Break out your fedoras and fancy vests, The Blacklist is back.

The hour wasted no time in kicking things off into high gear with a great intro song, Red being his calm and in control self and a few well-timed explosions. And that pace on The Blacklist Season 2 Episode 1 didn’t let up.

The threat of Berlin was still evident, and while Liz seems much more intent and into her job then ever (clearly the death of Tom hasn’t slowed her down), Red’s eagerness to find out whose hunting them led them straight to Lord Baltimore.

The Blacklist Season 2 Premiere Photos

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Except the former B in Apartment 23 (great guest spot by Krysten Ritter) wasn’t quite what Liz or even Ressler expected. In a cool twist that was less twin sister and more dissociative identity disorder, the true Lord Baltimore was right in front of them the whole time.

And while both Nora and “Rowan” didn’t know each other were quite there and needed a specific trigger to call one or the other out, Ritter’s performance from the shocked and scared to the cold-faced and focused bad guy reminded me a bit of Edward Norton’s character in the film Primal Fear.

There’s just something entertaining in seeing two different sides come from the same character. Although, I do wish we had more time with the character rather than her one episode story being wrapped up right away.

But I loved that what would seem like an obvious choice in her hunting for Red, also was a nice twist in that Lord Baltimore had been assigned to find Naomi Highland, Red’s wife.

Whoa! Red’s wife? And played by none other than Weeds star Mary Louise Parker?

One thing you’re making pot, the next you’re the target of one of Red’s many enemies. C’est la vie.

I’ve got to hand it to actor Peter Stormare who plays villains so well. And I’ve seen him play campy and goofy, but here, he taps into a very dark side.

Berlin is a nasty piece of work, and those grins and the way he talks is just so creepy. He would be the type of guy to enjoy sitting in a tub of ice.

Though to see him talk so casually with Red at the end, all while threatening to hurt Red’s wife certainly put Red’s normal dry wit on pause. And I was a bit speechless seeing that finger reveal.

I'd like to think Red would save her, but what if the show went there? What if she didn't make it back in one piece?

It may be one of the worst feelings in the world for Red (who is sure to go on some major offense), but getting personal for characters on any show is always a great move.

I can’t wait to see what he does.

Really, the same could be said for any of the main cast from their returned director, stepping back into his role, to Ressler dealing with some pill popping, or even Liz who got the papers signed so she technically never married Tom.

Though, I love that she kept the name Keen, and even got a haircut (no more looking like a bad wig!). This is a new Liz for a new season.

If this fast paced action (helicopter attacks and Taser home invasions) and story keep it up, then I’m all in for what should be another great season of The Blacklist.

What did you think of the return of The Blacklist? Will Red rescue his wife? Is Berlin a great villian? Sound off below and be sure to watch all the action of the premiere when you watch The Blacklist online now.