NBC’s “Blacklist,” starring James Spader and Megan Boone, takes capturing criminals to a whole new perspective.

“Blacklist” is about the FBI’s decision to allow a criminal, who has been on 10 different most wanted lists, to help them capture some of the world’s most dangerous law-breakers. The criminal, Raymond “Red” Reddington, refuses to work with anyone but Elizabeth Keen, a “fresh out of Quantico” FBI profiler.

The only reason the FBI is willing to work with Red is because of his extensive knowledge of dangerous illegal activity. This knowledge he has obtained through past negotiations with unlawful individuals.

After watching the pilot episode in which Red surrenders to the FBI, I was intrigued to learn more about Red.

From the very beginning, his character is mysterious, witty and intelligent. These character traits explain why he was able to stay out of the hands of the government for so long and heighten the curiosity around why he turned himself in.

The first season (which is on Netflix) follows Agent Keen and Red capturing criminals for the FBI. In many instances, capturing these criminals puts Keen in very serious danger. The subplot line in the first season revolves around the mystery of someone close to Keen—her husband, whom Red doesn’t trust.

The show is currently half way through its second season. The first half of season two focuses on the relationship between Keen and Red. The reason why Red will only work with Keen remains mostly a mystery. Throughout the series, Keen continues to uncover exactly why Red has such a vested interest in working with her.

The midseason premiere started off with a bang. The show seems to be progressing toward the revelation of the “why Keen” mystery.

I have really enjoyed watching “Blacklist” because of the intensity in each episode and the mystery behind character stories.

While I’m always eager to learn how Red knows Keen from when she was a child, the writers have done an excellent job with the timeliness of how much they reveal to the audience each episode.

Red is an interesting character that always surprises me. My favorite episode of the first season is “Anslo Garrick,” where the audience is shown deeper levels of Red’s emotions and personality.

“Anslo Garrick” is about a criminal breaking into an FBI building because he wants to find and kill Red. When the criminal finds him, Red is surrounded by indestructible glass. The only way to get to Red is by finding people he might care about and threatening their lives.

What was shocking was Red’s reaction; throughout the first half of the first season, Red is portrayed as a man with no heart. When the criminal is about to take the life of one of Red’s men, the audience is shown how Red knows the man and shows how Red is anything but heartless.

Everything Red does and says is clever and calculated. He rarely makes mistakes and he is able to predict the mistakes of others.

The show’s twists and turns make it irresistible. You will probably want to finish your classwork before starting this series.

“Blacklist” airs on Thursdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.