Despite running for 10 seasons, I firmly believe that “The Blacklist” never surpassed its initial season. The show debuted in 2013, with the charismatic character of Raymond Reddington, portrayed by James Spader, leaving a lasting impact from his first appearance. Throughout the 10 seasons of “The Blacklist,” Reddington partnered with Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) and other agents from an elite FBI task force to track down and apprehend some of the most dangerous criminals.
Before Megan Boone’s departure at the end of season 8, the show delved deeply into Reddington’s intricate relationship with Elizabeth, balancing his efforts to safeguard her while keeping crucial truths hidden from her. Following Boone’s exit, the series experienced a two-year leap forward and underwent a sort of soft reboot, even though Reddington still collaborated with FBI Assistant Director Harold Cooper (Harry Lennix) and the remaining task force members. As a devoted fan, I found myself reminiscing about the early days when The Blacklist truly shone, but the final season, despite its strengths, fell short of matching the brilliance of season 1.
Why The Blacklist Season 1 Is The Best Of The Lot
It Had The Best Balance Between Short-Term & Long-Term Storytelling
In season 1 of the series The Blacklist, many of its most compelling episodes can be found, as this season skillfully interwove standalone stories with the broader narrative. This balance was evident right from the start in the gripping opening scene of the pilot episode where Reddington dramatically surrendered to the authorities, leaving viewers intrigued about his identity and goals. Episodes such as “The Stewmaker,” “Anslo Garrick,” and even the pilot itself were not only self-contained but also effectively advanced Reddington’s overall plan.
The first season, despite being followed by 10 more seasons and numerous enemies, remains memorable for its standout villains like the Stewmaker, Anslo Garrick, and Berlin (played by Peter Stormare as Berlin). It was rewarding to witness how these Blacklisters’ stories intertwined with Reddington’s larger battle against Berlin. Additionally, the complexity of Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold), Elizabeth’s husband who was living a dual life, brought an extra element of unpredictability to season 1. Elizabeth had to deal with the conflicting agendas of both Tom and Reddington.
After 10 seasons and hundreds of adversaries, season 1 still boasts some of the most memorable villains, such as the Stewmaker, Anslo Garrick, and Milos Kirchoff (Berlin, played by Peter Stormare). The payoff came when we saw how various Blacklisters from throughout the season connected to Reddington’s larger conflict with Berlin. Furthermore, Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold), Elizabeth’s husband who led a double life, added an additional layer of unpredictability to season 1. Elizabeth had to handle the competing agendas of both Tom and Reddington.
The first season, despite being followed by 10 more seasons and many enemies, remains significant for its impressive roster of villains including the Stewmaker, Anslo Garrick, and Berlin (played by Peter Stormare). It was satisfying to see how these Blacklisters’ stories connected to Reddington’s larger struggle against Berlin. Additionally, Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold), Elizabeth’s husband who lived a double life, added an extra layer of unpredictability to season 1, as Elizabeth had to juggle the competing interests of both Tom and Reddington.
The first season, although it was followed by 10 more seasons with numerous adversaries, remains noteworthy for its collection of memorable villains such as the Stewmaker, Anslo Garrick, and Berlin (portrayed by Peter Stormare). It was fulfilling to observe how these Blacklisters’ stories contributed to Reddington’s larger conflict with Berlin. Furthermore, Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold), Elizabeth’s husband who led a secret life, offered an additional element of surprise in season 1, as Elizabeth had to cope with the divergent objectives of both Tom and Reddington.
The Blacklist’s Later Seasons Were Still Good
Season 4 Was Particularly Strong
In contrast to season 1 being the peak of “The Blacklist”, subsequent seasons offered ample entertainment as well. For instance, Samar Navabi (played by Mozhan Marnò) joined the task force in season 2, becoming an intriguing character, and her relationship with Aram Mojtabai (Amir Arison) was one of the most captivating aspects of the series. The revelation about Tom eventually led to a reevaluation of his and Elizabeth’s bond, resulting in a more authentic and layered connection that was further complicated by Reddington’s continuous impact on their lives.
Despite the fact that the episodic antagonists in subsequent seasons weren’t as powerful as they were in the first, there were still numerous formidable adversaries, such as the Cabal shadow government and Mr. Kaplan/Kathryn Nemec (Susan Blommaert). The transformation of Mr. Kaplan from Reddington’s trusted cleaner and loyal ally to her vengeful dismantling of his empire in season 4 was one of the show’s most compelling storylines, making season 4 a strong contender for the second-best season. Even when The Blacklist started to decline after season 5, James Spader’s captivating portrayal of Reddington always managed to keep the show interesting.
Did The Blacklist Run Too Long?
It Could Have Ended Before Season 10
Despite Spader’s consistently mesmerizing portrayal, it seemed the series might have overstayed its welcome. A notable indication was the growing monotony in the narrative between Reddington and Elizabeth. This pattern often unfolded with her getting enraged at him, seeking to discover his true identity, only for him to thwart her efforts. After a time, they would reconcile, usually due to the necessity of joining forces against a mutual foe. The alliance, followed by a sense of camaraderie, would lead them back to square one, as the cycle repeated itself.
The dynamic between Reddington and Elizabeth grew monotonous over time, further complicated by Elizabeth’s death at the end of season 8 and the ongoing mystery surrounding Reddington’s true identity. Moreover, key characters like Tom, Samar, Aram, and others gradually departed from the series, leaving their absence felt. Although the show persisted beyond them, it never quite regained its original strength in their absence. In essence, while The Blacklist could have ended after 10 seasons, there were still numerous memorable moments post-season 1 to appreciate.
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2025-04-29 03:27