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<i>Blindspot</i> Series Premiere – “Pilot” Advance Review. Who is Jane Doe?

Season 1, Episode 1

Air Date: Monday, September 21, 2015, 10/9c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Who is Jane Doe? Where did she come from? Who tattooed her entire body with specific clues that lead to people, places, and events yet to occur? These are just a few of the questions lingering on the tip of my tongue after watching the premiere of NBC’s new drama Blindspot. Jaime Alexander’s magnetic performance as Jane Doe, both physically and emotionally, keeps you transfixed to the screen. Alexander is convincing as a woman plagued with amnesia and also credible as a kick-ass operative. (She is, after all, Lady Sif of Asgard in the Thor films). Is Jane part of an elite military unit? It’s not quite clear yet but the small clues sprinkled throughout “Pilot” seem to suggest her amnesia may not be an accident.

BLINDSPOT — “Pilot” — Pictured: Jaimie Alexander as Jane Doe — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

If you haven’t seen the trailer, which played on repeat all throughout the Tin Fish (great fish-n-chips by the way) restaurant in San Diego during this summer’s annual nerd haven known as Comic-Con International, here’s a LINK for your viewing pleasure. As you will see, a mysterious bag is found in the middle of Times Square and when an officer reads the baggage tag, “CALL THE FBI,” well…I think you can figure out what happens next (hint: they call the FBI). As the beautiful and very naked Jane Doe emerges from the bag, like a Cirque de Soleil contortionist, things get even stranger as she is hauled in for questioning, probing, and rigorous medical examinations.

BLINDSPOT — “Pilot” –Pictured:(l-r) Jaimie Alexander as Jane Doe, Sullivan Stapleton as Kurt Weller — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

From set designs, locations, and cinematography to the well rounded cast and superb acting, Blindspot should garner a steady audience week in and week out. The mystery behind Jane Doe’s origins pull you in, thanks to Alexander’s ability to make you empathize with her character while leaving some suspicion clinging to the back of your mind about her true identity. Is Jane as innocent as she appears to be? Who was she in her previous life? Jane’s skill set in hand to hand combat and ability to speak a rare dialect of Chinese are impeccable. Note to self –learn another language. But there is an ominous cloud hovering over Jane and the past always has a way of making itself known.

One of the largest, most easily read tattoo on Jane is the name of FBI Agent Kurt Weller (Sullivan Stapleton). After removing Jane from Times Square, the local agency flies Weller in from his current location in remote Kentucky to see if he recognizes her. Whoever tattooed Weller’s name on Jane’s back wants him to be involved in this intriguing puzzle. As I continued to watch, I realized I am now committed to finding out the answers to all the riddles etched onto Jane’s body. I want to know why a date and time is tattooed on the back of her ear, and what their relevance is. Does the person who placed it there know Weller would find it in time? Why is Weller so important to solving the mystery of Jane Doe? If all the freshly tattooed clues are meant to be solved in a timely manner, what will the end result be if Weller and the FBI fail to solve the conundrum in the unknown time allotted?

Blindspot reminds me a bit of two films that involve the lead being afflicted by some kind of amnesia. Bourne Identity starring Matt Damon jumps to mind immediately because of the similarities both Jason Bourne and Jane Doe possess with their abilities to speak a foreign language, fighting, and quick thinking. Blindspot also has hints of Payback starring Ben Affleck. Although, in Payback, Affleck’s character Michael Jennings leaves himself a set of clues to help him remember what has been wiped clean; in Blindspot, Jane has her tattoos to help solve the puzzle. The real mystery is who tattooed Jane and why?

 

If you are looking for an intense, entertaining drama to sink your teeth into, Blindspot is exactly what you need.

 

Tune in to Blindspot, Mondays at 10/9c, only on NBC.

For more on the show, go to http://www.nbc.com/blindspot

 

Blindspot social media links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NBCBlindspot?_rdr=p

Twitter @NBCBlindspot

Instagram @NBCBlindspot

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCN6kWMEirfSf2B9eYKV1mg

Google+ https://plus.google.com/+NBCBlindspot/posts

Tumblr http://nbcblindspot.tumblr.com/

 

Photos ©2015 NBC Universal. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.