Aside from Keen's scenes, this was not a bad episode. Red is just a joy to watch and i even JellyBean's mother's acting skills are a hundred times better than Keen's. This should be the end of the line for Liz if the writers actually care about the show.
40 Reviews
No spoilers except, The Protean, a brilliant and devious assassin for hire, the most incompetent hitman I've ever seen
Ceruleanveritas22 May 2021
I guess the episode was interesting enough, it did have a good degree of action and intrigue/suspense, but that's only because the devious hitman, The Protean, a supposed master of disguise, one who is smart enough to sneak into the country largely undetected, is also the most incompetent hitman I have ever seen portrayed on television or movies. By all rights the episode should have been over in 10 minutes, but because the episode needs to run for an hour, the inexplicable had to occur, more than once in fact.
Keen is horrible
kaffash9922 May 2021
Jellybean's Mom is a keeper!
marikomat26 May 2021
I assume whoever was writing for Jellybean, is doing his Mom's lines too. Makes her very believable as his mother. He definitely didn't fall far from her tree! She bounces around like he did. Great addition to the list of characters for this season. Would have love to have seen them act together as mother and son.
Liz's character took a bad turn and is making the show flat out frustrating.
savvypatachonica29 May 2021
I'm still watching because I'm a little invested, Red and Dembe are still an interesting, likable duo, and the FBI task force folks are consistent. Aram and Cooper remain likable and there are lots of fun characters on the sidelines... but Keen needs to be killed off pronto. She was perfectly good for a bunch of seasons but they've written her into a bad corner. Her motivations are unrealistic, and she's become completely unhinged and unlikeable. She's now a traitor, a terrible mother, and getting friends killed left and right. She's also not interesting or charismatic enough to make her a compelling or complicated villain/antihero like Red is. Liz needs to go... She's irredeemable at this point. Kill her off or end the show. I don't see any path back for her.
The perils of "living for revenge," as demonstrated by two characters
UncleTantra22 May 2021
For the Liz defenders here, please explain to me the difference between the mental state exemplified by Townsend and the mental state exemplified by Liz. As far as I can tell, the only difference is that Townsend has been trapped in that mental state many years longer than Liz has.
In Buddhist thought, one of the most destructive of the "negative emotions" is the desire for vengeance. "Living for revenge" isn't really living. It turns you ugly. Think Liz as the "Before" photo, and Townsend as HER "After" photo, if she continues along the same path she's currently pursuing. I, for one, hope that she comes to her senses. It used to be a pleasant experience to watch her scenes in this series...before she turned ugly, that is. Now it isn't.
In Buddhist thought, one of the most destructive of the "negative emotions" is the desire for vengeance. "Living for revenge" isn't really living. It turns you ugly. Think Liz as the "Before" photo, and Townsend as HER "After" photo, if she continues along the same path she's currently pursuing. I, for one, hope that she comes to her senses. It used to be a pleasant experience to watch her scenes in this series...before she turned ugly, that is. Now it isn't.
Wow! Who doesn't like bingo?
neverenoughgold22 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Absolutely the best and most unusual scenes I ever saw! My wife is a huge bingo player, and I am known to play a card once in a while at the local VFW or American Legion as well as a sanctioned American Indian casino! I looked around at the group of players and could relate immediately! What fun!
8 for the show - 0 for Keen
redraider-5568523 May 2021
The show was fine. How I wish someone would get her off the show. It is so much better when she is not on the show. If she is talking, it is just like nails scratching the chalkboard. I would have given good money for the end of the episode would have ended with her in a body bag.
Not a bad episode, but Keen still ruins it.
boy_afraid5 June 2021
Don't know what drugs are the writers on, but to let a so-called actor like Megan Boone ruins a show is crazy. She literally can act and ruins every scene she is on.
Spader is a genius and only him can save a show that seems to go nowhere.
Please, do your fans a favour a kill Liz for God's sake.
Thanks for nothing.
Spader is a genius and only him can save a show that seems to go nowhere.
Please, do your fans a favour a kill Liz for God's sake.
Thanks for nothing.
"Loyalty to individuals. Relationships. That's what makes the world go 'round."
forla-107-46311924 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I do not understand the criticisms of this episode which in my opinion is one of the best ever, certainly one of the best of this season along with "The Wellstone Agency" and "Anne".
Some apparently did not realize that the hitman's purpose was not to kill Keen but to bring her alive to Townsend. It wasn't a mistake to shoot Jennifer and not her, it was intended. It was enough for him to have the license plate of the car used by Keen.
However wonderful episode for many reasons. Red playing with the parakeet and threatening to put it in the microwave was very funny. The whole bingo scene alone is worth an Emmy to Spader, who doesn't miss a beat this year. James Spader is a monster this season! He goes from comic to dramatic, from sensual to goofy in the blink of an eye.
And Liz's story as a villain finally comes to an end. The theme of the episode is trust and loyalty towards individuals. Liz did not have them towards those who love and protect her like Ressler, Cooper, Aram, Red and Dembe, and she rightly paid the consequences. All her plans have failed and all the thieves and mercenaries she surrounded herself with are dead. By allying with Townsend she left behind a long trail of death, even of innocent people, and she did not achieve her goal of uncovering the truth about her mother.
Elizabeth Keen is nearly 40 and has a daughter, it's time for her to take responsibility like all grown-ups do.
Some quotes I liked:
Red: "And it doesn't bother you? Helping me find some criminal? Not knowing what might happen to him if I do?" Paula: "I think you're a good egg. A bit poached for my taste, but you want to do what's right, and I am tickled to carry on the family tradition of helping you get it done."
---
Red: "The moral of poor Mr. Spencer's tale of woe is that you should never worry about betraying your workplace, because, given the chance, your workplace will definitely betray you.
Loyalty to individuals.
Relationships.
That's what makes the world go 'round. "
---
The Protean: "Were they really friends?"
Great, GREAT episode!
Some apparently did not realize that the hitman's purpose was not to kill Keen but to bring her alive to Townsend. It wasn't a mistake to shoot Jennifer and not her, it was intended. It was enough for him to have the license plate of the car used by Keen.
However wonderful episode for many reasons. Red playing with the parakeet and threatening to put it in the microwave was very funny. The whole bingo scene alone is worth an Emmy to Spader, who doesn't miss a beat this year. James Spader is a monster this season! He goes from comic to dramatic, from sensual to goofy in the blink of an eye.
And Liz's story as a villain finally comes to an end. The theme of the episode is trust and loyalty towards individuals. Liz did not have them towards those who love and protect her like Ressler, Cooper, Aram, Red and Dembe, and she rightly paid the consequences. All her plans have failed and all the thieves and mercenaries she surrounded herself with are dead. By allying with Townsend she left behind a long trail of death, even of innocent people, and she did not achieve her goal of uncovering the truth about her mother.
Elizabeth Keen is nearly 40 and has a daughter, it's time for her to take responsibility like all grown-ups do.
Some quotes I liked:
Red: "And it doesn't bother you? Helping me find some criminal? Not knowing what might happen to him if I do?" Paula: "I think you're a good egg. A bit poached for my taste, but you want to do what's right, and I am tickled to carry on the family tradition of helping you get it done."
---
Red: "The moral of poor Mr. Spencer's tale of woe is that you should never worry about betraying your workplace, because, given the chance, your workplace will definitely betray you.
Loyalty to individuals.
Relationships.
That's what makes the world go 'round. "
---
The Protean: "Were they really friends?"
Great, GREAT episode!
Die Keen, Die!!!
hotmasamosir23 May 2021
"How Bad is Keen" S08E18
IliasTheDirector25 May 2021
Back to basics...
nfire-2974126 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Enjoyable episode. The hitman clearly sucks at his job and pays the price for it.
This season focusing on Liz and trying to uncover secrets is getting OLD.
Plus, Megan Boone is a poor actress.. Not believable. Her lack of acting ability truly takes away from the scenes.
Wish they would kill her off...
This season focusing on Liz and trying to uncover secrets is getting OLD.
Plus, Megan Boone is a poor actress.. Not believable. Her lack of acting ability truly takes away from the scenes.
Wish they would kill her off...
Red, the enigma, and Keen, the anchor thats drowning this show.
zayansahota22 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I simply cannot comprehend all the reviews defending Keens character. For the first couple of seasons, sure, her character made sense, and even brought some needed balance to Reds character. As James Spader easily overshadows everyone in the show. And as a fairly new actress (compared to whom she was matched up against), her lacking in the emotional scenes were...overlooked. But as the storyline evolved, and the plots, well, swayed between insanely intelligent and insanely stupid, her flaws became more evident. The only character that has managed to hit every curveball is Red. Her monologues are stiff, without emotions. Just watch the scene with her in the back of the car, speaking to God about her dead sister. It made me cringe. I have no doubt Megan Boone is a better actress, but at this time it seems like even she has lost every bit of interest and belief in the scriptwriters, and hence, her character as well. And I know we are in the world of tv entertainment, and things are a bit...animated. But seriously, the idea that an entire FBI unit caves in every time a rogue agent calls them, an agent that has caused the death of several other agents, and civilians? The writers must be taking the audience for fools. As for Red, well, the utterly corny and silly scene at the bingo was just hilarious and brilliant. Time to wrap up this Keen-nonsense and find a new direction for the show.
Wild
LodgeDweller22 May 2021
We still know nothing, but at least we're getting some great episodes again. Liz is still horrible, but things are happening and it doesn't feel predictable or insultingly stupid. This one almost makes up for a lot of dumb stuff earlier in the season. Almost.
[7.8] Like wasting oxygen in space
cjonesas16 February 2022
Episode 18: Enjoyable episode with great acting by Red and Jelly bean's mom. Some poor decisions mostly by Keen, an impossible and badly unaware hitman, a so so screenplay, but overall with a satisfying vibe.
Have to admit that The Blacklist evolving around Keen in the last few episodes not bright. It's like wasting your oxygen in space.
Writers! Wrap her character up in a decent way or strengthen it. Do not drag her endlessly without much aim.
Have to admit that The Blacklist evolving around Keen in the last few episodes not bright. It's like wasting your oxygen in space.
Writers! Wrap her character up in a decent way or strengthen it. Do not drag her endlessly without much aim.
Everyone that helped Liz is dead!
jacobhammer-2910122 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
What a crazy episode! It's common that the last few episodes of a season are wild and crazy and action packed and almost makes up for some of the more boring and bad episodes of the season. Feel like most shows have to have low points and a few bad episodes each season before we get to the good ones. There's strong hints that Liz might die by the end of this season but again, probably won't happen since Megan and James are the main stars you can't have one without the other.
Hey liz, Where'd that energy go?
dattaakash-3705510 August 2021
I'm gonna kill him, i'm gonna find answer on my own, i know the world, who is he, he is nothing in front of the great elizabeth KEEEEEN. Lmao, cringe! Can't stop laughing at Heralds behavior, sometime feels like he is the N13. And Reddington, man u r one mysterious creature. Trying to protect the woman that killed so many of ur loving people? Man what's that between u two?
DO NOT CONTINUE WITH KEEN
congrongmia27 May 2021
James Spder is a great actor
yamagata@virtual-markets.net27 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
James Spader is a great actor. He really did an excellent job from beginning to end. The bingo scene was excellent and perfectly done and the end of the show phone conversation was perfect. I really felt the pathos in Reds voice.
The writers are doing a disservice to Keen. She is written to be so clueless and stupid, she lets her whole team die. Then she lets her sister die. She should have rendered first aid. Instead she lets her sister bleed out. She has not learned a thing from Red. At this point, I hope keen dies in the end. Dembe will raise her daughter and teach her how to survive as they ride into the sunset. That would be the best ending of this series. There is no redeeming Elizabeth Keen's character and she is too stupid to survive once Red is gone from her life. I am just watching the show because of James Spader's portrayal of a total sociopath, which he does so well. Lately, he has out done himself. He deserves recognition for all of the effort I have seen and greatly appreciate this season. I also think that Harry Lennix deserves to be noted for his acting in this episode. He and Jimmy played off of each other perfectly.
The writers are doing a disservice to Keen. She is written to be so clueless and stupid, she lets her whole team die. Then she lets her sister die. She should have rendered first aid. Instead she lets her sister bleed out. She has not learned a thing from Red. At this point, I hope keen dies in the end. Dembe will raise her daughter and teach her how to survive as they ride into the sunset. That would be the best ending of this series. There is no redeeming Elizabeth Keen's character and she is too stupid to survive once Red is gone from her life. I am just watching the show because of James Spader's portrayal of a total sociopath, which he does so well. Lately, he has out done himself. He deserves recognition for all of the effort I have seen and greatly appreciate this season. I also think that Harry Lennix deserves to be noted for his acting in this episode. He and Jimmy played off of each other perfectly.
not a bad episode
tezzahols24 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Apart from keen, this was a good episode, action and fun, but poor Liz, get's her sister and friends killed, i expected Liz to just push her sister out of the car when she died, i really hope they kill of Keen at the end, we don't want a spin off with Keen in it.
Crimes Pay
somodgodana25 May 2021
My grandmother can write better....
manutd1972-461-78523423 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Seriously, the writers need to be fired.
World-renown hitman kidnaps Keen's half-sister at her home, sets an ambush for Keen, and drives her sister's car to the location. But instead of hiding in the back of the car so as to easily catch Keen when she enters the car, he decides to get out, wait around the corner and when Keen gets into the driver's seat, comes out no more than 5 metres in front of the car, fires 2 shots missing Keen but hitting her sister, and then stands there to get run over by Keen? Sounds more like a first-time criminal-wannabe than an infamous professional hitman.
And in the final scenes when Keen has a gun to the hitman's head in his car while surrounded by the FBI, if she really wanted him to tell her where Townsend is, why not hand him over to her FBI friends? Afraid he won't talk? Doesn't her past experience with the Task Force's dealings with past criminals show her that most can be "persuaded" to talk? And threatening to kill him when he's the only one with the info she needs? Even a kid knows you won't do it. Kill me and the info goes with me. And she's suppose to be a smart agent? How "smart" is that?
Just 2 of the many flaws with the writing for this episode.
World-renown hitman kidnaps Keen's half-sister at her home, sets an ambush for Keen, and drives her sister's car to the location. But instead of hiding in the back of the car so as to easily catch Keen when she enters the car, he decides to get out, wait around the corner and when Keen gets into the driver's seat, comes out no more than 5 metres in front of the car, fires 2 shots missing Keen but hitting her sister, and then stands there to get run over by Keen? Sounds more like a first-time criminal-wannabe than an infamous professional hitman.
And in the final scenes when Keen has a gun to the hitman's head in his car while surrounded by the FBI, if she really wanted him to tell her where Townsend is, why not hand him over to her FBI friends? Afraid he won't talk? Doesn't her past experience with the Task Force's dealings with past criminals show her that most can be "persuaded" to talk? And threatening to kill him when he's the only one with the info she needs? Even a kid knows you won't do it. Kill me and the info goes with me. And she's suppose to be a smart agent? How "smart" is that?
Just 2 of the many flaws with the writing for this episode.
ok
Lythas_8525 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
What's up with Keene? Lol everybody she cared for is dead and she doesn't ask anyone for help... ahhh let's not forget when she met her sister and she was able run the bad guy over but decided not to reverse and kill him for good. Of course, the basic slasher move scene where the main character gets the drop on the villain and decides to run away instead of shooting again or hacking him again to end the problem.
I just don't know where this is all going but hopefully we'll get a satisfying ending this time.
I just don't know where this is all going but hopefully we'll get a satisfying ending this time.
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