THE BLACKLIST Review: Liz runs, Ressler chases, But Only Red Outmaneuvers in “Marvin Gerard”

RUN LIZ, RUN

This week we saw more of Lizzie running. She’s been running since the beginning of the show and it must be tiring. Whether she has been chasing the bad guys or running away, she has never been truly in control of any situation, with Reddington, her boss, Berlin or the Cabal often steering her one way or another.

It’s obvious that Lizzie is slowly becoming more like Red, but so far she has only tried to only mimic what Red would do as opposed to observe how he does it. This was shown clearly in the diner scene wear Red is clearly disgusted by an abusive husband and scares him stiff, whereas Liz loses control and nearly kills him.

She had Red imprisoned in a cell in the first season, and he called the shots entirely. Similarly when she pulled a Red, capturing and imprisoning Tom on a boat in the second season, he was the one really in charge, eventually forcing her to cover up a murder. So it’s no shock that when she finds herself essentially imprisoned at the start of this episode, her attempts to take control of the situation fail and leave her at the mercy of the Cabal.

In comparison, any time we see Reddington doing similar things the impression he gives of is that he hunting, not chasing and retreating, and definitely not running away. Granted, having a worldwide network of associates helps, but it is mainly Reddington’s levelheadedness that allows him to own a situation. He has worked hard to be able to shrug off fear and morality.

This season’s story will see Liz and Red spending more time together than they ever have before and as a result will surely see her learn that it is how Red does things and not what Red does that has kept him alive all these years.

The Blacklist continues Thursdays on NBC.