‘The Blacklist’ Boss on Liz Choosing Her Devious Mom Over Reddington
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Season 7 finale of The Blacklist, “The Kazanjian Brothers.”]
Wow! The Season 7 finale of The Blacklist was something else.
An animated Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) and a very unexpected choice made by FBI agent Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone)! We asked executive producer Jon Bokenkamp about Liz’s decision to trust her mother, the noted Soviet spy Katarina Rostova (Laila Robins), over the man who clearly loves and protects her, international criminal turned FBI informant Red Reddington.
Why did Liz make the decision to go side with her mother at the end of the episode?
Jon Bokenkamp: Liz wants answers. She’s wanted answers for seven years now. I think her frustration is understandable and now — for the first time — she has an ally who wants the same thing she wants: the truth. Obviously, we had planned to shoot three more episodes, so we didn’t get to unpack the entire story, but believe me — Katarina has very real and tangible details about Reddington, and we’re going to unpack those early in Season 8.
Sony Pictures Television
How does that decision change Liz and/or Red and their relationship going forward?
Well, keep in mind, Reddington isn’t yet aware of this decision by Liz. He doesn’t know she’s sided with her mother. That said, I’m confident he’ll find out in short order. When he does — well, I suppose that puts them opposite sides.
NBC
Will there be important changes in what and who we see next season on The Blacklist?
All I should really say about Season 8 is that it’s going to inherit some really big and juicy story moves. Several story points that were meant to close out season seven will now launch season eight, so we’re walking into the writers’ room for season eight with a lot of really great ammunition.
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She is the worst-written character in TV history. She's supposed to be a genius profiler and she gets duped by the most basic ruses. She's supposed to be super-intelligent and she behaves like some wildly contrary teenager. Every episode struggles to remain coherent because of her ridiculous shifts in position. The fact, however, that the creator of this mess talks about her as if she's a solid and sympathetic character makes me despair.
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Absolutely no way she would choose her mother over Reddington. Word of wisdom to the show-runner/s - don't make the same horrible decision made by the show-runners on Game of Thrones. She is better than that, smarter than that and that is her character.
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I really hope it turns out like that. I'm beginning to get fed with Liz's wavering loyalty to Red. Have never found a more annoying character on television than Liz's. Plus now I'm really curious as to who Red really is. I mean why do they keep changing it when we think we've gotten his identity pegged. It's so annoying.
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Elizabeth realizes her mother doesn't love her when she has to say, "I'm your daughter" ... so unless Elizabeth is as psychopathic as Katrina - she has to 'play' her to get answers and protect Reddington. She also realizes Reddington "doesn't lie, never raises his voice to her" he distinguished he 'withholds info' ...
When Ressler asks about tipping the scales (towards mommy dearest) it's too on the nose. I think it's meant to say you can't trust Katrina - she's for herself, even if it means she 'seemingly' appears to help Red - it's still to manipulate Elizabeth to save herself. Okay, I'm done... lol
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As far as I'm concerned, the only thing that would save this silly, tiresome storyline - is if agent Keen's mom was really someone other than Katrina - when she talks on the telephone at the end, and says, "mom, I'm in" or "I'm ready" or whatever the heck it is she says - it's really to a completely other woman she is talking to!
Otherwise, hopefully it's just a ruse to save Reddington while she gets answers - the 'dark side' she is really speaking about is lying to Katrina to save Reddington (while getting her answers.). I guess she can do both if the writers are smart.
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How can Katarina have details about Red when she said she didn't know who he was. They have gone so far off they have no clue what they are saying anymore. I had defended Liz to fans who hated her. Now I see she might have been evil all along.
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Katharina if you remember tortured Red trying to get information from him I believe she is not Liz his mother but she knew her mother at one time and found out all the details about Liz‘s life from her and is trying to use her for her own purposes. In the episode they said that Don was getting better I think that’s such a disservice to Brian Dennehy who iwas such a fabulous actor At least acknowledge his death with dignity
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I don't think so. I think she is now playing whoever this supposed Katarina is. I think she is just trying to draw everything filly out., but ultimately is trying to protect Red. They have had her be naive way too much. Time for her to get a real read.
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Any time someone associated with a TV show says "believe me..." I know they're full of it.
The writers have always been making this crap up as they go and The Blacklist is another LOST in that they've gotten so convoluted and messy that nothing will ever make sense in the end.
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I have a story line that would tie together just about everything from the first 7 seasons but none of the writers even want to let me show it to them. Too bad they want to "wing it" themselves.
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Explain
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I agree. I liked her character in the beginning but that last couple seasons she has been written as a total idiot. Ex. There's a truth that could get someone killed, Liz..."well, I should tell everyone I know." Seriously? Stop talking!!!
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I thought I was the only one of this opinion...can she just for once accept the fact that there is method to his madness and he’d do anything for her?! And can she just stop digging for answers already? Red, Dembe, Ressler, Mojtabai and now Agnes...everyone harmed or put in harms way. Hoping these writers bring this ongoing struggle with loyalty that Elizabeth has with Red to and end! Getting old.
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She’s the worst
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I've watched this episode twice now and it's still driving me crazy. I can't believe the way Liz is acting. I'd agree with those thinking it's all a ruse, except for her rant at the poor unconscious Dom. So, anyone who gets in her way is her enemy, including him? What, is the room bugged? Or has she really completely lost her mind? And the oh so dramatic Batwoman scene on the roof? Yeah... 'scuse me, gotta make a call, signal is just better from up here, right? As she stands in silhouette, one foot on the ledge, cape, err, coat fluttering in the breeze; ooohhhh, so impressive! I'm voting for lost her mind. She's siding with the woman that killed 2 people to be able to fake her way into her building and spy on her. Planted listening devices on her kid's toys. Dropped a dead body in front of her kid. Killed 2 agents sent to protect her from Mommy Dearest. Even the FBI's #1 Most wanted didn't bug Agnes's dolls, for crying out loud! The woman shot her own father! And this is Liz's new best buddy? She's lost it. Completely lost it. If this is real, and not the riskiest ploy ever, she's nuts!
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...and another thing: Reddington's torture and illneses. It's gone the same sad way as Jack Bauer and 24. There are only so many times you show someone close to death, recovering, close to death, recovering...You don't keep playng that card. This show does. It's sort of just that they ended the season with a cartoon, because that's where the writing has taken it anyway.
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I just dont understand how they keep on changing the story as they please. Now there's another secret which they dont divulge, I mean come on.
I hope that Liz isn't really siding with her mother and is just creating a ruse to get answers and protect Red. He's done a lot for her yet she still wants answers. For a very smart and capable FBI agent her actions suggests quite the opposite. I have never wanted to slap some sense into a character as I did Liz. I mean if the writers were aiming to create a character that's naive and doesn't listen, who basically ignores warnings and likes to annoys their audience with their overall stipidity, well they did a great job
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The worst thing you ever did was to let Tom go. Can you figure some way to bring him back. The story has never been as good without him.
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I find Liz's character and her relationship to Red off-putting in an otherwise marvellous show.
Red has done everything in his power from the day 1 to save Liz even risking his own life so many times. What has she ever done for him that could come close? She is letting her mother walk who killed 2 FBI agents protecting her and her baby. While she went rogue and was willing to burn everyone for killing Tom, a career criminal who killed so many innocent including harbour master. By the way, how could she forgive him for that even if courts could? I can understand that her life was uprooted the day Red walked in but doesn't she know by the now that he is the real good guy here? (I think ultimate agenda of Red is to dismantle worst criminal enterprises by reaching to the very top of the game. Just like how Sherlock's father was trying to do after the downfall of Moriarity). All the decent people are on one side Ilya, Red, his grandfather and the Katarina is on the other. I will choose them over Katrina any day. Liz has done a lot of horrible things that doesn't qualify her to be an FBI agent and all for what some stupid questions and answers that are not even her's. For some reason show runners keep bringing her back in the game and testifying on her behalf so that we empathise with her. They say curiosity kills the cat. I really look forward to Red killing Liz and Katarina.
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no way should she choose whoever the woman is - it would be completely off character lines - good idea if it’s a play to save reddington ( or whomever he is )
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To hell with keen. Typical woman
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THAT is what concerns me! Who is writing this stuff? Bring back the first few season's writers.
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Everybody loves Raymond and everybody is starting to hate Liz. Is this really what the Blacklist bosses want? She comes along as immature, gullible, ungrateful and plain stupid. If season 8 will finish with an important character dying, please do not let it be our imposter Reddington.
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Liz is bipolar. She has some big issues. I like the show but am tired of her changing her position regarding Reddington too much. Give me a break. Her character is immature and stupid at times. Inconsistent to say the least. Plus, what type of person just ignores her child too. She never even visits her child. Just gave child to grandparent to pursue her career. Just acts like she'd rather not be a mother. She is not of good character generally. No redeeming qualities. If she loved her husband so much she would be interested in his child. She is selfish in many ways.
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I'm so sick of Liz always turning on red no matter what he's always about her and she never gives the same loyalty..although it is time to reveal who he is
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Annoying had Red arrested what's up with that Liz
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Absolutely right. Poor Megan Boone. Can you imagine playing a character for years that is written as a petulant child? Here's what I know:
Red IS Red. In season 2, we see Red changing a bandage on his arm. He has extensive burn scarring, and since he is NOT Illya, he must be Red.
After 7 seasons, I'm becoming convinced that Red isn't there to protect Liz as to protect others FROM her. Remember, she has the "warrior gene", and so is already dangerous. And her tenency towards violence is evident from the pilot episode, "What is it with you and pens and people's necks?"
Here's a hint for John and Jon: You have been playing fast and loose for far too long. This is your last chance. Come clean with the viewers or they will abandon the show. I'm a writer, and studied Alfred Hitchcock. His ONE absolute rule was to never lie to the audience. Yet it seems that this is all the Blacklist does. Now's the time: Come to Jesus or get the hell out.
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just started binge watching, not even to season 5 and I agree totally. made me yell at my new gorgeous huge tv. lol really bad and ... too bad. she is an ok actress. dumb as a box of rocks though via character. wow... lol kinda shocked actually...
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