The Blacklist - Tom Keen (No.7) - Review: "The Disenfranchised"

"Be careful, Lizzy, because the truth of it is once you start down this road, there's no logical place to stop. You could see to her education, health ins., housing. You can watch her or have her watched. Keep her safe. Try to ascertain her hopes, dreams, desires. Pull strings, call in favors to discreetly smooth the path. And for the first few years, it may work. You'll draw some measure of virtue from being her invisible benefactor."

In an exceptional episode which actually felt like a conclusion to the previous week's episode, 'The Major', The Blacklist managed to garner the highest ratings for itself in five weeks obtaining over 8.7 million viewers. As one of the better episodes of the season, 'Tom Keen' managed to close out some of the amazing storylines being played out since this season first began. I myself have started to enjoy the progression of the second season even more so due to some of the main character's motivations being made clearer, especially as we get closer to this season's finale.

Last Thursday night's episode of The Blacklist involved some surprising scenes to achieve closure on a few storylines while shedding light on others. Tom Connolly barging in on Judge Denner was one of my more favored moments in the episode. It has actually made me look forward to seeing how the Task Force could possibly utilize him in the future. Although Connolly revealed his villainous tendencies, I enjoyed the scene when he put the judge in his place. I also believe there is a good chance we have now seen the last of the judge and this storyline with the Harbormaster. In my opinion, the judge and this venture were actually just a simple catalyst to bring forth Connolly as an important addition to the many elements circling our main characters. He is someone we need to keep a close eye on in the future. I can visualize Connolly becoming a blacklister at some point in upcoming seasons, although not anytime soon.

The blacklister of the week was none other than the infamous Tom Keen; Liz's estranged ex husband from season one whom we've mostly known as a third-grade school teacher. Tom is certainly one of the best characters on The Blacklist and I am pleased to see his character is still around. More importantly, since he is now out of jail, he may possibly return into the mix at any moment. Since the first episode of season one, I have truly enjoyed observing Tom's evolution from an everyday elementary school teacher to a full fledged international killer spy, which is reminiscent of Walter White's advancement into his 'Scarface'-like persona from Breaking Bad. However, unlike Walter White, who dealt with the illegal drug trade, one can surmise Tom was always a hardened secret agent, yet from our point of view, we've only witnessed the "innocent school teacher" starting point.

Something that struck me as interesting was that it appeared whenever Liz's name was mentioned, or Tom saw people from his past, his demeanor relaxed just a little. He seemed to soften and loosen up at the mere mention of Liz's name. I guess it is possible that Tom can harbor feelings for someone and it would appear he still loves and cares for Liz. In the end, when he finally acquiesced with Red's plea, Tom realized that his love for Liz, the women he betrayed on so many levels, trumped his reluctance to help Red in any way. It is what makes Tom such an interesting character; he can tell Red no and do things on his own terms. This is something many characters have difficulty with in a world governed largely by Mr. Reddington.

This is Red's world after all and we are all just tourists. I am paraphrasing what Red said to Ressler during last Thursday night's episode, of course. Although this was directed to Ressler, it felt like he was conveying this to every character, good or evil. Only his rules apply. What he says goes in his world. Everyone else is just merely visiting. In some ways, Red could also have been speaking to us, the audience as well. His way of informing us anything is possible for him in the world of The Blacklist. Exhibiting he is above the law and what he wants to happen will happen. Everyone besides Red are the disenfranchised - not just the German group Tom has been associated with in these past few episodes.

In Red's distinctive world, the character who stands out the most as being disenfranchised is Liz. During the final moments of the episode, Red overheard Liz creating a scholarship for the deceased Harbormaster's daughter. Of course we all know how Red wants to keep Liz safe from harm, from doing things that could put her life in jeopardy, and even traveling down the wrong path, so what he does next comes as no surprise. In a special moment, which James Spader delivers impeccably, Red explains to Liz the dangers of going down the road of pure altruism she has started on. This in turn generates Red to pouring out his emotions in such a way it mirrors what he has done for Liz her entire life: protecting her. But again, this is Red's world. Just as he realizes he might say too much, he concludes the conversation where he doesn't have to say anymore. When Liz asks him how he knew Tom would be set free in the process of helping her, Red does not reply. Remember, this is Red's world and he knows that sometimes the best thing to say is to say nothing at all.

There are now only 5 episodes remaining until this season's finale which will most likely be one incredible hour for The Blacklist. I have enjoyed how the writers have pared down some story lines, essentially preparing us for the answers to the myriad of questions that have been building up this season. From the key Red obtained from Pepper to the silver suitcase he retrieved from the presidential car in the container on The Kenyon Family compound to whomever is on the other end of the line from the number in Fitch's safe - the questions have been piling up. These final episodes will hopefully shed much needed light on many of Red's actions during season two and what The Fulcrum will reveal. Once again, it is Red's world and we want to know plenty more about it before this season is finished.

"But that won't last. It's all a fraud. That it's really not about her at all. That it's all about you. And you're just going through the motions to salve your own guilt. Look, all the money, all the time and effort, all the favors in the world cannot possibly equal what you took away from her. Everything else is just a nice gesture."
- Red to Liz

Red's Quotes

- "But this is my world and you're a tourist. You blink wrong and we're both dead"
Red to Ressler

- "This journey we're on isn't over just yet. You may have given up on us, but I haven't."
Red to Liz

Music from the Episode

- "Always Gold" - Radical Face
Final Music Montage - Liz's case is dismissed as Tom shows up in court; Cooper & Connolly discuss the task force and Liz; Red & Liz talk about how she is helping the Harbormaster's daughter financially mirroring how Red has helped her over the years; Tom calls Liz to see if she is ok.

Thoughts and Discussion

- I love the card Aram got for Agent Cooper. I laughed at the sentiment he wrote inside - "Get well, bitch, we've got some partying to do" - Lol. He seriously could have his own spin-off show. And him and Navabi need to go on a date soon too.

- In my review, I likened Tom's story (from our perspective since season 1) to Walter White's in Breaking Bad. By the end of this story line I guess Tom was also in the drug business with what we witnessed from the cold open in Thursday's episode.

- Will we see the judge again? Or do you think his story line is over and done with?

- What will become of Tom now that he is back and exonerated of all wrong doing and any negative association with what happened concerning the Harbormaster.

- I really enjoyed Connolly's scenes this episode. His ruthlessness and history with Cooper make me wonder if he will ever be a blacklister.

- Did you notice...When Red visits Ruddiger we see someone playing Solitaire. The bottom cards are '4' and '7'. Red was number 4 on the FBI's Most Wanted List and Tom is number 7 on the blacklist. I thought that was interesting.

Thank you for checking out my review! Please comment below so we can discuss the episode and the series some more. Have a great week everyone!

About the Author - Geo N

Geo N is from Detroit, MI. His favorite shows include The Blacklist, Hell On Wheels, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, LOST, The Leftovers, The Strain, Sons Of Anarchy, Sleepy Hollow and countless others. When he's not watching tons of TV, he enjoys reading, playing hockey, comic books, weightlifting, and writing. Thanks for checking out my post.

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