Spoilers for the latest episode of The Blacklist entitled “Guillermo Rizal (#128)” are discussed below.
It seems like years ago that Liz made the decision to put her and Tom’s daughter in the safekeeping of her mother-in-law -- Tom’s long-lost mother, Scottie. It was actually during The Blacklist’s previous season. After Tom’s murder, Liz went to a dark place that meant pursuing the information that led to his death full-time.
She vowed to reunite with Agnes when she got her answers. In last night’s Blacklist, Liz told Red that she had made the big decision to finally bring Agnes home. That's a sign she finally trusts Agnes’ safety around Red. Even without not knowing all of the details surrounding his true identity.
In a moving moment towards the end of the episode, Liz made one thing clear: Finding out who Red really is has not changed who he is to her or Agnes – family. To Liz, Red is her parent and therefore, Agnes’ grandparent.
Liz and Red got off to a beyond rocky start at the beginning of The Blacklist. By the end, the cold front seemed to dissipate mightily in the face of Liz’s gesture. Liz’ life code (“love wins”) seemed to claim yet another victory. Red appeared more moved by it than his words let on. Or maybe that is wishful thinking on my part.
It is as if one of his motives for trying to keep the truth from Liz was born out of fear. Did he not want her to know they are not biologically related? Was he scared that would change things? Either way, Red did not count on something: Liz loves him for him. Not because she thought they shared DNA.
As someone who wanted them to be related so much, this scene helped salve that wound quite a bit. Liz and Red are still father and daughter. They still care about each other that way. Nothing about learning the truth has changed that for them. Hence, it has changed nothing for me.
Liz’s decision also means that despite some lingering questions about Red and Ilya, Liz trusts him with Agnes. Unlike the distrust that had sent her scouring for answers earlier in Season 6, Liz finally seems at peace with Red. She proved that by asking for his help training Agnes for the future.
In a sign that Liz’s life has had more of a design to it than initially thought, Red coughed up one truth. That Liz becoming an FBI agent was not an accident. Liz’s life has been engineered more than she and this viewer ever entirely realized. Maybe even more than has gotten revealed so far.
Instead of being bitter about that, Liz is ready to leverage it. Now, Red (Ilya?) will help Liz train her daughter. Agnes is coming home! What will that mean for The Blacklist going forward?
Agnes’ young life has already been quite dramatic and tragic. She was kidnapped as a baby and lost her father. The safest place she can be is with Liz and Red.
No matter how angry he is, I do think he will forgive Liz. Or at least, I hope he will. Red has to make a choice to love Liz back the way she loves him. He enjoyed playing along that he was her father and I think it stung him to have to stop living that illusion.
If he is Ilya, Red always knew she was not his daughter. Maybe there was a bit of fear that her learning that would cost him their relationship and her continued interest in maintaining their relationship. Liz’s decision about her daughter is a huge gesture of trust towards Red.
Whatever her issues in the past, she is trusting him with the most precious thing in her life. Her daughter. Hopefully Red can reciprocate with some affection. Or at least, less hostility.
Tune in to find out where Liz and Red’s relationship goes from here when The Blacklist continues. New episodes air Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
