Blindspot — Season 2
A Move Toward Cognitive Science
When we last left NBC’s Blindspot, it was closing its first season. It was a show about a mysterious woman, secret government hi-jinx, and tattoos. More importantly, for us, it was a show bold enough to spend a good bit of time on pattern recognition, complexity, and the algorithms and techniques used to uncover them. Well, with the launch of the second half of second season, all that has faded…
A New Attention
For better or worse, Jane Doe has become more Remi (her real name… er, more real name). She looks less Kat Von D and more Goth — attributed to make up. And in general, she is less the focus of the show than her brother — Roman. It is now a show about a mysterious man, secret terrorist / criminal hi-jinx, and… cognitive science.
Cognitive Science
It is still early in this new direction, but so far cognitive science has become a prevailing theme. Unfortunately, while Pattern Recognition can be a challenge for viewer — at least at deeper levels, Cognitive Science can be down right brutal. But they try real hard…
The writers didn’t help themselves with their science-straining origins. While Jane supposedly underwent an intense chemically induced brain wipe, her brother got a simple hypodermic to the neck. But odd beginnings aside, the writers have spent a commendable amount of time discussing such things as muscle memory, trauma, thought processes, and the dynamics of the mind.
It is all quite shallow. And when they dig a little too deep, they often bail to nonsensical ‘pathologies’ and psycho-babble that includes doctors who are way too confident in their pronouncements. But again, they seem to be committed to trying…
Human Behavior
So far, they have succeeded in getting deeper into the motives and drivers of human behavior than most other shows. They have gone from the mystery of the mind and the mystery of black ops to the mystery of human motivation. This goes well beyond Remi (Jane) and Roman. Nearly every character on the show is challenged by morality and motivation in each episode.
Each character’s story is different and the topics are wide-ranging. Some struggle with distant events, histories of abuse, or past loss. Others struggle with much newer challenges, relationships, and addiction. This isn’t a new thing. It began with the pilot. What is unique is how these issues are now put in juxtaposition with this new emphasis on the mind and its workings.
It is quite entertaining and thought-provoking, if only lightly analytic. Regardless, it is an effort and a theme that resonates with Corsair’s Publishing. If you haven’t seen this series, give it a shot. There is no lack of content available these days, but Blindspot also offers a unique and inspiring perspective. Thanks for reading!
