The Blacklist Overview

Introduction

Premiered on NBC on September 23, 2013.
Created by Jon Bockenkamp, also the producer.
Story centers on Raymond Reddington, a former U.S. Naval officer turned criminal mastermind who becomes an informant for the FBI.
Insists on collaborating solely with rookie FBI profiler Elizabeth Keen.
Primary actors: James Spader (Raymond Reddington) and Megan Boone (Elizabeth Keen).

Raymond Reddington:
- Played by James Spader.
- Former U.S. Navy officer turned criminal mastermind.
- Surrenders to the FBI to act as an informant.
Elizabeth Keen:
- Played by Megan Boone.
- Rookie FBI profiler.
- Has a mysterious past linked with Reddington.

Pilot Episode
- Reddington surrenders to FBI, demands to work with Elizabeth Keen exclusively.
Key Events
- Discovery of Elizabeth's husband's fake passports.
- Raymond warns Elizabeth about her husband, Tom.
- Reddington kills Elizabeth's adoptive father to keep past secrets buried.
- Tom revealed to be not just a husband but also her target.
- Elizabeth learns the truth about Tom’s identity and seeks Reddington's help.
Ending
- Raymond ultimately kills Tom before disappears, leaving Elizabeth conflicted.

Focus on Berlin
- Battle between Raymond and Berlin intensifies.
- Introduction of Agent Summer to Task Force.
- Elizabeth kidnaps Tom; Raymond finds Berlin's daughter revealing she's alive.
Key Events
- Berlin's storyline concludes with the killing of the mastermind behind the animosity: Fitch.
- Reddington refocuses to take down a potential new enemy signified by a safe combination.

Elizabeth as Fugitive
- Elizabeth on the run, aided by Raymond, as she becomes target of Cabal and FBI.
- Cabal framed her and she loses her FBI status.
Key Events
- Cooper struggles with the law, but Tom tracks key Cabal member.
- Harold replaces Wrestler as Task Force leader; Reddington helps expose Cabal.
- Cooper's name is cleared, and Cabal’s influence diminished.
- Solomon story arc starts.

Alexander Kirk
- Alexander claims he’s Elizabeth’s father.
- Task Force rescues Elizabeth but Agnes goes missing.
Key Events
- Kirk's storyline concludes; he’s not Elizabeth’s biological father.
- Ms. Kaplan betrays Reddington, targeting his network.
- Mr. Kaplan’s actions put Task Force and Reddington in jeopardy.

Recovery Time
- Reddington rebuilds his criminal empire.
- Task Force forced to align with Reddington’s plans.
- Tom discovers mystery suitcase, which contains Raymond’s secret.
Key Events
- Tom killed by Garvey, actions prompt Elizabeth’s quest for revenge.
- End Reveal: Real Raymond Reddington is long dead; the current Reddington is an imposter.

Identity Crisis
- Follows after the revelation that Reddington is an imposter.
- Task Force confronts global conspiracy.
Key Events
- Introduction of Bastion Moreau, a significant figure changed by facial surgery.
- Reddington imprisoned but escapes with Task Force’s help.
- Conspiracy involving President’s advisor, Anna McMahon, uncovered.
- Reddington kidnapped by Katarina Rostova in the last episode.

Katarina Rostova
- Reddington kidnapped and then saved by Dembe.
- Katarina moves next door to Elizabeth as her new neighbor.
Key Events
- Elizabeth divided between Reddington and Katarina, searching for the truth.
- Game of cat-and-mouse between Reddington, Task Force, and Katarina.
- Season ends questioning Reddington’s identity, Elizabeth’s true loyalty.

Revenge and Revelation
- Starts with Katarina’s death.
- Elizabeth joins forces with Neville Townsend for revenge.
Key Events
- Elizabeth learns deeper truths about her past, her mother, and Reddington’s motivations.
- Reddington reveals the true structure of his intelligence network.
- Elizabeth agrees to take over Reddington’s empire but gets killed by Neville’s henchman.

Aftermath
- Series continues two years after Elizabeth's death.
- Task Force disbanded but reformed to take down new threats.
- Reddington returns, tension with Dembe who joined FBI.
- Cooper framed for detective's murder, new personal issues for each task force member.