The Blacklist, the hit series on NBC last season, will air its Season Two Premiere next Monday, September 22nd. Season One ended with many questions left unanswered and also a sense of more danger on the horizon for our favorite criminal, Raymond "Red" Reddington, and the team of FBI agents he works with. Last season ended with the criminal off the 'blacklist' in the finale, Berlin (No. 8), slipping through the FBI's fingers and on the loose. I thought it would be a great idea to post a summary getting everyone up to date with the The Blacklist and list all the questions that we are still seeking answers to.
The biggest question on every fans mind is Liz's parentage. Is Red her father? Why has no one mentioned Liz's mother? Both are very good questions and we get little in the way of answers. This conversation, from the finale, between Liz and Red that I summarized gives us a little more insight into the question of who her father is and the night of the fire:
Liz asks Red how Sam was involved in everything and Red doesn't offer up much information, claiming he is protecting Liz. Red tells her that one night an old friend (?Red?) shows up at Sam's door scared. The friend told Sam he is leaving town and was in danger. Red then has flashbacks of the fire we know about from Liz's youth. The friend tells Sam that he needed someone to care for a little girl and that her father had died that night in a fire. So, Sam took the little girl in and raised her as his own, always sheltering her from the truth about her biological father. Red then tells Liz that he killed Sam because he was in pain and wanted to die, but also he wanted to protect Liz from the truth. That 'truth' is the big mystery of The Blacklist, which will not be answered any time soon, I imagine. Liz says the only memory she has of her father is that night of the fire when he pulled her out of the flames and saving her. Red tells her that he must keep the identity of her father a secret to protect her. Protect her from what? Why would knowing his identity harm Liz? Red appeared choked up telling the story and we can't tell if it's because he is remembering his good friend, Sam, or he is sad because he is Liz's father, or possibly both. All great questions for season two and beyond, I suppose.
Below I have compiled a list of questions that we would like answers to. I will update the list as questions get answered after each episode airs. All of you can help by posting in the comments any questions you think are missing or any answers you come across. I used my own episode notes, from Season One, to make this and it's possible I missed a few questions.
Season One Questions
1. What is Red's relationship with Liz? At the end of Season One's mid-season finale she flat-out asked Red if he was her father and after a slight hesitation he told her 'No'. However, most fans think this was a lie meant to protect her.
2. What is Red's association or relationship with Liz's father? We know Red chose Liz because of her 'father', but could Red and her father be one and the same?
3. What is the meaning of the symbol that we have seen throughout the season? We have seen it carved into the top of Tom and Gina's spy boxes, on the orange envelope that Tom left for Liz in the safe-deposit box, and it's the same shape as Liz's scar on her right wrist.
5. What is the story regarding the fire that Liz sometimes has flashbacks of? We think she got her scar during this time at age 14.
6. What really happened to Red's family? Before Red shoots and kills her, Diane Fowler asks if he wants to know the 'truth' about what happened because she knows. Red killed her anyway, stating that if she knows then someone else must know also. We know from Liz that Red abandoned them in 1990, but we still don't know what really happened to them. Red tells Madeline Pratt the touching Christmas Eve story of how he came home and found them massacred, but is that what really happened? Was it actually them or something/someone else?
7. Who are the people in the group with Alan Fitch? In episode 20, Red asks Fitch for help, telling him there is someone that is threatening his interests and, in turn, Fitch and his collective's interests as well. Fitch gets the group together to vote on whether or not to help Red. Who are these people and why are they so powerful?
8. What is the information Red has that he uses to constantly blackmail Fitch and his associates? It must be something big enough to keep Red alive, but not so big that the group involved with Fitch can disregard as they tell Red they can't help with the unknown threat. We also know Red has had this secret for 20 years and they 'allow' him to live because they know it will be released if he dies.
9. Why is Berlin after Red? What is their involvement with each other exactly?
10. What exactly was Tom's mission from Berlin? We know he needed to 'protect' Liz, but from what or whom? Do they want Red killed? We know that wasn't Tom's objective as he stated to Jolene, but is it a possible future mission?
What we know so far - Tom was sent to infiltrate Liz's life and became her husband. We still do not know what makes Liz so 'special'.
11. Who is the woman in the photo that Red removes from The Stewmaker's book? The caption written at the bottom of the photo is "December 1990" and we don't know much else about her. Could she be related to Red? Or Liz?
What we know so far - The woman in the photo is Berlin's daughter, but that is about all we know at this point.
12. What does Red threaten to reveal about Agent Cooper that happened in Kuwait? Red says this early on in the season, but we never get an answer.
13. What exactly happened in the house that Red destroyed? In the episode, 'Frederick Barnes', Red has Dembe plant explosives in the house he just purchased and we see Red reminisce about a little girl playing in the backyard. What memory was Red trying to forget?
14. Who was the little girl he was remembering in the backyard? Berlin's daughter possibly? Or Liz? Someone else?
15. What secret did Sam tell Red he needed Liz to know? I believe this was the main reason for Red killing Sam so he wouldn't tell her. In episode 20, 'The Kingmaker', Red reveals to Liz that "it wouldn't have been up to him" anyway. What did he mean by that?
16. Does Liz have a criminal past and was never caught? We know she has certain skills as shown in the episode, Madeline Pratt, and Red alludes to it a few times.
17. Why was Special Agent Walter Gary Martin sent to Agent Cooper to tell him to stop the investigation on the disappearance of Diane Fowler? Who sanctioned it? Was it Fitch?
18. In episode 17, 'Ivan', Red builds Liz a music box playing the same song her dad would play for her as a little girl. How did Red know this? More importantly, why has Liz not asked about it since?
What we know so far - We know that Red was, at least, an acquaintance of Liz's father, if not himself her father.
19. Tom reveals that Red had supported Liz financially since she was young through Sam. Why has Red done this? Did someone ask him to do it or did he do it all himself?
20. Red asks Agent Cooper if he could look through Milton Bobbit's client list at the end of that episode. Why did he need to see it?
21. The focus of the first season has always been about 'Who is Liz's father?', but never mentions anything about her mother? Who is Liz's mother? Is she relevant? Alive? If she is alive, where has she been?
22. Who commissioned 'The Kingmaker' to kill the politician in Prague? Red wanted ten minutes to speak to The Kingmaker, but Liz informs him that he died. Red is cleary upset about this because he needed this information? Could it be related to Berlin?
What we know so far - This is related to Berlin, but that is about all we know at this point heading into Season Two, if this is relevant at all.
23. Is Tom alive or not? When the final moments of the Season One finale aired, we see the spot where Tom was supposedly killed empty, suggesting he got up and left. Is he alive and, more importantly, when will he return?
24. We know that Red was involved in the fire from Liz's youth that we see flashbacks of, but in what capacity? Is he the one that saved her?
Here is a list with all the blacklisters and their corresponding numbers for reference. Maybe there is a mystery to the numbering system, but I have not figured it out yet...maybe one of you could shed some light on the subject?
Ranking below is based on the episode order
Ranko Zamani - ----------------Number Unknown
The Freelancer - ---------------145
Wujing - --------------------------84
The Stewmaker - --------------161
The Courier - -------------------85
Gina Zanetakos - --------------152
Frederick Barnes - ------------47
General Ludd - -----------------109
Anslo Garrick - -----------------16
The Good Samaritan - --------106
The Alchemist - ----------------101
The Cyprus Agency - ---------64
Madeline Pratt - ----------------73
The Judge - ---------------------57
Mako Tanida - -----------------83
Ivan - ----------------------------88
Milton Bobbit - ----------------135
The Pavlovich Brothers - --119-122
The Kingmaker - -------------42
Berlin - --------------------------8
If there is anything missing or if you want to see something added please comment below and let me know. I will update this page as often as I can and after each episode. I look forward to reading everyone's comments after my Reviews of each episode!
Thank you this article! You got my eye on some stuff that I really didn't pay attention to. Thanks again. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Ahmad! My Pleasure! I thought it would be helpful to have a place to go to for reference about what we know (a little) and don't know (a lot) so far about The Blacklist.
ReplyDeleteCan't the question "Is Red the father?" be determined by a simple DNA analysis?
ReplyDeletethank you for this article, here's what I think: the father of Liz married the daughter of Berlin .... it was a criminal, he killed the family of red. In revenge Red sets fire to the house not knowing that Liz was there. he decided to save her and bring her to an old friend, Sam.
ReplyDeleteSo Berlin wants to kill Red. I think what is sure: Red saved Liz from the fire ...And i think it would be too easy it is his father ... twice now he assured her it was not him.
George, after the episode "the Judge" when it comes out that Cooper beat the confession out of Rifkin I thought that was the incident Red was referencing in Cooper's past but since that did not happen in Kuwait but in the US ( I am assuming), that cannot be what Red meant by Kuwait. So I guess you are right and that is still a mystery. What makes me nuts is that DNA testing would have surely already been done after the government knew of Red's interest in Liz , but then we could not take goodness knows how many seasons to answer the mystery of Liz's parentage . ( DNA could have not just eliminated Red but indicated what type of blood lineage Liz has - Russian ?) Thanks for helping to build the anticipation for us with your article. Come on Monday....
ReplyDeleteI would just like to add to that chorus of people wondring about DNA testing!
ReplyDeleteOf course Red could have a trick up his sleeve and maybe get the results switched... But honestly I think the FBI/ CIA would have Red's DNA already, right? They have followed him for more than 20 years and had assassination plots on him. DNA is not that hard to get these days!
One other thing I would like to point out. In the pilot they state that Red has the same tattoos and fingerprints as their records, he looks like the photos on file, and in The Judge his friend from the Naval Academy recognizes Red on first look. To a large degree I think this shoots down some fan theories that Red has had major reconstructive plastic surgery to hide his identity.
You're Welcome! My Pleasure!
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't think we know about the Kuwait incident yet. And I think 'DarqueMode' has a very good explanation about the DNA Testing. It's a difficult subject/topic to understand and confirm/refute, but maybe it is one of those elements of the plot that have yet to be fully revealed.
Looking forward to Monday! And reading your thoughts after my Review!!
You're very Welcome!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting theory Jennifer! It's plausible and hopefully we will get some clues that will get us closer to the truth! I will put a section in my Reviews that will compile all the clues we get in each episode. Stay Tuned to those and I look forward to finding out if you are right and reading your thoughts after my Reviews of each episode. :)
That is a very good question and one that many fans ask and 'DarqueMode' has a very interesting answer for it. I am gong to post my theory as a comment above in a little bit.
ReplyDeleteI will add one more question to your list, and honestly it is the one that plays on my mind the most for some reason! Why did Red want Milton Bobbit's client list? Who do we know that could have done a murder- suicide to set up their family like Bobbit's clients? Liz's mother, maybe? All we know about her is from one Red quote in the pilot, "A mother who died of weakness and shame", but I do not see a solid connection.
ReplyDeleteRe: Q#6:
I think that story is a basic truth of what Red saw when he got home on Christmas. It is still quite vague of course though since the most detail we get is something like "Blood. Blood everywhere."
Re: Q#13:
I also think that story is the reason Red blows up his old family house.
Another note on this. Liz's family house was destroyed by fire, but Red's family house seemed to be in very good shape makes me think they were two separate houses. That does not not rule out Red as Liz's dad of course, but it does punch another hole in the argument and timeline.
Re: Q#7:
I think Fitch's alliance is something like the Steering Committee of the Bildeberg Group. Masters of the universe, high ranking politicians and businessmen from around the world. We had representatives from the USA (Fitch), Asia (China I think), Egypt (I think), India, Europe (somewhere in Scandinavia I think), 3 others who don't get camera time or dialog (white man, white woman and olive-skinned man) and then 2 others that look more like secretaries or valets than members to me. A very global alliance!
Re: Q#8:
Maybe Red knows the identities of Alliance members. That knowledge getting out would put too much attention on the Alliance for them to operate normally if not lead to their downfall entirely.
Re: Q#17:
I think it was the Alliance that sent Walter Gary Martin as well.
Re: #11:
The woman is definitely important to both Red and Berlin! We know she is Berlin's daughter, but is she Red's deceased wife or a former lover? Was Red responsible for her death?
Re: Q#14:
The girl looks a fair amount like Berlin's daughter. I don't think the ages matches up for Berlin's daughter to be the little girl Red flashes back to though. Maybe it is her daughter? Some jump to it being Liz, but I'm not there just yet. Although she is a candidate... Maybe.
Re: Q#15:
By Red saying the secret was not Sam Milhoan's to tell I think he meant that it involved other people who were more closely tied to the secret than Sam was. Red for instance. Sam could have wanted to tell Liz that Red pulled her from the fire. It fits with everything we know so far. It also does not mean Red is Liz's biological father either. Red could be more of a step-father if Berlin's daughter had Liz before they met or by a different man. That fits Red's answers to liz that the questions and answers are more complicated and that he did not lie when he said he was not her father - meaning biological father.
Wild theory #1:
We know Bobbit preyed on terminal ill people. Before this time around when the cancer came back and spread we know Sam had cancer in the past as well since he said, "The cancer is back." Could he have tried to kill someone and commit suicide only to have his friend Red stop him? Perhaps Sam even started the fire? Meh.... Unlikely at best I think.
It certainly works on a lot of levels.
ReplyDeleteIf Berlin's daughter was married to the Russian dissident Berlin mentioned, maybe he was Liz's father? If he worked for Red and betrayed him we know that Red's code is to look after the family. Red told Grey he would look after his family just before he killed him.
It also could be that Red was involved with (romantic or business) Berlin's daughter before or after the Russian father was killed. Their involvement with Red could have gotten them killed leaving Red to feel responsible for Liz.
My theory fits in with yours nicely I think...
Berlin's daughter marries her dissident Russian lover and escapes to the US thanks to Red's help. After the husband/ Liz's father is killed Red could take on a stepfather relationship to Liz. That way he could both be her father and not be her father in the end. No lies necessary.
A couple questions I would add to your list are related to the massive scar on Red's back. How did he get it? Is it connected to the fire Liz was trapped in as a girl? It looks like a scar from a burn and they made a point of focusing the camera on it at the end of season 1 so I think it may be an important clue.
ReplyDeleteThose are both very good questions, however, I always assumed it was because Red was in the same fire that Liz always references just because of the way the story unfolded it seemed the writers wanted us to think that. But, If you think I should add I will gladly, thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you for this! I will comb through it and update the article as needed. This is great!
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a Blacklister who specialized in performing an elaborate procedure ( on clients' bodies) for altering their DNA results for a large fee ? Or was that storyine on another show --- I obviously watch way too much TV if I can't remember which show I saw this premise on.
ReplyDeleteThe Alchemist.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason he was included was not because he altered Red's DNA, but because he faked Lucy Brooks death.
Remember Red saying to Cowboy that she has already faked her death once before?
Okay, I just had an odd thought....
ReplyDeleteThe entire season Red is hunting for his unknown nemesis, right?
Well in the final two episodes Berlin has a Blacklist number! That means he is known to Red (at least by the alias) and already on Red's list.... Seem odd to anyone else or just me? xD
That is a very good point! I didn't think about that...Unless...
ReplyDeleteUnless... Red knew OF an adversary, and that one was out there, BUT didn't know who it was. Does that make sense, Lol? He knew there was someone out there attacking his (and Fitch's) interests, but could not narrow down who it was. Actually, come to think of it this makes sense now...It is why Red was, throughout the season, compiling the data and lists from the different blacklisters him and the FBI caught. Essentially using that information to narrow down the potential list of adversaries to pinpoint ONE blacklister (Or perhaps, in his eyes, someone not on the blacklist (yet)). He eventually narrowed it down to someone who was on the blacklist...Berlin. I hope this makes sense, Lol.
Right I gotcha...
ReplyDeleteHe knew of an adversary, but the exact identity of said adversary. It still feel sodd to me that he has a number and a name though! Maybe like you said he updated it as the season when on. XD
At least in two interviews, the Executive Producer has said
ReplyDeletethat Red is not Liz father and that he is amazed of how much we fans do not
want to accept that. Personally, I don’t buy it.
Hypothesis: He is her dad and yes he died that day and
became the Red he is now He died to protect her. 2) Liz is Berlin’s
granddaughter and that is why she is so important. If this is true maybe Red
and Red was involved in any way with what happened to Berlin’s daughter, it
might be out of guilt that he protects Liz. Berlin is convinced he was the one
to blame for what happened to her daughter, and yes, she is the girl in the
picture Red took from that classified file of pictures. 3) He was Lizzie’s
father’s friend or partner 4) He was in charge of killing Liz’s dad, put the
house on fire and then realized Liz was inside so he save her, gave her to Sam
and protected her.
The symbol at the beginning I can’t remember to whom but
Lizzie told someone that scar is what she got left of the fire in her house.
Honestly I don’t remember this 14 years old story you refer to but I don’t
doubt it.
Liz does have a record on herself and on her father. If
there is a criminal file on her dad, shouldn’t Cooper or someone know she is
Red’s daughter. If the file exists, Red is not Liz’s dad as the Executive
Producer has told us several times. Liz says something about that classified to
red twice. One was to Red.
What I do believe is Red has or had a daughter and she might
not be Liz. Remember that episode where he pays to watch someone dancing ballet
because he wants to remember about her daughter or was that one Liz’s mom?
Berlin is behind Red because he believes he is the one who
took his daughter and chopped her. And if he did not chop her, he definitively
was involved. Red does address the matter somewhere.
Tom’s mission was to enamor Liz, marry her and keep an eye
on her. That makes me think she might be Berlin’s granddaughter. If Liz were
Red’s daughter, Berlin would have either killed her already or he is just
waiting for the right time to slowly and very painfully get back on Red through
Liz.
BTW, I do believe Tom felt in love with Liz.
Sam want Liz to know about her origin. Evidently Red does
not. This is one of the reasons, I guess, we refuse to believe he is not Liz’s
dad. That one as well as the fire scar Red has on his shoulder.
I apologize for I do not have a record on the episode’s
names .
Tom is alive for he is in the promo pictures of the series.
Red did save Liz from the fire, not her dad or at least that
‘s the way and see the situation, I might be wrong.
At least in two interviews, the Executive Producer has said
ReplyDeletethat Red is not Liz father and that he is amazed of how much we fans do not
want to accept that. Personally, I don’t buy it.
Hypothesis: He is her dad and yes he died that day and
became the Red he is now He died to protect her. 2) Liz is Berlin’s
granddaughter and that is why she is so important. If this is true maybe Red was
involved in any way with what happened to Berlin’s daughter, it might be out of
guilt that he protects Liz. Berlin is convinced he was the one to blame for
what happened to her daughter, and yes, she is the girl in the picture Red took
from that classified file of pictures. 3) He was Lizzie’s father’s friend or
partner 4) He was in charge of killing Liz’s dad, put the house on fire and
then realized Liz was inside so he save her, gave her to Sam and protected her.
The symbol at the beginning I can’t remember to whom but
Lizzie told someone that scar is what she got left of the fire in her house.
Honestly I don’t remember this 14 years old story you refer to but I don’t
doubt it. I do remember she being a teenager thief.
Liz does have a record on herself and on her father. If
there is a criminal file on her dad, shouldn’t Cooper or someone know she is
Red’s daughter? If the file exists, Red is not Liz’s dad as the Executive
Producer has told us several times. Liz says something about that classified
file twice. One was to Red.
What I do believe is Red has or had a daughter and she might
not be Liz. Remember that episode where he pays to watch someone dancing ballet
because he wants to remember about her daughter or was that one Liz’s mom?
Berlin is behind Red because he believes he is the one who
took his daughter and chopped her. And if he did not chop her, he definitively
was involved. Red does address the matter somewhere.
Tom’s mission was to enamor Liz, marry her and keep an eye
on her. That makes me think she might be Berlin’s granddaughter. If Liz were
Red’s daughter, Berlin would have either killed her already or he is just
waiting for the right time to slowly and very painfully get back on Red through
Liz.
BTW, I do believe Tom felt in love with Liz.
Sam wanted Liz to know about her origin. Evidently Red does
not. This is one of the reasons, I guess, we refuse to believe he is not Liz’s
dad. That one as well as the fire scar Red has on his shoulder.
I apologize for I do not have a record on the episode’s
names .
Tom is alive for he is in the promo pictures of the series.
Red did save Liz from the fire, not her dad or at least that
‘s the way I see the situation, I might be wrong.
Right to both statements but I just meant maybe Red also had it done. Thanks for replying. I fear it will be a long time before we get any answers about anything based on the pace they set in the first season, plus they are adding on new mysteries for the second season. ( As Spader confirmed in his recent interview.) Interested in seeing what M.L.Parker's relationship to Red will be. Between the slow reveals on this show and the slow pace George R.R. Martin writes on his books I may have to learn patience for the first time.
ReplyDeleteAhh yes.
ReplyDeleteI meant to include that as a possibility in my reply.
He could have maybe used the Alchemist too... or any of the other Blacklisters I guess.
Like you said, answers come on the show, but not the answers to the big questions on most people's minds.
I personally find it a lot of fun this way!
Usually the audience knows more than the characters, but on The Blacklist, we are behind on the learning curve! Red always know more than the audience, and at times even the task force knows more as well!
I find it incredibly refreshing to not have everything spelled out in detail and hand-fed to us. I know others find it annoying though.
Complete agreement about GRRM and his books!
I have a fair amount of patience in regards to TV and books, but damn! The man tests my willpower and patience!
I was burned once before by Melanie Rawn and her 'Exiles' series. For years the third(and final?) book was supposed ot be "Corning Soon", but it turns out she had a bit of a mental breakdown and then decided not to write the book at all for a bunch of reasons. Compared to waiting more than a decade only to find out the book will never come, GRRM's turtle-like pace is almost refreshing since I do expect him to complete the series!
Well, in regards to the house, it could have been repaired after the fire. That's what I suspected, at least.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, true.
ReplyDeleteBut there did not appear to be any fire damage or smoke damage to the area of paneling where Red's daughter's height was marked. That is what made me think it was a different house.
I've been through burnt out houses and not many areas are left unaffected in a fire as big as the one in Liz's flashbacks. Even so I guess TBTP can say whatever they want and make that house the same house if they want to! XD
I think what bothers me about GRRM is that he seems gleeful in his knowledge that we are being tortured by his snail's pace. Maybe he has a little Ramsay Snow/Bolton in him.
ReplyDeleteThe answer is DNA testing but Red knows and makes his move around everyone so those can be altered easily by him but so far noone has mention not even the posibility of DNA testing it's like it dowsnt even exist. lol
ReplyDeleteI have a theory (but i think i got the timelines wrong and it's bother me) that maybe Red's target at one point of his life was Liz's real father which is married to Berlin's daugther and then the abduction of the mother happened and Berlin someway finds out or believes is Red who killed her (knowing that he is a criminal and all of that). In the other hand lets say that Red went to complete his mission (killing the russian dissident) but after he set the fire and killed the man he sees that Liz is in the house and he cant let the child die, so he went in and rescued her and he took it to Sam. He sees her grown ans her own from distance cause he couldnt save his family but at least he save an innocent kid.
It's crazy i know but in my head it works.
About Q13: maybe he lived there at some point too, he is a criminal so he has too be moving a lot, right?. That momment was so diferent cause we later see how he host the ballet thing every year but he went and destroyed that house, couldnt he kept it? but Red is the kind of guy that he will keep the things that are most valuable for him.
I sure hope so we get to know more about Liz mother.
Berlin knew about Liz a long time ago, Tom was part of their plan but how much exactly was that?. where they waiting for Red to come to her? how they knew Red was going for her?.
I think non the one hand Red not knowing WHO his adversary is, but knowing that he had one, very plausible, which is why he himself was try to connect the dots. BUT then I think if they are both so closely connected by Liz, e.g Berlin's daughter was Reds wife etc, how could he not know or atleast not factor it in as a possibility?
ReplyDeleteHow are such closely linked enemies (via Liz) so unknown to each other, or unknown to Red until now.
I might be completely off track here because I haven't recapped in a while but I hope it makes sense!
Seeing as Berlins daughter was more than likely killed by the Stewmaker (evidenced by Red Taking the photo from the collection) wouldn't that make the story that we're told regarding Berlin's daughter's death fake. What i mean is isn't the Stewmakers whole M.O. disposal without a trace?
ReplyDeleteAlso going by Red's comment regarding Liz's mother in the pilot that Darque reference's (a mother who died of weakness and shame) wouldn't that kind of suggest that Berlin's daughter and Liz's mother are different people.
When you then add in Red wanting to see Milton Bobbit's list and the Bobbit's M.O. being to use people who are in a weakend state (financially, healthwise, mentally) in order to take out a particular target during an apparent suicide/murder, then the setting of the fire takes on a different twist imo.
So what if Red marries Berlin's daughter they have a child and because of Red's work they become targets of someone who has them killed and disposed of by the Stewmaker, making Red getting the picture from the Stewmakers collection, his story to the Stewmaker and his killing of the him take on a different perspective and making Berlin blame Red and vow to take him out,
We then move onto Liz and her family and their connection (whatever it may be to Red) becoming caught in the crossfire of a war they never were really a part of, maybe Liz's father worked for or with Red, so anyway Berlin hires Milton to take them out, Milton uses Liz's mother's weakness to get her to set the fire and Red finds out saving Liz but not her father, then because of the death of his own child and because of some sort of loyalty to Liz's father or guilt because he was the reason they were targeted, Liz becomes almost a surrogate daughter to Red.
Red hands her over to someone he can trust (Sam) but not someone that anyone knows of their connection to each other, so Liz becomes safe and Red goes underground. We move on many years later and Berlin has tried to get to Red through various means has somehow found out about Liz so has Tom do his job which eventually forces Red back out from the shadows.
He wouldn't kill Liz because it's not enough for her to die, he has to make Red suffer by taking away everything from him until eventually taking out the only thing he cares about and then finally taking Red out.
Damn didn't mean to go on for so long, interested to see what you guys think.
To be honest the more I think about it the less I become interested with who her father is and
ReplyDeleteRed has certainly been all over travelling doing business and hiding out!
ReplyDeleteSo far all of these cities, countries or regions have been mentioned by Red or others in stories about Red's past business dealings:
Brussels, Belgium (1x01)
Maghreb (1x01)
Islamabad, Pakistan (1x01)
Beijing, China (1x01)
Montreal, Canada (1x02)
Sudan (1x02)
Somalia (1x03)
Kunming, China (1x03)
Hong Kong (1x03)
Port-au-Prince, Haiti (1x04)
Cairo, Egypt (1x05)
Paris, France (1x05)
Marrakesh, Morocco (1x05)
Havana, Cuba (1x07)
Malaysia (1x08)
Munich,Germany (1x09)
Phon Thong, Thailand (1x12)
Lisbon, Portugal (1x13)
Istanbol, Turkey (1x14)
Syria (1x14)
Florance, Italy (1x14)
Macao (1x14)
warsaw, Poland (1x18)
San Salvador, El Salvador (1x19)
Prague, Czech Republic (1x19)
Dubrovnik, Croatia (1x20)
I've had a lot of those same thoughts, but not put them together the same way you did.
ReplyDeleteKudos! XD
My suspicion is that there may be another layer or two to each aspect of your theory... More to Berlin's daughter and Red, more to how the Stewmaker fits in etc... But I think you are on the right track.
I think next year when we learn more about Liz's mother some things will fall into place. That should provide another side to many of the questions and hopefully help us triangulate in on some answers. ... or at least the right direction! XD
Agreed on the layers. There is still too much we don't know - especially about the ladies in Red's life (past and present) - hopefully, more info on them will give us a better sense of the big picture.
ReplyDeleteWhen I watched "The Stewmaker" the first time, I thought that Red was talking about The Stewmaker too but on rewatch I just had this "Wait, WTF, is he talking about HIMSELF?" moment, especially since I knew about the Madeline Pratt story during the rewatch. Don't remember the bone in the hospital room....but then again, I vaguely remember Lizzy talking about her scar on her hand, even after the rewatch - would it be considered obsessive to watch S1 again? Yep, thought so too - maybe just the Berlin eps then :-D Do you remember which ep it was that Lizzy talks about how she got the scar on her hand (vaguely remember her saying she was 14 so it was a separate incident than the fire that killed her family).
I'm so excited for this season! I know several people are upset about not getting answers to the big questions but I just want answers to more of the little questions. I like that the show/writers are **likely** giving us all the info we need to answer the big questions as long as we are paying attention to the little ones. That's what I loved about LOST - the writers assumed I was an intelligent viewer that could put the pieces together and didn't feel the need to add 10 minutes of exposition to every episode just to make sure I was picking up on the bread crumbs (or worse, 10 minutes of "previously on").
Hahaha! XD
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you...
The reason I recall the bone is because I just (minutes ago) watched the Berlin episodes! XD
Liz talks about the scar in the pilot, but she talks about recalling her father pulling her from the fire in Berlin Part 2... She has a flashback in an earlier episode too, but I do not recall which.
I love how the writers treat us as well. I hope they keep the slow bit by tbiat pace going and viewers don't leave....
On my last re-watch I took notes so I could compare facts in my theories as they come up so this may help you. I saw 4 main sub-plots in Season 1: Fitch and the Alliance, Tom and Berlin, Lucy Brooks, and the mystery girl/s (Red's and Berlin's daughters I think)
If you want to watch episodes related to Berlin, Episodes 1,6,,15,17,18,19,21, and 22. The first few relate more to Tom and Gina and the boxes with the "Y" symbol on them, but the last handful are Berlin heavy!
If you want to watch episodes about the mystery girl Red flashbacks on and Berlin's daughter: Episodes 4, 7, 16 and 22.
Episodes that deal with Alan fitch and the Alliance: Episodes 2, 10, 11, 13, 20, 22.
Episodes that deal with Lucy Brooks: episodes 2,8,112,14,15 and 16.
Her arc is basically over so it may not play into future seasons too much. It is fun though!
"Wrong answer!" XD
I think I have those Episode numbers right, but don;t hold me to it! I jotted down some of the notes after 3 or 4 am..... Just saying. XD
TBL was an unexpected surprise last season - great dialogue, interesting "villains" and plenty of intrigue. My only concern with the show is that it could fall into constantly trying to "top" itself with either "life threatening" scenarios for Red and/or Liz or the mythology gets so convoluted that it becomes a complete mess (we've seen that play out on several series). For longevity, it is OK to have several "procedural" type episodes with a sprinkle of mythology and a few occasional one that focus on it more.
ReplyDeleteHere's a question for you: Where did the dog from the pilot go?
ReplyDeleteAnyone who can shed light on this will have my undying gratitude.
About Question 21: Red mentions Liz's mother in the pilot during their first meeting. He says, and I quote, "A mother who died of weakness and shame." No further information is given in the rest of the season, though, if I remember correctly at least.
ReplyDeleteGreat article! So many questions to consider! I'm really looking forward to getting answers to some of these. Part of me hopes that Red is blood related or related by Marriage to Liz. To me, despite the cliche, it's the only way where I feel like his sentimentality for her would be true and valid. (and considering that JR Orci and John Eisendrath are working on this--I have no doubt that some of this is Alias juxtaposed).
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I'm also interested is, is if we will be getting more Tom. I would like to believe there is more behind him than the viewers have seen -and that he could provide insight into Berlin's operation.
Great work putting this all together again! Looking forward to reading your reviews this season! I always look past little things that later turn out to be important, so I'm glad you're keeping track of these tracks. I do hope that the writers know where they're going because they are throwing out a lot of hints so they need to know where they're headed. But I'd like to believe they do.
ReplyDeleteTheir dog appears a couple times after the pilot I think, but most notably in 1x19 The Pavolich Brothers. Tom uses walking the dog as his excuse to leave the house, and liz for good. Only like 5 seconds after he leaves you hear Buddy scratching at the door wanting back in! XD
ReplyDeleteJust watched the new promo and I think we are going to get a lot more answers about Berlin and his connection to Red but of course, after watching the promo I doubt everything that I originally wrote - I need one of those big ass white boards like Liz had! GAAAHHH - they are killing me - this is what LOST used to do to me!
ReplyDeleteNote to self..
ReplyDeleteInvest in comically large white board! XD
It would be fun to lay out everything, but we are at the disadvantage compared to Liz or red. We cannot investigate and need to rely on only the information they release and only when they release it.
I think Blacklist is almost underrated as far as their writing goes! The way they handled both Tom's and Lucy Brook's arcs last year was phenomenal. Each clue added something, often times leaving the viewer conflicted with their previous theories, but then by season's end it all came together to reveal everything clearly.
True, everything we have is speculation but my little OCD heart would love nothing better than to put one of those boards together - it looks so badass when Beckett or Stiles does it!
ReplyDeleteI was totally taken by surprise with Tom and Lucy's arcs...I really thought Red had set up Tom to make Lizzy look to him for support and they were going to use Lucy/Jolene as a way to create romantic/marital drama. So glad they went the way they did. "Wrong answer. Elizabeth Keen isn't your wife, she's your target" has to be one of the best reveals of last season!!!! Kudos to Ryan for his handling of the role, wonder if he and/or Megan knew that he was an "agent" at the beginning of the season.
Wow! Great recap/list. So many questions! How will they answer them all haha. Can't wait for Monday. The promo was amazing.
ReplyDeleteIf Berlin is only n°8 on the Blacklist, who is number 1 ?
ReplyDeleteThere is no concrete evidence the Blacklist is in order with #1 being the most dangerous person on the list.
ReplyDeleteAnother possiblity is that Berlin is not Red's nemesis, but is working for Red's nemesis. Hired to exact revenge on Red because Berlin has his own personal reasons for wanting to hurt Red.
Who knows... Only a few days now!.