Explanation of the conclusion of 'The Blacklist'

"The Blacklist" finale ends with unexpected death, leaving fans unsatisfied.

The Blacklist has captivated audiences for an extended period of time, and it's no wonder why. With its intriguing premise and the brilliant performance by James Spader as Raymond "Red" Reddington, a criminal working with the FBI, the show quickly became a hit. While it may not have been groundbreaking, it was exceptionally well-executed, maintaining a high level of quality throughout its ten-season run.

Now, let's dive into the finale and explore the answers to some burning questions. Did Red finally face the consequences for his crimes? Did he manage to escape? Most importantly, did The Blacklist provide a satisfying conclusion for its fans? Let's start with the smaller details and work our way up to the bigger picture.

The finale consisted of two parts, beginning with "Raymond Reddington, Pt. 1." This episode set the stage for a thrilling cat-and-mouse game between Red and the FBI task force he had been working with for a decade. Initially, there was uncertainty among the task force members about whether they even wanted to apprehend Red, considering how much he had helped them and the peculiar sense of loyalty they had developed towards him. However, Harold Cooper, portrayed by Harry Lennix, asserted the need to bring him down, stating, "I want us to find him because that's who we are." And so, the chase began.

Unfortunately, their efforts did not yield positive results. Dembe, played by Hisham Tawfiq, was caught leaking information to Red regarding the location of Congressman Hudson, portrayed by Toby Leonard Moore. Before the task force could intervene, Red took matters into his own hands. He orchestrated a car accident, leaving Dembe and Hudson disoriented. In the chaos, Hudson lost sight of his surroundings and accidentally shot Dembe in the neck. Without hesitation, Red swiftly eliminated Hudson by shooting him in the head. He then ensured Dembe's survival by providing him with a life-saving blood transfusion.

The hunt continued in the second part of the finale, titled "Raymond Reddington: Good Night." Red traveled to Spain, where he was seen coughing up blood, likely a reference to his recurring mystery illness throughout the show. Here, the pace slowed down, allowing Red to reflect on the events that had unfolded. He went about his daily routine, buying groceries and calling his daughter. The next morning, he visited the Miura cattle ranch in Andalusia, taking in the serene surroundings. However, as he turned around, he noticed a bull standing just a few yards away.

Despite the bull's clear intent to attack, Red appeared unfazed. He didn't even attempt to move. The scene then shifted to Ressler, portrayed by Diego Klattenhoff, arriving in Spain via helicopter, only to discover Red's lifeless body in the grass, mangled by the bull's rampage. "I've got him," Ressler declared to the rest of the Task Force. Finally, they had succeeded. Red's journey had reached its end, and so had The Blacklist.

But does the ending truly work? Not entirely. It is undoubtedly unexpected, as no one could have predicted that Red would meet his demise at the hands of an enraged bull in Andalusia. However, viewers were left wanting more. The lack of a final exchange between Red and his Task Force peers or a definitive sendoff for the Task Force itself left an ambiguous void that the abrupt fade to black failed to fill.

If you're curious about how other fans are reacting to the finale, be sure to check out our dedicated story on the matter.