Eastcoast wrote:

So I was trying to drift off to sleep but something was bugging me.  No pun intended.  I thought the bug stuff took a week to work? He must have poisoned her before.  And what was in the case he had?

 
Something blue and glowing. I don’t think he’s finished yet. The blue, glowing cylinder wasn’t the bugs. And I don’t think the German Intelligence lady was the main target, just a way to set something else in motion, part of which is eliminating Reddington. I’ve always felt that he is part of something far bigger than just his criminal empire. Although he did say to Liz that he had cobbled together his fortune for her, and she would soon be rich enough to do anything she wanted. I wonder if he just meant for her to be happy or if he meant more than that. Anyway, I was thinking that his arrest, very public trial, and eventual execution are providing those Dark Forces with a unique opportunity to put some larger plays into motion, because he won’t be around to stop them anymore. I think it will involve assassinating the USPresident Diaz, even though he also seems to be part of whatever is going on with Creepy Justice Dept. Lady. He may be a recent recruit, only to find he is not really part of his new gang, only one of their many pawns.

BTW, wouldn’t this episode have originally been the usual mid season cliffhanger?

Last edited by Honey West (3/16/2019 2:21 am)

Obviously our show-runners have developed a nasty tendency to withhold revelations BUT there were some wonderful moments in this episode including:
1. Red showing vulnerability under impending lethal injection. His shaky way of delivering words was some of the best acting Spader has delivered thru his seminal character, Raymond "Red" Reddington.
2. Meghan Boone delivered her softest moments as Elizabeth Keen, her character has come a long way since its rather shaky and nerve-wracking inception half a decade ago.
3. Samar has never had much character development - but this episode brought her thru some fog and exposed her early sensitivity (grieving) about the destruction of some of her brain function. Yet, she endures. I almost fell in love with her last night - but I would have had to dispose of Aram first - and I can't bring myself around to doing that.
4. Harold & Maude - Harold & Donald - put in fine supporting roles in both supporting Red, Lizzy & even Dembe. Harold has come a long way in forming a brotherhood with the concierge of crime, hasn't he?
4. Christopher Lambert should be around for awhile. He doesn't do many one-time appearances on TV drama. Did a 6 pack for NCIS: LA so I suspect he'll be with us for a bit.
5. An enemy combatant president and his DOJ lackey - who woulda thunk it?

All in all one of the best 3 or 4 episodes in the mythology!

Honey West wrote:

 
I smell the Cabal, or some players at, or above, their level. Maybe we will finally get back to the Map of Doom players?

With all the intelligence people involved, it certainly reminds me of the Cabal. Maybe we are getting back to the Map of Doom.
 

Eastcoast wrote:

So I was trying to drift off to sleep but something was bugging me. No pun intended. I thought the bug stuff took a week to work? He must have poisoned her before. And what was in the case he had?

Yes, she had to have been given the toxin earlier.  I think that was a chemical bomb in the case. I found the conspiracy plot hard to follow. Maybe it will all make more sense in Part 2.
 

So I'm thinking we either have Cabal 2.0, or the Blue players' version of the Cabal.

Last edited by Tuxie400 (3/16/2019 10:27 am)

Dembe told Red in 4.22 that he didn't think Liz would ever be ready to learn what Red did to Katarina. I think Liz had to get to this place where she realizes she loves Red no matter who he was before and to claim him as family. Those two things finally make her ready.

Tuxie400 wrote:

So I'm thinking we either have Cabal 2.0, or the Blue players' version of the Cabal.

Let it be so! I want this prison story arc to end.
 

Tuxie400 wrote:

Iowa Watcher - I think we're getting back to spies and international intrigue.

No more court scenes with Mr. Sima and his mute assistant???

I suspect if Red survives (and he will) that one of his first visits will be to Mr. Sima's sand castle!

I felt so sorry for Red, though, when he was describing his parents to Liz. His dad description could have been applied to what we've seen of Dom-as-Oleander.

Two people whose status has never been made clear, but were clearly important in the lives of these people: Red's father and Katarina's mother.

My big question though, is what will Red's reaction be when he discovers that Liz betrayed him and got him into this mess. I kept wondering if she was using this whole thing as a way to get him to talk (pretty extreme method), but now it seems pretty clear that he plans to take the secret to his grave (or the opium pipes, if Dembe can manage that). And Liz seems to accept that he is who he is (and is pretending to be); I just loved what Ressler said to her.

Tuxie400 wrote:

Honey West - I guess I don't worry much about Red finding out Liz turned him in.  He always forgives her, and especially after how hard she tried to save his life and the I love you.

They're making it very hard for Red to hate Liz when he finds out she was the one who tipped off authorities. ie. Patrolman Paunch

Hard to keep any of the original Blacklist mythology now that Harold & Red, Samar & Aram, Liz & Ressler all in the room-getting business!!! Even Cynthia seems like an honorary member!