S01.E05: Split The Law

[Tara Ariano]

A hostage situation goes bad and causes strife between the CIA and FBI. Meanwhile, Carter clashes with Mayfair when he reveals that he's skeptical about Jane's loyalties; and Jane meets Weller's family, but the situation proves to be difficult for her.

[Xantar]

I know the CIA is evil and stuff, but are they really going to just point their weapons at FBI agents? Out here in the real world, I'm pretty sure an incident like that would invite a Presidential smackdown and a lot of ended careers. Yeah, I know it's a TV show, but you can't go this far over the line without explanation. Which CIA agents are really going to risk their careers for a bone-headed move like that?

[Amethyst]

IMO, this had to be the most solid episode so far.  A lot of it is still cringeworthy, but there were some upward strides.  Weller is finally realizing that he can't just wish Taylor into existence, whether Jane is her or not.  Even Mayfair had to call him out for ignoring the isotope test.  And while her being in the FBI is a complete joke, Jane works better in the field.  She bounces off well with the other agents and she can handle herself, as well as a gun.  I laughed at Carter's "Uh, she's not really an agent" thing because he's right.  But I'll try to let that go because they clearly aren't changing that any time soon.  

 

I hated them trying to paint Reede as the weak link when he's the only one will acts like he's got any sense.  Dude shouldn't be vilified or scolded because he won't go with the flow.  And Carter being the obvious bad guy doesn't make Reade any less right.

 

The stuff with Weller and the mystery drags the show down.  I'm glad we didn't have to sit through a long ass dinner with Weller's sister, because Jane and Weller angst enough as it is.  I can live with the FBI using the tattoos to solve crimes, but I honestly don't care about the Taylor stuff anymore and how it connects to Weller.  

 

That standoff had me laughing in the end.  So dramatic.  

[Proteus]

I must has missed it. Zapata called out Reade for what exactly? I didn't see him side with Carter against Weller at all.

[Free]

I know the CIA is evil and stuff, but are they really going to just point their weapons at FBI agents? Out here in the real world, I'm pretty sure an incident like that would invite a Presidential smackdown and a lot of ended careers. Yeah, I know it's a TV show, but you can't go this far over the line without explanation. Which CIA agents are really going to risk their careers for a bone-headed move like that?

 

The ones that are cartoonishly evil like this one.

 

That standoff had me laughing in the end.  So dramatic.

 

It was laughably bad, which was at least more entertaining than the rest of the dull series.

 

The stuff with Weller and the mystery drags the show down.  I'm glad we didn't have to sit through a long ass dinner with Weller's sister, because Jane and Weller angst enough as it is.  I can live with the FBI using the tattoos to solve crimes, but I honestly don't care about the Taylor stuff anymore and how it connects to Weller.

 

Weller just isn't an interesting character so I have no reason to care about his long lost neighbor and his creepy obsession with her at all.

[miracole]

Most awesome thing about this epi, everytime they said MWA it sounded like NWA oh the show that was happening in my head...

Weller enunciated during the hostage negotiation scenes, however the rest of the show he did not.

Wish Weller and Taylor had been closer in age. It would make more sense that he was very close to another 10 year-old rather than a 5 year-old that wasn't a relation.

Wish Reade was the lead. That rhymes...yep that's all I've got.

[Amy Beth]

What's the anagram?

Nvm. I can't spell

Edited October 20, 2015 by Amy Beth

[thuganomics85]

I'm sorry, but I could barely keep it together during the first part of the episode, because anytime a character said M.W.A.(the company that was the CIA front), I kept hearing N.W.A., and I just kept laughing.  It might not have been "better", but the episode would have been extremely entertaining if Jane/Taylor's tattoos somehow involved a/the former rap group from Compton!  Dr. Dre's Beats headphone are actually part of a plan to destroy America!  MC Ren has been spotted!  Ice Cube is threatening to make another "Are We There Yet?" movie!  Eazy E is back from the dead!

 

I guess I could give them some credit for not making Reade obviously be in league with the CIA (yet) for daring to not be a cheerleader for Jane/Taylor, but Zapata instead, in what I'm guessing is to pay off her gambling debts.  Of course, I don't think this plot is really going to be that great since the C.I.A. are just so one-dimensional and evil.  I knew going in that, when you cast Michael Gaston as your head, he clearly is going to be shady, but openly threatening the FBI like that?  Really?  The CIA is willing get into a shoot-out in broad daylight?  Against the FBI?  Never thought I would ever say this, but they're making Cover Affairs look realistic in their portrayal of the CIA.

 

So, Weller isn't telling Jane that she might actually not be Taylor, so he better hope she is, or he's in for a world of hurt, if she ever finds out.  

 

Jane briefly was channeling me when she was wondering why in the hell was her tattoos leading them to a bank hostage scenario.  Yeah, after all that work, you'd think those tattoos would lead to some crazy shit, instead of stuff that has been done before in plenty of shows.

 

I will give Weller this: I totally don't trust his dad, because he's Jay O. Sanders.  That man can't be ever trusted!  Normally, he'd be the most untrustworthy person on this show, but that's not true here since we've already got Michael Gaston.

[Amethyst]

I must has missed it. Zapata called out Reade for what exactly? I didn't see him side with Carter against Weller at all.

 

Zapata told Reade that the FBI needed to present a united front against Carter and the CIA, so Reade should let up on the "Jane shouldn't be here" stuff.

 

But as for Reade siding with Carter?  I didn't see that either, and I figured I had just missed it on a previous episode. 

[bmoore4026]

Jamie Alexander acted her heart out in that scene where Jane remembers the room full of neglected kids, you'd think Kurt's actor would put just a smidge of compassion on telling her about feelings and being there and shit.  When he touched her chest in that scene, I kept expecting him to say "Tarzan.  Jane.  Tarzan.  Jane.  Cheetah."

 

And of course the CIA is teh evulz because it's the CIA - go to conspiracy villains.  I actually wanted Not CCH Pounder to shoot Cheesy Evil Secret Agent Man, but then we wouldn't have a villain for the series.

 

And I'm calling it now - Cheesy Evil Secret Agent Man is the one who lead Jane down into the room of unfortunate children.

 

Also, "The Room of Unfortunate Children" implies there might be others like Jane out there and that several of those kids probably died horribly.  Because when you need a go to thing to establish a villain, it's exploited children.

 

And Jane's friend who betrayed her got a whole bunch of ones for being a turncoat.  I would have demanded 100 one-hundreds at least.

[Free]

Jamie Alexander acted her heart out in that scene where Jane remembers the room full of neglected kids, you'd think Kurt's actor would put just a smidge of compassion on telling her about feelings and being there and shit.  When he touched her chest in that scene, I kept expecting him to say "Tarzan.  Jane.  Tarzan.  Jane.  Cheetah."

 

It just came off awkward in terms of their dynamic, it was an emotional scene for her while he was just stuck in the stiff face mode.

[Proteus]

Zapata told Reade that the FBI needed to present a united front against Carter and the CIA, so Reade should let up on the "Jane shouldn't be here" stuff.

 

But as for Reade siding with Carter?  I didn't see that either, and I figured I had just missed it on a previous episode.

Ok, thanks. I guess the show made an editing mistake.

[Amethyst]

Wish Weller and Taylor had been closer in age. It would make more sense that he was very close to another 10 year-old rather than a 5 year-old that wasn't a relation.

 

That's a really good point.  There's a big difference in cognitive development between a five year old and a ten year old.  Jane tagging along after Weller would be more convincing than them being close friends at that age.

 

Also, "The Room of Unfortunate Children" implies there might be others like Jane out there and that several of those kids probably died horribly.  Because when you need a go to thing to establish a villain, it's exploited children.

 

 If that is the case, how much do you wanna bet that Jane's the only one who survived?  Because she's so special, you know.

 

Ok, thanks. I guess the show made an editing mistake.

 

NP.  Glad it wasn't just me who was confused.

Edited October 20, 2015 by Amethyst

[Happy Harpy]

I must has missed it. Zapata called out Reade for what exactly? I didn't see him side with Carter against Weller at all.

Because when Carter said Jane wasn't really an agent, Reade made an approving face/nod meaning  "Yep, that's what I've been saying, finally a sane man here" that was for everybody to see.

I still think that both Reade and Weller's POV about Jane are portrayed with pros and cons, with each of them looking like a stubborn ass at times and being right at others.

I knew that Carter was looking for an angle and would use Zapata's gambling problem to get to her! I hope she can turn the tables on him because I like her.

 

Carter is a great villain, just oily as needed, and Mayfair rules.

 

I also think that in spite of a premise that is, again, unrealistic to start with, Weller and Jane's reactions are both understandable and realistic. It seems very close to what I've read about very young abducted children who get back home years later, with no memory of their early childhood and family (and I think there was a movie about it with Young Jarod and Michelle Pfeiffer in the 90's?).

Except for not telling her about the isotope, for which I think he should fess up and fast -especially now that she said that he was her starting point, not Taylor so it matters less- I think that Weller deals rather well with the situation and tries to do the best he can for Jane. After she told him that his expectations were a burden for her, I liked that he kept his emotions in  check, and tried to be there for her without burdening her more with his own emotions. And considering where their last scene was leading imo (I thought they were going to kiss, honestly) I'm glad that he left because it could have been seen as taking advantage of her, and imposing his feelings on her whereas she's completely lost and just basically told him he's her only anchor in life.

He was furious with his sister who obviously tries to use Jane in order to exonerate their father, so I deduce that he didn't tell Jane about it to spare her and not to keep secrets. He's far from perfect, and thankfully it's acknowledged in universe, he makes mistakes, but because of all this, he's pretty sympathetic to me.

 

I think the show may pull a Bill Mulder, and Weller's dad is indeed going to be the one who took Jane/Taylor.

Edited October 20, 2015 by Happy Harpy

[GaT]

At least Jane asked the big question, how does the person/people who tattooed her know what's going to happen? You would think that would be one of the first questions the FBI would ask.

[dwmarch]

So this is how you get into a CIA black site: stage a robbery involving two men and three accomplices who pose as hostages. Walk down a set of stairs. Shoot the two guards who are completely unprepared for an attack despite the gunfire upstairs. Have your way with the CIA's secrets and have the paramedics escort you out. Apparently in this universe the CIA does not believe in things such as doors or cameras.

 

At the end when Jane and Weller were having their hot and heavy moment and Weller decided he'd rather not get laid that evening Jane said "...kay" but on my headphones it sounded like she said "gay". And indeed, Weller. She placed your hand on her chest! At this rate he's never going to see the upside down tattoo on the back of her neck.

 

I see we had Star Trek-style radiation in this episode. If the counter goes over 300 you're dead, no turning back. But it can hover at 299 for as long as the plot demands and everyone is fine.

 

We've got another show in which a rash of child kidnappings goes relatively unnoticed. Hawaii 5-0 did something similar. The show has an opportunity to address this and I hope they do by somehow establishing that these particular children (except Jane) wouldn't be missed for a good reason. Because in real life police tend to investigate when kids go missing.

 

I did love the CIA guy's delighted "What's your name?" to Zapata. She clearly wanted to say you know goddamn well what my name is but that would have been awkward.

[penelope79]

IMO, this had to be the most solid episode so far.  A lot of it is still cringeworthy, but there were some upward strides.  Weller is finally realizing that he can't just wish Taylor into existence, whether Jane is her or not.  Even Mayfair had to call him out for ignoring the isotope test.  And while her being in the FBI is a complete joke, Jane works better in the field.  She bounces off well with the other agents and she can handle herself, as well as a gun.  I laughed at Carter's "Uh, she's not really an agent" thing because he's right.  But I'll try to let that go because they clearly aren't changing that any time soon. 

 

Completely agree. This show still has its flaws, yet there are enjoyable parts that keep me watching, regardless of the cringeworthy moments. At least, for now.

 

I'm probably alone here, but I actually think there IS chemistry between the two leads. The final scene was overall well done and I, too, thought they were about to kiss but glad that Kurt left, because even though it's more than obvious they're falling for each other it's still definitively not the right time.

I can also understand Kurt's "obsession": not only he believed that keeping Taylor safe was his duty (of course he was only 10 and shouldn't feel guilty at all, but it's still a burden he grew up with), but his own father had been accused of being the kidnapper. And maybe, I guess, Kurt believes it's actually a chance, otherwise I can't see why his sister is still in good terms with their father while Kurt doesn't even want to see him. Which brings me to this point.

 

I think the show may pull a Bill Mulder, and Weller's dad is indeed going to be the one who took Jane/Taylor.

 

I really believe this could be the case. We don't get to see (yet) the face of the abductor in Jane's memories, but it's clearly someone the audience already know or the whole mystery would be pointless. It could be Carter of course, but the fact Kurt's father showed up (as I thought he would since the pilot) seems to point in this direction. And if it's him, then I guess that 1) he works for the government too, probably the CIA (aka The Villain); 2) Jane is Taylor Shaw, after all.

 

For some reason, the whole room with abducted children reminded me of Alias (I'll spoiler tag in case someone wants to watch it and still hasn't) where

Sydney Bristow and Vaughn find out that they had both been part of the Project Christmas in the past, which aimed to train children to be future spy and basically destined to the CIA as adults. However, IIRC, children did still get to live with their families.

But then again, the whole premise of the show reminds me of Alias

specially when Sydney wakes up with no memory of the previous two years

[KateeBar]

I liked this episode better. The FBI vs. CIA story is overdone, but Jean-Baptiste and Gaston are fun to watch.

In my head, I've been speculating that Jane was kidnapped as part of a spy-raising experiment. I wonder if that's how her memories will play out, now that we've seen the first flashes. I'd bet money Weller's dad was involved too.

It appears they upgraded Jane from a tank to a Hanes Beefy-T. Or did I miss that before? She'll get a real shirt when she beats up three more people I guess. I could swear Weller had on some real dad jeans though.

I still think it's silly to try and sell that a 10-year old boy was such good friends with a girl half his age. That just seems off. They should have made them closer in age.

[Sakura12]

The age thing bothers me too. 5 years isn't much when you're older but a 5 year old and 10 year old have a huge cognitive difference. They couldn't possible have been that close. I get that he blames himself for losing her, but he was 10! What would he have done if he had caught that man taking Jane? He'd probably been killed for doing that. That said I think because of the actor they hired, Weller's dad, did probably sell Jane to the people that took her.  

 

Then we also have Jane was 5 when she taken, even if she had her memories she most likely wouldn't remember being Taylor anyway. At 5 it would've been easy to make her forget who she was by giving her a new name and keep calling her by her new name. Taylor Shaw was gone no matter what. 

 

Also with Jane saying there were a bunch of other kids, maybe Weller should get his head out of his own ass and tell everyone that since that could mean other unsolved child abductions can be looked into again especially in light of how Jane turned out. They could be looking into a child assassins training ring. With children taken from all over the world. However I think he's hiding that information because that could mean that Jane is not Taylor and could be one of those other children. 

 

Classic bait and switch with the female agent saying they stand united and be the one that is spying on them for the CIA to help her stupid gambling problem. I get giving the other characters back stories but they don't need to be so standard and dull. 

[Netfoot]

With all this "Give us Jane!  Don't bother to wrap her up!" talk, I hope Jane will be sleeping with a Fairbairn–Sykes strapped to her forearm from now on, because she is an obvious snatch target by CreepyCarter and his Merrie Men.

 

I'm surprised about the Zapata reveal.   With Reade's obvious dissatisfaction about Jane's status, it seems they missed an opportunity to spend at least a couple episodes playing him as the suspected source of the leak for us, before revealing Zapata as the real mole.  I suppose they could still have Weller bull-headedly accusing him for a time, while we all shout "No!  No!  You fool!" at our screens.

[Bort]

The age thing doesn't bother me at all. When I was 10, I used to play with the 5-year-old next door. When it's the only kid around that isn't your sibling… hey, it's somebody to play with.

[Sakura12]

I don't mind them as neighborhood kids hanging out, what is weird was his "I remember when they brought her home". He was 5 and that is not something a 5 year old would care too much about to remember. However seeing how is he now, I'm going to assume he was a creepy kid as well, 

[krimimimi]

Welp, I like that they do reveals that a lot of other shows seem to drag out, and I thought that this episode was marginally improved, but that's about it for the positives. No wait, I like that they had Reede's "agreement" with evul!CIA dude be somewhat subtle, and only highlighted it by having another character reference it. It's the kind of thing these people should notice, and they did (Zappata called him on it, and Carter made an open play for him later), and in a lot of other shows, that would have been done via scene chewing on Reede's part, so good for them. And there are little things like that, and even not so little things like seeing opportunity for a storyline in killing off Jane's bearded dude, without forcibly extending things by chasing him until mid-season cliffhanger only to immediately kill him off. That takes some faith in the story you're telling and gives me hope, but Stapleton's insufferable line readings. really make me. want to change. the dial. God he's wretched.

 

Of course that hope is immediately dashed by the schmoopy backstory with Weller and Taylor, which is also a deliberate story choice, and more than a little irksome. Feels like it gobbles the show. This could have been told without it. And unfortunately that's about the point where I really lose faith in the creatives behind this mess.

 

And by all means, Jane, please confront him about it mid-hostage situation. Great timing. That and her flakiness whenever she has a memory are why she shouldn't be in the field, and making others less competent (or has Weller been carrying the team all these years?) to justify her presence isn't helping the show as a whole.

 

Too much Jane fighting hand to hand, which seems forced. Too much bappity bapping as a whole, which is simply boring. Jane once again tries to strangle a guy (who entered the vault in a neat suit and unarmed? good call, lady! clearly the FBI should have armed her.). Is there a count for that? Does she have to do that every episode? Are they just trying to get a drinking game on? Would probably increase my enjoyment of the show.

 

And Jane's frightened bird faces already drove the hubby to quit watching last week; I really wish they'd let up. (That's his first cancellation of the season, and it's my most precarious bubble show this year.)

 

Mayfair and Carter balanced a very fine line between cheese and... drama, I guess, but I thought they came down on the right side of it for the most part. Mostly because Mayfair grounded Carter's flights of cheese, but still. I found them compelling. More than I can say for the leads.

 

And here I should probably say thanks to Happy Harpy for pointing out why the character Weller doesn't entirely suck. Er, has some good points. I had to agree with some of the things you said, and if I'm going to continue watching, I'll try to do so through that lens. I am definitely far too focused on the portrayal, and I have a really hard time seeing the character behind it, so thanks for reminding me.

Edited October 20, 2015 by krimimimi

[paigow]

With children taken from all over the world....  

Especially from Sub-Sahara - where tooth transplants are commonly used as a forensic counter-measure....

[saber5055]

Weller just isn't an interesting character so I have no reason to care about his long lost neighbor and his creepy obsession with her at all.

However seeing how is he now, I'm going to assume he was a creepy kid as well,

Creepiness runs in that family. Did anyone not notice the freakazoid that was the kid at the dinner table? Man, he creeped ME out. Plus what's up with everyone eating dinner but no one bothered to tell the kid Jane was there? But maybe they did and he just decided to creep it up because, well, it's hereditary.

At the end when Jane and Weller were having their hot and heavy moment and Weller decided he'd rather not get laid that evening Jane said "...kay" but on my headphones it sounded like she said "gay". And indeed, Weller. She placed your hand on her chest! At this rate he's never going to see the upside down tattoo on the back of her neck.

Best post here so far! Thanks for the laugh, and for the imagined scenario now locked in my brain.

Edited October 20, 2015 by saber5055

[Sarah D. Bunting]

 

Did anyone not notice the freakazoid that was the kid at the dinner table?

Cannot stop laughing at this. He kept making Bill The Cat faces.

[Primetimer]

A shoot-out in a boneyard establishes Blindspot's Big Bad.

Read the story

[verysimple]

Also, Weller Sr. is Jay O. Sanders.

Well, now I'm stuck watching this thing. Jay and my stepmom have been friends since high school, and he's apparently the nicest guy on earth. So we watch everything he's in. When I saw him pop up at the end of the episode, I basically groaned with acknowledgment that I'm never getting away from this show now.

[torqy]

I suppose it was inevitable, but "there's a mole in CTU!!"

 

@Sarah D. Bunting: Ack! Thbbft!!

[Happy Harpy]

I'm probably alone here, but I actually think there IS chemistry between the two leads.

Table for two, then! I thought they had chemistry, so far, but I was actually surprised to see sexual chemistry in this episode. I think I was holding my breath for a second.

 

And here I should probably say thanks to Happy Harpy for pointing out why the character Weller doesn't entirely suck. Er, has some good points. I had to agree with some of the things you said, and if I'm going to continue watching, I'll try to do so through that lens. I am definitely far too focused on the portrayal, and I have a really hard time seeing the character behind it, so thanks for reminding me.

Thank you, too! I know that when you don't like a portrayal, it's extremely hard to warm up to a character (and to watch a show at all when you don't like one of the leads). As someone who appreciates Weller, my main fear is that the trust tug-of-war will destroy those qualities I see in him so far, for the sake of cheap plot twists.

I feel that the actors' direction and the tone already inflected, so maybe it's a good sign. Moreover, if G.Berlanti supervises this show like Arrow S1, he might tweak and adjust a number of things.

The first two episodes, everybody was so tense that I felt tired at the end; it isn't the case anymore and it's in good part imo because S.Stapleton is allowed to play Weller as something else than 100% repressed in more scenes. I thought it was thanks to Patterson only, but she was barely  in this episode and I found it fast-paced, yet not exhausting (booh for not much Patterson, though).

 

I also agree that the writers should go on answering questions, and fast, it's one of the good ideas of the show so far. The ratings dropped quite a bit this week, and I  can't help but wonder whether people who were burned by Lost (and the Blacklist? Although I never watched that show so I can't say) decided to give up because they were disappointed by the "maybe not" twist. I know I wasn't happy about it and I wouldn't like too many cop-outs like this one.

Edited October 20, 2015 by Happy Harpy

[paigow]

Patterson: Hey Weller, can you show me some hand to hand combat moves?

Weller: Sure...[FBI Fu] You try it...[FBI Fu] WTF? You knocked out my tooth!!!

Patterson: I'm going to run the kangaroo / wallabee isotope test to prove you are a spy from Sub-Outback Australia

[krimimimi]

The first two episodes, everybody was so tense that I felt tired at the end; it isn't the case anymore and it's in good part imo because S.Stapleton is allowed to play Weller as something else than 100% repressed in more scenes. I thought it was thanks to Patterson only, but she was barely in this episode and I found it fast-paced, yet not exhausting (booh for not much Patterson, though).

I also agree that the writers should go on answering questions, and fast, it's one of the good ideas of the show so far. The ratings dropped quite a bit this week, and I can't help but wonder whether people who were burned by Lost (and the Blacklist? Although I never watched that show so I can't say) decided to give up because they were disappointed by the "maybe not" twist. I know I wasn't happy about it and I wouldn't like too many cop-outs like this one.

While I liked this ep more than the others, it was because I thought the scenes with the leads (which make up the lion's share of the show) were somewhat improved. Weller was less of a plank, and Jane pointed out she's not some 5 year old she doesn't remember (what was her age when she disappeared? I've seen a couple of different numbers mentioned.). But I definitely needed more Patterson and more shrink. (Hell, I even liked Patterson's stud muffin and wouldn't have minded more of him.) Improving the interaction between the leads makes the show less painful , but also giving me more of the characters I enjoy would make it more pleasurable .

I recently saw the shrink in an episode of Silk and thought he was quite good there, too. I'd really like to see more scenes with him. It would also give Jane a chance to work through her perfectly legitimate issues without having to just default to wounded bird face all the time, so: added bonus. Right now Weller is pretty much the only other real hope of her working through her stuff, and I don't need more scenes anytime soon that look like they're headed towards romantic territory. Given Jane's state, I find that just icky.

I can't speak for the rest of the viewership, but I was kind of annoyed at the "take back" re: Taylor or maybe not. I'm not as annoyed as I will be if they firm it up, because right now I feel like the point is to keep folks kind of unsure, and less that we're supposed to actually buy into the retcon. And I guess I can live with that. But I could totally see folks having no patience with that. I liked that they revealed her identity so quickly, because honestly, it doesn't matter (except for to the Wellers) anyway. She's not that person anymore, and it makes no difference to the rest of the cast. Which is also why I don't think the continued use of the "Jane" moniker signals that she isn't Taylor. I think it's a sign of respect not to call her "Taylor" until she accepts that identity, and it seems she's hesitant to do so. The time passed in show has been short, and no one but Weller is so keen on seeing her as Taylor, and he's been trying hard to call her "Jane" I thought in part to show that he wasn't trying to force that identity on her (although he totally is).

[Happy Harpy]

I recently saw the shrink in an episode of Silk and thought he was quite good there, too. I'd really like to see more scenes with him. It would also give Jane a chance to work through her perfectly legitimate issues without having to just default to wounded bird face all the time, so: added bonus. Right now Weller is pretty much the only other real hope of her working through her stuff, and I don't need more scenes anytime soon that look like they're headed towards romantic territory. Given Jane's state, I find that just icky.

I think/hope that Weller's retreat, this episode, is an indication that although I'm quite certain they're headed to romantic territory, it won't happen anytime soon. I agree that it's way too soon for Jane -and I actually think it's too soon for Weller, too. Although there's no comparison whatsoever between what he and Jane have respectively been through, her reappearance also means a big change in life as he's known it since his childhood, about something that deeply affected him on an emotional and personal level.

He knows who he is, but I'm not sure that he's better than Jane at navigating, when it purely comes to his emotions. It kind of balances a bit the relationship, for me.

I want more scenes of Jane and Weller bonding, but I 100% agree that she should sort her issues with the shrink and confide in Weller, as in a friend/partner -I wouldn't mind if she got other friends, like Patterson or why not even Reade (plot twist!). It's important they establish boundaries.

 

 

Which is also why I don't think the continued use of the "Jane" moniker signals that she isn't Taylor. I think it's a sign of respect not to call her "Taylor" until she accepts that identity, and it seems she's hesitant to do so.

I like this explanation, and it makes lots of sense to me. I really hope they'll settle the issue once and for all very soon, especially since the showrunner said that her identity as Taylor isn't the most interesting question (paraphrasing here).

Edited October 20, 2015 by Happy Harpy

[Kromm]

Jamie Alexander acted her heart out in that scene where Jane remembers the room full of neglected kids, you'd think Kurt's actor would put just a smidge of compassion on telling her about feelings and being there and shit.  When he touched her chest in that scene, I kept expecting him to say "Tarzan.  Jane.  Tarzan.  Jane.  Cheetah."

It's easy to kind of get lost in how gorgeous Jaime Alexander is and forget that she's also a pretty good actress until scenes like this remind us. But it makes a big contrast when she's up there with a plank of wood.

[Dowel Jones]

I'm rather curious about shootouts.  Don't they attract attention, even in cemeteries (ESPECIALLY in cemeteries?)  Wouldn't that draw a few dozen PD patrol cars to the scene?  I'm guessing there will be a lot of 'splainin' to do, what with all the dead bodies and such.  Unless the FBI or the CIA has a flashy-thingy device on hand.  And what was with the FBI agents running away from the advancing bad guys there?  It's not like there's a shortage of things to hide behind (and fire back) in a graveyard. 

 

Agent Evil was just way to jovial for a Deputy Director of the CIA.  He must have been channeling Raymond Reddington in his scenes.  How does he rate a field assignment, as well as dragging along several operatives with him, without his boss knowing about it?

[Rambler]

Yeah it was nice of the terrorists to run around in the open like that making it easier for the good guys to mow them down.

 

So the CIA has a super secret torture chamber inside the US which is so secret the only ones who know the location are the terrorists. Methinks the CIA has a bigger worry than Jane, namely who is leaking the locations of their black op sites to terrorists. Or maybe there is no leak and the bank customers just noticed all the suspected terrorists being marched in handcuffs through the lobby. I’d like to meet the genius who thought that a bank would be the ideal spot to house a secret CIA site. What did he think would happen if the bank ever got robbed? That the NYPD and the FBI wouldn’t investigate and notice the torture chamber down in the basement?

[caligirl50]

Still watching!!!

I thought this episode was okay BUT...

- The CIA guy is so not believable 

- Jane having her own apartment (makes no sense if she is still being "studied")

- Weller brings her home but doesn't check out the whole apartment. What's the point?

- The radiation levels in the cemetery ceased to be a problem once the FBI decided to ignore it.

- Kiss already!!!!

[tomatoflyer]

Ugh, I hated that scene when Jane said "My story starts with you" (paraphrasing). I rolled my eyes at the whole scene. I did like those episode a little more. I don't really find Jaime Alexander stunning or anything, and her looks certainly don't distract me from the acting.

[krimimimi]

I thought this episode was okay BUT...

...

- Jane having her own apartment (makes no sense if she is still being "studied")

I'm not the show's biggest fan (heh), but that didn't really bother me (for once). Unlike Limitless, where the hero is actually being studied by the FBI, as far as the fibbies are concerned, Jane has nothing more to offer until her memory returns. Her tattoos have been photographed and she (probably) isn't actually needed to decode them. And she can't help them with the mystery of who did this to her until she remembers more. (Although the show is working hard to justify her presence with stuff like the CDC's UV light exposing otherwise invisible tattoos, or the excursions jogging her memory.) So there really is no reason to justify treating someone they consider to be a victim as a lab rat.

Contrast that with Limitless where the lead is 1) an illegal drug user, 2) a criminal and 3) currently being studied by the FBI. (All of that sounds pretty bad, but I actually like the show a lot more than Blindspot.) As far as the FBI knows, he's the only person discovered to date to be immune to the super duper drug's side effects and happens to be guilty of criminal actions (and was offered a deal to grant him immunity for his cooperation as a guinea pig), and yet he's allowed to continue living on his own without supervision. So while they're clearly different shows with different tones in different universes even, I think having Jane under guard is a bit of a hard sell unless they demonstrate she's currently threatened.

Now the CIA has been shown not to share the FBI's view that Jane can offer up no more info, possibly because they weren't the ones to run polygraphs on her. Or maybe it's because the show's version of the CIA is willing to torture until they get the answers they're looking for, and have faith in that approach. So as someone upthread suggested, they may well be her current greatest threat.

But for something else that really bugs me, if her tattoos are so uber secret, and the photos of them are totally classified and Patterson (and her stud muffin) need to be warned about that, then why the hell do they have Jane running all over town in tanks???

[Netfoot]

Contrast that with Limitless where the lead is 1) an illegal drug user, 2) a criminal and 3) currently being studied by the FBI.

 

1)  Has it been established that EZT is an illegal drug?  Drugs aren't illegal because the FBI want them to be illegal.  There is a Controlled Substances Act that states what is illegal and what is not, and as far as I can see, the FBI don't want the existence of EZT to become public, so they are hardly likely to try and add it to one of the five schedules.  

 

2) Seeing as EZT isn't an illegal drug, leastways as far as I can see, what crime did Brian commit again, that makes him a criminal?

 

3) Being studied by the FBI is a state that is pretty easy to get out of.  You just walk out the door.  I don't believe any court in the land has the right to sentence someone (criminal or otherwise) to a term of "Studyment".  The FBI doesn't get to study you unless you agree.  Which Brian has done, in exchange for a supply of EZT.  And since when does the FBI undertake clinical drug trials, anyway?

 

Whooops!   This isn't the Limitless forum!  But all the above applies to Blindspot / Jane.

 

Jane is not under arrest, and has not been charged with any crime.  I suppose she could be charged with indecent exposure for walking around Times Square in the buff, but I do believe the circumstances of how she got there would probably get any such charges thrown out of court forthwith.  I can't think of any other action that the FBI could bring charges for.  (Except possibly her hairdo, which just has to be criminal, right?)

 

In fact, as a victim of a crime (kidnapping, assault, etc) I'm not sure how far the FBI can go with Jane at all.  I don't know that they even had a right to photograph her tattoos, without her consent.  Arguably, they are evidence of a crime, but I suspect a good lawyer could make mincemeat of them in court.  They certainly have no right to prevent her from getting her own apartment and coming and going as she sees fit.  Naturally, with no memory, she won't have access to her bank accounts, but she could easily get a job (circus) and take it from there.  They can't force her to be the subject of study, any more than Brian in Limitless.

 

Now, having said this, in practice, the FBI (aka American Gestapo) will do exactly what they want with Jane (and Brian) even if they have to take a page from J. Edgar's book and manufacture evidence by the yard, to do it.  And I don't even think they'll bother to do that.  They will mumble some crap about the Patriot act, and Jane/Brian will become their slave for life, to be stored, utilized and disposed of at their whim, without benefit of due process, habeas corpus, or any consideration of the Bill of Rights.  But such thoughts only spoil the fun of the show.

[Free]

At least Jane asked the big question, how does the person/people who tattooed her know what's going to happen? You would think that would be one of the first questions the FBI would ask.

 

If they were in any way competent, yes they would, as it would've been the most obvious question to ask.

[krimimimi]

1) Has it been established that EZT is an illegal drug?...

2) Seeing as EZT isn't an illegal drug, leastways as far as I can see, what crime did Brian commit again, that makes him a criminal?

3) Being studied by the FBI is a state that is pretty easy to get out of. You just walk out the door. I don't believe any court in the land has the right to sentence someone (criminal or otherwise) to a term of "Studyment". The FBI doesn't get to study you unless you agree. Which Brian has done, in exchange for a supply of EZT. And since when does the FBI undertake clinical drug trials, anyway?

Whooops! This isn't the Limitless forum! But all the above applies to Blindspot / Jane.

Jane is not under arrest, and has not been charged with any crime. I suppose she could be charged with indecent exposure for walking around Times Square in the buff, but I do believe the circumstances of how she got there would probably get any such charges thrown out of court forthwith. I can't think of any other action that the FBI could bring charges for. (Except possibly her hairdo, which just has to be criminal, right?)

In fact, as a victim of a crime (kidnapping, assault, etc) I'm not sure how far the FBI can go with Jane at all. I don't know that they even had a right to photograph her tattoos, without her consent. Arguably, they are evidence of a crime, but I suspect a good lawyer could make mincemeat of them in court. They certainly have no right to prevent her from getting her own apartment and coming and going as she sees fit. Naturally, with no memory, she won't have access to her bank accounts, but she could easily get a job (circus) and take it from there. They can't force her to be the subject of study, any more than Brian in Limitless.

Now, having said this, in practice, the FBI (aka American Gestapo) will do exactly what they want with Jane (and Brian) even if they have to take a page from J. Edgar's book and manufacture evidence by the yard, to do it. And I don't even think they'll bother to do that. They will mumble some crap about the Patriot act, and Jane/Brian will become their slave for life, to be stored, utilized and disposed of at their whim, without benefit of due process, habeas corpus, or any consideration of the Bill of Rights. But such thoughts only spoil the fun of the show.

1)

I think they were suggesting it was a controlled substance, not sure how that differs from "illegal drug" per se, and I agree completely that things aren't illegal just because law enforcement doesn't like them. (That's kind of the whole point to them - carrying out and enforcing the laws, not making them.) Which I gathered was part of the problem with things like bath salts. But I seem to recall back in the day when MDA was on the list but MDMA was not, that that distinction wasn't likely to help you much when the campus police came knocking, and I thought that's kind of what they were going for here. However, that wasn't the "criminal" issue I referenced with Brian. The issue here was he wants more and had no other source. Plus a latent threat at the time from Morra.

2) In the pilot

he actually held up a bank (and took hostages in the process) to prove his innocence of his bandmate's murder. The fact he was right about his suspicions and innocent of the murder doesn't excuse the hostage situation. It was in exchange for a walk on those charges that he signed up for guinea pig duty.

But in our world we don't have EZT (probably), and we have no way of knowing what substances are on which lists in-verse.

3) Agreed. But like I said, Brian took a deal. Now with Jane otoh, the FBI's treatment of her in the pilot had me spitting mad. And traces of it continue to the present day. In fact, as much as I liked the scene last week at Patterson's apartment with her boyfriend perusing the photos*, I felt like it was yet another kind of violation of Jane to have some random dude staring at pix of her naked body. Plus it seems like a weird thing for your partner to do at the breakfast table (dinner table is another story) given the postcoital comportment (sporting of suitably tousled hair and the wearing of the SO's shirt and little or nothing else.)

As to since when does the FBI do drug trials, that's pretty much in the same territory as asking why Jane was tattooed instead of being dropped off with a sheaf of papers. You're pretty much questioning a major premise of the show. That's their conceit; you kind of have to roll with it. But I thought it was now generally accepted that the CIA and army have done drug trials in the past (clearly wouldn't in the present day, but y'know...), so why not the FBI? Doesn't seem the hugest stretch, and keeps me from having to be perma-irked that the CIA is all active within the US (like this ep of Blindspot), or them running the budget up trying to fake exotic locales.

* The very taking of which (photos) was a massive violation of her person. (I thought Jaimie Alexander did a great job with that.) But this is yet another conceit of Blindspot, that Weller somehow intuited that they were "a treasure map" and possibly the greatest bestest most awesomest resource that they had ever had right at the very outset thereby further justifying the taking thereof. Dear Lord.

But in good faith, Jane probably wasn't initially legally responsible (enough - although technically it's a binary state) to make the determination as to whether or not charges against the people who presumably did this to her should be persued. It was also reasonable to assume it was done to her, and therefore a crime, and it actually would have been negligent not to document it. Although in the case of tattoos, they'll probably still be there tomorrow. Unless it's Blacklist or Prison Break we're talking about, or someone decides to destroy the evidence (with prejudice).

Agree on Jane not being chargeable by any normal understanding of law, but the show's universe seems to think the CIA doesn't care about details like that. I remain inclined to believe that's true of ours as well, but fervently hopeful that I am well and truly mistaken and simply overly cynical. Hope dies last.

(Also agree on the hair. At the least, it's in violation of the Geneva Convention. Most conventions, really, if the world outside my windows in anything to go by. What were they thinking? But first on the CIA's list when they take her into custody is to get her a new do, so we're good. Alternatively, they'll force their evilest detainees to stare at it day in and out in close quarters until they inevitably crack most thoroughly. It's only a question of time. No one can withstand that.)

Basically, I felt Jane had a right to get her own place (although not explicitly to have one provided) and the question of wages should be addressed onscreen, as she's out there getting shot at and strangling poeple for them. Although the later may be for her own amusement, hard to call.

[Netfoot]

^^^ I forgot about the bank job, but in TV-land if you have a "good reason", that makes it not-a-crime.

 

Holy hell, it's still not the Limitless forum!  (That's what you get for watching three super-civilian-helps-FBI shows, even if in MR it isn't the FBI.)

Edited October 23, 2015 by Netfoot

[caligirl50]

How's this...why does she have an apartment when the FBI/her team still questions her safety AND the head of her department knows (so does Jane now) that the CIA wants her (and not in a good way)?

Edited October 23, 2015 by caligirl50

[Netfoot]

I'm willing to admit that living on her own in an apartment somewhere, may not be the cleverist thing she could do.  But the fact is, she has every right to do it if she wants to.  Meaning that the FBI really shouldn't be able to force her to do otherwise, as has been suggested bu some posters.

[krimimimi]

I'm willing to admit that living on her own in an apartment somewhere, may not be the cleverist thing she could do.

Clever and this show* are not acquainted.

* I say that because it's still not the Limitless thread. ;-)

[Kromm]

^^^ I forgot about the bank job, but in TV-land if you have a "good reason", that makes it not-a-crime.

 

Holy hell, it's still not the Limitless forum!  (That's what you get for watching three super-civilian-helps-FBI shows, even if in MR it isn't the FBI.)

I personally think a compare/contrast between the two shows (since they are so similar and airing in the same fall season) is not totally unwarranted, especially this late in a thread when days of talking about the episode itself have been chewed over already, but of course I think it probably also behooves us to make sure we aren't talking about JUST Limitless and not keeping the relationship/contrast to THIS show in the forefront.  If even that's wrong, I suppose this will all get moved elsewhere or zapped.

 

This show I feel was far more hyped than Limitless, but perhaps that was to Limitless' benefit. The expectations for Blindspot were kind of high, as kind of the next "Blacklist" for NBC, and so its easier to feel let down. I actually think the show's worked okay, but clearly there's a lot of dumb stuff going on.

 

Limitless is working so much better because it revels in some of that dumb stuff. The show's got a frequently wicked sense of humor that Blindspot doesn't seem to be able to afford under their slightly different (if similar) conspiracy/FBI/Crime umbrella. Still, I actually think the twists on Blindspot may turn out to be the bigger of the two shows (at the same time they might even be eye rolling they get so big). Whereas Limitless will be funnier but more straightforward in a way (note there IS a conspiracy there, but it's less the main underpinning than the one on this show is).

[AshleyLyn]

Been lurking really. The show so far has been 50/50 for me and after finally watching this episode, I'm still 50/50 with it.

 

I think the writers took on far too much. There was no need to add on a governmental inter agencies conspiracy storyline in the show. They had enough of storyline to keep you hooked in the first place and they just keep piling on the mysteries. I'm sorry, I prefer to just follow one mystery in a show at a time. I'm all for this being the result of someone seeing into the future or some other scifi/fantasy like element, and deciding that for some odd reason thought this was the way to go. but i think the writers should really should have just stuck with the primary storyline instead of adding on a government conspiracy thing as well. And also the Taylor Shaw mystery. 

 

Just too many mysteries. 

 

So I sort of liked the episode, but unfortunately the Evil CIA guy is just damn boring and I'm more annoyed with him on my screen.  I want to see more of the team being fleshed out and working together and more about Jane and why Weller brought into this. 

[Texasmom1970]

Late watching been sick. This is the first episode when I actually saw a spark of chemistry between Jane and Kurt. But then again that could just be the cold medicine effecting my brain!

[jhlipton]

Jane and Weller do have chemistry.  It's the chemistry between helium and argon, but it's chemistry!

 

 

It's easy to kind of get lost in how gorgeous Jaime Alexander is 

 

I keep hearing this and I know YMMV, but I. Just. Don't. See. It.  She's a stick with a flat face and no lips.  She has maybe 5 more expressions than Stapleton.  Guh.

I see Nicole Beharie and wonder how Alexander makes the top 100 of attractive women.