Going back to the house was not a good "Tom Bond" move, as "home" is the last place one goes in those circumstances, but I'll excuse it because he was injured and not thinking clearly.

Yes, I'll miss Tom, but it is time for him to go, and the show runners gave themselves a huge, new platform by starting the next episode 10 months into the future. That was a good move. They may have saved the show for awhile longer with that decision.

My main regret right now: "Redemption" is still hanging in the air. Was Scotty good or bad? His parents are now going to have to deal with Tom's death, but that story may never get wrapped up.

I doubt I'll re-watch this episode. It was very bloody for the time slot.
 

Last edited by IowaWatcher (11/15/2017 9:23 pm)

Lara #51 - yeah, Redarina popped into my mind at that moment too. Though it could have just been a friend consoling a friend.

Tatiana - I agree! I thought it was incredible watching Tom spend his last minutes of life desperately fighting to prolong Liz's life. Very touching.

Wow. We have so much to talk about in the coming weeks! I guess the next episodes will be flashbacks for this near year we've missed out on!

Red was reading "Invictus" to Liz:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.[1]

Lara, Redarina has always been in the back of my mind. To the fault of that it often clouds my vision and that's all I see in the clues. We'll definitely have so much to chat about over the winter break.

The Jons have always said that Red being her father isn’t the secret.  It’s he why he entered her life that is the big secret, which I assume is to do with the suitcase.  Tom’s reaction to the DNA results makes me think it is someone we may know of, but I still don’t buy into imposter theory.  But I can’t decide who I think it is.  Maybe it is KR?  But like Red I don’t think she would have DNA in CODIS unless the match brought up a generic relation to Liz.

I loved Red’s reaction to Liz touching him.  He does shock so well.  The poem was gorgeous. I’m eager to see toddler Agnes and Red together.  Love the time jump.  When Megan Boone posted a photo of her hair different for 5.09 I wondered if that was where we were headed.

I feel like I’m handling the no suitcase answer better than I thought I would. 

Liz asking Tom to tell agnes about her when she thought she was dying  nearly killed me.  My husband died from cancer right before our daughter was born and he said something similar to me before he died.  Oh Liz!  And little Agnes, now down to one parent.   

I’m pulling for a vigilante Liz.   And I can’t wait to see how Red has been handling everything in Liz’s absence.   Bravo, Blacklist.  Best episode of the season (even if you didn’t give us the answer to the bones).

Brittany, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. My cousin experienced the same thing with her husband and their newborn.

WHAT A FRIGGIN' FANTASTIK EPISODE - - - - just about the best one in the series.

Kinda saw The death of Tommy Bond coming - as it was used to elevate the remarkably vicious Ian Garvey to super-villain status.

Tom fighting for himself, but more for Lizzy & Agnes was heart-wrenching. Everything about the show, the script, screenplay, direction, acting, camera angles, scenery (yes, the carmex, too) was positively outstanding. Spader's brilliant acting was almost matched by the rest of the cast - including those two musical goons who wrote their own death warrant when they put 'Southern Cross' on the turntable. Crosby Stills Nash & Young - that was brilliant use of music in the screenplay.

Didn't think they could top it - but then Sound of Silence by Nick Cave or Disturbed!!! WOW!!!!

Iowa Watcher - thanks for posting Invictus.  I wondered what Red was reading, it was beautiful and powerful.

BBB - agree with everything you said.  This was an amazing amazing episode.
The violence didn't bother me as much as it may have others.  Maybe because I've been on sets and seen how the effects are all "fake".  Still, parts were hard to watch.  I closed my eyes and winced every time Garvey stabbed Tom - maybe with one of the knives from their very kitchen.

I am thinking about Tom's reaction to the DNA test on the bones.  To me, he first seemed puzzled, then like he figured it out.  So I'm concluding that its nothing obvious like "Raymond Reddington".  It took Tom a minute to piece it together.  Then again maybe it was and it was astonishment as to how that could be and then he figured it out.  In other words, we are no closer to the answer!  LOL

Am I the only one who cannot find the sound of silence by Nick Cave in any form on the Internet? I love Nick Cave. I want the song.

I was watching for Garvey to use a steak knife on Tom. But he didn't. It was a switchblade.