Gather the Team & Let’s Talk About Highlights from “The Director, Part 1”

Gather the Team & Let’s Talk About Highlights from “The Director, Part 1”

If you haven’t yet found a way to check in with the winter premiere of The Blacklist, then I have to ask – where are your priorities? All kidding aside, this episode was promoted as the one “three seasons in the making”. Honestly, can’t say that I disagree with that. There IS truth in advertising kids!

From the minute Ressler escorted Liz into the Post Office, until the moment with Raymond and Aram at the grave site, this last episode of The Blacklist was a fun and exhilarating roller coaster ride that I really didn’t want to get off of. Raymond was in rare form and had a laser focus on protecting Liz and putting a plan in motion to secure an important piece in the plan to do so. Which, I might add, was executed flawlessly with Samar’s help.

Ressler had his “ah-ha” moment, Aram stepped up in amazing ways and Tom worked with people he dislikes and distrusts in order to do his part to save the woman he loves. Let’s dive into some of my favorite moments from the episode…

Highlights from “The Director, Part 1”

One of my favorite things about the show, besides the overarching story of The Blacklist, is the dialogue between characters. Seems like lately, Tom Keen has been getting the lion’s share of the best one-liners, and Cooper isn’t far behind!

Tom: “You got anything to eat around here? I’m starving.”
Cooper: “I’m sure Charlene knows her way around the kitchen.” (Nice burn Cooper)

Tom to Ressler: “You’re just a one man justice league, aren’t ya?”

Again, Tom to Ressler: “Did you even go to the Academy?”

Favorite New Character: Cyntha Pannabaker, White House Council. This woman better stick around. I could really get used to her constantly sticking it to Hitchens and The Director. Well, at least for the rest of their short, miserable lives (which we know won’t be too long). The brash cockiness of the Director and how he is basically flaunting the fact that he is trying to kill Elizabeth is truly disturbing. Yet, I know it will only help to make his imminent demise that much sweeter.

However, one of the real highlights of this episode of The Blacklist, for me, was the showdown between Tom, Ressler and Karakurt against Solomon and the Cabal’s minions.

It really was something to behold. All the actual shooting was beside the point, but the interactions between Tom and Ressler were priceless. Between Ressler telling Tom about Tommy Markin, to Tom continuing to verbally pick on Ressler, there wasn’t a wasted moment through it. Of course, I am just thrilled that Tom made it through, as I have made it no secret that I am definitely a fan.

Should a spin-off ever arise from The Blacklist, I can only hope that Mr. Bokenkamp will consider the trio of Ressler, Cooper and Keen becoming core members of Red’s Army.

I love that Ressler is finally coming around; that he sees what everyone’s been trying to warn him about since Liz went on the run. I can’t lie, part of me was really hoping that he would have put a bullet in Solomon’s head, however, having him still be a good agent is probably in Liz’s best interest. For now.

Let’s Talk About My New Hero, Aram

Why Aram was the perfect choice to protect Liz: Out of the main members of the task force, he is the most unassuming and timid. Of course, we know that he can step up when needed, but people like Laurel Hitchens or the Director aren’t going to peg him for the one to stand in there way. This became quite evident once we realized that on Reddington’s word, Aram went ahead and changed the code on the box so the Director wasn’t able to access it.

Aram proved this point again when he not only threatened to go to the press and talk about what the Cabal was doing to try and kill Liz, but then proceeded to pull a gun on those trying to remove her from the box. But, he cares for his friend and knows that if he doesn’t open it, she’ll die from the poisoned air she was breathing. Oh, and the new password: Navabi. (Yea, my heart broke a little too).

Hitchens depends on Ressler being the boy scout she perceives him to be and follow orders to apprehend Liz. She even tells him, “Good Job Agent Ressler,” as he parades Liz past here. What she didn’t notice? Aram’s little head nod to Liz: a knowing look to say, I’ve got your back. But she didn’t see him because he blended into the array of people in the background just watching the dead-woman-walking.

Amir Arison was beyond exceptional in his scenes while protecting Liz, and again later as he stood by the open grave talking with Raymond. Which leads me to the final spotlight moment of the episode…

Raymond and Aram in the Graveyard

“Why did you ask me to meet you at an empty grave?”

“There are foundational elements in our lives. People, that form the brick and mortar of who we are. People that are so deeply embedded, we take their existence for granted. Suddenly they are not there, and we collapse into rubble. I’ve stood over the open grave of someone I’ve loved, too often. Once for my mother, and then, the others. I needed to recall this feeling because… I’d be staring at another body right now if not for you Aram. It wasn’t weakness that prevented you from watching your friend die today, it was hope. And thank heavens you were in a hopeful mood. You saved Elizabeth. I am forever in your debt. Now gather your team, it’s time to take down the Cabal.”

I cannot wait for the next episode of The Blacklist to air. The promo looks amazing and the momentum from the first part of The Director is in full swing. What’s Red’s plan? Will all these people be able to work together to pull off what will amount to be one of the biggest moment’s in the show’s history!

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and discussions on The Blacklist! Episode 10, “The Director, Conclusion” airs on Thursday, January 14th at 9 p.m. on NBC.