The Deer Hunter (The Blacklist)

"The Deer Hunter" is the thirteenth episode of the second season of the American crime drama The Blacklist. The episode premiered in the United States on NBC on February 26, 2015.

Plot

The FBI team tracks down a serial killer nicknamed "The Deer Hunter", who has been on a killing spree for nearly twelve years. Detective Wilcox continues to question The Samoan about the harbormaster's murder, who agrees to testify if he gets immunity. The mysterious caller sets up a meeting with Reddington, telling him that they need to discuss something in person. Red then meets with Elizabeth and inquires about the Fulcrum, which she unsuccessfully lies about. They agree to a deal that he will help bring down The Deer Hunter in exchange for the Fulcrum. The Deer Hunter turns out to be the murdered husband of Tracy Solobotkin (Amanda Plummer), who is an employee in an organization that helps battered women. Kidnapping Liz, she reveals that she killed her husband in self-defense and decided to continue his legacy in the form of killing men who hurt other women. Liz manages to choke her into unconsciousness, just as Ressler and the task force arrive. Reddington finds out about The Samoan's deal with Wilcox and bribes him to lie to the U.S. Attorney. As this falls on the same exact time as the intended meeting with the mystery caller, he sends Dembe instead, which angers the mystery caller who hangs up during the phone call. Red later manages to trace the Mystery man's location, but only finds the cell phone he was using and blood on the floor. He meets with Elizabeth to inform her of his deal with The Samoan. However, she refuses to hand him The Fulcrum. Reddington calls her out for being afraid that he would lose all interest in her if she gave it to him.

Reception

Ratings

"The Deer Hunter" premiered on NBC on February 26, 2015 in the 9–10 p.m. time slot.^[1] The episode garnered a 1.9/6 Nielsen rating with 8.01 million viewers, making it the third highest-rated show in its time slot behind ABC's How to Get Away with Murder and CBS's The Big Bang Theory.^[2] It was also the twenty-fifth most-watched television show of the week.^[3]

Reviews

Jodi Walker of Entertainment Weekly gave a negative review of the episode, calling it "a pretty lackluster affair".^[4] She went on to say: "Don’t get me wrong, I’m still in on The Blacklist’s story—I just wish we didn’t have to take so many breaks being in The Blacklist’s story."^[4]

Jason Evans of The Wall Street Journal gave a mixed review of the episode, stating: "As for this episode, the Deer Hunter was a pretty forgettable Blacklister. There’s no way she fit into any larger plans of Red’s. I’m frustrated we never got to meet Mystery. Despite the blood, I’m guessing he isn’t dead. I was sorta looking forward to Liz having to sweat Det. Wilcox a while longer. I wonder if the show will bring him back to help her on a case some time soon. It might be nice for him to see that Liz is a good person, not a 'stone cold killer.'"^[5]

References