I know I've been all over the map with my opinions of the TV show called The Blacklist. I had praised it, I had panned it, and I had been everywhere in-between. The highest opinion I had at one point of this show was that it had supplanted Star Trek, TOS, as my all-time favorite TV show. That was after its third season, I believe. And I am glad to reveal that now, in its tenth and final season, The Blacklist has once again resumed its place on my all-time favorite TV show list.
The reason is a simple one. James Spader. The role he plays, Raymond "Red" Redington, is a great role. The world's most notorious villain. Except, he isn't really a villain. And his acting is absolutely flawless in every single episode. The supporting cast, now that Megan Boone is gone, is also stellar. And, yes, that was a knock on Megan Boone.
At one point I had thought her role in the series was necessary. And it was during its time as my favorite show. But it was largely, (although, not solely) because of her my opinion of the show began to wane. I was getting tired of this actress, or her role, and I found myself not enjoying the show as much because of her and other reasons. Those reasons I have documented often on this blog.
As for the final season now under way, we have found that the role of Elizabeth Keen was never necessary, and neither was the actress Megan Boone. James Spader was all the show ever needed. Of course, the FBI task force of Assistant Director Cooper, Agent Ressler and the new computer guy, Herbie, who has taken on the comedic role in place of the since departed Aram, is doing great and so is the new female member, Siya, who is a far preferable character than Lizzy Keen.
But to wrap up this great show, it's great writing that takes precedence. Red knows he is dying and he is disassembling his mighty empire piece by piece, while at the same time, taking care of all the people who had worked for him. And that includes the FBI task force.
The only thorn in my side is that annoying politician who seems to be so hell bent on taking down the task force for no other reason than because the Attorney General won't fill him in on the secrecies of its mission. He has a driven mistrust of them and believes he is in the right.
It's annoying, like I said, but I have no doubt that the great writers will pan it out to my satisfaction with the final two episodes that are left in this final season. And then, perhaps I can re-watch the entire series from the beginning, this time knowing that I don't have to be disappointed by the episodes that disappointed me before. Because I'll know it will all work out in the end.
Oh, and before I forget, I still would like the final episode to reveal, once and for all, something we all must already know, that Red is the real father of Lizzy Keen. But even if they don't, I would like to thank James Spader for his contributions to a great show, a great role, and a great performance.
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