The Blacklist - Ruin - Review: "No Roots"

"I built a home and wait for someone to tear it down
Then pack it up in boxes, head for the next town running
'Cause I've got memories and travel like gypsies in the night
And a thousand times I've seen this road
A thousand times
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground"
- "No Roots" - Alice Merton

The midseason premiere of The Blacklist that aired last Wednesday night began the story of Liz's long and arduous grieving process she will no doubt have to endure now that Tom is no longer in her and Agnes' life. What we have learned about Liz is that her situation is something that will empower her rather than debilitate and cripple her. For the sake of her own well-being moving forward, Liz plans on seeking revenge on the people that did this to Tom and her life rather than seek justice. It's exactly what we would expect coming from Red's daughter; a blacklist that is all her own.

I enjoyed every minute of this much-anticipated episode. The midseason finale was a momentous turning point for The Blacklist as the final death will clearly affect each and every character going forward not just for the remainder of this season, but for the series as a whole. Most character deaths, in other television series, have a fleeting nature to them; their influence barely holding on past a few episodes. However, Tom's death, I believe, will have an impact and fall-out lasting well into the remainder of the series.

'Ruin' is one of a handful of episodes that do not have a blacklister listed in the title. To be honest, the Blacklist episodes that I love the most are the ones that are formatted this way (remember the 'Pilot', 'Requiem' and 'Cape May'). What I enjoyed about tonight's hour is Liz being the focus and her having to deal with her grief head-on. Sure Red is there, but he is her support system and Liz starts her journey of healing on her own. Her healing process will no doubt be integral to the remainder of the storylines of Season Five.

One of the highlights of the episode was Liz's flashbacks shown before she moved to the cabin in the woods, especially the ones revealing her conversations with Red. She asked him plainly to not come out and find her or help her in any way. During the Final Music Montage, we see law enforcement interviewing the locals to gather any information they can to learn about the woman who caused all those murders. We, of course, know it was Liz, and all those locals knew who she was even though they only knew her as 'Grace'. No one gave law enforcement any useful information, which makes me think that Red did intervene as is his usual character in supporting and helping Liz.

I look forward to seeing Liz and Red work together to exact revenge on Tom's killers and, hopefully, close up any loose ends on the storylines from the first half of this season; mainly how Liz will react when she learns about the bones and who they belong to are revealed to her. If the intensity, emotion and energy that we got from 'Ruin' are an indication of what we can expect from the remainder of this season then it will be an enjoyable ride.

Music from the Episode

- "Famous Blue Raincoat" - Leonard Cohen

- "No Roots" - Alice Merton
Final Music Montage

Thoughts and Discussion

- I find it very surprising that no matter what happens danger seems to always find Liz or Red. What are the chances that Liz, while hiding away, will come across hitmen trying to capture someone completely unrelated to her?

- I've read that some fans are questioning whether or not Tom is dead. I think his death is real and final. What do you all think?

- Liz coming up with her own 'blacklist' is a perfect way for her to get revenge on Tom's killers? Will it be separate from Red's blacklist he gives to the FBI or will it be the highlight of each episode? Of course, Red will help her as much as he can, right?

- I thought it was great showing the task force sitting around, drinking, and reminiscing about how Tom affected their lives.

- Liz naming her dog (RIP), Kate, was really cool.

- I love this new side of Liz. She is so brutal and really seems to not care about much anymore. She has endured so much and losing Tom was really the breaking point for her. Seeing her put broken glass in the guy's ice cubes (before shooting him with a flare gun AFTER dousing him with lighter fluid) was awesome and poisoning the other guy's peanut butter was even better. I love the new Liz.

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 and enjoy tonight's episode!