NBC's ''The Blacklist''

[chamber-music]

Good episode. Nice use of The Kills song Sour cherry as well.

 

[Hunter Rider]

The first ep back was quality, they did a great job with pacing as they cut between Red maneuvering his pieces with Samar, Aram trying to keep the Director from taking Liz and Tom and Ressler in an old west style cabin stand-off with Solomon and his men.

I liked the mischievous little grins from Samar as Red waxed lyrical and she got to cut loose, and the best scene was Aram desperately pulling the gun to save Liz, with her talking him down and giving him a kiss on the cheek as is heart is twice as big as his body.

 

[Kaleb]

Wow that felt like a season finale, I was surprised at just how much they managed to fit in the episode.

Also next weeks episode looks good.


It also fits with this theory which someone on reddit wrote

Spoiler

My gf and I just marathon-ed the entire show up to this point over the holidays and I have what I think is the most plausible theory of the link between Red and Liz.

Red is Liz's dad.

You may say this is not a new theory but I have one more twist to add: Raymond Reddington is not his real name or real identity.

I have several things to support this theory:

1) Red has mentioned in numerous episodes having had surgery done or knowing plastic surgeons. This means he could have used one to assume Reddington's identity.

2) Red tells Liz "He can't tell her her father's name". Reddington acts like a perfect logic systems when somebody asks him questions. He only answers exactly what they ask but you could gain more knowledge if you understand what he is implying. He can't let Liz know what their real family name is because this would put Liz in danger from the people who forced him to assume Reddington's identity in the first place.

3) When meeting with Niko Demakis, he asks Red if he wants to go for a swim and Red tells a story about how he hasn't been in a pool in years. Niko questions this by asking, "weren't you in the Navy" and Red changes the subject. I think this was a mistake by Red and a nod to my idea that he stole the identity of Raymond Reddington.

finally

4) Red's specialty, seen in almost every single episode, is getting people new identities. He is an absolute master at helping people disappear; why wouldn't he be able to do this for himself?

I'm sure there is more evidence to support this but that is the most logical answer I can come up with, Raymond Reddington is an imposter who somehow assumed the identity years ago. The fact that people believe his background in all official reports, that the "left his wife and daughter" rather than there being a fire at their house suggests that his real identity is perhaps the best kept secret in the world and is unknown to even his adversaries within the government.

I apologize if this idea has been floated before but I just wanted to talk about it having seen all of the episodes recently; I'd love to discuss it further!

One other thing to add to it. At some points Tom says, "He's not who you think he is" referring to Reddington. He could be meaning that Liz believes Reddington is a good guy when in fact he is a bad guy. The alternative interpretation, however, is that Tom LITERALLY means that Reddington is not who Liz thinks he is, he is not really Raymond Reddington. How in the hell Tom would know that is a completely mystery and must have something to do with their "arrangement".

On and one more one more. How many times in the show does Red say to Liz, "What EXACTLY did some person say/do"? Maybe he's trying to clue her into the fact that some things she hears are exactly/literally what they mean?

Red an impostor?

 

[Paradox1]

Wouldn't that be a ***** if that turns out to be true.

 

[kvz5]

Last week and this week's episode wer so good. I love seeing it all come together and the entire gang working.

Wow that felt like a season finale, I was surprised at just how much they managed to fit in the episode.

Also next weeks episode looks good.


It also fits with this theory which someone on reddit wrote


Red an impostor?

Wow. I'm starting to believe this especially with next week's preview. And whoa... This theory was posted a year ago!

 

[Teelie]

It's a good theory although it would be a "certain point of view" twist considering past episodes have indicated that was not the case. Then again there's always the possibility he was just flat out lying to hide the truth.

 

[Kaleb]

It's a good theory although it would be a "certain point of view" twist considering past episodes have indicated that was not the case. Then again there's always the possibility he was just flat out lying to hide the truth.

Well he did say in the pilot episode ''everything about me is a lie''

 

[Teelie]

In his line of work it should be a given honesty is second to "not getting shot in the face." Still you think he would be a bit more honest to Liz but I also see his reasoning in trying to protect her from dangerous knowledge.

 

[Kaleb]

My wife commented during the episode about how pregnant Megan looked,it wouldn't surprise me if they temporarily write off her character (via kidnapping or whatever) so she can take some time off to take care of her child.Perhaps then have Red and Tom reluctantly work together to search for her.

 

[Hunter Rider]

The 2nd part of 'The Director' was great, seeing Red's machinations all fall into place was the show at it's coolest. It'll be interesting to see what Red is planning with his Cabal move and how Liz adapts to being a consultant.

 

[Kaleb]

Another solid episode, I admit for a while they had me going that Red was fraud (''Fred'' lol) and part of me still thinks he might be.I wish they could of had Gregory Devry stick around more than 1 episode.


Also I think Tom wont be around for much longer.

 

[kvz5]

Red is that man! The way he manipulated everyone is just priceless.

So, are we believing that Deck was really hired by him? Or is that just one of this manipulations?

Also I think Tom wont be around for much longer.

Noo.... why?

 

[chamber-music]

I could watch Reddington outmanoeuvre people all day. A really fantastic criminal mastermind/anti-hero.

It is great to see consequences for Reddington selling out his underworld associates as well.

I was worried Red's 'cleaner/fixer' was going to get taking out at the beginning of the episode.

I'm surprised Ressler wasn't mad at that FBI lady for running out him and getting herself capture in the process.

 

[Kaleb]

Red is that man! The way he manipulated everyone is just priceless.

So, are we believing that Deck was really hired by him? Or is that just one of this manipulations?



Noo.... why?

1. I think it was another one of his manipulations.

2.I just think that the whole conflict between Red and Tom has to come to a head very soon and Toms death might help with Liz's character development

 

[Teelie]

Pretty sure Red set this whole thing up to "clear his name" that he is working with the FBI. It was a really good manipulation to the point I was wondering if Red was indeed Red. With his multitude of lies and misleads it's hard to tell what really is the truth.

 

[X-Ray]

Yep, "Fred" was one of Red's who was dying of stomach cancer. Marcus got singled out and set up for being nosy and for killing the cleaning crew. All a ruse to reestablish his position in the underworld. Well played as always. That clown who attacked Liz. He's a dead man. Speaking of clowns. Why the hell did that FBI lady take off like that? I wanted Ressler, anybody to scold her for that.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I was taken off guard by the viscous attack on Liz, that cowardly piece of **** needs to be sorted out, Liz should hunt him down and whoop his ass. I guess the main purpose of it was to show an opposite reaction to Liz than the woman who leased her the apartment (Unless Red lent on her lol) and of course to put the baby card on the table.

The main story of the ep was an awesome con by Red to get his criminal cred back, just such a cool story and so well executed, I loved Red's line to the guy he killed "Tell our friends in hell to patient. I'll be along soon enough"

 

[chamber-music]

I hope Red has 'words' with the guy that attacked Liz

 

[Teelie]

I'm sure that guy is going to feel some wrath.

 

[Kaleb]

Good episode last night, have to admit Red is starting to creep me out in this episode(esp with that camp scene) also I was just starting to prefer Liz as a blonde

 

[Paradox1]

Red can come off as your off beat grandpa or uncle sometimes then those scenes happen and your reminded he's actually villain.

 

[Kaleb]

he really seemed somewhat unhinged.

 

[kvz5]

I liked Liz more as a blonde. I thought you shouldn't dye your hair if you're pregnant?

The most unintentionally funny part for me was Dembe saying "enough!" mid-song.

Kudos to the show for not making Liz' new neighbor a spy. I really thought she was.

 

[chamber-music]

Dembe's facial expression during the camp scene made me laugh.

Red is ruthless.

 

[Teelie]

I hope Red has 'words' with the guy that attacked Liz

I'm sure that guy is going to feel some wrath.

That went unexpectedly quick. Then again we know Red has a very protective nature about Liz so it comes as no surprise.

I liked Liz more as a blonde. I thought you shouldn't dye your hair of you're pregnant?

The most unintentionally funny part for me was Dembe saying "enough!" mid-song.

Kudos to the show for not making Liz' new neighbor a spy. I really thought she was.

Then they subvert that by making no secret her new neighbors are spies, sort of.

I don't know about the hair dye and pregnancy thing. Cannot remember ever hearing that before.

The singing scene was funny though.