As I was engrossed in one of the later instalments of “The Blacklist”, it struck me that the series had run its course. Over a span of 10 seasons, criminal mastermind Raymond Reddington (played by James Spader) and his alliance with an elite FBI task force took on various perilous criminals, each one contributing to Reddington’s complex plan that revolved around his personal goals.
On The Blacklist, FBI agent Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone), who was a significant focus of Raymond Reddington’s personal interests, departed the series following season 8. Throughout the first eight seasons, Reddington’s intricate bond with Liz and the enigma surrounding his intense commitment to safeguarding her dominated the narrative. However, after Liz’s demise at the end of season 10, the show persisted for another two seasons, but it found it challenging to preserve the initial energy it had.
The Blacklist Season 9 Is The Show’s Worst
It Had Many Issues
I quickly came to realize that the ninth season of The Blacklist fell short in comparison to previous seasons, veering too far from the familiar show I used to enjoy. Following a two-year time leap after season 8’s finale, new characters were introduced, Dembe Zuma (Hisham Tawfiq) joined the FBI task force, and there were signs of a potential reboot. However, instead of embracing fresh storylines, the show found itself stuck in the past, focusing excessively on unraveling the complex web behind who truly caused Liz’s demise.
Season 9 of The Blacklist seemed to pull in two contrasting directions, and unfortunately, it failed to deliver on either front. The enigma surrounding Reddington’s true identity, which once drove the narrative, was essentially put aside. While Spader’s portrayal of Reddington remained captivating, a significant number of the show’s compelling characters, including Elizabeth, Mr. Kaplan/Kathryn Nemec (Susan Blommaert), Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold), and Samar Navabi (Mozhan Marnò), either departed or became absent, leaving a void that the story has yet to fill effectively.
Liz’s Death Was The Beginning Of The End For The Blacklist
The Show Quickly Went Downhill From There
The demise of Liz in the season 8 finale significantly altered the narrative arc of The Blacklist, making it less appealing in many viewers’ opinions. Although the series boasted numerous antagonists and intricate plots, it was always the dynamic between Reddington and Liz that formed the core of the show. Their interactions, the enigma surrounding his identity, and his deep-seated concern for her were the key elements that truly defined The Blacklist. Despite the continuation of the story in season 9, focusing on the aftermath of her death and Reddington’s pursuit of truth and vengeance, it failed to capture the essence of having Liz as a living character within the show.
| The Blacklist Tomatometer Score | The Blacklist Popcornmeter Score |
|---|---|
| 91% | 79% |
Reddington was more intriguing and engaging compared to Liz, yet her absence left a void in Season 9. Throughout earlier seasons, characters like Reddington, Mr. Kaplan, Tom, and Harold Cooper (Harry Lennix) made significant sacrifices to safeguard Liz and help her discover the truth about her past. Seeing her die gave the impression that some of these sacrifices were pointless, as it seemed there would be no resolution to her quest for knowledge about her past. This sentiment wasn’t alleviated in Season 9.
It’s A Good Thing That Blacklist Ended After Season 10
There Was No Reason To Continue After Season 10
Looking back on the challenges faced during season 9 of “The Blacklist,” I firmly believe that wrapping up the series with season 10 was the right decision. As a dedicated fan, it was disheartening to see the show drift so far from its initial brilliance. The introduction of Wujing (Chin Han) and other former Blacklisters banding together to take on Reddington certainly added an intriguing twist in season 10, but ultimately failed to justify further seasons.
In a conversation with NBC, even James Spader acknowledged that by the tenth season, it was time for the show to conclude. Here’s what he had to say:
(Insert James Spader’s comments here)
If this series continued past this year, I believe it might transform into a significantly different program. One aspect I’ve enjoyed about this show is its lack of a fixed narrative structure or consistent tone. From one episode to the next, the mood can change quite a bit. However, even though the series has taken some unexpected turns, I suspect that if it progressed too far, it would become something less familiar and perhaps less appealing to me.
As a dedicated movie buff, I’ve always appreciated how each episode of “The Blacklist” felt unique from its predecessor. However, after an impressive run of 218 episodes, the show had delved into a multitude of narrative paths. Continuing to explore new territories might have altered the series beyond recognition, something that both I and the audience were familiar with, given Spader’s iconic portrayal of Reddington.
The manner in which Reddington met his end in the final episode was debatably underwhelming, but it did bring a definitive close to the series. The later seasons had their flaws, but the early seasons are undeniably top-notch TV that’s definitely worth revisiting.
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2025-05-06 00:38