Who Is Raymond Reddington? | THE BLACKLIST Finale Explained.

THE BLACKLIST Series Finale. Reddington Identity Explained.
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[@Tava]

James in this role honestly is one of the best acting performances i have ever seen

[@rafaelpetro7346]

I agree completely!

[@Ceen328]

I am with with you. Spader was simply great. Sadly, this wasn't enough for me, to ignore Liz (the character, not the actress). Her writing was so bad, that I didn't manage to watch past S5. Tried it 3 times...

[@xinvinmen629sheridan9]

That’s because he’s not acting, he’s playing James spader

[@YahBoiiBullet]

Seriously

[@ZLwh1ne]

Ultron was a fantastic role

[@DrAmanKapoor]

Ressler finding Raymond's body makes it full circle of Ressler being the one leading the search for Red in the beginning and at the end finding him literally

[@JLvatron]

Funny how the bull hesitated at 1st and changed his mind about charging him. He then must have realized it's Raymond Reddington, and he'll become famous for killing him!

[@crebiekumbire]

exactly 🤝

[@silversurfer790]

You need watch "Less Than Zero" with him and Robert Downey Rr. & Jamie Gertz...90's classic and Spader at his best

[@muimelelinethanani7236]

As a result of the ending, Directed By: Mike Caracciolo Written By: Lukas Reiter These two are now in my blacklist

[@tannishasmith1708]

😂

[@hootboon5323]

Never Forget

[@itschristyleigh4586]

I know a good clean up crew

[@GurudattSinha]

😂

[@jsokla7515]

😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆

[@SuzyQ89]

James Spader was brilliant in this role!

[@christianlady60]

I like James spader he is an amazing actor

[@dustinbrilliant2113]

Totally agree

[@oakarusa]

I totally agree with you.... I have seen this actor different roles in Boston legal and Mannequin....

[@mlmartin2922]

James Spader has been a great actor since I first saw him in the 80's movies. If you haven't seen Less Than Zero (James Spader and Robert Downey, Jr) it's a good watch, maybe one of his lesser known movies roles. Also White Palace (James Spader and Susan Sarandon)

[@shadowlann4426]

He executive produced some of it. As well as

[@jacquelyngolinski5098]

One of the worst endings of a series. 10 years of watching to get no answers in the end.

[@GA-wq8xq]

@@toromontana8290no he is a man and faked his death.

[@dranzacspartan8002]

Red is definitely Liz's Older Brother, making Agnes his niece.

[@jadonaaron5475]

@@toromontana8290 correct if anyone payed attention to the series they would see it it became to get as clear as day as the series came to a end especially when Liz didn’t wanna shoot him that confirmed it

[@Dragondude1]

​@toromontana8290 There's no real evidence no matter how hard you can reach. It's more likely he's the real Ray Reddington.

[@Nyleen609]

I feel the same no answers!

[@SilverB83]

I truly think Blacklist is one of the best TV series ever created. Absolutely amazing. I also think Blacklist has one of the worst endings of any series ever. Did the writers just give up? Such a shame to end an amazing series this way.

[@theastewart6721]

It seems they sure got lazy. Truly pathetic.

[@johnkrstyen7351]

Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Sons of Anarchy, Justified etc are all better.

[@noeleen5250]

Are you forgetting Game of Thrones?

[@Ncat1202]

I believe they were hurried and when your rushed your product looks like it's been rushed

[@christianlady60]

I.liked the blacklist to but I didn't like the way it ended either that stinks that they letting it end that way not knowing who the real Raymond reddington is

[@stevejohnson4337]

After 10 years and 218 episodes I watched the finale. Although we don't get all the answers I felt the ending reflected the character that we had come to know. Bye Mr Reddington and taskforce. This journey has been amazing. So many great stories and characters. Great work. Thank you all.

[@josefkilberger6005]

Vás ani trochu nezajímá proč to všechno dělal a na co hledal odpověd?

[@oledesign]

The shots fired on Ressler weren't simply placed on the vest to restrain him, but also to not make him appear suspicious for remaining unharmed.

[@ka-md8ue]

In what episode is that?

[@theiaraine]

@@ka-md8ue 10.21

[@yoursisterslife9515]

I loved how it ended but like most of you I hoped to see who he was. After reading all of these I kinda see the point about being Katarina but man she must have had one hell of a doc

[@jacquethomson4998]

Thankyou james spader for your amazing performances that have kept me captivated. You are brilliant. I will miss this show . 😢

[@exile_7756]

Thanks for the video. But there are a lot of pieces that could have been added here to show for sure who Reddington really is. MULTIPLE reveals when pieced together pretty much give a full confirmation that Reddington is actually Katarina herself. Dating back to the much earlier seasons - they reveal a few people in particular on the black list that are crucial to this. 1 of the Blacklister's is a top black market plastic surgeon that can Change Appearance entirely. And 2. Another Blacklister is revealed that can Even change someone's DNA entirely. This is your first hint that Reddington (even though the blood shows Reddington) is someone else entirely. They are giving you a preview that someone can completely alter appearance and even change DNA. There is the infamous episode where Red is alone at the Beach house, where he seemingly comes in and out of consciousness, it's blurred between the appearance we see here and Katarina herself. It was confusing at the time because we didn't have 10 seasons of info, but after the fact if you watch it's another hint showing he is indeed Katarina. They show the scenes back and forth showing through his eyes, and then back to Katarina's. And it's later confirmed she/he was home alone in the house. It's a blurred memory as she's taken on a new indentity. There are countless other minor clues that can be inferred to add to this theory but I'm going to name a few other major things here to help as well in particular -- Later they show flashbacks of Katarina and Ilya together and how the idea to become reddington himself would be genius. Your led to believe that was Ilya but later it was confirmed it was not him (but still someone did in fact become Reddington). It was also confirmed a female did come in to visit that plastic surgeon for major surgery and changes. It's never explicitly said but it is also inferred that it was Katarina and Ilya who visited this surgeon years ago. Look at Kaplan's closeness to "red". If you watch in the flashbacks, her true allegiance was always to Katarina and Elizabeth, no one else. It's why they were so close all those years. After some time she believed that Keen should know that truth as well and hence she set out to show Elizabeth the real raymond reddington's bones to prove he was not reddington. It was confirmed by the ex Dr dude and his connections from that bone marrow that those were indeed the real reddington's bones. Red never wanted to tell Keen he was Katarina, because if he did , it would possibly leak out that Katarina is indeed still alive which puts not only him/herself at greater risk, but also Elizabeth as well. TOwards the end before Keen dies he takes Elizabeth to the actual blacklist area where you can see the flashbacks and memories. In the memory it's all but revealed even further because the scene once again changes back and from from this reddington to katarina, uttering the words to her that was earlier shown came from Katarina's mouth! You can look up the exact scene. Red puts the truth in the letter, and the whole reason he wanted Dembe to give it to her after Keen shot him was so she would go through with it. If she indeed knew the truth that he was in fact her mother, she would never be able to go through with it. She would be responsible for BOTH of her parents deaths. The real raymond reddington years ago jsut before the fire and her mother. Dembe gave her the letter early and she in fact could not go through with it!! She couldn't shoot him. Who else's identity could he possibly be that she suddenly cared so much for him/her even after all they've been through and done to one another throughout the show. And lastly, it's small details but Agnes later calls him the nickname Pinky, which is a feminine nickname. And at the very end, their last conversation she says to Red " You are acting like such a mom , pinky" Red laughs and says " I guess I just can't help it". It's inferred again through this last conversation that she can't help it because deep down, she is indeed a mother, always has been. And it explains fully why Red/She would go to such great great lengths to protect Elizabeth. There are so many more facts out there to infer and piece together but these are some major ones revealed throughout the show that are very commanding evidence on who Red has always been. You also have to ask yourself, (since the bones were indeed revealed by Marrow/dna examination to indeed be the old raymond reddington) Who else on Earth would go to such great lengths to protect Keen? Her Mother. There's nothing stronger on the planet than a Mother or Father's love for their child. Sorry for this essay but I just thought I should mention all this to hopefully clear up any confusion and maybe help someone be at peace with the ending more! Peace!

[@bverji]

Red admits to Kirk that Liz is his daughter. The viewer later finds out that the real Redington is dead and Liz's father. That is rather direct confirmation of what Red's identity is.

[@jfbjavaforbeginners4176]

Yeah this makes a lot of sense and I do support it

[@c19crazyhorse82]

I agree with this Theory completely. I wish you would make a video so I could show my fiance I'm not the only one that thinks this.

[@StephTheCoolKid]

thank you I needed that confirmation

[@aidanemmy]

i think the real answer is that the writers needed to do whatever they could to keep the audience guessing so they invented new twists that got weirder as the show went on. I'm glad I stopped watching after season 4 lol

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

Watched it back to back, all 10 seasons and cried my eyes out at the end both times. I would like to have seen Red killed off in episode 21 and then episode 22 could dedicated entirely to Red's funeral, flying his body back, everyone saying their bit at various times, explanations of what happens to each cast member by each cast member etc.. and also revealing who Red was, the reveal coming from the "letter" being read out at the funeral during Dembe's eulogy. It would have tied everything up in a neat bow imo.

[@TIAlbrecht]

I did the same - started only a few weeks back and binge watched the whole series. The ending was completely fitting, he alway did things his way and to be honest this kind of a suicide by the bull was foreseeable after the story he told earlier during this season about this torrero dying the same death. The whole last season felt like a long goodbye to me, I felt really sad while watching all the episodes and it was completely clear that Red would commit suicide. The only other season that had me almost as unhappy for a really long stretch was season 6 when he was on death row (although I knew for sure he would survive that ;)). For the question of Red's true identity I will go with Liz's mother: Katharina Rostova. There just isn't any other explanation and the funny thing was that I thought during some close ups even in season one Red certainly had a very soft and kind of a female facial expression (although at that time I still thought he was Liz's father). The one thing I would love to know is from when James Spader knew about this and if he maybe conveyed the truth with his acting. One way or the other - I loved the show, mutated to a James Spader fan and am now enjoying watching many old movies ;)

[@C-handle-r]

I agree!

[@bverji]

@@TIAlbrecht One of the show creators has stated in an interview that they told Spader that Red was an imposter and who he was before they began shooting. It has also been confirmed by one of the staff writers that they were told Red was Katarina when the show hired its own writing staff in season 2.

[@TIAlbrecht]

@@bverji Thanks so much for sharing - I would have thought that he knew from the beginning because of the many small signs and the overall feeling I got from watching The Blacklist. This underscores that he is an amazing actor :)

[@thmsmgnm.4513]

Small matter of Red being DNA tested as well as Liz earlier in the first seasons. Too much retconning and a complete lack of understanding of biology for Red to be the mother.

[@billc.8569]

I actually think the writers at this point had no idea who Red was. I am dissapointed that they didn't reveal his secret right before Keen died. I feel that he was the real Raymond Reddington and used the black lister from I believe season 1 or 2 to alter his DNA, which is why he didn't have a DNA match. The ending was ok overall, I would have liked to have seen 10 more minutes to it for the aftermath. Perhaps Keen's daughter when she was 18 recieving a fortune from Red and possibly money going to various members of the task force. The Bull was ok but wanted to see him still be able to talk but dying when Ressler showed up and him telling Ressler, "You finally got your man" giving a good wrap up for Ressler too.

[@sankalp6872]

Actually, it was NBC (the studio) that forbid the reveal fearing political backlash. The writers wanted to give answers.

[@dranzacspartan8002]

@@sankalp6872 I call BS. The writers did NOT know who Red was. But I have an answer. Red was Liz's older brother. Red was a child born of a Child Raped Katrina. Katrina then had Liz in her late 30s. BANG!!!! Age gap covered. Red is Liz's older brother. The writers can use this for free. No need to thank me.

[@Blinkncali21]

@@sankalp6872 I heard that as well did they say if they had their way everyone would know the truth by the end.

[@Blinkncali21]

It drove me crazy that Liz got to know the truth before she died cause Dembe let her read the letter, He was either her mother or her father cause he told Alexander Kirk that Liz was his daughter but never said he was her father. The letter made Liz tell her daughter that no matter what happen she could trust Red. So I'm guessing the mother but if they had gone that route people would have said Red was only Trans to be woke, I like your ending with Ressler. It would have been nice for Howard to come home and see the letter sitting on the table for him to read and then give to Agnus when she was old enough. Also idk if you remember but he set aside money for Agnus the day she was born Liz didn't want it but Red said something like well it's there for her.

[@dranzacspartan8002]

@@Blinkncali21 But Red was Liz's older Brother, making Angus his niece.

[@himalayansensation]

I loved the ending - he didn't die from his disease, nor by his friends in the task force, nor by his enemies. Death by the bull was an honourable death. I didn't mind the unanswered questions, that is who Red was - enigmatic. Perfect ending.

[@dalefrancis9414]

I also think the show ending without fully knowing who he is seems exactly the type of thing Reddington would do.

[@claytonwhitman2611]

Exactly. We probably already know who Reddington is actually, and he pulled his misdirection tricks, and now we have discounted the Real truth, not knowing it was Real. In the end, he chose his own death, his own way, which is how he did everything: his own way.

[@titchblackbeard1993]

yes exactly, it's the perfect ending

[@Salena905]

Yes, I agree

[@axucaroso]

Raymond - whoever he was in a past life, he IS Reddington now and into eternity. The rest is all smoke and mirrors, a ghost living and returning to his body. What matters is that Red lived his life with elan, verve, and fearlessness. Like most of us, he was neither the worst thing he had done nor the best thing. He has saved the life of every member of the task force, directly or directly, punished Blacklisters, often by his own hand, and Lord, the man could wear a hat, and enjoy a meal. He could be a wonderful and generous employer, or a terrifying adversary - at the same time. He was kind to all sorts of innocents: small children, old women, and madmen. He would also, without hesitation or remorse, put a bullet in the brain of betrayers and murderers. Raymond has left us, and has left us better for having stood in his light as well as his shadow.

[@Raju-vx6ew]

James Spader's acting was mesmerizing. The way he could change the feelings in his face was truly amazing. I am watching it for the third just to see his performance.

[@francescocipriani5742]

⁠​​⁠1) in the episode (8x20) after Tatiana tortured Dom and Dom revealed the position of Katarina , Tatiana says: all those years searching for answers and you were right in front of me. 2) From the begin Reddington said “ everything about me is a lie” 3) during the torture with Kirk , Kirk asked him : are you the father of Masha? Red said no then Kirk asked : Is Masha your daughter? Red said yes , he spares him because Reddington whispered him that he is Katarina that would be the only reason he didn’t kill him and that made him shattered 4) then there is the episode Cape May in which Red is a beach house where Katarina went during is escape and killed many people that were searching for her and Reddington has the same memories and does the same thing that did Katarina , he has hallucinations and he sees Katarina 5) Katarina is the only who know Ilya and Ivan , she knows Ilya from childhood and Red and Ilya sitting on the bench talks about when they were children 6) In Nachalo (8x21) everything is explained and it’s possibile to understand that Katarina is Reddington that had a surgery to become him and in fact there is also a blacklister who is a doctor who change the aspect of criminals and Red before giving the archive of this doctor removed his file. 7)Reddington said to Liz that he was there during the night of the fire but in the memories we can see that in the house there are only Real Red Masha Katarina and Ilya , Masha came back to the house to get her teddy bear and Katarina goes to get her out and both she and Masha get burned and we can see in an episode the back of Reddington burned then in 8x20 Red said to Liz that was horrible to see her suffer and then in 8x20 we see the logo of the Red roofing company in Latvia that is Liz’s scar , there are just some of the proofs that he is Katarina and that cannot be dispute

[@justsaying8]

Wow great explanation. Thank you

[@r.alanjohnson2085]

So what illness do you believe he was suffering from in season 10?

[@gequiros]

So, Raymond is Lesbian....

[@mr.kaplan5022]

Thank you for doing this. I was going to but couldn't due to laziness😂 i hope you won't mind me copying

[@francescocipriani5742]

@@mr.kaplan5022 you are welcome , no problem

[@wildcats9115]

I just finished watching this series today and I think my life will never be the same again. Didn’t expect Raymond to be killed by a bull. I wanted closure, I wanted answers, and I don’t think I will ever get any. As for the question regarding Raymond’s identity, I somehow could believe the second theory but I have a different reason to believe that. When he gave relationship advice to Agnes, she said “You’re being such a Mom!”, to which, Reddington replied “I just can’t help it” :)

[@kalemos]

So, you have your answer.

[@kristinazagreb6840]

If it quacks like a duck and move like a duck, than it probably is a duck.

[@brockkies8566]

I felt like the scene on the bed in the last episode was somewhat of a confirmation of the theory that Red was Elizabeth's mother. When Agnes said oh Pinky you sound like a mom, and Red had his legs crossed and laid back on the bed with a big smile and said yes I can't help it. I'm not a huge fan of this theory, but it makes the most sense. I can't for the life of me think why Red would care so much about Elizabeth throughout the show if this wasn't the case. He already told Liz he was not her father, so the theory of him surviving the gun shot and fire I could buy, but not if he told Elizabeth he is not her father. Some can argue he was her dad until that night and he changed and was no longer the same person, but this character cared for Elizabeth Keen too much that he would have told her if he truly was her father.

[@Neeko90]

I think Reddington is and should always be, a myth and a legend. The reward of learning the secret behind a magic trick rarely if ever outweighs the cost; removing even more of what little mystery there's left in the world. Maybe it's better left unknown.

[@elitex2972]

i said the same thing it reminded me of the character in V for vendetta

[@lisaalekna6940]

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!

[@wiktorutracki6469]

Very much agree. The mystery is vital to him, part of who he was. I'm glad we didn't get definitive answers

[@williamkimera5620]

@@wiktorutracki6469I wanted to get answers but it would defeat the purpose of mystery! It also allows us to think deeply about him. If the finale had showed answers, People would say “I saw this coming”

[@thefrozenfire659]

​@@williamkimera5620If a plot twist is done right it doesn't matter that you saw it coming. It makes the twist even better. It needs to balance between being too obvious or being too surprising. It also has be an interesting twist. Reddington being Reddington would have been a boring twist. I believe confirming Reddington was the mother of Elizabeth would have been the perfect twist for this show. We had hints. Even more than mentioned in the video. But it is still not obvious. Not confirming it is just an unsatisfying ending for me. I understand that they wanted to keep the mystery for the task force. But they could still reveal it to the viewer. Atleast we are told that Elizabeth knew the truth in the end and Agnes does too, doesn't she? Honestly that plot twist would have saved the show for me. I still watched it and enjoyed it. But that twist would have made the difference between a good show and a masterpiece for me. That ending just disappointed me.

[@xBigbrainenergy]

I think it’s clear who Raymond is..he is katarina Rostova. Reddington is Elizabeths mother. It was written in the letter he wanted to give her after she killed him. Dembe gave it to her before she died and she told agnes a bit of the content. Because agnes and Reddington once played a game in which she said that reddington is russian. Another example are the flashbacks in which we see katarina with ilay talking about a way to completely changing a person into reddington. They did it… but it was katarina who became reddington. Thats also why Mr. Kaplin is with him. She was her nanny and they trusted each other. We also know he is ill, and we saw him having flashbacks from katarina at the Beach house. How could he have these clear flashbacks when we know he isn’t the real reddington and not ilay who never were at this beach house? These were his own memories as katarina. There are a lot more but i think even in the last episode its getting kinda clear. Call with Agnes "Pinky you are being such a Mom" Red: " yea.. I guess i just cant help it". Agnes is his granddaughter.

[@ddb44267]

I thought they made it clear when Elizabeth died that Red was Katarina.

[@jakedrago7805]

The evidence is clear to all who actually look at no reveal is needed .

[@jeffstrauser4520]

He's the real reddington. He's not a woman

[@marcreader3022]

Very smart, i never ever would have picked up on that, but you are so right, only Red could find a surgeon that good!

[@reeses712300]

His blood work did not come back a woman so he definitely is not Katarina.

[@nicholas6683]

Raymond isn't dead he's actually Alan shore and having a drink with Denny Crane 😂

[@Supplementarian]

When characters would ask who Reddington really is, I would answer Alan Shore. Especially in those courtroom scenes, Jimmy was clearly enjoying himself.

[@JLvatron]

I think Reddington was really the alcoholic character on Seinfeld, who was in the 12-step program on Step 9. When he advanced to Step 10, without giving George a Step-9 apology, George branded him "a Step Skippa!" Reddington even mentioned the Alcoholics 12-step program and particularly Step 9, in multiple episodes of Blacklist. In the finale, a dying Reddington should have told Ressler, "Tell George, ...I am Not sorry."

[@JohnAlbright-w8x]

Have a 2 hour movie after autopsy on Red. Finding out who he was. 2nd hour could be 5 yrs later to see what the task force is doing and how Agnus is as well. John A

[@rachelgrig9985]

Took me forever to understand who "Agnus" was :) It's "Agnes."

[@PRHILL9696]

He was the real red and the dad of Liz

[@robertpreston2220]

that would be nice

[@laurahildreth2693]

Yes please!

[@bobbytheblade2550]

I once strived to be a writer and came up with fabulous stories that everybody loved except for one thing they all had in common: no satisfying end. I was not able to form a solid end to any of my stories, and they all were burned in a back yard fire pit that day I just gave up. Fast forward 40 years... Today, I still tell my stories every day but only to myself. I dream of my stories every night, and the endings are all open and fluid. Blacklist ended like many of my stories, and sometimes you just go with an ending and move on. Respect to the writers, actors and all involved!

[@JLvatron]

So you want us to blame YOU for the non-resolution? lol! I also write, but I have always needed endings. Do you regret burning your stories?

[@annickvanpaemel6734]

One of the best shows i've watched over the years! James Spader is absolutely brilliant in this role. I go with the theorie that Red is Lizz' mum. My mind was there in earlier seasons but then her "mum" turned up an threw me off that path and then her "mum" wasent her "mum" and i got back to that theorie. There are lots of references to it, if you read between the lines. Even in the last episode: Red phones Agnes. Agnes: Pinky, your being such a mom. Red: Yeah, i guess i just can't help it. Signs the deal for me. I like the ending. I thought he would keel over in the end whilst enjoying his surroundings, but the bull was epic imo. It even made me shed a tear lol I loved it start to finish, have watched it many times over the years and now ill guess i will have to start over again, one last time🙂

[@someguy4131]

It's obvious who Raymond reddington is.... Clearly he is the friends we made along the way 😌

[@hetaes]

Raymond Reddington was himself. He survived the fire. There is an episode that shows burns on his back. He never wanted to claim the title "father" with Elizabeth. He likely thought it would be disrespectful to Sam since he raised her. Raymond genuinely loved Katarina and likely knew of her whereabouts to which he never disclosed; however, had a letter for Elizabeth. Her unwillingness to shoot him proves the theory that he was, indeed, her father. His death scene makes sense. No one killed him. No one would receive the glory of killing him and taking his place. That spot was reserved for Elizabeth only. For someone like Raymond, that was the perfect ending. His last stand was with a bull.

[@kanieloutis2852]

That doesn't mean anything, Katarina was also burned during the fire, she says it in season 8

[@kalemos]

You're in denial...

[@JLvatron]

That's a good theory that Reddington is Really Reddington. As for only Liz allowed to kill him, that honour was also reserved for the Bull.

[@RafThunderMiner]

@@kanieloutis2852Katarina displayed in the series season 8 wasn’t the real Katarina as they explained it . Probably those bones in the suitcause were katarina’s real bones that’s why Kaplan said when they unearthed it “You really don’t want to let Elizabeth know what you did to Katarina” . In another video I have fully explained my theory that our Red was the real one but I am tired writing again 😅

[@RafThunderMiner]

Found my previous comments . Here is my theory why our Red is the real Red: Red was the real Red. Katarina died in the fire and the skull and bones was hers but he altered the dna so he can remain "dead" as of to become someone else and built an empire in order to unveil the conspiracy with the volcrum. He needed to become someone else and changed his face so he can be a new person . Dembe said when they unearthed the bag "She might found out what you really did to Katarina" meaning killing her. After season & the show was awful and seemed like a filler because the creator left the show. You all forget Katarina's father that everytime he saw Red he was furious about what he had caused him. Katarina betrayed and framed our real Red and I think that he wrote those things in the letter. Last but not least, let's not forget the episode with Harold's Navy background in early seasons. He clearly mentioned that everything was said in that hidden meeting (where Red was supervising and we see his name tag) only the real Red would know . That was before he started building his empire. Also he tells Harold over a "thousand" times that he is not a traitor to America and he never was. Moreover we see Katarina after the fire she doesn't have Red's burns on her back. Instead we see perfectly on screen a man with a blue coat bringing liz and her rabbit back and we then see him lying on the ground surrounded by the flames

[@JoanneRVG]

James Spader was absolutely brilliant in this role!

[@gurushakti69]

Some stories you just can't tell. This is the perfect ending. Rage against the dying of light is the final message given to fans. James spader at his very best. Its life's journey that matters and not the destination. Great job James.

[@hauntedbearchild]

Him being the real Raymond Reddington makes sense. In an early season it showed horrible burn scars on his back. He would have so many reasons for wanting to make people think he was really dead.

[@Army-cs9dz]

Raymond doesn't lie though but there was another man there that day

[@brunowella1182]

What about those skeleton keen found?

[@francescocipriani8888]

NO , real Reddington knew where the fulcrum was , fake Red doesn’t know where is it

[@francescocipriani8888]

It doesn’t make sense also because from the begin he said : EVERYTHING ABOUT ME IS A LIE”

[@ayanfeadeyemi9711]

Red doesn't lie..... He made it clear he isn't Liz father.... But clue was directing him to being the mother

[@dranzacspartan8002]

Red's violent death by a Bull is not in question. It was a good way for Red to go, under his own terms. However, the issue is that, after 10 years, Red's identity was NOT revealed, and the letter to Liz was also NOT revealed. This was extremely sloppy writing, and as with LOST, Dexter, and GOT, the series now goes into the Rubbish Bin. Why would we want to watch re-runs, or tell people to watch is, when it was all pointless. The only way to save the series, and give it a historic lifeline is for the Writers to write a Special 45 minute episode where they do NOTHING BUT answer all the questions they presented the viewers with. They could zoom in on Red's mutilated body, with the final tear running down his check, and by the time the tear completes its journey and dries up, we could all have flash backs revealing all. Such as, seeing Katrina become Red, or that Katrina was a child rape victim and gave birth to Red, then at 30 she gave birth to Liz ... making Red her older brother. We could see the moment Liz opened Red's letter, against his wishes, and see the letter and her reaction. We could have a glimpse of what Red has set up for this granddaughter/niece. By doing this, will make Blacklist the most incredible series made. But as is stands, it junk.

[@jameshollister8294]

I agree I think we should sign a petion as fans and request a special

[@danyamarcovitz1681]

The ending was beautiful and poetic! I am irritated by people who do not agree with me. When Redington wants to return the skull of the famous bull to the place he was raised I thought of Picasso! He walks in the field and sees the bull. The scene changes to the blacklist crew looking for him. Then Reisler finds him and the bull is grazing. I cried! I was that carried away!!! It was brilliant don't let anyone tell you anything different.❤

[@danyamarcovitz1681]

I don't care about Raymond's real identity, or what was in the letter or anything. It ended beautifully. Why should everything be tied up on little pink bows? What closure do you need? It was a wonderful series that got a ten year run!!!

[@dranzacspartan8002]

@@danyamarcovitz1681 You're missing the point. The death of Red was appropriate, and it was sad. But the issue is NOT the death of Red, far from it. It is the fact the the Writers did NOT explicitly tell us who Red was, and what was in the letter to Liz. There were many questions posed by the Writers, but they did NOT answer them at the end. Quite a different issue to what you're addressing here.

[@dranzacspartan8002]

@@danyamarcovitz1681 The problem with NO closure is that people will NOT re-visit past episodes to search for clues they may have missed ... part of the fun and engagement. Why would they go back when at the end of it all, it was all pointless. Also, if people ask about Blacklist, we will respond to ... don't waste your time. It's like Dexter, Lost, GOT. Great shows, but we-re not bothered to rewatch the episodes because it was pointless at the end. Look at Lost, the whole world was on edge to find out the ending to Lost ... and all they came up with was ... they were 6 years in purgatory. What rubbish is that!

[@erikjohnson3255]

I liked the ending. With Elizabeth dead, no answers are needed. Red just needed to close things out. His empire existed solely to keep Elizabeth safe - so he dismantled it in fare and equitable way and found his "poetic" death.

[@josefkilberger6005]

Noncense.If he didn’t interfere in her life she would be safe!He didn’t protect her,he needed her for his plan.

[@josefkilberger6005]

@@toromontana8290However,Katarina really succeeded!Everyone is dead because of her!

[@SeppoNakkinen]

The series pretty much revolved around Reddingtons identity from the start, after 218 episodes clear answer would have been nice.

[@josefkilberger6005]

@@SeppoNakkinen You’re right. So who do you think Reddinkton is?

[@SeppoNakkinen]

@@josefkilberger6005 Katarina makes most sense, especially if you consider that there has been at least borderline sci-fi moments with medicine and science, so even tho in real life growing a much larger chest cavity is not feasible (I assume). Everything else in the range of modern surgery, I quess.

[@jsokla7515]

I think RR was the younger brother of Elizabeth's father (spy) who assumed his brothers identity with the help of the FBI and CIA. The brother doublecrossed the government and went rogue as payback for framing his older brother. Early in the series there is a scene where Ramond was remembering a family dinner and there was the back of another boy sitting at the table. I'm disappointed the writers left the main mystery unanswered.

[@ka-md8ue]

In which episode is that family dinner remembering?

[@JLvatron]

Oh, that's amazing!

[@paulanelson5897]

I would have liked to see Red disappear and live out his life in seclusion...but I really would have like some answers...

[@sandradigras1396]

I watched Blacklist years ago but binge watched the whole series to see the continuity. James Spader is one of the most unique actors today. I hope at 63 they give him another great series. I loved Boston Legal as well.

[@VAwitch]

Everything he's in, I've enjoyed; even from his early days in the Biz.

[@CultureIX]

I believe that Raymond was Katrina. Elizabeth mother. I know it sounds crazy but the last episode alludes to just that. When Raymond was speaking with Elizabeth’s daughter, she makes a remark and says you’re acting just like a mom and Raymond slightly chuckles, and says well, I believe that was a slight hint, for all of us.

[@bverji]

It defiantly was. They essentially revealed this in season 4. When that renewed after season 5 they tried leading people to other misleads such as llya and fake Katarina, but after the show showed these were red-herrings people just forgot that the show had previously stated that Liz's father was dead and Red claimed under truth serum that Liz was his daughter. That pretty much definitely revealed Red was his mother.

[@tammyr.conner]

I hated the ending. After 10 yrs of mystery & complicated story lines & intrigue. That ending did not live up to the series. Why would the writers & everyone involved in the telling of the series Not answer the most important question we wanted answered...Who is Raymond Reddington to Elizabeth. I'm so disappointed 😔😔😔

[@randyamyot1602]

I understand the poetic death he got with what he was trying to do at the end, but I was really hoping Red would get away and live with Witcha. I also really wished we had gotten a definitive answer of who he was. Until that last conversation he had with Agnes about the boy at school in the finale, I had 2 theories of my own. 1 he truly was Raymond Reddington and the skeleton was a contingency plan or 2, he was Katarina. Katarina was the one who paid for the doctor to alter Red's appearance, he knew things only Katarina could have know if the real Red was dead. And then that last conversation Agnes: you sound like a mother, Red: old habits.

[@thepotatovariety2526]

Reddington cant be Katarina, back in Season 7 episode 9, when Fake Katarina is trying to get Ilya Koslov to give her the location of the real Katarina, she asks about the plan that the real Katarina, Ilya, and Dom were planning, during that part of the episode, theres a memory where Ilya says he needs to tell HIM, and later elaborates that HE was Reddington, why would he reffer to Katarina as a him, even if she had changed her appearence, as for the "old habits", its likely just the show directors throwing every part of the story into the eather, but evidence contradicts the theory that Red is Katarina. Also they reffer to the person under the knife as a different person than Katarina in the SAME episode where Ilya is being tortured!

[@PRHILL9696]

he is a he. not a she

[@ShadowWizard]

@@thepotatovariety2526 issue is many ppl didn't believe that Katarina is dead so they were always searching for her second reason red came to liz life to protect her from ppl who are looking for Katarina (red once even stated that once, forgot when), cabal was not the only reason and even they were looking for Katarina, so this doesn't mean red cant be Katarina, also liz daughter said to red that hes like a mother, many clues hint for red being Katarina including what the little1 said, but i think writer's had issue deciding whatever red is Katarina or red himself so there are are also clues that say hes red but later on it shifted more in to Katarina

[@alcovitch]

Christ you weirdo's with your He's a woman theories is ridiculous. I know trans is all the fad today but do you really think none of the women he slept with during the 10 seasons would have noticed something? The whole he's Katarina theory is stupid beyond belief.

[@marcusbangemu6041]

This was my theory too 😢

[@rahasadeghi278]

The comments were really interesting. Thank you for the video. In my opinion, according to these arguments, Redington is Katrina 10 seasons of this movie were really worth watching

[@demioscar]

As much as I hated ending of this series, I found his death to be indeed poetic. The fact that he was comfortable and accepting his own destiny is really meaningful.

[@AngelosDalakas]

the performance was what made me love the movie. I have seen this movie many times and I still see again. I became part of them. I think I was living in the movie too. amazing

[@nagilumsnangilima]

Red is Katerina Restova: 1) Red's blood sample indicates that Red is a parent of Liz; 2) The real Raymond Reddington's skeleton has been found and has been confirmed via DNA so it can't be that Red faked his own death. 3) Illya Kozlov did not go through with the plastic surgery because we see an older version of him in the present standing next to Red. 4) During Liz's psychedelic orientation in the bunker of a Baltic state where the mainframe for the Blacklist is being held, we see Katerina and Red's faces transposed and then Liz and Katerina's faces are transposed then as well as Katerina tells Liz that the person who became Red had to undergo a transformation. 5) During Liz's death scene where her life flashes before her eyes, we see her memories of Katerina and Red alternate back and forth before we see a look of realization on her face. Then Red whispers something in her ear before she dies. 6) During the last episode where Red is giving Agnes advice about boys, Agnes comments that Red is being such a mom. There's also the Cape May episode early in the series, where we have this surreal blending of memories and imagination between Katerina and Red. This as I recall was one of Red's first introspective episodes as he would have more such episodes after Liz's death. After Season 8, the writers essentially pivot from the whole Red's ID story arc as to who Red is (with a few exceptions of course). As Cinexus mentions, this was basically Liz's mystery to solve as only Liz and the viewers are interested in knowing who Red is. And for the purposes of the Blacklist story, the viewers don't count. After Season 8, Red becomes even more introspective and a little bit suicidal. All of these allusions to bullfighting come into play with the legendary matador whom Red admires. We do get a little bit more of Red's terminal illness with Red coughing up more blood, but it's not explicitly stated as to what Red is dying from.

[@Knight21030]

This is the best, most concise deep dive of the show. Good on you for following it so closely! Just think, it took a DECADE to tell what you wrote in a few sentences.

[@francescocipriani8888]

I would also had that during the torture with Kirk , Kirk asked him : “are you the father of Liz ?” Red said NO , then Kirk asked him :” Is Liz your daughter and said yes” , so he is obviously Katarina , in fact the only reason he didn’t kill Red is because she whispered that he really was Katarina

[@francescocipriani8888]

Other thing that I would had , are 1) in the begin he says “ Everything about me is a lie” 2)when Red imagines meeting Katarina at that beach house and has all memories , they have a conversation where Katarina's memory telling Red you had to choose between me and Masha, and you were right to choose her, Katarina chose to "kill herself" to become Reddington and protect Liz 3) the friendship with Ilya and Ivan , only Katarina knew them and since that Red cares a lot about them it’s obvious he is Katarina, Ilya from childhood and Ivan from KGB that gave her the Archive so Katarina is N13 and seen that Red confirmed in 8x21 that he is N13 so Red is Katarina 4) the moment with Siya , for the first time Red tells entirely a story , the story of his mother that did everything to protect her but she never told Siya the truth about her past so Reddington told her all the truth because he didn’t want to have the regret like with Liz , then you see how Red thinks back to the past and the fact that he could not tell Liz the truth.

[@thabomolefe5807]

@@francescocipriani8888 I remember those 2 questions by Kirk and their answers very well

[@alexanderneri1161]

@@toromontana8290what was said?

[@gurushakti69]

Amazing poetic end to a figure shrouded in mysteries. This larger than life figure was the persona created by the great James spader- he knows NO end. Redington is a character that lives in my mind forever. I loved the show and grew very fond of Reds humor and personality. James spader is the reason why Blacklist was so successful. But yeah, the truth is were just concerned about this Raymond redington and no other and in the last part he got what he wanted. A beautiful poetic death by one of the greatest warriors - a Mexican bull. Well red admired those last moments eye to eye with it and I bet at that very moment they had that moment of awe. Most powerful criminals have died in the most mediocre of ways. This was the perfect ending of peace and leaving behind a world full of something to cherish for by his loved ones and Agnes. God bless . Love you James Spader.

[@V3rg1l]

Glad that ppl like you exist. Cheers

[@jahmarkx6307]

Red is Red . Terrible ending of a great show . R.I.P RED

[@chijiokeokonkwo4824]

Reddington is obviously Katarina Rostova . He hinted it a few times. The last time being when he was speaking to Agnes the last time, she said, “pinky you’re such a mom” and he said “well I guess some things cannot be helped “.

[@IDK-cw3qj]

Raymond Reddington real identity is Katarina Rostova. That's why Red kept saying he know Katarina more than she does.

[@mohammadmuddassirumar8076]

Once He (Raymond Reddington) said at the fake death of Katrina rastova in the episode of Kanzajian Brothers Death must be so beautiful to lie on the soft brown Earth with the grasses waving over one's head., I welcome that one day And he died the same..... What a splendid phenomenon

[@phirimabvuto5340]

However, the ending turned out...this has in my opinion been the most successful series of our time. And Red eccentricity made it even more enjoyable, the entire team and cast was just top notch. And while it would have been nice to have a black and white answer of his identity I feel allowing all of us to guess is the best way to end for this can motivate us to keep hoping back and re-watching the series in search of clues... With this ending we can shape the identity of Red Reddington however we interpret the subjective clues

[@RickaramaTrama-lc1ys]

Yes~I totally Agree~!!

[@PRHILL9696]

He was her dad.

[@gwenmancuso4750]

I loved the ending and will watch year 10 for a long time. Don't over think it , like in life, sometimes we are not privy to all the answers . Take joy in the talented actors we have gotten to spend time with over the years.

[@dranzacspartan8002]

Disappointing ending. Red's death was fine, but the writers did NOT know who Red was. But I have an answer. Red was Liz's older brother. Red was a child born of a Child Raped Katrina. Katrina then had Liz in her late 30s. BANG!!!! Age gap covered. Red is Liz's older brother. The writers can use this for free. No need to thank me.

[@RickaramaTrama-lc1ys]

That~My Friend IS THE WAY TO LOOK AT IT~!!!

[@gezaporkolab]

​@@dranzacspartan8002you definitely watched a different show. So sad that you missed the story 😢 He was once Katarina. It has been explained multiple times.

[@Sean-xr1xj]

Although disappointed and frustrated, this is a nice way of looking at it

[@eveforamerica1152]

I’ve watched the whole series 19 times. I am in the minority concerning the series finale. I think it was the PERFECT ending. The bull killing Raymond was very poetic.

[@marcschaeffer2032]

If you listen to the podcast “The Blacklist Exposed,” and particularly the end of season 8 episodes, it’s clear that the show creator and writers intended to convey that the character played by James Spader was actually Lizzy’s mother, Katarina Restova.

[@raymondszeto2862]

For those who think Red is the real Raymond Reddington, I urge you to revisit some of the major clues sprinkled about ingeniously by the writers throughout the entire series- Season 3, Episode 19 - Cape May Season 3, Episode 20 - The Artax Network Season 8, Epsisode 21 - Nacholo ...all definitively point to the fact that Red is Katarina Rostova - Liz's mother. Hell, Red actually told Liz in Season 1 that he is NOT her father, and he even admitted to Agnes in the series finale that he can't help being "mom". All the evidence is there. Not to mention the conjecture that Red is the real RR is largely incompatible with the progression of the series - the real RR's bones which led to Tom's death, the elaborate cover-up story by Dom, why the heck would they needed to "construct" a new Red through surgeries, and why Katarina Rostova of present day never surfaced etc.

[@bverji]

Anyone who thinks Red is Redington didn't pay close attention to the show. The real Red knew where the Fulcrum was, imposter Red didn't. The bones in the bag where proven to be the real Redington. Red destroyed his empire, friendships, and his relationship with Liz to keep anyone from identifying the bones. The show went out of it's way to show that Red died in Katarina's lap to show he was actually dead. Red said he had Liz's memory erased to protect her from the memory of killing her father, if he was alive no reason to do that or to lie that he was dead. One of the first things Red says to Liz is that everything about him is a lie. Imposter Red is shown many times that he grew up in Russia, the real Red did not. There are several scenes where he talks about being an imposter with Dembe and Dom. DNA confirmed that the real Redington was Liz's father and he tells her straight out he is not her father The show creator confirmed in interviews after the season 5 final that Red was an imposter and the bones were the real Redington.

[@thefrozenfire659]

​@@bverjiAlso the whole Ilya Story gives us all the answers except it portraits the wrong person. Katarina did the surgery and became the imposter not Ilya but everything else seems to be true about it. The best way to lie is to almost tell the truth.

[@bverji]

@@thefrozenfire659 Exactly, being at the surgeon is literally the last time Katarina is seen. There is a ton of evidence that Katarina was Red.

[@jne5743]

I think he was the real Reddington. Him being the mother was ridiculous theory from the start, made no sense.

[@robertpreston2220]

agree

[@Chameleon8474]

Think about some of the blacklisters. They were changing looks, messing with genetics and DNA. Red made sure each of those blacklisters were killed, BTW. Katarina needed to hide, watch out for Liz and get access to the real Reddington's money. Red also said he never lied to Liz. He told her he was not her father... didn't say anything about being her mother. Red also told others that Liz was his daughter. Those can all be true if Katarina is Raymond.

[@Sunkist52mj]

The audience deserved an answer

[@PRHILL9696]

agree

[@robertpreston2220]

yes!

[@elisabetewilke3903]

Yessss!!!

[@shreshthpokhriyal3546]

It's most probably red is Elizabeth's mother because when he was talking to Agnes Agnes said Your such a mom and red said I guess I can't help it

[@seva4241]

Doesn't make too much sense tho, he slept with weecha and told harold he "Came out on top" @@shreshthpokhriyal3546

[@angelinalee9176]

Katerina : Russian Spy , Liz bio mother . Raymond Reddinton : Died and shot by Liz in the fire . A Russian Spy, biological father of Liz . He came to the house had argument with Katerina , because he wanted to take Masha and the Falcrum away , Katerina refused . Marsha said it was a secrete , the secrete was that he came to the house and wanting to take Fulcrum and Marsha . Red did not know about this …. Red : Katerina was married to Red , a Navy officer who came home for Christmas late , found out that Liz shotted Red Reddinton , her bio father , whom she did not know about , and a fire broke out during the chaos. He pulled Liz out of the fire and fled the scene . Red was the father who Marsha recognized, but not a biological father . Katerina fell in love with him but married him when she was pregnant having other man’s child . Red treated Liz child as his own . Red found out that Marsha killed her biological father who was a spy , or criminal , and many others were searching for . Red did not want Marsha have danger so Red took her to Sam . And he took the identity of Red Reddinton , because he was always hunted down by organizations wanted to have Falcrum on Liz . Red was threaten , and wanted to survive …. And this is the only way ? By becoming someone else …? He wanted other to believe he was dead , so he can became Ray Reddinton to seek out the truth, otherwise .. Why did he care about Liz so much ? Because he felt responsible , because he know about the Falcrum ….. Because he was the father she knew when she was little , and he thought she was her daughter until one day he found out . He was a Navy officer and a spy also . Or , this Red Reddinton who died was a spy but a friend of Red .

[@angelinalee9176]

Liz is right when she said Red was in love with her mother …

[@morpheusspirit6609]

Absolutely amazing series and some of my best 10 years of watching television. The Raymond Reddington character was awesome. Intelligent, mature, cold, ruthless and intriguing. But also at times warm, compassionate,charismatic, flamboyant, funny and magnetic. And always forever a mystery!! Therefore, his character’s ending is a perfect reflection of that mystery and that’s how he should remain. Death by bull was an honourable death for Red!! It’s the death that Red would of chosen himself.

[@nyamasyosila3742]

If you watched the series closely you'd know Red was Liz's father

[@Rosannasfriend]

Mother

[@PRHILL9696]

agree

[@robertpreston2220]

Father I agree

[@katlegotsotetsi2131]

Raymond reddington is the mother of Elizabeth, remember how the blacklist started? on the bus stop

[@Pianodaddyy]

Raymond was actually Katerina Rostova. It's so obvious, especially if you rewatch the series from the beginning.

[@rebeca283]

I think he was her dad, but the writers tried to make us believe not, to keep us watching waiting for answers, but they tried so hard to not be obvious and throw us off, that they couldn't fix it, or make any theory make sense anymore

[@munkster2149]

Raymond Reddington is Catarina Rastova, Elizabeth Keen's mother. There were o many hints to it.

[@brahmansam]

Red is Katarina. Cape May scene is proof. Also, kid Liz is the one that killed the real Red with the revolver in the burning home memory. Kat's handler had the job of killing Red and taking his identity, but in the scuffle, Red killed him then tried to kill Kat. Only two people survived that night: Kat and LIz. Bones in the suitcase were Red's for DNA purposes.

[@toadstooltarot]

I never liked the muddled and muddied Keen subplot and the depictions of the task force always being 3 steps behind Red. I was relieved when we were relieved of her confused intrigue and could focus on his character and working down the Blacklist. I think the ending was preferable to any option I might think of, as it was drawn out over the last couple of seasons hinting at his dealing with a terminal illness and Dembe in the last episode speaking of how Raymond was never afraid of death. The last limp in the sunshine across a Spanish field to face the glory of death at the horns of a bull set to a drawn out soundtrack of 'My Way' seemed fitting to me. Far preferable to Ressler finally tracking him down and catching him. He was one of the most empathetic villains in TV history whether we knew all his secrets or not.

[@mslaney60]

I loved, loved, loved this series. I could watch it over and over again, all 10 seasons. What a way to go. A bull running toward Red! Seriously, I believe that Red was Koslov, plain and simple. Red being Katarina is preposterous. Not hardly. Anyway. 👏👏 to the writers. Thanks for this, KZbin channel. It really help with sorting out some of the mysteries. ❤

[@PRHILL9696]

agree

[@ricochetPR85]

At the end Raymond is whoever and whatever the fan wants him to be. To me personally, he is the real raymond who demonstrated to have the ability to survive almost every near death situation in the entire show.

[@cookiesaregoodtoeat6612]

Great show, horrible ending. We watched faithfully year after year only to never find out Raymond Reddington's idenity. We deserved better!!!

[@michaelparton1059]

I didn’t think it was possible for me to like the villain. I couldn’t get into breaking bad or the Godfather because of this but James Spader was so brilliant in the role it hooked me the entire time. As of the identity, the first half supports he is the real reddington, the last half clearly supports red is katarina. Suporters of each clearly believe they could debunk the other’s claims. In the end I believe the writers went with katarina but to believe the doctors at that time could transform lotte verbeek into James spader is a step to far. Or in general changing a petite female to match a dead man exactly through surgery that would convince people who knew him. It’s not possibility now, much less then. You might as well said she was turned into a unicorn. It ranks right up there with launching a car into space and surviving in the fast and the furious movies.😂 So since that is absolutely silly, I’m good with it not being “officially” being said. 🤣

[@PRHILL9696]

he cannot be a she

[@kaseyboles30]

You might be surprised what could be done. The toughest part would the height difference. IF it's the same for the characters as for the actors.

[@user-tm4zz7mf4j]

The best series we have ever seen

[@LagunaLoiregr]

Maybe I am reaching but when talking to Agnes, she said "Pinky you are being a mom" and Red just said "Yes". I really think he is Katerina.

[@rosasantiago7859]

I do too!!

[@leondarnell1]

I KNOW it's controversial BUT i think you are right. To me, it was a subtle but obvious.

[@oscarmuchunguzi3512]

From my point of view Red is Katarina. And that was explained long before even Liz death. People want to be told everthing.

[@cosmasrealestateconsultant]

Yall crazy Red once said i had hidden Katarina somewhere so no one of her enemies would hate her to Liz and yall telling us Red is Katarina. Lets just be honest the writers messed up coz they didnt even know who Red was to be honest

[@Monalisa_o]

I also think so, cause even Elizabeth life was flashing across her eye after being shot, it seem like she realised that Red is her mom

[@tracyhlarson1]

Red was Elizabeth’s mother. Complete makeover. He was bi. Also last episode when talking to Agnes went something like this: Agnes: you sound like a mom Red: I just can’t help myself

[@charlotteayomikun2436]

For those who still doubt it, Raymond Reddington is Katarina Rostova, Elizabeth Keen’s (Masha Rostova) mother. The last two episodes of Season 8 made it clear. At first, we thought the real Reddington didn’t die but Kate had his bones. Again, Elizabeth’s grandfather gave a half true story saying Reddington is Ilya Koslov but we found the real Ilya Koslov later in the series. Now, the confusing part was when the “make-believe” Katarina Rostova appeared, capturing Reddington. But if you wonder a bit further, why would Katarina be looking for herself? The woman kept asking Reddington about the identity of Katarina Rostova. The pen-ultimate episode of Season 8 cleared that part. The fake Katarina Rostova was introduced after the disappearance of the real one. Now, if all speculations about who Reddington really is from the beginning of the Season was dissolved by other episodes that showed us that he is neither Ilya Koslov nor the real Reddington, the only speculation that the series did not dissolve but only emphasized is that he is Katarina Rostova. Remember the story of how Katarina and Ilya planned to turn Ilya into Reddington just to get his details…. When Elizabeth asked Katarina that if it was just her and Ilya that made the plan and Ilya wasn’t the one who transformed into Reddington then who did? The only answer there could be to that question is that Katarina did. Even Elizabeth herself realized that Reddington is her mother when she (Elizabeth) saw the fear in Reddington’s eyes while she was dying. The memory that played in Elizabeth’s head in that moment was a mixture of Reddington and her mother. There’s no way that just happened. Finally, if Katarina’s death is the only one that we weren’t told about and Reddington’s identity is the only one we didn’t know about, then it is safe to say Reddington was indeed Katarina Rostova.

[@Bay-BGhost]

I have NEVER heard the theory that Redington was actually Elizabeth's nom Tatiana. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

[@robertpreston2220]

agree. Katarina is a woman and Red is a man so no he cannot be Kat obviously lol

[@dshadow3173]

The writers wanted so badly to go the Rederina route, but after the backlash from the public and social media, they had no idea where to take his true identity.

[@jakedrago7805]

They went the route just refused to confirm it outright .

[@miagrass]

​@@jakedrago7805the answer is obvious he the mother and shame on the writers to allowing some of the fans and haters stop them from the telling their story 🙄 😒

[@TJM-eh4it]

​@miagrass it's just disgusting, nobody wants a trans Red

[@miagrass]

@@TJM-eh4it then don't watch 😒

[@shyygaming]

Hate is an ugly color@@TJM-eh4it

[@muhammedleigh1932]

The answer is simple, just understand that Red has never lied to Liz.

[@imagicarolinavlogs]

So he is?

[@JLvatron]

Of Course he's lied to Liz! Reddington telling her he has never lied to her, simply IS another lie!

[@Brs-od8mx]

Hes blatantly Katrina! I don't see the confusion? Were you guys not watching? Take just the scars/burns on his back from the fire that matched the ones we see on Katarina, the fact he always states he isn't Liz's father yet loves her in a way only a parent could. Check the last phone call he has with Agnus. She says "Pinky, youre such a Mom" and he replies "Yeh... I just cant help it sometimes" The Blacklist hides its answers in plain sight! Just like Red hides in plain sight! Just like Katrina is hiding in plain sight! She became Reddington because and built an entire criminal empire just to hide in plain sight and protect her daughter! That's something only a Mother would do.

[@cv43480]

Reddington IS Katarina Rostova. Some facts from the series Last meal for Raymond is very popular in Russia. And he said that his mother made that meal. No way in USA this dish is being made. When confronting Dom, Raymond asked what he would tell Katarinna, to wich Dom answered that Katarina is not here. To wich Raymond asked, but what if she were. And the lenghts he goes to protect Elisabeth indicated strong blood relationship. And since father is dead, that only leaves mother.(there are more instances, but since i wathced show 3 years ago i dont remember them all) My other less popular theory, wich is supported by less facts - Raymond is the REAL Reddington. Remember the guy who could fake forensics stuff?

[@elaizakaguya4631]

That same man told Dom "you forgave her not me" meaning he isn't female Every single conversation he's had with dembe says otherwise especially when dembe said " of Liz ever finds out what you did to Katarina, she'd never forgive you" again meaning he isn't Liz During the anslo disaster, he tells ressler " this Time I want to sleep peacefully, like back when I was a boy" So not female He's talking about his father saying his dad was a man of class and strictness so not Katarina If anything I'd say he's the brother of the real red and probably was also inlove with Katarina so as to why he has such a strong connection with Liz

[@marywilliams3540]

It ended on his terms, just at it had began on his terms… it was perfect and he was the real Reddington. Going to miss the show! Love it!!!! Going back to season 1 to rewatch.

[@franciscamunguia1259]

The best show! I think that Raymond Reddington was the real father of Lizzy.

[@PRHILL9696]

agree

[@ricogoldstar]

Red was Katarina Rustova with a sex change and extensive surgery. When Mr. Kaplan was Liz's nanny, Katarina told her she is never to fall in love with her daughter, and this conversation was repeated during rhe conflict between Red and Kaplan, how would he know about that conversation? Only Katarina and Kaplan were there. Also, when Katarina Assumed Red's Identity and was beginning her criminal empire, listen to the song that was playing when she was dressed up as Red, and tell me that's not a huge clue that Red was a woman. Red was Katarina.

[@marionandrews176]

I hate the ending, but nothing would have been worse than the idea that Red is Elizabeth’s mother.

[@mikegardy3085]

Yes just 😢 bad

[@gamescape7758]

But he was

[@alexsnemos]

​@@gamescape7758no he wasn't. A mother has vagina

[@AuroraIceFlame]

I mean it’s almost obvious. I mean one of the last thing Agnes said to Red was he was acting like a mom. That’s the fucking nail in the coffin isn’t it?

[@ka-md8ue]

Watch the whole show again, having in mind that he is her mother, it will feel like BS in the beginning, but you will be shocked how many confirmations are there, and how logical everything lines up. It feels like you watch different show, and it becomes less funny and a little more sad, because every time he things/cares about Elizabeth, you see who he is, and you understand how much he want to tell her the truth, but can't, because it is super dangerous. It's not funny like it was before, Red playing with her feelings, it's not like that. And this time you are more sad not for Elizabeth but for Red himself

[@sdscipio]

James in this this role is the universal gold standard

[@NEOs_Hyper]

The more I rewatch this show, the more obvious it becomes clear that from the beginning Reddington was Katarina all along and there are plenty of nods toward this fact throughout the entire series.

[@Bookwasbetter]

I have no problems with how Red died or how the series ended, but to tease the truth of Red's identity and the mystery as to why he cared so much about Elizabeth, only to never provide clarity on either, is really kind of insulting to those of us who have watched this show for the past decade, patiently waiting for answers.

[@justsaying8]

According to everyone it was Katarina. She became red

[@christianlady60]

He went out his way.even though I didn't like the ending but I really enjoyed watching the blacklist

[@PRHILL9696]

He was the real red and the dad of Liz. Nothing else is possible

[@Bookwasbetter]

@@PRHILL9696 But the real Raymond Reddington's bones were found...unless that Red was really the imposter and Imposter Red is the real Red...

[@robertpreston2220]

we need and want answers

[@diegosolis9681]

I think Redington was, in fact, Katarina Rostova. I think they poetically decided to reveal it in the most simple yet heartwarming way: Agnes tells Red that he's "such a mother" and he said he can't help it. Other reasons I find this to be the case is that when Liz is taken to the island every single important character is there in her "vision", and despite everyone having their own position around her, Katarina is shown where Red stands and they switch between them both repeatedly. In the end, Katarina is the only character that doesn't make a direct appearance, but we know that she cared about Liz yet despite everything she never appears, that's because she was always there, trying to be a protective mother and failing at the same time because she was what she was and couldn't help bring danger to her door.

[@bverji]

Red admitted under truth serum that Liz was his daughter. It is later proven that the real Redington was Liz's father and dead. That is rather concrete truth.

[@mcribprime6594]

Also the episode after Liz faked her death, Red goes to where Katrina walked into the water and then relieved the night she had to vanish. So that’s where I was starting to convince myself that Red is Katerina.

[@mothernaturesapothecary]

In the end I really stopped caring about who Red might have been in the past. His death made no sense but it was still satisfying that he wasn’t caught alive. He died one step ahead as always and not by another man’s actions. You almost had the sense that he was about to die anyway… as if he chose that moment to die himself. This was the most satisfying 10 years of a series ever.

[@OLDBUTNOTOBSOLETEEH-ug2nt]

He was Liz's father. The real Raymond Reddington. he had the scars from the fire on his back early on in the series, and he told Demby that "if she read the letter beforehand, she would never pull the trigger." She wouldn't execute her Dad.

[@pinkylegg]

He’s the mom, there’s no question.

[@z0mb055]

Here's something you overlooked: At his death, the writers tell you what they determine is his most important identity... as well as make a pun that is somehow both fitting and ridiculous at the sametime. And Im actually gonna let you figure it out, cuz the realization of said pun makes for situation worthy of a face palm. But here's something to help steer you to it: Riddle me this! What is the usual way to get a bull to charge and why is it that it did so anyways in spite his outfit bein of a beige color?

[@fairviewim]

Clever! 😂

[@Iam4la]

Red! Reddington is reddington

[@kaseyboles30]

Bulls cannot actually see red. They have no red color receptor. They are dichromats.

[@donaldwarriner1640]

I think the ending was deeply touching whether questions about his identity were answered or not. The writing lead us through the mindset of Reddington and prepared us for his end. The bull gorging him was perfectly beautiful and disturbing a way for R to leave this world.

[@diegoboffa9134]

I'm not sure if you pay attention to Liz's death...When Reddington, by kissing liz already dead. He reminds scenes where katarina kisses liz and etc.. Red is Katarina

[@PromoVisionNZ]

If I knew how ending would be, I would not waste my time watching it.

[@wiktorutracki6469]

His death was fitting, he died on his own terms, in control. Although the death a bit overdue (one season to late). It was a bit anticlimactic for someone of his caliber but I actually very much liked it and found it (the manner of death and the circumstances) to be natural and in agreement with his character. I liked the ending

[@ramstine3495]

I wouldn't say it was 1 season too late. I liked how the final season was him wrapping up his empire and not going out silently into the night, but with a rage. Dembe's lines were so powerful.

[@RedDefender77]

RR is Katarina Rostova. Final clue and tease, Agnes in the finale telling him over the phone "you're such a mom".

[@Massimo-by4mq]

and him answering I guess I cannot help it

[@RedDefender77]

@@Massimo-by4mq Υeah, this was the final clue but it had become pretty obvious in the previous seasons. I don't understand why they didn't reveal it. They should have ended it with Liz alive and finding out.

[@mohamadbassam1637]

I think Raymond's real identity is revealed during his last conversation with Agnus. When he gives her the advise, she tells him that he sounds like a mom, and he responds by saying "I guess I can't help it," meaning that he is a mother by nature

[@shibamania3367]

I agree, that was a clear and last sign that it was made by Liz and there were always many clues to discover it

[@stevemyers5298]

Totally agree, this was my take on it. Glad someone else noticed this.

[@Karmacoming4you]

It was revealed in season 6 before lethal injection - he wanted a rusian dish as,, his'' mother made. Also sugested he was a wierd child and only his mom understood him, while his father banished him. Also the nurse who was there when he had surgery told Eliszbet she cant say who he was, or the woman who brought him there, insisting on the woman. I think they were planing to reveal he was Katarina, but were afraid of backlash for wokeness. Reddington became my favorite caracter and they ruined him with this. I realy hate them...

[@dalefrancis9414]

@@Karmacoming4youI was literally talking to my friends about this. I literally ranked Blacklist above GOT. If Reddington was indeed Katerina that would ruin the show for me.

[@Sean-xr1xj]

@@dalefrancis9414 agree, that'd be stupid af

[@milliejohnson8932]

I just watched it twice because I was so into it. I had to understand Keynes real father was shot by her. It showed him in the car shot, but she ran to get her toy bunny. It never revealed if he died or not. I believe that’s the person that Kane‘s mother usedto mask cause identity and become Redington. Maybe you need to come out with another series. This was the best written and acted series I have seen. It’s a little girl.

[@wsbolivar6644]

Didn't like what they did to Liz, their relationship, especially in the early seasons, was what carried the series for me. Some say Red deserved some stuff like that, I say it's a work of art and it would be nice to finally see an anti-hero to drive into sunset together with the ones he cares about. Especially the genius Red is.

[@judithfriesen8043]

Reddington was Elizabeth's Mother!

[@drisrarenglish]

When liz was shoot and dead you can see red was holding her and suddenly you can see glimpse of Katarina holding her as a baby first time its clear Katarina was red but who cares it was a brilliant show

[@ethanstark7420]

The writers apparently wanted to give answers but the studio wouldn’t allow them because of fear for political backlash. That being said, is it possible the writers could come out and say who he really was?

[@Bernadetta-cv5bz]

The legendary Raymond Reddington... The most pragmatic man I've ever seen... The greatest poetic justice given to him is to let him remain a mystery. What a man...lol

[@Bernadetta-cv5bz]

@JamesSpaderofficl OMG... I'm from Malawi sir. I tiny country in the southern part of Africa

[@hoopercorner7217]

Remember in the last episode his granddaughter states to reddington... you are such a "mother"... When they were talking about the little boy that liked her. I took that as a final clue. Redington was actually the mother. That's why after the staged death of Elizabeth, when he went back to the house on the beach he had an encounter with "katharina" ... Therefore having a face-to-face moment with himself and remember Katarina said you did good you made the right decision. I think that was confirmation from "himself" "herself" coming from within.

[@davidagiel8130]

From what i got the Raymond Reddington the super spy and traitor was a creation by Katarina. The real Red was just a regular soldier, after he died, she took his identity and built his mythology. Eventually Katarina became Red, he told the truth, he wasnt Keen's father, she was her mother.