses to speak to anyone other than newly hired FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen played by Megan Boone. This episode is 45 minutes of suspense, action, and intrigue through excellent acting. Reddington is dapper and controlled, while his counterpart, Keen, is uneasy and can be easily compared to the viewer. This show has major potential to go in any direction.

This pilot is captivating and draws the viewer into the different levels of the storylines. This show has several storyline layers that with the overall story continuing throughout the season and the episode storyline concluding by the end of the show. I love how the writer, Jon Bokenkamp, some how makes Reddington likeable enough to root for even though he is a notable "bad guy." I will continue to watch this show as long as it is on the air and recommend all viewers who enjoy a great storyline with twist and turns.

helpful•7