NBC
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains plot points from the last two episodes of The Blacklist.
The blacklist ended its 10-year run on NBC on Thursday with James Spader’s Raymond Reddington finally escaping authorities.
Before the decision was made to end the Sony drama earlier this year, The Blacklist was a dependable utility player and cast member for the network, despite occupying ten different slots over the ten seasons. There was also a big change after Season 8, with both female lead Megan Boone and creator Jon Bokenkamp departing. But the fans stuck with it; Season 9 reached 29.1 million viewers, doubling its 18-49 ratings and total Live+35 audience compared to the same day’s data.
Season 10 began in March as Reddington faced “unprecedented danger” as former blacklists allied against him in a deadly desire for revenge. The two-hour series finale begins with Reddington on the run and the Strike Force team and vengeful Congressman Arthur Hudson (Toby Leonard Moore) attempting to track down the elusive criminal-turned-FBI informant.
At the end of the first episode, Reddington confronts Hudson and shoots him dead after the congressman puts a bullet into Reddington’s bodyguard and agent Dembe Zuma (Hisham Tawfiq). Reddington managed to get Dembe into a nursing home for treatment before continuing his escape from the country.
At the start of the second hour, titled “Good Night,” the task force once again attempts to locate Reddington, while Special Agent Jordan Nixon (Derrick Williams) vows to avenge the congressman’s death by killing Reddington himself. This leads to an exchange of blows between Nixon and assistant director Harold Cooper (Henry Lennix), because well, tough guys have to be tough guys in times of crisis.
Meanwhile, Reddington ends up in Spain, where he buys fruit and veg at a local market and makes one last call to his granddaughter Agnes (Sami Bray). He also takes the time to check in with Dembe, who later learns from Harold that he would lose his job. Dembe doesn’t seem to care but raves about his old pal.
The Strike team continues to lag behind Reddington, whose final moments are spent on a scenic stroll through the countryside. He faces a drooling bull who watches Reddington with interest before charging at him in slow motion.
The camera shows a helicopter landing on the field with Donald Ressler (Diego Klattenhoff) of the Strike Force. He sees Reddington curled up in a bloody ball, his body lifeless.
Reddington is finally dead.