Blacklist when does Liz learns the truth

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The following post contains major spoilers for Fridays episodes of The Blacklist.

After 130 episodes, dozens of creepy criminals and a whole lotta fandom-wide conspiracy theories, viewers ofThe Blacklist finally know who Raymond Reddington really is.

Of course, when the credits initially rolled onThe Blacklists pilot back in 2013, many of us assumed that Raymond Reddington was merely a fugitive, turning himself in after years on the FBIs Most Wanted list. But as the NBC drama continued, it became clear that Red isntreally Red, and the man that James Spader has been portraying since Season 1 is merely an impostor.

Fortunately, series creator Jon Bokenkamp made good on his promise to deliver answers in Fridays two-parter, which at last revealed Reds true identity. Lets unpack the big developments from The Brockton College Killer and Rassvet:

LIZS SECRET REVEALED | In the 8 pm hour, after significant urging from Dembe, Liz finally comes clean to Red that she turned him over to the police earlier this season. [And in one of my favorite Spader moments of the series, an incredible mixture of anger and confusion unfolds across Reds face upon hearing the news.] Liz confirms that she only did it because she wanted to learn the truth about who Red really is, but after seeing how close he came to death, I dont care about who you were, I care for who you are. Red, however, is unsure if he can ever believe Liz again and hes barely able to look Dembe in the eye after learning he kept Lizs secret for weeks.

In the wake of Lizs bombshell, Red pays a visit to her grandfather, Dominic Wilkinson, in search of advice on how to proceed with Liz and Dembe. After all, Dominic suffered his own betrayal at the hands of Katarina Rostova, prompting him to lead a solitary life for decades. He tells Red that hes at peace with the decision he made, because he did it for love. The question is: How much does Red love Dembe?

Later that day, Red returns home to find Dembe with packed luggage, and he makes a valiant effort to clear the air between them. I went away to think about you and me, and all I could think was that I missed you, Red tells his friend and confidant. But I realized you dont need my forgiveness, ever. Because when it comes to this, you can do no wrong. [Well now pause for a brief intermission while I sniffle into some tissues.]

Though Dembe is grateful for Reds emotional monologue, it isnt enough to sway him from using a recently purchased plane ticket. I appreciate that, Raymond but I cant forgive you, Dembe reveals, prompting Red to reply that he doesnt understand. No, Dembe replies. I suppose you dont Ive followed your path long enough. Its time I follow my own. And with that, Dembe leaves at least for the time being.

REDS SECRET REVEALED | In Fridays second hour, Liz pays her own visit to Dominic, after Resslers side investigation reveals that Dom is actually Lizs grandfather. She begs him to offer a little insight into Reds true identity and what really happened to her mother and Dominic is surprisingly forthcoming with the information Liz seeks.

The episode consists mostly of flashbacks, bringing us back to the moment when Katarina Rostova narrowly avoided drowning in the ocean. From that moment on, Katarina has been presumed dead by suicide, and we learn that she went to great lengths to keep her survival a secret. Case in point: She enlists Ilya Koslov [Revenges Gabriel Mann], an associate and occasional lover, to help her craft a new identity and elude the KGB officers who are trying to find her. But even Katarina and Ilyas most elaborate ideas tend to have the same outcome; they will always be hunted by the KGB and the Americans, and there doesnt seem to be a way to leave that life behind that is, until Ilya concocts a game-changing plan that Katarina [rightfully] calls absurd.

After learning that Raymond Reddington the real Red had $40 million tucked away in secret bank accounts before his death, Ilya suggests that he and Katarina get their hands on that money and use it to get as far away as possible. Katarina protests, insisting that all of those banks have strict security, and they would only hand over the money if Reddington himself showed up at the banks to claim it. Ilya, however, is undeterred: In fact, hes willing to become Raymond Reddington in order to get the job done, especially since no one seems to know that the real Red is actually deceased.

Upon hearing this story from Dominic, Liz quickly figures out how Ilya pulled off the whole scheme. He enlisted Dr. Hans Koehler, the face-altering surgeon from earlier this season, to change his appearance, and he gathered all of Reds most private secrets from Katarina, whod spent months getting close to him in her role as a KGB officer. [And though its easy to be skeptical of this big reveal, we do actually see Ilya going under the knife to become Reddington, followed by scenes of Ilya-as-Red withdrawing his money from those banks. He even changes his voice to a James Spader-esque timbre, so this all seems legit, at least.]

Ilya understands that by becoming Red, hell have to spend the rest of his life on the run but hes OK with that, if it means protecting Katarina. Promise me something, Katarina says. If they get to me, if they take me? Take care of Masha. Ilya agrees without hesitation: Like she was my own.

We then return to the present day, where Liz pays Red-but-actually-Ilya a visit in Hong Kong, revealing that she knows his true identity. Shes grateful that he took such a big risk to protect her mother, though she remains puzzled as to why Ilya kept Reds identity all these years, even after he got that $40 million out of the banks. I am what I am, a cryptic Red responds, looking unhappy that Liz knows his secret. Popeye the Sailor Man.

Later, Dominic returns home to find Red waiting for him, still looking rather peeved but Dominic doesnt regret telling Liz the truth, or at least the version of it that she heard that day. You were the architect of this charade that cost me my daughter and, until now, my granddaughter and great-granddaughter, Dominic maintains. She was going to find out sooner or later. What you need to do is thank me for putting all of this behind you.

But Red is unmoved by Dominics words. Is that what you think you did? Because I think you may have made things worse, he counters. So, from the start what did you tell her? Word for word. And with that, the credits roll.

OK, your turn. What did you think of Fridays two-part Blacklist? Grade it in our poll below, then drop a comment with your reactions!

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