The U.S. Navy SEALs are the elite of the elite. They are the guys who get sent in when we can’t send anyone else. Navy SEALs conduct covert operation around the world. They’re the guys who finally brought Bin Laden to justice; so naturally, that makes them a target.
NBC’s Blindspot has already blamed America for inspiring terrorism against its citizens in the premiere. In last week’s episode, a rogue veteran, burdened by PTSD, attempted to murder an entire squadron of his fellow drone pilots. Last night’s episode “Eight Slim Grins” brought more of the same to the small screen.
The episode opens with the highly coordinated, military-style raid on a high-end jewelry shop. But the perps get greedy, and one of their own is shot during the attack. His comrades are forced to leave him behind, setting up a high-stakes game between the FBI and the heist crew as they attempt to extract their fourth man from custody.
It doesn’t take long for the FBI team to reveal where the burglars received their training. They’re former Navy SEALs, plucked straight out of prison for their training and turned loose on the public because they didn’t have any sanctioned missions left to run. Amorality is a selling point, highly sought after by special operations recruiters, as FBI Agent Tasha Zapata (Audrey Esparza) helpfully explains:
Transcript:
They're known as the Candymen.
What?
Because of their brightly-colored masks. They're an international heist crew. Interpol has a file on them that's like three inches thick. They've hit jewelry stores all over the States, Paris, Monaco, Dubai, Hong Kong. The past two years, they've walked away with over $70 million in gems and precious metals.
This three-inch file, does it happen to mention who they are?
No, they're good. Masks, in and out in under a minute every time. Until today.
They got overconfident.
That's the picture witnesses paint. You figure out who this guy is yet?
Kind of. Prints just came back. Casey Robek. Racked up quite a police blotter as a juvenile. South Jersey kid, gets into all sorts of trouble. When he was 18, a shrink diagnosed him with high intelligence, utter amorality, and inherent violence. So, guess who scoops him up.
Someone who figured they could add honor, courage, and commitment to that list.
The SEALs recruited him right out of jail, along with his older brother Travis and their friend OMAR, and then they disappear for about ten years. Not a single entry in their file.
More ghosts.
Yeah. Until two years ago. They all get honorably discharged.
Two years ago is exactly when the Candymen started knocking over jewelry stores.
Pretty sure that's not a coincidence. Now, these guys got black ops written all over them. What are they gonna do, retire? No, they're gonna put their skills to work.
All right, we gotta find Travis and OMAR. If Casey might have known Jane, they might have too.
So, SEAL recruiters view amorality as an asset?
Yeah, what are you saying?
Jane was a SEAL.
What is your problem with her?
We barely know her, that's my problem.
Look, I'm trusting Weller on this one, and you should, too.
Tell me the last time a victim was invited to join their own FBI investigation. That's all I'm saying.
The only blindspot in this show belongs to the writers. They’ve completely forgotten who protects their First Amendment right to malign American patriots. I won’t hold my breath for the Blindspot episode where American military personnel stop a terror attack in progress, pull a family from their sinking boat, or subdue a would-be bank robber. NBC has been perfectly clear: the everyday heroism of our men and women in uniform has no place in their primetime lineup.
