It's been close to 8 years since the pilot episode of The Blacklist aired on NBC. The show hasn't really evolved much since then but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Raymond Reddington is still smarter than everyone else and baddies with complex agendas are still popping up all the time.
Sticking to a working formula has kept the thriller series on the air for 8 seasons. A ninth season is set to premiere later this season. So far, there have been plenty of clever schemes as well as numerous twists and turns to keep viewers glued. And it all started with the perfect foundation that was the series premiere.
Reddington Surrendered To The FBI
Reddington always knows what he is doing and that was clear from the first few minutes of the series premiere. The former US Navy officer met with Newton Phillips outside New York City FBI building. Newton handed over a briefcase to him then he walked into the building, asking to see the FBI's Assistant Director.
He confidently declared his name as he removed his hat, coat, and jacket. When the security personnel checked the system for his name, it came up. Reddington had been put on the “Arrest on sight” list. As soon as the alarms started ringing, Reddington went on his knees. The camera then focussed on the "FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives" list which had ranked Reddington 4th.
Terrorist Ranko Zamani Came Back From The Dead
According to the FBI, Serbian terrorist Ranko Zamani was responsible for the 1986 attack at the U.S. embassy in Damascus in 1986 and the kidnapping of French nationals in Algiers in 1997. The FBI believed he was dead but while Reddington was in captivity, he offered to give Zamani to them.
The FBI felt he was bluffing since Zamani was 'dead' but Reddington assured them that Zamani had stepped out of a plane at 10:30 in the morning. When the FBI checked the airport cameras, they confirmed that this was indeed true. Apparently, Zamani had faked his death many years ago.
Liz & Tom Discussed Adoption
Liz's first scene showed her in bed with her husband Tom. The couple had overslept due to a power outage but the family dog woke them up. Apparently, it was Liz's first day at the FBI yet she was late.
She jumped out of bed and began preparing herself while Tom did his best to help her. The two then discussed meeting during lunch hours to visit an adoption agency. They had been eager to have a baby for a long time. Later in the series, Liz would give birth to her daughter Agnes.
Reddington Demanded To Only Speak To Liz
Reddington's relationship with Liz has been an interesting one, and it all started in the pilot. As the FBI taunted Reddington about having no leverage, he revealed that he was working with Zamani and that he would cause much damage if he wasn't taken seriously. He then declared that he would only speak to the newest FBI agent Liz.
The FBI wondered why he chose her specifically. As she was leaving for work with Tom, she was picked outside her home by a helicopter and taken to meet Assistant Director Cooper. She was interrogated on why Reddington would only want to talk to her and she figured he thought she was weaker because she was new.
General Daniel Ryker's Daughter Was Kidnapped
Ryker only appeared in the series briefly hence it might be easy to forget him. He was a general who destroyed a chemical weapons factory during the Yugoslavia wars. During the destruction, Ranko Zamani's family was killed. The terrorist thus became vengeful and vowed to make Ryker pay.
Having gotten intel about the planned kidnapping of Ryjer's daughter Beth, the FBI took her out of class and began transporting her to a safe place. On the way, they were ambushed and Beth was taken.
Liz's Scar
Reddington has his own scars but during an interrogation scene, he noticed the scar on Liz's arm too and questioned her about it. This was the first time the scar was shown. In future episodes, it became somewhat of a mysterious symbol.
At one point, Liz claimed that her father gave her the scar. It was also suggested that Liz got the scar after she was slightly burned as a child. The scar on Liz's wrist resembles many other things such as the go box that Tom kept at the apartment. As mysterious as it was, the scar's storyline took a back seat in future seasons.
Reddington Made A Deal
When Liz questioned Reddington about the kidnapping, he offered to help the FBI gather information and get the girl back. There were a couple of conditions. One was that he had to be set free. Reddington identified two people known as the "Banker" and the "Chemist" as persons of interest.
He revealed that the chemist was a manufacturer of chemical weapons. He then demanded to be set up in his favorite hotel in order to do his job better. Later on, he demanded to have his own security detail and an expensive tracking chip that was above that of petty criminals. Ressler was skeptical but the FBI reluctantly agreed to his conditions.
Liz Got A Surprise At Her Home
On arriving home after missing the adoption appointment, Liz saw balloons and a card written: "It's a girl!" She was excited, believing Tom had managed to adopt the baby. Given that Tom was facing away from the house's entrance, Liz thought he was holding the baby. She poured herself a glass of wine, ready to celebrate.
However, when she turned around, she saw that Tom had been tied up. He had been tortured too. Out of nowhere, Zamani appeared and asked what the FBI knew about his plans. He then thanked her for arresting the Chemist, since he wouldn't have to pay the man. In another shocking twist, Zamani stabbed Tom and left.
Reddington's Escape
Red has always had several tricks up his sleeve. After being stabbed with a pen by Liz, Reddington briefly escaped from custody and met up with Zamani. The FBI put out an APB on him, thinking he was trying to flee for good. However, he was trying to stop Zamani's attack at a zoo.
It turned out he had removed his tracking chip and put it in Zamani's pill bottle. The FBI identified the chip's location and found the terrorist. Ressler then shot him dead. After that, Liz found Beth at a zoo with a backpack containing a bomb. Luckily the bomb was deactivated in time
Reddington Clued In Liz On Tom's Real Identity
In the final moments of the episode, Reddington suggested to Liz that Tom wasn't really who she thought she was. True to his word, she went home and found a box filled with fake passports and cash.
Why did Reddington tell Liz? Reddington and Tom (real name Christopher Hargrave) had a history. Many years prior to the events of the pilot, Tom had been hired by Reddington to monitor Liz, However, he fell in love with her, so Reddington fired him. Tom would go on to work for Milos Kirchoff.