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.
Written by Sophie and last updated on aug 18, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Aram goes under cover as a hacker to find a criminal who designs and executes crimes for a price.
The episode was rated 7.73 from 4616 votes.
Red sets the Task Force on the trail of a Blacklister with the tools to manipulate memories, causing Liz to question her own experiences. As Gale intensifies his investigation, Ressler receives a new lead on the disappearance of Justice Department official Reven Wright.
The episode was rated 7.74 from 4545 votes.
The Task Force chases an artful bounty hunter employed to target Red's closest associates. Meanwhile, Ressler faces a moral dilemma when he takes on a new assignment with a former colleague.
The episode was rated 7.75 from 4562 votes.
Red enlists Tom and the Task Force to help track a notorious bounty hunter who may know Alexander Kirk's next move. Meanwhile, Liz struggles to decide if Kirk is trustworthy.
The episode was rated 7.76 from 5046 votes.
Red and the Task Force take extreme measures to hunt down one of Alexander Kirk's allies, Miles McGrath, a "criminal incubator" who finances crimes for profit. Meanwhile, Liz learns more about her family.
The episode was rated 7.77 from 4920 votes.
After Liz is abducted by a man claiming to be her father, Red sets out to find her at any cost. Meanwhile, the Task Force grapples with the shocking news that Liz is still alive.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 5290 votes.
Red directs the Task Force to track down an individual who provides new identities to criminals on the run. Meanwhile, as Alexander Kirk's medical condition worsens, Liz seeks guidance from Cooper on a crucial decision.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 4755 votes.
When Alexander Kirk contracts a mysterious group that specializes in hacking the world's most secure computer systems, Red and Liz see an opportunity to make a move on Kirk's ..
The episode was rated 7.82 from 4791 votes.
When Liz becomes the target of a mercenary known as the Debt Collector, Red turns to an unlikely source for help. Meanwhile, Ressler faces an unexpected complication in his efforts to stay ahead of Agent Gale's investigation.
The episode was rated 7.87 from 4487 votes.
Red pressures Dr. Shaw to locate a former patient. Liz contemplates the implications of her ties to an increasingly desperate and dangerous Alexander Kirk. Mr. Kaplan comes to a critical realization about her future.
The episode was rated 7.92 from 4840 votes.
After being dosed with poison, Red must retrace his steps to discover which of his closest allies has betrayed him, while the task force races against the clock to find an antidote that will save him.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 4975 votes.
Mr Kaplan's destruction of Red's empire continues, but Reddington still hopes to be able to reach an agreement with his enemy. Amar is issued a subpoena requiring him to give evidence that could destroy the team and Agent Gale realises how much the Task Force know about Red, and gains a new ally.
The episode was rated 7.96 from 4635 votes.
After weeks of hunting for Dembe, Red and the Task Force finally get a lead on his whereabouts when Aram goes missing. Meanwhile, Dembe takes a calculated risk as Red closes in
The episode was rated 8.00 from 4816 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.
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.
