Best Episodes
The Blacklist, the thrilling American crime drama series created by Jon Bokenkamp, has been airing on NBC since 2013. The show follows Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) as he assists the FBI in tracking and apprehending some of the world’s most dangerous criminals and terrorists. Over 11 seasons and hundreds of episodes, viewers have been able to rank their favorite episodes of the show. Here, we will be taking a look at the best episodes of The Blacklist, as ranked by viewers.
Warning: the following content contains spoilers!
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Under pressure from Congressman Hudson's investigation, the Task Force must try to anticipate Reddington's next move.
The episode was rated 8.67 from 12 votes.
The Blacklist's "The Director: Conclusion (2)" was an epic episode that ended with a very fitting conclusion. The Cabal was preparing to assassinate Liz, and Red's call to the task force was a desperate bid to exonerate her. The episode was filled with tension and was made all the more impactful with the song choices. The ending was particularly epic, leaving viewers with a sense of awe and satisfaction. The episode was action-packed and exciting, with viewers enjoying every minute of it. People were delighted with the finale and the resolution it brought, making it a memorable episode for all.
The episode was rated 8.32 from 3923 votes.
The Blacklist's season 1 finale, Berlin (2), is an intense episode that forces Liz to team up with Red in order to track down Berlin. Of all the props they could have used for a cable sticking out of a downed aircraft, the bright blue D-sub connector seemed to strain the viewers' suspension of disbelief.
Next season will feel slightly empty without Meera, as her character hadn't had that big of a role, but still had a presence that was liked by many. Although some viewers weren't sad to see her character leave, they still wished she had a bigger role in the show. The episode was packed with emotions and action, as usual, and viewers got to see Reddington being a badass. Additionally, the actor who killed Meera Malik had previously appeared in the series Power and fans were pleased to see him again. He also resembled Sami Zayn from WWE, which made the episode even more entertaining.
The episode was rated 8.29 from 3092 votes.
The Blacklist is a show that features a new villain in each episode. The newest villain, Anslo Garrick, has an ulterior motive, which is to capture Red. In this episode, Liz gets trapped in an elevator and Red has to save her. This episode has been praised as the best so far in the season and James Spader for delivering a powerful speech about what he wants.
The episode also included a tragedy where a woman, Luli Zeng, was killed. This death was particularly poignant as it was so early in the season. Despite this, fans of the show still enjoyed the episode. It is filled with suspense, drama and intense scenes that make it a great episode that keeps the audience engaged.
The episode was rated 8.27 from 3499 votes.
The task force led by Raymond Reddington is hot on the trail of the person responsible for Liz's death. As they close in on the culprit, a shocking betrayal leaves them in a frantic race to save one of their own. It is revealed that Caplan was behind the entire operation, though it was quite predictable. Despite being a bit predictable, the episode was still quite enjoyable. The reveal that the perpetrator is a Russian millionaire was a surprise, though in hindsight it should have been easy to guess. The shock of the reveal is only compounded by the realization that they must now race to save one of their own.
The episode was rated 8.25 from 4754 votes.
The season finale of The Blacklist was an ultimate answer to one of the show's main stories. Liz was being framed by The Cabal and Red was forced to use his connections to help her clear her name. Cooper receives a shocking news and Ressler, Samar, and Aram have to decide who on the task force can still be trusted.
The episode was highly praised for its unexpected twists and turns. One of the highlights was Cooper's badass scene with the doctor and the relief of finding out that he's not sick. Red revealed all the secrets to the journalists and Liz finally remembered. The episode also featured a powerful scene between Liz and Red, where Red tells Liz, "You're my sin eater". This touching moment left fans wanting for more and eager for the next season.
The episode was rated 8.25 from 2755 votes.
In the episode "Anslo Garrick (2)," Liz infiltrates the blacksite and attempts to disarm the signal jammers to call in backup. However, she runs into trouble and the fate of Ressler hangs in the balance as Red tries to bargain with Anslo Garrick. Meanwhile, Tom is deeply worried about Liz's situation and the fate of Red is still uncertain. During this episode, viewers witness a large assault by Raymond's organization, highlighting the complexity of the organizations that exist. In the end, it is a good episode with a nice ending, though the first part of the episode (episode 9) is considered the better of the two.
The episode was rated 8.24 from 3361 votes.
Red's empire is in tatters and he makes a last-ditch move to try to save it. Mr. Kaplan may have predicted Red's play, however, and it is up to Red and Tom to save the day. The season finale of The Blacklist was intense and exciting, with performances from James Spader as Red and Mr. Chaplin as Mr. Kaplan that really rocked. It ended with Kate jumping off a bridge, but fans are hoping to see more of Boaz in the next season, and that he is still alive.
The episode was rated 8.20 from 4660 votes.
The first episode of The Blacklist Season 8, entitled "The Director (1)", begins with Liz awaiting trial as Red and Aram take risky measures to protect her. The episode ends with a spectacular scene between Liz and Red, and viewers are left with an immense amount of suspense. Throughout the episode, the tension intensifies as Red and Aram work together to try and protect Liz. One particularly memorable scene is when Liz is taken away from Laurel and Peter, and the audience watches as they are separated.
The episode was met with much praise and appreciation, with viewers remarking on the great acting, the suspenseful moments, and the memorable lines. One particular line that was praised was "If it wasn't about the sex, then why did you have sex?" The last scene between Red and Liz was said to be the highlight of the episode, with James Spader and Megan Boone in top form. All in all, the episode was a great start to the season, and fans are looking forward to what comes next.
The episode was rated 8.19 from 3919 votes.
In the episode Sutton Ross, Liz and Red are in a race to find a mysterious Blacklister in possession of a duffel bag of bones which leads to the truth finally coming to light. Fans of the show have been waiting many seasons to find out the truth and Tom's unexpected appearance was a nice touch. Some believe that the real Red was killed by Liz the night of the fire and Dom's other child is the one we see now. The ending was unexpected and left fans with many questions. Did Liz want to know the truth or will she face it? What was the goal of Garvey when he killed Tom? Did he know the truth? Fans are eagerly awaiting the sixth season to find out the answers to these questions and more.
The episode was rated 8.12 from 2498 votes.
The episode Ian Garvey of The Blacklist follows Liz in her desperate search for her husband Tom, who has gone missing. Red is also on the hunt for a suitcase of bones. As Liz races against time to find Tom, fans of the show are divided with some rejoicing over Tom's death, while others mourn the loss of a beloved character.
The episode also contains some controversial moments, with some fans taking issue with how Liz falls into a coma after being punched a few times in the head, while Tom dies after being stabbed four times in the abdomen. Fans are also disgruntled with the slow-motion fight scenes, which they feel are overused. Regardless, the episode was action-packed and viewers can look forward to the consequences of the characters' decisions.
The episode was rated 8.11 from 3428 votes.
In this episode of The Blacklist, Liz discovers the truth behind her father's death and refuses to work with Red, just as his situation grows desperate. In the bank, the guard holds his gun and says "we are quarantined", reminiscent of the current pandemic. Liz and Red reunite in a park, surrounded by agents, with no one shooting or any guns, only to make a blackout.
Overall, this episode was an interesting take on the current pandemic. It makes sense why the virus can't spread, to threaten people to make the plane come, and why the plane couldn't take off. The characters, especially Raymond, make this episode enjoyable to watch, with a suspenseful ending. All in all, this episode deserves a 7/10.
The episode was rated 8.09 from 3156 votes.
In the episode of The Blacklist titled "Requiem", memories of the past set Red on a dangerous collision course with an enemy determined to destroy his criminal empire. This episode was widely praised by fans for its compelling back story on Mr. Kaplan and her deep-seated hatred of Reddington. It was revealed that Mr. Kaplan had been Liz's nanny for many years, and that her loyalty lay with Liz, not Red. The actress who portrayed her younger version was also well-cast. Fans consider this to be the second best episode of the show, just after the pilot.
The episode was rated 8.09 from 4802 votes.
In the series premiere of The Blacklist, the hunt is on to stop a terrorist. The episode follows Raymond Reddington, a most-wanted fugitive, and rookie FBI profiler Elizabeth Keen as they work together to take down criminals and evildoers. The episode opens with a great introduction scene set to music, which sets the tone for the rest of the episode. Elizabeth shows no remorse as she shoves a pen in Raymond's neck, foreshadowing a darker version of Elizabeth in season six. The audience is left wondering about the other three applicants of bodyguards that Raymond had picked for Harold to choose from.
The episode is a great introduction to the show, with an impressive performance from James Spader. The ending of the episode leaves the audience wanting more, and viewers are already warming up to the show. With great characterization, suspenseful moments and a thrilling introduction, The Blacklist pilot episode is a great start to the series.
The episode was rated 8.07 from 5185 votes.
In the latest episode of The Blacklist, Robert Diaz, Liz and the task force are on a mission to prevent disaster as the president's true plan is revealed. Meanwhile, Red meets in secret with a man who has information about his past. Fans of the show were not pleased with the return of Katarina, who has betrayed everyone and was even able to stab Red before running to his arms. There was also a surprise when the FBI's blacksite holding cells were found to be set to default open. The episode ended with Dembe arriving at the right time and place, which was not entirely surprising to viewers. Overall, Robert Diaz was an excellent episode and fans are looking forward to the next one.
The episode was rated 8.06 from 2195 votes.
Cooper is caught on the defensive when summoned by the Attorney General. Red visits dear friends.
The episode was rated 8.06 from 381 votes.
In "The Pavlovich Brothers" episode of The Blacklist, the team works to protect a target from the Pavlovich brothers, specialists in abductions, while Red has his own job for them. Meanwhile, Liz patiently works to uncover the truth behind Tom. Unfortunately, this episode was not particularly well-received by fans. Many were disappointed with the lack of action from the Pavlovich brothers, as well as Liz's seemingly weak fighting skills when she goes up against Tom. Additionally, the gang group that kidnapped Tom were never fully explained, and there were many logical inconsistencies in the episode. For example, how did Raymond know that Tom wouldn't kill Liz? Even though they're father and daughter, Tom could have easily killed Liz, yet Raymond seemed to know he wouldn't. To top it off, Liz acted like an amateur chasing Tom in the museum, making the episode seem even more poorly-written. All in all, it's no wonder that this episode only got a 3/10 rating from viewers.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 3096 votes.
The season premiere of The Blacklist, 'The Troll Farmer', was highly anticipated, and it certainly didn't disappoint. With the FBI hunting Liz for the murder of the attorney general, she and Red go on the run, and Red reaches out to a contact for help. The episode was filled with suspense and excitement, and the ending was phenomenal.
It certainly reminded viewers why they liked this show so much in the first place. Reddington is one of the most compelling characters ever, and this episode was a great reintroduction to his world and the twists and turns he can take. The production crew should be commended for their fantastic work on this episode, and it's clear that this season of The Blacklist is going to be one to watch.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 3870 votes.
The Blacklist's Mr. Solomon: Conclusion (2) was an intense episode that left viewers in suspense. One of the team members falls into grave danger due to a tragedy, leaving the task force to rely on Red and his unorthodox methods to save them. In the midst of this, an unforeseen complication impacts Tom and Liz. As viewers watched, they could feel the emotion and tension of the scene, as the tragedy that befell one of the members of the team was heart-wrenching.
The episode was also filled with excitement, as Kaplan's involvement in the story left viewers wondering how it would all turn out. Tom's experience with ruses kept viewers guessing, and the suspenseful ending left them wanting more. Viewers praised the episode, claiming it was one of the best so far. It was certainly an episode that will be remembered for its dramatic and emotional scenes.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 4523 votes.
The Blacklist episode Leonard Caul is one of the most beloved episodes of the series. Red is fighting for his life and the task force is trying to find a mysterious figure from his past. Tom provides aid in an unexpected way. The episode showcases the character Mr. Kaplan and her badassery. She plays her role perfectly and the audience can't help but love her. The episode is full of surprises and it is a great watch. It is no wonder why this episode is one of the most loved of the entire series.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 2898 votes.
Last updated: aug 18, 2023
