Blacklist Season 2 episode 23

The Blacklist closed its third season with a few predictable bangs, as it continued laying the groundwork for its spin-off and spun new webs of intrigue for itself in Alexander Kirk (No. 14): Conclusion.

It has been an interesting season of The Blacklistfilled with fake outs, make outs and break outs. After a 23-episode season that ambitiously comprised 3 two-parters, countless cliffhangers and the addition of a baby; Jon Bokenkamps stunning serial/procedural hybrid; called it a day.

The end result is a season finale that answered a few questions and begged many more. Here were the Top 5 takeaways from Alexander Kirk (No. 14): Conclusion

#5 The Top 5 Wishes that Came True

Out of the Top 5 things we wanted to see in the finale, three of them came true. #5 A Reasonable Explanation for Toms Exit: This was 97% achieved so we are counting it. While the mechanics of Toms (Ryan Eggold) abduction were questionable, his exit makes sense. How The Blacklist: Redemption will aim to resolve why he would not be able to eventually escape his captors and reunite with his family, is still up for viewer speculation. #4 Reds Full Return to Power: For the first time in a long time, Red (James Spader) was back in complete control. Disagree or agree with his tactics, he was pretty much restored to his season 1 self. #1 The Return of Liz: Towards the end of the episode, Liz (Megan Boone) was revealed to be alive and well. As it turns out; she, Tom and Mr. Kaplan (Susan Blommaert) colluded to fake her death.

#4 The Top 5 Wishes that Were Not Granted

Two of the five wishes that did not come true, were also two of the most pivotal. #3 A Status Update on Lizs Ex-Boyfriend/Doctor: Via flashback it was revealed how Nik (Peter Marek) helped orchestrate the faking of Lizs death and that he foretold Red would kill him for failing Lizzie. Whether that actually happened or not, still remains a mystery. #2 Reds Connection to Liz Revealed: Another season finale has come and gone with no pertinent information that puts us any closer to learning the true reason Red stepped into Lizs life.

THE BLACKLIST Season: 3 Pictured: James Spader as Raymond Red Reddington (Photo by: Sandro/NBC)

#3 Toms Bizarre Behavior Explained

Ever since Liz died, Toms behavior has run absolutely counter to how one would a expect a heartbroken widow, turned overnight single father, to be. Now we know why he barely shed a tear at her funeral and did not hesitate to be as flirty with his marks.

#2 A Moral and Ethical Debate

One of the things The Blacklist has always been good at, is managing to never take its eye off the central theme of right and wrong, guilt or innocence and justice vs. revenge. Despite everything that was coming to a head, Alexander Kirk (No. 14): Conclusion found time to incorporate the series central question surrounding what it means to cross an ethical boundary, in the name of what one feels is a moral obligation. As everyone from Harold (Harry Lennix) to Ressler (Diego Klattenhoff) and Aram (Amir Arison) wrestled with their internal conflict over sanctioning Reds execution of Alexander Kirk (Ulrich Thomsen).

#1 The Red Herring We All Saw Coming
For fans who firmly believe that Red is actually Lizs biological father, hence the lengths he has gone to protect her; the series attempted to sway their faith with Alexander Kirks proclamation that he is Lizs long-lost father. Forgive us for not being immediately influenced. Just this year, a character claimed to be the real Raymond Reddington and one character floated that Katarina Rostova was the latterly revealed Scottie Hargrave. Red herrings are par for the course on The Blacklist and this is probably just the latest in a long line.

Be sure to find out how all of these puzzle pieces work out when The Blacklist returns in fall 2016.