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The Blacklist - Tom Connolly (No. 11) - Season Finale Review: "The Sin Eater"

May 18, 2015

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"And I think it's gonna be a long, long, time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Ah, no no no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man
Burnin' out this fuse
Up here alone"
- "Rocket Man" - Written by Elton John/Bernard Taupin - Performed by Elton John

Last Thursday, The Blacklist aired its season two finale, "Tom Connolly". I thought it an exceptional episode, which is what you want given how some other show's finales have been this TV season. It closed out most of the questions we were concerned with and paved the way for a season three that, based on that ending, will re-ignite my love for this series. I hope it does the same for other fans, as the ratings have dropped considerably. For a finale, you want more viewers than the premiere and last Thursday was over five million viewers short.

The events of the episode continued right where we left off from the previous one, 'Karakurt". Red informs Liz on her precarious situation as Tom Connolly discusses with Agent Cooper that he intends to arrest Liz. Liz is told she has been framed by the Cabal and after Connolly captures her she is interrogated by two agents who, of course, don't believe a word she says. They confirm her birth name as Masha Rostova (which was scheduled to be the finale's title, but changed before airing). Cooper stands up for Liz to Connolly before meeting with Red, where we learn his plan, facilitating Liz's escape from the "Post Office". I enjoyed this part of the episode as we see Red, once again, coming to Liz's rescue with the help of Agent Cooper, who knows the perfect way out of the building without getting caught - until Liz runs into Ressler. I, like many of you, predicted Ressler would let her go because a part of him believes every word she says is true (and he probably has a thing for her...maybe?). In any case, this was the first of the many high energy scenes The Blacklist gifted to us for the finale and it was extremely enjoyable to watch. Red's 'coolness' throughout was a great touch that we expect from his character in these situations and Cooper there to help was the icing on the cake.

Throughout much of season two of The Blacklist (mostly after the "Berlin-centric" episodes) we were shown how much Liz has been a beacon of light to Red; a ray of light to guide him out of the darkness. If you noticed in that scene, where Liz was escaping the "Post Office", Liz was in the dark and there was, literally, a 'red' light guiding her way to safety. He is as much her 'ray of light' as she is his.

Liz spends most of the rest of the episode trying to clear her name. She goes back and forth with Tom, contemplating whether or not to flee with him on his boat or stay and collect evidence to prove her innocence in the murder of Senator Hawkins. She shares a nice heart-to-heart with Agent Cooper as he comes clean about his involvement with Connolly and also has time for an intimate moment with Tom. It was enjoyable to watch the car chase scene that erupted when Liz and Tom went looking for Andropov and I'm glad she ended up not fleeing with Tom in the end.

It's at this point in the episode we get another incredible scene with Red explaining to Liz what he is capable of doing. He tells her he is a "Sin Eater", someone who absorbs the misdeeds of others. He goes on to say that he darkens his soul to keep the ones he is helping pure. As usual, Red quickly changes the subject whenever he doesn't like the line of questioning coming his way as Liz asks the most important question of the episode, "What sin of mine could you possibly have absorbed?". This question is answered before the finale is over. Many other questions are also answered, such as Agent Cooper and his terminal illness. Some of you have speculated that Cooper was never sick to begin with and it was all just a construct of the Cabal to get him to do their bidding. Although, he is now under arrest, I am glad his health is good shape.

Red outing the Cabal by kidnapping investigative journalists and informing them of the contents of The Fulcrum was something you would expect only the 'Concierge of Crime' to pull off. It was brilliant how he conveyed the seriousness of it's contents with dangerous situation that accompanies its publishing. "The truth will out, not all of us will live to see that day, but the truth will out" is what he leaves them all with as he hopes their stories about The Fulcrums's contents will save his, but more importantly, Liz's life.

The song "Rocket Man" is said to be based on a short story by Ray Bradbury titled "The Rocket Man". The story is about an astronaut who travels into space for three months at a time and comes back to Earth to visit with his wife and son. He wants to quit to spend more time with family. Despite making several attempts to quit, staying at home with his family and his constant absence has nearly destroyed his relationship with his wife. Before leaving for another three-month period, which the father intended to be his last mission as a Rocket Man, the father makes Doug, his son, promise he will never follow in his father's footsteps.

The finale was an excellent episode that concluded the season perfectly. Many of our questions were answered, while leaving some for season three. The Cabal, and The Director, are still out there, but our heroes are a little scattered in the wake of finale's events. Liz is on the run with Red, her "Sin Eater", Agent Cooper has been arrested and Ressler is acting director of the Task Force. If there is still a Task Force in season three is something we will have to wait and see. Liz will most likely seek to get more information about her mother, from Red or other sources, but she is determined to know more. Season Three looks to be another great chapter for The Blacklist. Season Two's finale was most definitely a 'game-changer'.

After Liz and Cooper meet up with Connolly in the final moments of the episode, Liz finally remembers the night of the famous fire from her youth. She now knows what Red was trying to make her forget. Liz realizes then that Red is her light as much as she is his. Red and Liz talk about that night at the end of the episode as he explains that he never wanted her to be like him. It was a special juncture in their sinuous relationship. After a season of Liz fluctuating and wavering back-and-forth between loving and hating Red it appears she has finally accepted his role in her life, whatever that may be. It doesn't matter if Red is Liz's father or not - like the 'Rocket Man', Red is 'not the man that we think he is at all'. What matters to Liz now, is the harmonious relationship they share; Red is her 'Sin Eater' and occasional guide through life and Liz is his ray of light and beacon of hope in a tumultuous world.

"Mars ain't the kind of place
To raise your kids
In fact, it's cold as hell
And there's no one there to raise them
If you did"
- "Rocket Man" - Written by Elton John/Bernard Taupin - Performed by Elton John

Red's Quotes

- "You're already in their hands. The only thing they haven't done is close their fist."
Red to Liz

- "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king."
Red to Cooper

Music from the Episode

- "Black Eunuch" - Algiers
Red & Harold discuss the plan to extract Liz; Harold talks Liz through the escape until she runs into Ressler.

- "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long Long Time)" - Elton John
Red tells Liz he never wanted her to be like him; Ressler watches as Harold is arrested; Tom leaves on his boat; Liz's picture is put on the board for the FBI's Most Wanted List; Liz & Red head out of town.

Thoughts and Discussion

- I love the parallels that were drawn between Red and Liz's life this season. This is made even more apparent as Liz's photo is added right next to Red's on the FBI's Most Wanted List. Their relationship is truly a harmonious one and they are closer to each other than they (and we) think.

- After the events of the finale, will Red still work with the Task Force (if there still is one?)

- Will Agent Navabi still be on the Task Force as she was on loan from the Israeli government? Will she go back to her previous job? I like her character a lot so, I would love to see her stick around. Especially to see if anything comes of her and Aram.

- What will become of Tom and his boat, 'Jene II'? In what capacity will we see him in Season Three? I enjoyed his character this season and look forward to whatever story arc they have in store for him next season.

- Did you notice...Red's plan worked as The Director is seen staring at a newspaper with the headline indicating there is the existence of a shadow government.

- I am not sure why they changed the title of the episode, but now we know Tom Connolly is number 11 on the blacklist. This means 'Masha Rostova' (Liz) could be a potential blacklister in the future. It also means that we do not know who is number '6' and below on the blacklist with Tom being the lowest known blacklister.

- Did you notice...Liz shot Connolly with Tom's gun. She took it from his boat before she left. I wonder if this will play into the events of season three or if it's not going to be a big deal at all. Either way, I think it's neat so many of the people that care about her inadvertently helped her out in the finale.

- Did you notice...In the episode, "Leonard Caul", Liz tells Red she wishes he would just lie and say 'Yes' sometimes to the questions she asks to make her feel better. In the finale last week, Red says 'Yeah' when asked about why he blocked her memories from the night of the fire - not to protect himself but to protect Liz. I noticed (as well as some of you - thank you Ashley) he took a lengthy pause before answering her, which makes me think he only said 'Yeah' to Liz to make her feel better even though it was a lie and there is probably a lot more to the events of that night that he wishes to share with Liz at this moment. Hopefully we find out more in Season Three.

- What were your thoughts about the finale and the season as a whole? What do you look forward to in Season Three?

I want to thank all of you for checking out and reading my reviews all season for The Blacklist. I can't express how much fun I have had commenting and interacting with all of you throughout Season Two. If you all were not so kind, fun and involved I would not do what I do and write reviews for the show, so I want to say Thank You. The Live Discussions were amazingly fun as well. I know it's difficult sometimes to watch and pay attention to a discussion at the same time, but it was enjoyable for me and that is because of all of you. Thank you all again and I hope you all have a great Summer! Talk to you when Season Three starts in the fall! Actually, we will probably chat in the comments section below - but after that, see you in the fall! 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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94 comments:

  1. Red doesn't lie to Liz. That's the only rule they hold on to and it was confirmed by producers and writers several times.
    Red's not her father. That was another question answered because Liz shot her father and if her father was Red, he wouldn't be a sin eater, because there wouldn't be a sin to eat. Moreover, he would never let her live with the false memory that she shot her father if it wasn't true imo.
    The finale was amazing and I'm looking forward to an interesting Season 3!

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  2. Yes this^ It did not make her feel better, how would knowing that she was responsible for her father's death be better? when he worked so hard to protect her from that fact, remember in 2x10 when he yells to her - turn back, you don't want to see this...that was the moment she shot her father. The rest was spot on Geo and i loved your review as usual, but keeping the father question alive each week is getting boring and tiresome, but maybe that is just me...after two years of this back & forth i am kind of done with it....Too bad no one bothered to check their DNA, not even the Cabal, but they knew about her bio-mum and adoptive father, go figure ;) Let's wait and see what their relationship will be in season 03. I am betting on role-reversal. Liz will become Red's mother figure.

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  3. I misunderstood then -- I thought Navabi was on loan from Mossad, and Connally said that Navabi would be executed if she went Iran because she had killed an Iranian scientist.And she was working for Red anyway.

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  4. Think reviewer made a mistake Navabi is mossad.

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  5. Easy to do in a story as convoluted as this one. Yes, she is Mossad and after she kidnapped Red he was so impressed with her he put her on his payroll and and got her " loaned" to the Post Office team to work undercover for him.

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  6. I tend to agree with you, but I have a hard time ruling anything out on this show! XD


    Could the pause before Red says "Eah" mean something more? Sure, but it could also just mean he was having a hard time dealing with Liz regaining those memories. The painful memories he has been trying to protect her from. In that situation, after spending a great deal of effort to allow Liz to live free of those traumas and the realization she killed her father, I think it may be all he can do to muster up a resigned "Yeah" after a lengthy pause while he gathered his strength.

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  7. Guessing Geo meant Israeli, not Iranian.

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  8. I know, he is usually very accurate.

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  9. I really liked the episode!

    I have doubts Liz and Red will remain on the run for the entire season. That said, I think it will be a lot of fun while Liz is outside the law! I don;t see the an obvious way out of the mess Liz is in.. They can't use Tom as a trigger man again IMO.

    Now that The Cabal knows Red not only has The Fulcrum, but has released it where do they go? Do they keep going after Red (via Liz) or at some point after what I assume will be, if I know Red at all, significant loses to their organization? Will they find some sort of detente? Will The Cabal have to be killed off or dissolved now that they have been outted?


    I think the finale answered a lot of questions this time around, but in true Blacklist form those answers lead to even more questions! It's what I love about the show! XD

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  10. It really was a great season finale, so far my second favorite of all the shows i watch first place goes for JtV and it's ending xD.
    I would like to dee the director blaming the people on the task force and as a way to get revenge on Red and Liz he will make their live misserable but probably we are gonna see the task force going full on finding Red and Liz while at the sides trying to help them?. I think Aram and Navabi will eb up for it. But Ressler as the the new head of the task force that could be a little more difficult.
    Tom and Liz scenes were lovely. I like them both, Liz is so different when he is around and it's the same whe she is with Red, I kind of feel that she feels safe with both of them but she knows Red has more to offer in the "keeping someone safe" department.
    That ending show us that tehre is so much of the story left to tell, She now remembers she shot her dad and why but not the rest of it, we still dont know what was Red real involvement there. I stills ay he is not her father, he reallyw as one of eeh people looking for the Fulcrum and took Liz with him cause he didnt want her to suffer or to die.
    I hope we see more of the reporters nexts eason, uncovering stories piece by piece making The Cabal even more reckless on their actions cause they are being exposed.
    There are so many things and so many scenarios, the wait will be hard.
    Another thing. I think they changed teh title namme cause The Blacklist was the list Red gave to the task force and if Liz ever finds herself on hat Liz is because Red is looking for her, I think that's why they changed the name at the end.
    Great review Geo, you know it' s always great toread a review from you. Im kind of upset that HBO hasnt give any details on when The Leftovers is returning. That's a show i enjoyed your reviews and it was my favorite new show last summer.

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  11. I did mean that, sorry...thank you

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  12. Thanks Ron! I am actually rewatching The Leftovers now to get ready for Season 2.


    Good call on why they changed the name at the end. I like your answer.

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  13. Very true, more answers leads to way more questions.


    I'm excited to Liz working outside of the law. I keep trying to figure out how they could bring her back into the FBI, but I just don't see it. Great questions about the Cabal, I'm looking forward to whatever they decide to do about them.

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  14. And thanks also for the Rocket Man interpretation. You went the extra mile there. I was focusing on "not the man they think I am" line. (still brings tears to my eyes) ..and while that is still THE line, understanding the story of where the song derived really helps drive it home, gives me more and made it so much richer. Thanks for doing the research on that! While I have never needed to reignite my love for this show...I have been in love with it through its ups and downs....this episode gives me great hope for the future of the series.....

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  15. Great review Geo! I really liked the finale and it's the best May finale I've seen so far of all the shows that I watch. I wasn't sure Liz was going to shoot Connolly until Cooper's voice dimmed. It was really a game-changer and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how season 3 will shape up. Ressler seems determined to hunt Liz down so I wonder if that will change. I'm also curious to see how Tom will play into all this.

    Two stray observations:
    -In the promo, I though I saw a part of the night of the fire that we didn't see in the episode. It's a man (with a hat I believe) running out of a window while the house is in flames. I don't remember exactly, but I believe we didn't see this scene in the episode. If you look closely at the promo though, you can see it.
    If I'm right and the scene was cut from the episode, then I wonder why. It's clear to me that the man going out of the window is Red, and that would only confirm what we already know from the season 1 finale: that Red was present during the fire and that he has burn wounds on his back). Anyway, just something I noticed.
    -Again, I can't remember exactly (I need to rewatch the episode for that), but I believe one of the interrogators told Liz that intel suggests that there is a Russian sleeper agent in the task force. This was not further explored in the episode so I'm not sure what to make of it. Maybe this will be build on in season 3? Or maybe I'm looking to much into this and the interrogator just made something up to have Liz confess.

    And then something else about the night of the fire. It's still possible that Red is Liz' father, because I don't think it was confirmed that the man she shot was really her biological father. Alternatively, could it be possible that the man Liz shot that night is actually Red himself? And that he somehow survived, but got burned on his way out. Just a wild theory though.

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  16. Yeah, I don't see the path back to the FBI for Liz either, but I think the show has to bring them back into the task force somehow...

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  17. Thank you! I appreciate the kind words!


    I think the father/daughter thing is getting boring as well. I will admit during season one I was a strong advocate "FOR" but now I am a strong advocate for "who cares at the moment". To be honest, I think the fact that they are trying so hard to disprove their relationship is proof that they are related, Lol...jk.

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  18. I consider your theory about Liz shooting Red the night of the fire a possibility as well... There is still so much unknown about that night that I think the show can still go in any direction they want.


    I would not even fault the cast and creative team for outright lying when then say Red is not Liz's father. I've always felt a showrunner or actor has the right to lie about possible twists and surprises down the line.


    That said, I remain in the Red is not her father camp like I have been from nearly the beginning.

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  19. Just a blip on the radar - you are terrific at your work.

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  20. Just saying Darth ;-) Let's just say they are partners in crime for now.

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  21. I agree, we don't know enough about the night yet to draw any conclusions. It really could go any way.

    I've already accepted Red as Liz' father. Whether her real father or her surrogate father/father-figure doesn't matter much. Their bond is just as strong as a father-daughter relationship.

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  22. It was Tom's gun?! come on you have to be wrong!!! please!!!!!!

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  23. I was wondering when we'd get your review... And it's a great one, as usual, what with the red light and the interpretation of the song. Hadn't even noticed that xD
    One thing you didn't mention: you said you were glad that Liz didn't run away with Tom. While I'm glad about that too, I feel that I don't understand why Liz slept with him. What are your thoughts on that?

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  24. Where will they go? I know he probably owns at least several hidden and protected places but it's easier to hide 1 person and now he's going away with her - and she's a newbie compared to Red. It must be somewhere in a country that doesn't have all the extradition agreements with the USA and the cabal whose members are furious with Red, even those who supported him earlier. So where could it be?

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  25. Great review! I will be sad not to read any more for awhile.
    I am of the belief since they are working so hard to convince everyone he is not her father, he is. My theory is he was the one she shot. Her mother was the one that had the gun, and they were struggling for it. To a little child, or a person remembering an event from a long time ago, it could look like he was "hurting" the mother. It would make sense with his burns on his back, the dialogue from the dream hypnosis feedback, and explain his dogged attachment to Liz and apparent total disinterest in Jennifer (supposed real daughter).
    As to why he would let her believe she killed her own father, he let her sleep with Tom for many moons without telling her he was a spy, so... LOL
    Also, she didn't seem that broken up about killing her father. She seems to think of him as a villain now. No harm done, I guess.
    As for their relationship, regardless of paternity, I hope she stays on his side for more than a millisecond. I do enjoy them better when they get along. She is more tolerable when Spader is also there.

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  26. Do you remember? Tom insisted her father was still alive and it was when Tom was dying. People supposedly tell the truth dying.

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  27. I wonder what the ending of the series will be? Red handing over the reins of the "family business" to his surrogate daughter Liz and Tom? I have come to accept The Cabal as the name of the big bads but I still prefer to call them The World League Of Super-Villains.

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  28. DAMN IT!!!!!!!! God it makes me sick that they went there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  29. I found it hard to believe that the FBI would be foolish not to monitor Red since he has the resource to get Liz out of the country

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  30. I agree, but why is their bond so strong? If he's her father it makes perfect sense. If he's not then it gets murky. He didn't raise her and he barely knew her until he started working with her. So why would she mean so much to him? I can't wait to find out if he's her dad and if not, why he cares so much for her. Great season finale.

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  31. Red doesn't lie to Liz? Well he did tell her that her father died in the fire and we now know she shot him. So there's a lie right there.

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  32. What a good review, as usual! I'll miss you but I will be there for the next season, I promise.

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  33. Yeah. The show has seemingly dropped that thread which is odd. We have never heard who Tom meant. I think one or both of her parents HAVE to be alive for the purpose of the drama of the show.

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  34. Yeah, but the FBI on the show has been to be seriously incompetent. ;)

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  35. you make an assumption that the man shot is her father but what if the man shot took her from her father and raised her not knowing the difference.

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  36. No, not likely but if he is it would be an affair not a marriage.

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  37. We never heard what he really told her.

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  38. The only theories I culd find convincing, other than him actually being her father, is that either he was in love with her mother or he is her mother's brother. I see no other reason why he would care about her so much her whole life without knowing her at all

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  39. Thank you. But again, I don't see how Liz can get her name cleared after shooting Connolly. I'm not saying that it can't happen, but it is still unlawful to shoot first then prove someone's guilt. I will be interested to see how they deal with that part of Liz's story in Season Three.


    I hope you are here for Season Three...

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  40. Thank you Maria! I'll miss chatting with you and everyone over the Summer. I hope to see you here for Season Three!


    Unless you enjoy the other shows I review that air during the Summer months...The Leftovers on HBO, The Strain on FX and there is a new show by Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead and based on his new Comic Book series, Outcast that I will be reviewing. It should be a great show and a busy Summer.

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  41. Good point. I doubt they are keeping tabs on Red plus I think Red would be too smart for that to happen, right?

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  42. Lol, I like your name for the Cabal wayyyyy better!


    I wonder all the time how the series will end. That's a good theory about Red handing over control of the family business to Liz. She is definitely on a trajectory that would include criminal acts. From where she was in S1E1 to 44 episodes later she has definitely become more hardened.

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  43. Thanks Ashley! I appreciate that!


    That's a very good theory. I think Red is the one Liz shot as well. But what I don't get is, regardless of who she shot in the fire, she does not seem that broken up over it. Red, on the other hand looked like he was about to cry.


    I also she stays on his side from now on. I didn't like the constant back and forth between liking him and hating him.

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  44. I do remember that in the Season One Finale. We didn't hear what Tom said, but when Liz was sitting with Red on the steps of that house she told Red what Tom whispered to her about her father still being alive.

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  45. I thin kit would be great if they both were alive. But you are right, at least one would need to be for the narrative to be a lot better.

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  46. That's a great question, but I think they are staying in the US. Red didn't want Liz to leave so I am guessing they will stay and fight. Just a theory though.

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  47. Thank you! I appreciate the kind words!


    I am very glad that Liz did not run away with Tom because it would not been good for Liz. Red was right when he told her that she needed to stay and take care of the situation she was in or she would never be able to come back. I think Liz slept with Tom because in that moment she didn't want to have any regrets for things that 'might' have been. She felt close to Tom and despite what he has done to her, she still feels a connection to him in ways she couldn't with anyone else. Add to that she was in a difficult position being accused of murder and she was probably seeking comfort anywhere she could get it. She wanted to run away with him on his boat, but knew deep down that she needed to stay and fight. I am sure we have not seen the last of Tom, but as for Liz&Tom together who knows. I don't think they should be together, but Liz doesn't always make the best choices.

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  48. Why were Tom and Liz going to adopt back in season one? Was it because they couldn't have kids or simply that they didn't want to? In any event, if Liz ever has a daughter, it'd be nice if she would name her Scarlett (which would be the best way of naming her after Red :) ).

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  49. Thanks Daniel!


    I think all of your theories are great! I did not see the Promo for the finale, I will go check that out in a minute. It would be interesting to see if it is Red or not.


    I imagine Ressler will be the director, or acting director, of the Task Force at the start of Season Three and he will continue to hunt down Liz.


    I was thinking about that 'sleeper agent' comment while Liz was being interrogated and I can't decide whether it was Liz herself that they were speaking of or someone else? I thought for a moment that when they said that they were referring to her, but if it's someone else I have no idea who it could be.


    Also, it is definitely possible that Red is still Liz's father, but like I mentioned in the Review I think that is secondary to many other pertinent questions the series wants us to ask ourselves. When I think about it some more, I believe Red lied to Liz when he said 'Yeah' to her, at the end of the Finale, when she said Red was protecting her from knowing that she killed her father in the fire.

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  50. He didn't want her to leave but then she killed the bad guy and the situation changed so maybe it's safer to smuggle her out of the country. Well, it's only several months and we'll know. Several looooooooong months.

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  51. Oh yes, I see what you are saying. That is definitely a possibility, but I still think Red wants her to stay and fight for her innocence and against whatever remains of the Cabal. But it could be possible to leave the country and regroup.

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  52. I agree I think most the season will have them in the US somewhere if for no other reason it's easier for task force interaction. Although I think at some point they will go to Russia. It seems connected to everything!

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  53. I believe Liz did not want to have a baby of her own because of her own experiences in her life. Liz finds Tom's interview with the adoption agency and he say that she wanted to adopt because she was adopted plus there are so many kids without parents that are in need (I think this is what happens). They could, physically, have kids. I believe they wanted to, but then after the events of the episode "The Cypress Agency", Liz didn't want to adopt anymore either.


    Lol, but you are right, in any event, she should name her daughter Scarlett in homage to Red. (Or Rose? Lol, Cherry? Claret? I like Dahlia? And Ruby too!)

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  54. Agree! I think they will end up in Russia at some point. Even if for only an episode. That would be great.

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  55. Yes, I agree, They can definitely lie about the future of the show whenever they like. I don;t understand why fans of the show would want to ask those questions to the writers and creators in the first place. Would they really want to know the answer to some of the questions being asked?

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  56. She wanted to give family to parentless child like herself. Also, in the beginning of the show she was all about career and getting pregnant would probably mess with her plans of going to Quantico.

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  57. Well said... I am not saying he is or isn't her father, but, If he is it would make sense why the strong connection and if not, why is he going to so many lengths to keep her protected and safe on top of having strong emotions for her? A few episodes ago I could have easily answered that by saying he wanted The Fulcrum, but now that is out in the open, what's the reason now? Unless there is some other piece of information she possesses that he wants to get his hands on?

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  58. LOL! Thanks Judith! I really appreciate the kind words!


    I love your enthusiasm for the show and hope to see more of it for Season Three!

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  59. My pleasure! The episode was great, I agree. I hope they keep up the great work for the next season. It should be great!

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  60. Yeah, bud, sorry it was Tom's gun. Lol.

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  61. Lol! At least Tom sailed away, right? Maybe that was more metaphorical than anything else? Like Tom sailing off into the sunset away form Liz and all her problems?...Maybe?

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  62. That would be really cool...I would go for that...

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  63. Thank you! That really means a lot! :)

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  64. Thank you for your advices , I'm going to try to follow them...from France...normally, no problem. I love great show and busy Summer !

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  65. Scarlett works best with whichever surname she winds up with (Scarlett Keen, Scarlett Rostrova, Scarlett Reddington...though I forget what Tom's real surname is...Jacob _______ so I'm not sure how Scarlett _______ would sound).

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  66. True... It's "Phelps"...Jacob Phelps

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  67. He did. He also looked about ready to cry when she was angry at him after the hypno therapy. It can't just be because she found out this horrible sin. Something bothers him about that night.

    Plus, he wants her memories back. Remember he tried to get that one Blacklister to recover them. He wanted her to remember, so it is obvious she doesn't have the whole story yet. It seems to be something she has to remember herself. He won't tell her the whole story of the fire.

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  68. She didn't ask him if she shot her father. She asked her if he lied to protect her rather than himself. Red is very careful how he answers. I think it has all been to protect her, so he answered yeah to that.

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  69. Prepare to launch your suspension of disbelief with
    this show: Remember Tom? Liz shot him not once but 3 TIMES close range to the
    stomach, YET he's alive BECAUSE she picked him up and had someone worked on him to
    save him. On the other hand, Liz shot his dad 1 time and once the fire started everybody went out and left him there bleeding from a single shot to die in the fire. *If somebody had picked him up and tend his wound I think is fair to say there would have been a chance of him surviving.
    *NOW if bio!dad ends up being alive because TPTB will pull an Alive!3 gunshotTom again, that won't mean that Red lied, because they said (in an article after S1 finale) effectively, he BELIEVES that her dad died in the fire so that's what he told her.

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  70. "Liz doesn't always make the best choices" So true.
    Hmm, what you're saying does make sense. Still don't like it, but it makes sense.

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  71. Geo N as I tried to explain and all the hate crime allegations should testify to. People get hot in custody all the time. Almost never does the officer or agent go to jail for the shooting. There is sufficient evidence of wrong doing on Connolly's part that the charges against Liz and Harold will be dismissed for reasons of National Security and because it lends credibility to the whole underground government if they do not make this evidence and this matter go away. Red called the Director's Bluff and now if you think about it the people who indicted Liz and Harold are the same people currently under investigation for treason and sedition. To be simple about it. I would pardon them all if it would be reasonable to assume either Red or Liz would come back to the states and help them clean up this mess. That would make most audience members more comfortable thinking the game will all be played domestically in some ethnocentric manner. That would be a rather shallow construct though, a global empire that can not relocate its interests and its offices off shore.

    The logical progression of this story is Liz and red go to Moscow or Perm and seek refuge while the smoke clears and stories change. Connolly gets replaced, hopefully by someone on Cooper's side. As the AG is appointed by the President and approved by the Senate the most logical choice is the person placed in charge by Connolly to investigate the assassination. Reven Wright is already the Deputy Attorney General and it would be suspect if you tried to bypass her. She already has Cooper in custody and Ressler in place to investigate matters. The allegations were made during the interview with Keen that Connolly is part of the Cabal. They already should know after the shoot out that it ended when Keen gave the Director information. This should make the Director a suspect in a sedition case.

    BTW SERIOUSLY, what is the DIrector's name? The fact it has not been stated until now is telling that it may not even be real.

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  72. Good point. I never thought that he still might need more information from her. Still he seems to truly care about her. He was willing to sacrifice his life for hers. When he thought he was about to die she was the last person he thought of. I don't think he's just using her for info. That was, or might be, part of it, but I think his feelings for her seem pretty genuine.

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  73. My first theory after learning Liz shot her dad (for now I will assume this to be fact not misdirection) was that her mom and dad were arguing over the affair her mother was having... with Red.

    It was at night, perhaps she and Red were caught in flagrante delicto. Her father comes home catches them and screams waking up Liz. Red leaves the room to make his exit, Liz goes to see what the noise is and ends up with the gun. *BANG* Father falls dead in doing so sets house on fire somehow (candle, oil lamp etc). Red hears the shot and comes back to rescue Liz.

    If there is an ongoing affair then of course there is also a chance Liz could be Red's lovechild, but not the man who raised her (ie not her father).

    The theory works just as well if you change the affair to friend or neighborly Red trying to protect her mother from a drunken and violent husband etc.

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  74. I rule nothing out as always, but...
    The answer to both of your questions may be about which specific memories we are discussing.


    He wanted her to forget specific memories from that night....
    Maybe he just did not want Liz to remember she killed her dad? He has been trying to save her that trauma and guilt for decades so it would bother him.


    As for why he would want her to get memories back...
    He did want her to remember where bubble module for The Fulcrum was.


    Both appear to be the simplest answers, but Occam's Razor rarely applies to The Blacklist! XD

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  75. I could be wrong timeline wise, but I think he already knew she had the fulcrum at the point where he asked if he could get her memory back.

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  76. My biggest sticking point on him being a neighbor/friend of the mother etc. is simply Jennifer. WHY DOES HE NOT CARE ABOUT HER? I feel like Red shows more interest in basically everybody on his crew and Liz, of course, than he does for Jennifer (the real daughter).
    Also, when he was about to be killed, and I know there is some controversy over this scene, I really do believe his last words were going to be Lizzy. This seems odd to me if they don't have a paternal or at least familial connection since he does have a "real" family out there somewhere, and since he has only been openly in Liz's life for two years.
    Who knows with the show though.. I just hope whatever the answer is, it is "true" to the writing of the show thus far and isn't completely in left field (like Red has been using her all along). I feel like the Blacklist swings wildly between good writing and writing that completely misses the mark. I hope this mythology is the former.
    There are still so many loose ends... what was the context of the argument, what happened to the mother, is the father really dead, why did the mother/father have the fulcrum, who started the fire, who took Liz to Sam, who scarred her and why, why won't Red just name her father, etc.
    It is a lot of keep track of. I hope the writers are taking notes!

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  77. Tom is hot. JK.... But really, he is.
    As for why Liz would sleep with Tom, I agree with Geo. ;-)

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  78. He is always shown to be the smartest on the show. ;-) Plus, there is always a bit of suspension of belief with The Blacklist. They hop planes and travel in minutes what would take hours, Liz is able to get across town and talk to the director in time to save Red who would have been dead in 10 mins, etc.
    So, we can believe that the FBI is this dumb... and hope it isn't true. haha

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  79. Even Scarlett Phelps sounds great!

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  80. For those who still believe that Red is biologically Liz's father even though it has made clear about 50 times that he is not, now not 1, but 2 producers affirm it as well. Let alone the actress Megan Boone herself. Now for those who think it is a PR stunt, don't waste your breath - they would never risk losing the larger portion of their viewers if that was so. We still don't know the full extent of their connection, but at least we can lay this to rest. Doesn't that make you happy? Wouldn't it be redundant if he was? Like imagine the show to be over and he says in a Dart Vader way- Lizzie i am your father..Wouldn't you be disappointed? that you knew this all along? I know, i would. :)

    Anyway, what are the other theories around Liz/Red's connection?

    Evidence negating Daddygate for those who still need it.

    https://twitter.com/katgoodson1

    https://twitter.com/Daniel_Knauf/status/600026189386788865

    https://twitter.com/ETCanada/status/599331499205206017

    https://twitter.com/MeganBoone/status/599348107130720256 <--- 22.13 min mrk.

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  81. Nice review Geo. I am not going to put a lot of substance in this because there is a lot of good reading in the comments. But I will say at the end of the second season finale, I was in a bit of shock. Honestly. I was still shocked that Lizzie pulled the trigger on the ruthless thug Connolly. Now, I have gone back re-watched it again and at the end I felt like this might be one of the best season finales I have seen in a long time. It took me back to how I felt when Jack is telling Kate "We have to go back" at the end of season 3 in Lost.

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  82. Lol...we can believe the FBI is this dumb.


    I know - I love how they travel all over the country and the globe in a fraction of the real time it would take, Lol...

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  83. You are correct...She never asked him for confirmation and Red only confirms that he was trying to protect her. The more I talk about it with all of you the more I think that Red was just lying "to make Liz feel good" when he responded "Yeah" to her poorly worded question...

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  84. Yes! That is my guess that Liz's memory of that night will be an ongoing arc throughout the series...

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  85. Thank you!


    And yes that is a great finale from (In my opinion) the best show ever, LOST. And the show that created the best season finale's I have ever watched. I was in shock also when Liz pulled the trigger and killed Connolly. All day I was listening to the actors say how the finale would be a game-changer, and from other commenters telling me about the interviews they heard or read that stated the same and I thought "yeah, yeah, sure, they all say that and it always turns out to be just an average finale". But that finale of The Blacklist really delivered on what they were saying about it. I never would have guessed that Liz would have shot and killed Connolly. I love that they did that. Most shows, I believe, would not make their heroine do such a thing, and that is why The Blacklist continues to be one of the best shows on TV at the moment.

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  86. Yes, I had read some of those interviews and I thought the same thing "yeah, right, whatever...I've heard this all before" But wow, did they ever deliver! And I do agree with your view of LOST! It was and will probably always be (tied with Fringe IMHO) the best TV show ever.

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  87. huh ? I will never believe cast & crew again or even read anything more ? so pathetic what was only revealed about the fire she shot a man says was her father next scene getting in a van ? the other answers they said will be revealed lizzie and her mothers connection ties to Red ? A BIG ZERO .......A BIG LIE ? and more information about lizzie and her mother ? another BIG ZERO and LIE ? we already knew lizzies and her mothers ID where lizzie was born her mother was a KGB agent from Red in the Karakurt episode ? we also already knew her name was Marsha ? what the crew got right JON B one question remains unanswered of course the fathegate is he or isn't he ? I gave it away ages ago once I had made up my mind putting the bits and pieces of breadcrumbs together ? not taking notice of the tender moments they have shared or the little things Red does say that seem to imply otherwise ? enough of my whinging anyways thank you for reading my comment

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  88. what kind of a man " was " Red why he feels the man he was died ? before that night of the fire 20+ years ago ?

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  89. Rescuing a person in a fire of course you would suffer getting burnt and have burn scars ? if Red got shot fell down then got up grabbed lizzie from the flames rushed her out to safety where was her father ? as Red said in the pilot episode her father abandoned her ? lizzie shot her father Red saves lizzie gets burnt ? as for Mommy dearest she may have died of weakness and shame in the fire ? some fans are saying she may have been the one shot ?

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  90. Thank you very much for your review! I still have to watch, though ;-)
    I liked reading everybody's comments, ideas, wishes and so!
    I really like Red's dark and quiet character, James Spader is brilliant, who doesn't want a man with his power at one's side when trouble come ;-) sometimes I can't stand Liz and her harsh feelings for Red, i mean, he saved her a** a dozen times, allready! And whatever secrets he's got, I'm sure it's all for the best of her, sometimes the truth chains you down and doesn't set you free!!!
    As for Tom, he's hot - seriously - who wouldn't want a hot-blooded bad guy like him !?! ;-) I'd say, his boat trip smells fishy!
    As for Ressler, I have a soft crush on him, since the beginning, and I love to see him in charge!
    To sum up, I really have to say that Liz body language sucks, the way she stands there, fully in charge, arrgg!
    I'd better finish watching until I got carried away ;-)

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  91. This really was a great finale, and you summed it up nicely!
    Looking forward to s3, it opens a whole load of new interactions btw the characters and all the positions are newly organized, Ressler, Liz, even Tom! Best finale this year! (Althought, I'm still not a fan of her personality, and that means she plays it well ;-) ) Go Ressler, hunt her down!

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  92. I wonder what role Dembe will play in the next season. Will he help the taskforce with blacklisters or watch over Director Ressler protecting him from getting killed?

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  93. agree with this one

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