The beauty of stories is that they often offer a different perspective. Humans that are portrayed as good on the outside are often sinister on the inside, whereas the ones that seem malicious on the outside are often kind and giving on the inside. The Blacklist is one such show that perfectly plays on this twist of perception and truth. The series revolves around a highly wanted criminal called Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) and his personal and professional relationship with Elizabeth (Megan Boone), a rookie profiler working for the FBI.
As the show goes on, criminals are caught and catastrophes are postponed. The criminal and cop duo form a deep bond, blurring the lines between humanity and the law that upholds it. The Blacklist, is truly an edge-of-a-seat thriller, that springs surprises, and packs a punch with every episode. Here are some of its best episodes, ranked.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
10 Mr. Kaplan No. 4 (S4 E21)
When Red finds out that his organization is in a state of siege, he reaches out to Mr. Kaplan for an assignment. Mr. Kaplan, whose real name is Kathryn Nemec, and at face value, would seem like someone’s grandma, is a weapons expert specializing in post-crime scene cleanup work.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
9 The Djinn (S3 E4)
As Red and Liz ramp up their efforts to clear Liz’s name, Red asks the task force to locate a woman known as the Djinn. The Djinn uses a network of operatives and has a list of high-paying clients that want to see their victims tortured based on their tailor-made fantasies. The Djinn’s feats consist of the kidnapping and sexual assault of a British princess, and the kidnapping of a big game hunter who was locked inside a cage with a lion only to be mauled to death by him.
8 Milton Bobbit (S1 E18)
Milton Bobbit, alias The Undertaker, is a contract killer/life insurance claims advisor who connects with people who have had their life insurance canceled due to their terminal disease. He gives them the chance to murder them, under the guise of making it seem like suicide in exchange for money. A victim of an awry diabetes trial himself, Milton Bobbit is a scary psycho who’s got nothing to lose.
7 Dr. Linus Creel (S2 E4)
When a group of normal people go on a killing spree, Red alerts the task force about Dr. Linus Creel, a whacked-out doctor who believes in the warrior gene and its capabilities. Creel identifies people with the warrior gene through a personality test on his website. Once a person takes the test, Creel deems the results based on aggression and low impulse control, then being able to manipulate normal people into doing absurdly aggressive things.
6 Pilot (S1 E1)
Sony Pictures Entertainment
When one of the FBI’s most wanted criminals Red, voluntarily surrenders and offers help to catch deadly criminals, it seems like a deal that’s too good to be true. But one caveat changes the entire equation. Red insists on working with a rookie profiler, Elizabeth, with whom he seemingly has no connection. As the show progresses, so do Red’s intentions.
5 The Cyprus Agency (S1 E13)
When a few infants are abducted over a short period, Red informs Elizabeth that an organization known as The Cyprus Agency is behind the series of kidnappings. The Cyprus agency functions as an adoption organization that kidnaps young babies and women and keeps them captive to be bred by the CEO of the organization. Once the woman is bred, the babies are put up for adoption, creating a sick cycle of sexual slavery and oppression.
4 The Troll Farmer (S3 E1)
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Red and Liz are on the run after the murder of the Attorney General, placing the duo on the top of the FBI’s most wanted list. With the FBI on their backs, Red reaches out to The Troll Farmer to help them flee the city. The Troll Farmer is a computer genius who specializes in using the internet to create diversions and provoke reactions. Having been on a three-year retainer with Red, The Troll Farmer was responsible for triggering an ebola scare in Atlanta to raise the stock value of a drug company.
3 Anslo Garrick: Conclusion (S1 E10)
As Elizabeth gets captured by terrorist Anglo Garrick, Red takes it upon himself to save her. Garrick captures Red, though somehow Elizabeth manages to escape during the gateway. While in captivity, Red resists torture and goes on to kill Garrick with a pair of surgical scissors, barely escaping himself before a team of FBI agents, lead by Elizabeth bursts onto the scene. As the episode draws to a close, Elizabeth asks Red whether he’s her father, to which he replies, “no”.
2 Berlin: Conclusion (S1 E22)
After a mysterious plane carrying strange passengers crashes, the city is on lockdown as the authorities hunt for all the escapees. Red, who himself finds himself in custody, cannot offer much help. Realizing she’s running out of time, Liz does everything in her power to get Red out, as he’s their best chance at finding the suspects from the mysterious plane crash.
1 The Director: Conclusion (S3 E10)
Red finds himself racing against time to protect Elizabeth before she’s assassinated by the Cabal. As Red further gets entangled in the web of The Cabal, he has to devise a plan to abduct The Director, who’s constantly around his 2 CIA guards.
