Blindspot is back! This episode leaves the board ready for what awaits us next week. This is over, blindspotters, but not forever, as you know, Blindspot has renewed for a season 4! But the truth is that this season is coming to an end and in “Defection” it shows. The characters have done an examination of conscience and both their loyalty and their feelings have been clarified in the face of the finale. Promising us that emotion, action and tension will be even more present next week. Let’s talk about everything! Here we go!
CASE OF THE WEEK
On this occasion, the pace has been quite frenetic. We haven’t had time to breathe and we jumped from one discovery to another. The truth is that everything has been very well assembled and we have returned to the Patterson/Ritch tandem at full speed. I missed them because together they are explosive. I hope to see more of them in the season finale.
I felt very proud of Patterson when she realized that something didn’t fit, that it had been too easy to thwart Crawford’s plans. That’s my girl! Both Roman and Crawford wouldn’t have been so careless as to leave everything within reach. It wasn’t their style and Patterson caught it on the fly.
On the other hand, I have to say that I rolled my eyes to see that they were using the “bomb in New York” resource again. They have used it a bit too much this season and it has been inevitable that my reaction was that. But I was encouraged a little to know that this was not all that we had prepared this week. But it is still an aspect to improve in season 4. They need to further diversify the cases of the week so that the threat is not so repetitive.
TEAM BLINDSPOT
Jane and Shepherd
What a meeting between them! The tension vibrated in the environment from the beginning. That tension has begun to grow between Kurt and Shepherd. It was the first time they had seen each other in a long time. Kurt still hates her as much as ever but she is different. At first, she shows off her usual arrogance, even going so far as to tell Kurt that he has the life he has thanks to her – really, she believes that – but then she has shown herself … defeated.
I don’t think there is another way to describe it. She was desperate to see Jane. She was going to give them everything they wanted. Shepherd didn’t even want a quid pro quo. Only Jane would talk to her, she needed Jane to talk to her. It’s the first time we’ve seen her like this…almost human.
The distinction between Jane and Romi is important. Shepherd had never recognized Jane as the same person as Romi, as her daughter. Now, although at the beginning she names her as Romi, soon Jane’s name enters the equation. She soon realizes that even if she doesn’t want to accept, Romi is her daughter as much as Jane is, since they are the same person. Only Romi respected her and played along and Jane doesn’t want to know anything about her.
But in the situation where Shepherd is, you have a lot of time to think. It seems that she has done it and, for the first time, she apologizes to Jane for having separated her from her brother, accepting her desire that both love her as they loved each other, that they both compete for her love. She’s accepting one of the monstrosities she did but … not all. Shepherd has not apologized for having indoctrinated them since they were little, following the training of the orphanage, so they could be perfect soldiers and murderers. She has not apologized for not letting them be children.
Although, something is something. Shepherd seems genuinely sorry for that part of the story. She knows that she made a mistake separating the brothers, creating a rivalry between them that continues, in the background, today. And she hopes that Jane doesn’t make the same mistake and regain the relationship with her brother. According to her, Roman needs her in his life but she does too, although she doesn’t know what to expect.
This is so? Of course, Roman does need Jane. That’s why it hurt so much what in his eyes has been a betrayal because Jane didn’t choose him, given that he had done it. But … what about Jane? Does she need Roman in her life? It is worthy to be analyzed. As Jane herself has pointed out, she couldn’t kill Roman the two times she had the opportunity, why?
I think it’s true that a part of her is afraid to face a reality where her brother is gone… but because her heart still clings to the past that exists between them, to that connection. Although she has chosen another life as Jane on a side facing Roman’s, when it comes to him the lines blur because they are family and have spent a lot together. But, somewhere along the way, Jane must make her final choice.
She must figure out if she needs Roman in her life as Jane or if she can live without him in any of the ways. I feel an infinite sadness when saying this but it is the truth. A moment of doubt on Jane’s part can cost her or Kurt’s life or that of someone on the team. I don’t want to imagine a situation in which Roman would do something like that but that’s what Jane must think.
So that does. Reflect on everything that has happened, her past, her present and her future with Roman. And she realizes that there is some truth in Shepherd’s words. It is true that Romi needed Roman more than she realized. But things have changed. She changed her life in all aspects. Jane gave Roman his opportunities and he didn’t take advantage of them. Jane has learned to live without Roman, to build a life without him and to accept that her brother will not be part of her family. They have separated so much that they have come to need it no more in their lives.
Shepherd believed that Romi’s needs are those of Jane but didn’t take into account what has happened throughout that time. It’s curious how this happens, how a person goes from being someone extremely important to you to being someone you’ve accepted that will not be part of your life. It happens almost without realizing it. The distance is making a dent so much that when you come to realize that person already has not a place in your life.
It is something similar to what has seemed to Jane and Roman. They began to distance themselves because of Shepherd and when Jane “was born” that distance did become larger, although perhaps neither of them realized this or, at least, not of the magnitude of their distance and of the consequences.
It’s a really sad story.
Tasha
Tasha has lost everything – or almost, but later we will go to that. She did her job, as Keaton had ordered her, even if that meant hiding, again, information from the team. But, when they discovered her, Keaton was the odious snake that I always knew he was and left her alone. He hasn’t covered her back. What’s more, he has fired her.
Tasha has given everything for the CIA and for Keaton. She even defended him in front of Reade. She has always chosen the CIA before the team, she even worked with Borden and spoiled her friendship with Patterson for them. Even so, they have disposed of it as if it were an old thing, without looking back. Zapata put all her loyalty and her faith in the agency and in Keaton and they have betrayed her. And that makes me furious and I would like to enter the screen and slapping Keaton.
Maybe what happened with Quinn Bonita – a former CIA agent as loyal as Zapata who wanted to avenge the agency for leaving her husband behind when he was captured – a few episodes ago doesn’t seem so outlandish – is not excusable but she had her reasons -. She and her husband were also betrayed. The CIA doesn’t protect their own, leaves them in the lurch.
But the team is not like that. Despite having discovered Tasha – again – in a compromised situation, they have supported her, offered to return and have stood up for her. They have treated her for what she is: family. Because she is from the family, she is part of the team and they would never do what the CIA has done to her.
I’m sorry about what happened to Tasha, she doesn’t deserve it and it has broken my heart to see her with tears in her eyes, trying not to cry in front of others and crying alone, always alone, because she … can’t to let herself look “weak” in front of others. She is just like that. She doesn’t like to cry in front of anyone. Tasha is even ashamed to be affected.
It is like a breastplate that has so that they don’t see her vulnerable. She is brave and must demonstrate it at all times. But the team is her family, in front of the family we can show ourselves vulnerable because they will only support us, their opinion of us will not change. Although it’s more easy to tell it than to do it, that’s why Tasha doesn’t let her tears escape her eyes.
It is such a complicated situation. Tasha doesn’t deserve something like that and I wish she could kick their ass for what they did but a part of me believes that Tasha needed to open her eyes about who her friends, her family, her team really are and are there for her and who do not. As I mentioned before, Tasha has given everything for the CIA and for Keaton and a part of her, although regretful, she thought it was worth it, that she had to do it for them because they deserved it. Now, she has been able to see the reality: they didn’t deserve it and they have never done it because for them, she has not been more than a pawn from which they have undone as soon as they have seen fit.
At this moment, that little part of Tasha who still thought she had done the right thing because “it was her job” has opened her eyes and realized that she has given everything, has even upset her life for people who wouldn’t do anything for her. Now, all her loyalty is for who really deserves it: the team. That is part of what she has earned after being fired, she has recovered her true family.
RAPATA
FINALLY THIS COUPLE IS A REALITY! It was about time they decided and it happened. Tasha has won something other than recovering the team. At last she is with the man she loves. Although the road during the episode to get there has been tortuous.
At first, Reade has made it clear that breaking up with Megan has not made a difference to them. That breaks Tasha’s heart again, although she disguises it. She can’t force Reade to feel the same as she does, so she can only accept that he doesn’t belong … although in fact he does. He has always done it. But it is easier to leave things as they are. Again, Reade is taking the easier way out, the cowards’ way out. He doesn’t risk taking the step.
But Tasha’s departure from the CIA precipitates everything. While she is with him at work, for Reade, everything remains the same but that she leaves makes it about to lose her … again. As they say, we don’t know what we have until we lose it. The possibility of losing Tasha again in all aspects makes Reade finally react and fight for what he wants: to be with Tasha.
He goes to her and, when she asks him to let her go, Tasha is not referring only to the professional aspect. If not also the staff, for Tasha, he has made it clear and wants him to stop hanging maybes around them because it is not fair to her and it hurts her. But then Reade surprises her and lets her know that he is not willing to let her go again, this time he’s going to stay and fight for her. He risks again and kisses her … but she rejects him … again.
I swear I’ve screamed in frustration to see this moment. Much of why Reade was afraid to take a risk again with Tasha was precisely because of the fear of being rejected again. He has ended up risking only so that his greatest fear would be fulfilled. I understand Tasha’s point, when you are in an emotional situation as low as the one they are in, you should not make important decisions. But this is not a decision, this is something they have felt for each other for eons. They are in love, they are not doing it out of spite or to find consolation, but because it is what they feel. Events have only precipitated the inevitable.
On this occasion, Tasha is the one who behaves like a coward when she doesn’t accept Reade because she doesn’t want to dare to dream too much. That Reade kissed her was an impossible dream a moment ago and now that it’s happening it seems too good to be true. She is afraid that everything is fruit of compassion, that Reade only wants to make her feel better and that fear clouds her thinking so much that she is unable to see the sincerity in Reade’s words before the kiss.
But all that lasts only a moment. Soon Tasha realizes the great mistake she has made in rejecting the only man she has loved for the second time and goes to meet him. Thus, together they mark a new beginning in their lives and it’s wonderful.
JELLER
We have not been able to see many moments of our OTP in this episode but if there have been small details that have fallen in love with me. At first, Kurt has shown his face for Jane as a beast before Keaton. He was not going to allow her to face a monster like Shepherd again face to face, especially if she didn’t want to. He has protected her with everything, because he would be able to do everything for her.
Later, Jane ventures with him and tells him her doubts about Shepherd’s words. Nothing is saved for her and she shares every aspect of her life and her mind with him. There are no more secrets, thank God.
The same happens at the end of the episode, when Jane has made a decision about her feelings towards Roman. She explains it to Kurt and that smile he gives her, as bright as the sun, that look of pride is so beautiful that it has moved me.
But it is a small moment in the middle of the fight that has captivated me the most. Kurt and Jane were going to jump into the void to save themselves from Roman and his men and, before steel, they have shaken hands. It is like this, united and together, as they have jumped. I think that moment perfectly stages their life together. In spite of everything, they are still together and nothing can separate them, neither Roman, nor Crawford nor whatever the next threat they face. They belong in such a way that nothing and nobody will break that connection.
Of course, I can’t forget that affectionate kiss on the neck that Kurt gave to Jane. It has been an infinitesimal moment only for her to remember that he is there with her and that they are together in everything that is presented. Just to tell her without talking that he loves her and that he supports her. Have you seen anything more precious than this couple?
ROMAN
Everything around Roman is collapsing little by little. Like a house of cards. The team frustrates all their plans and that brings old memories to mind. Memories in which Romi always beat any game they played. Memories in which she was always valued while he was undervalued.
No matter how much he does, he can’t beat Jane by the hand, even if he wants it with all his might. Or think about it. Because I don’t think he really want to win her just to prove to himself that he can do it, that he is better than her when all his life has been told otherwise.
But there is another question pending … Can Roman kill Jane when he has her in front? I think he can’t kill her, although he firmly believes that he does. What do you think?
To make matters worse, Blake already suspects that “Tom” is hiding something and Roman is desperate. He doesn’t know what to feel, what to think, who to trust … he doesn’t even know if he should continue to help Crawford or not. The only thing he is sure of is that he loves Blake and so he confesses to her. Right now, the only certainty in Roman’s life is the love he feels for Blake. The rest is too fuzzy to recognize it. He needs to cling to the only certainty in his life to move forward.
At this time, the foundations that Roman had built are falling apart. He is confused, everything is mixed inside, old feelings and resentment with what he feels in the present. Although it seems that he has decided to challenge Jane, everything has finished in the same place that everything started. There we will discover what Roman’s final decision is and to whom he gives his loyalty.
However, I worry about something else in relation to Roman. He suffered a faint in previous episode and in the previous one he had hallucinations. Until this episode I hadn’t related these points but … does something happen to Roman? He is sick? Because we didn’t know the reason for his fainting and, although the hallucinations may have their reason for being in the stress and in the internal battle of Roman, they aren’t very normal either. What do you think can happen to him? I hope nothing bad. In spite of everything, I love Roman and I don’t want anything to happen to him.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it has been noted that this episode precedes the season finale. The pieces are falling into place in preparation for what awaits us. The characters have had to reexamine their feelings and risk accepting what they really feel and going for it – in many different scenarios. And loyalty has been a really key point. All in pursuit of building a season finale that promises to be truly emotional. We’ll have to prepare the handkerchiefs …
And all that they have achieved without neglecting the action and the points that make this series succeed. The pieces are in position. We just have to wait for the game to start.
Agree? Disagree? Don’t hesitate to share your opinion with us in the comments below! We’ll be back next week with the season finale 3 × 22 “In Memory.” And here’s the promo for the season finale.
Blindspot airs Fridays at 8 / 7c on NBC.