Well technically Siya would be the third member, since in the last season there were only two but you get the point.

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So, they talked about the task force having a budget of 282 million a year. Thats 770k a day. Even thinking about the building, private jet, cars and the max. 30 employees, thats way too much imo.

What could be so expensive? Or do you think the author made a mistake?

I have seen people say Redarina is more likely compared to Red being her father. Which is more likely to be true?

Edit: please stop responding with “yes” as your comment. It’s useless and doesn’t answer the question if I asked Red was Liz’s mother yes or no it would be applicable but this didn’t a yes or no question. Stop being lazy.

Season 8, the one with Alan Shore.

I really, really loved it. Loved the whole theme of the last season, the slow but methodical unraveling of Red's operations by himself, distancing himself from any and all types of long-term commitments, gently removing roots in a more than amicable way where both party leaves with a win and smile on their faces, paying gratitude to all who deserved, concluding relationships, the soothing background music...it was such a heartwarming experience! I basked in it to my heart's content.

The ending also felt quite justified, that is the way for a man like him to go, no other way would have been any more befitting.

I am completely enamored by James Spader. Quite frankly, to date, I cannot remember being any more enchanted by another actor. While watching Lucifer, I loved Tom Ellis, and I watched Players just to get some more of him. I loved Robert Downey Jr. after seeing him in Iron Man and have since watched several of his other movies as well. The same goes for Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Joaquin Phoenix, Johnny Depp, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, and Benedict Cumberbatch, the list runs a bit long.

But this is the first time I feel so completely bewitched, so overwhelmed. I do not want to waste any more words as his persona, his presence, and his unmatched acting prowess have already been described multiple times here. To me, he is the greatest actor ever. It is a pity he was not cast in more recent movies and does not hold an Oscar. Quite frankly, it is Oscar's loss for not being held by him.

I love him so much that I went back to watch Boston Legal. It is like watching a younger Reddington in a different chapter of his life, but the same good old Reddington nonetheless. Freaking loving it!

We never are told or shown, so what tattoos does Reddington have?

One more fact how it's shown that red is indeed katerina is that in s6e11 the episode where he's waiting for the death penalty he mentioned his mother use to make him the cabbage soup. I researched and found out it's a eastern European and specially Russian enjoyed soup in the 1900s. And katerina is russian. Also in the court where he mentioned what katerina did to red he was talking in remorse as if his/her regrets what he/she did to the real red. What do you guys think? I read the spoilers after finishing season 5 and now I'm halfway thru s6. It feels quiet obvious that he is indeed katerina. Also when the nurse said katerina arranged for someone to get the facial surgery it makes more sense now.

I loved the last episode, I think going out by bull is perfect. I love the show despite its flaws. Now what to watch?! I don’t typically watch these kinds of shows. I always found them boring and repetitive before. I started watching for Spader but got invested in the characters and stories. I have already watched all of his other stuff. Maybe I’ll watch it all again!

Finally finished season 9 and 10 after taking a break from watching after the events of season 8.

And I really dislike Siya Malik.

Her acting is awful, her voice is annoying, and even when her plot gets revealed I just find it hard to care? Like we’ve barely known the character at all and she’s connected to an early season character Meera who I also didn’t care about because she didn’t last long in the show.

The last person in the role Alina was kind of annoying but at least she kind of gets a personality in season 9. But because Siya is introduced so late it feels like you barely get any character development, or time for character development so it all felt rushed.

I am a first time watcher (thank you Netflix). I feel like Lizzy was just bad at her job. She was supposed to be a profiler but really all of her insight and Intel came from Raymond.

Am not bashing the actress at all, am just curious about the need for her to be portrayed as dang near helpless when she supposedly graduated in the top 3% of her class.

(I've only finished the first half of the season)

I'm doing a re-watch and didn't expect this season to be so good. Hadn't heard much from it on here, and it might actually be my favourite season now.

All the characters have kinda come into their own, the dynamics between characters are at a fun point and there's no Reddington/ Keen drama so they have a really fun dynamic going on. Especially Dembe finally steps in his own, and gets explored a bit more as his own character not just an extension of Reddington. (this already started during the Kate arc tbh)

Imo this season has some of the best Reddington episodes. He's reliant on his personal strengths and smarts more than ever, because he's lost everything else in the war with Kate. The first two episodes in particular are Reddington at his best

The first episode of the season has them going on a random tangent after a bounty hunter for 40k, which everyone constantly makes fun of him for. However at the end it's revealed how every part of this was planned out by Reddington to start his empire again. He needed the 40k to bribe a guard, which would give him an accountant and free Smokey. Who he then could recruit into his organisation as a logistics expert.

The same with the second episode of the season where Reddington charms/ intimidates his way into a house, to throw a party so he can steal 1 coin. Which is a setup for the bank robbery in episode 11.

All of the other episodes have their own unique feel to them too and the blacklisters are pretty awesome too.

The Dembe focused episode (#7) followed by Keens best episode imo (#9) are really great too. #7 also gives a lot more story between Dembe and Reddington and their dynamic which is really fun. #9 is just awesome all-round. The setup is sweet, the slow reveal of things happening. Then as like the climax to the buildup you have the call between Keen and the Carlucci family guy where she reveals that she knows and instantly wounds him (while revealing she froze some of the glass into ice shards) and killing one of them (revealing she poisoned his food).

And then #11 is literally a bank robbery, that's such a cool episode just on that premise alone lmao. But the characters introduced, and how reddington acts make it even better than that.

Killing the attorney general?

The Fulcrum was hidden with Elizabeth after the fire by whoever saved her. In the Luther Braxton episode, it seemed to be a man who took her from the fire and hid it in her teddy. In Nachalo/Konets, it was Katarina and Ilya who saved her. It does make me think though that Katarina is Reddington because otherwise Red would have known where the Fulcrum is all those years ago rather than befriend and infiltrate the FBI to slowly discover that secret. She wouldn’t have known (if I’m following Braxton ep) and Elizabeth had no recollection of that night so it does make sense with that theory.

But please, let me know I’m just forgetting things or if it’s just the script poorly written and things forgotten about.

Binging the show on Netflix….just watched the episode of Glenns funeral. So sad. And what an honormthey wrote the actors death into the show…west nile virus…who could imagine! Glenn was my favorite,of Reds contacts!

Preface

I would like to clarify that when I use the term Romantic, I am referring to the type of person who embodies the Romantic Hero qualities of the writing movement. I am not implying he is a romantic in the sense we use it colloquially. I also use Hero in the same sense that I use protagonist. Since The Blacklist is Reddington’s story, and a person can only be the hero of their own story, I am loosely adding that label.

Deep Contemplations of Tragedy and an Appreciation of Suffering

One of the defining characteristics of the Romantic Hero is an intrinsic connection to tragedy and an almost philosophical embrace of suffering. Raymond Reddington embodies this through his reflections on pain, loss, and the ephemeral nature of existence. A particularly poignant example occurs in his conversation with Ressler about the burden of grief. He states, "There is nothing that can take the pain away. But eventually, you will find a way to live with it." This statement reflects his acceptance that suffering is not something to be conquered but rather an essential component of the human experience. Unlike characters who might seek to escape or numb their pain, Reddington contemplates it, embraces it, and allows it to shape his philosophy of life.

Another moment that underscores his connection to suffering is his quiet grief over the person wom he once was,: Katarina Rostova. While he rarely speaks of her outright, his entire existence is shaped by the loss he endured when he choose to kill her. Instead of seeking simple vengeance, Reddington carries his sorrow with a quiet dignity, almost as if he sees it as a necessary weight for the life he has chosen. This aligns with the Romantic Hero's belief that suffering deepens one’s understanding of the world. For Reddington, tragedy is not just a wound but a lens through which he perceives life, reinforcing his Romantic nature.

The Fascination with the Sublime

The Romantic movement emphasized the power and majesty of the sublime—the overwhelming force of nature, beauty, and the unknown. Reddington demonstrates this fascination throughout The Blacklist, but never more so than in the series finale when he finds himself alone in the mountains. As he stands on the edge of a Spanish Mountainside, looking out over the vast, untamed landscape, the imagery calls to mind Caspar David Friedrich’s Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog. Like the famous painting, this moment positions Reddington as a lone figure dwarfed by nature, absorbed in contemplation. It is a fitting conclusion for a character who has spent his life entangled in chaos, only to seek solace in something greater than himself.

Beyond this moment, Reddington often expresses admiration for the inexplicable wonders of the world. He marvels at art, literature, and even human ingenuity in ways that reveal a Romantic appreciation for that which is beyond comprehension. His ability to disappear into different identities and cultures, to immerse himself in beauty, and to lose himself in the world suggests that he, like the Romantics, believes in the transcendence of experience. This awe, this deep reverence for the grand and unknowable forces of existence, cements his place among Romantic figures.

In Love with Life

If there is one defining characteristic of Reddington’s philosophy, it is his relentless pursuit of feeling alive. Nowhere is this more evident than in his statement, "At the moment of my death, I just want to feel alive." This sentiment captures the very essence of Romanticism—the belief that life should be experienced viscerally, passionately, and without reserve. Reddington does not merely survive; he immerses himself in the richness of existence, whether it be through food, music, stories, or relationships.

His love for life is also apparent in his almost playful attitude toward danger. Unlike a cynic who sees life as a burden or a pragmatist who values safety above all else, Reddington embraces risk because it reminds him that he is alive. He finds joy in telling elaborate stories, indulging in the finest things, and even appreciating small, seemingly insignificant moments. His ability to find beauty in the world—even amid violence and betrayal—sets him apart from a typical antihero and aligns him more closely with the Romantic ideal of someone who treasures life’s fleeting nature.

One of the most striking examples of his love for life comes when Constantine Rostov recounts a memory of Katarina dancing. In that moment, Reddington is visibly moved, captivated by the image of a woman lost in the joy of the moment. His reaction reveals how much he cherishes not just the people he has loved but the essence of their vitality. That story, brief yet powerful, reinforces Reddington’s deep appreciation for the transient beauty of life.

Like the title says. So annoying and straight forward, always a hard ass and ruining all the fun. Or at least that's how I feel about him, I'm sure there are people out there that do like him.

Was also never really a fan of the whole relationship thing between him and Lizzy.

I've watched part of the show before but never finished it and only got a season or maybe two into it. I accidentally found out who Red really is and I kind of hate the idea. It's making me want to stop watching. Someone please tell me if it's worth it or if I should just cut my losses knowing what I know and being unenthusiastic about it

I've been watching this show for a while, I can't stand Aram. I know he thinks he is helping but all he does is mess things up. HE needs to be gone.

While he's stuck on a boat, he works with Kaplan to save Keen from the debt collector. Reddington is reminiscing and second guessing his war with Kate. Eventually Dembe talks him out of it, saying how Kate is a danger and they can't give up now before meeting their goals.

What do you think would've happened if he did forgive her? I feel like that would've been an interesting angle (that obviously couldn't happen because it would end the show) but I'm curious how other people see that play out.

Ello "friends",

I am sad to say I just can't continue... While my binge of The Blacklist was enjoyable to a degree, it will soon be forgotten.

What started off as intrigue and excitement seeing all these weird characters that scour the underworld, turned quickly into an annoyance that simply overshadows the amazing acting of James Spader and the uniqueness of the show.

Now while I am sure many of you MIGHT assume I am about to mention Liz as the reason, I am in fact not... I am leaving this show to never watch again for one simple fact... The writing is SOOO BAD.

There is just way too many instances where something happened that didn't make any sense or logic in the show that is surrounded by "professionals" in their given field.

**minor spoiler kinda**

For an easy example, an extraction crew came in S2 E1 to take that lady who was in protective custody away. They shot and killed EVERYONE except decided to taze Liz and one other person? Then after they took their target, the last guy walked over to then shoot them, allowing Liz to pull off the lines and kill the guy?

HORRIBLE WRITING!

There are just way too many instances in S1 and S2 that the writers decided how scenarios would play out, that are just sooo... Unnatural... For me to fully enjoy the show.

Now while this subreddit isnt an airport, I still bid thee goodbye

I really like the start and middle of season 3, but its the end part that got to me, for example i feel like reddington isnt really in the wrong, also liz is being (no other way to put it) a whiny b*tch, reddington has done everything to protect her even risking his own life and just when they start not hating eachother its back to liz wanting him gone. At first this behavoir wasnt even bad but now im actually annoyed. Is season 4 and up any good or should I stop watching here? NO spoilers pretty pls

Towards the end of Season 3, during the Cape May episode, after Liz "dies" Red and Katerina are having a quiet risotto dinner inside the hotel, and while retelling the story of what happened and why Red ended up coming to this particular hotel Katerina tells Red that he's been there before. Red replies, "Yes once, a long time ago... I was a very different Person then. You."

When I first watched, i thought he said "You" as a question, as in "have you been here before", or "when were you here? But the inflection in his voice was not questioning. It was a statement. "I was a different person....You"

I thought by the end that they had decided to make Red actually Katerina on a whim or as a later decision. But actually,this is the most concrete statement he made throughout the show about his identity, that was disguised as a question instead of a statement.

I was never a "Rederina" fan, but the more I rewatch, it seems like around the end of Season 1 or the beginning of Season 2,they had started creating his dialogue in service of that fact.

Tried watching this show because of blabbering most of my friends did and internet.

The moment elizabeth keen open her mouth I stopped

Again tried after few months(dec 24) somehow watched couple of episodes but couldn't anymore. And it has 8 seasons so I gave up because I don't want to suffer elizabeth keen 2D acting. Writers are also to be blamed for her nonsense character as much as the actress

Does her character become better moving forward or should I stop wasting my time