The Blacklist: 5 Best & 5 Worst Episodes Of Season 2, According To IMDb

Crime thriller The Blacklist immediately captured the attention of fans with its complex characters, engaging storyline, and central mystery. The show, which first appeared to be a procedural crime show, quickly revealed that these “Blacklisters” were more connected than fans or the characters themselves initially realized.

Throughout the show’s seasons, some overarching storylines were present. It was revealed that these cases did not exist in insolation. The Blacklisters that the task force worked to take down all contributed to the defeat of a major enemy. In season 2, that enemy was The Cabal, a shadow organization that secretly controlled much of the world. And while this storyline was generally well-received, there were certainly some episodes that gained more favor with fans than others.

10 Worst: Episode 15: “The Major (No. 75)” – 7.0

In this episode, fans gained some insight into Tom’s background when they learned about The Major. The Major is a Blacklister who recruits young orphaned, fostered, or delinquent children with a unique set of skills. He then trains them to be operatives and assigns them to missions. Such was his relationship with the man fans know as Tom Keen.

When Liz is investigated for her connection to the death of a DC harbormaster, it seems she may go to jail for her crime. Reddington sets out to get in touch with The Major in order to locate Tom and use him to keep Liz from being implicated in the crime.

9 Best: Episode 10: “Luther Braxton (No. 21): Conclusion” – 8.8

Luther Braxton was such a worthy adversary that he was given a two-episode storyline. In this episode, Braxton has abducted Agent Keen and intends to torture her for information about the whereabouts of The Fulcrum. Unfortunately for Braxton, Liz has suppressed her memories of her childhood and cannot recall the information he seeks.

Braxton abducts a doctor who specializes in memory recovery and forces her to attempt to extract the information from Liz’s mind. This episode is one of the first that gives fans insight into what happened in Liz’s past through her memories of the night of the fire.

8 Worst: Episode 12: “The Kenyon Family (No. 71)” – 7.5

When Reddington brings the task force his next case, the FBI is worried they won’t be able to make progress due to the protection the well-known cult has. Reddington shares that this cult is more than they seem as they are used by criminals to store military weapons. When the FBI begins to investigate The Kenyon Family, they learn that the cult has been met with a worthy adversary.

Meanwhile, Cooper turns down a job offer from his friend Tom Connolly due to health concerns. When his friend learns of his illness, he pulls strings to get Harold admitted into a trial that may save his life.

7 Best: Episode 21: “Karakurt (No. 55)” – 8.9

When the infamous assassin Karakurt lands on American soil, the task force is concerned. They attempt to track down and capture Karakurt, which proves to be incredibly difficult.

Their task is made more difficult as Tom Connolly blackmails Cooper, forcing him to misdirect his team. Meanwhile, Karakurt pulls off several crimes with a seemingly perfect plan to frame Liz for the atrocities.

6 Worst: Episode 11: “Ruslan Denisov (No. 67)” – 7.6

Members of the task force travel to Uzbekistan to investigate a criminal who is holding Americans hostage. Upon arrival, Liz and Ressler learn that the Blacklister is trying to right a wrong.

Meanwhile, Liz and Aram investigate a mysterious recording device Liz found in her stuffed bunny and a police officer grows closer to learning the truth about what happened to the DC harbormaster.

5 Best: Episode 9: “Luther Braxton (No. 21)” – 9.0

The task force is surprised to learn that Reddington has been captured and is being held at a high-security prison in the middle of the sea. They soon learn that he has been intentionally captured to try to prevent an impending attack on the prison by one of the criminals in custody.

When the task force attempts to extract Reddington, they find themselves in the middle of a hostile takeover, and the chances of everyone getting out safely seem grim.

4 Worst: Episode 5: “The Front (No. 74)” – 7.8

The task force investigates an eco-terrorist who intends to weaponize the plague and create a worldwide epidemic. As they pursue him and his followers, they put themselves at risk of being exposed to the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, Reddington attempts to track down a woman with the help of Glenn. He is later seen to be watching a young woman from afar. But Reddington isn’t the only one with a secret agenda in this episode. Liz has a secret of her own and must hire a body double in order to slip away without Reddington’s protective guard noticing.

3 Best: Episode 19: “Leonard Caul (No. 62)” – 9.0

In this high-paced episode, Liz, Dembe, and Kaplan fight to keep Reddington alive as they attempt to heal him and stop an assassination attempt.

The attacks are being ordered by The Director who wants to eliminate him as a threat. After tracking down Leonard Caul at the advice of Reddington, Liz develops a plan to stop the attacks and a traitor is revealed to fans.

2 Worst: Episode 13: “The Deer Hunter (No. 93)” – 7.9

The task force attempts to capture a serial killer named The Deer Hunter who has been savagely murdering victims for 12 years. Reddington agrees to help with the case in exchange for possession of The Fulcrum, which is in Liz’s custody. Though Liz initially agrees, she later refuses to turn it over.

Meanwhile, a witness to the murder of the DC harbormaster helps police recover the body and agrees to testify against Agent Keen. When Reddington learns of this, he attempts to dissuade the witness from testifying.

1 Best: Episode 22: “Tom Connolly (No. 11)” – 9.3

The season finale was filled with exciting twists and turns, keeping fans entertained and engaged. The events of the season come to a head when Liz – angered with being framed for terrorist attacks – and Cooper – angered by being manipulated into thinking he was dying – confront Tom Connolly, resulting in Liz shooting him.

This prompts Liz to go on the run and Cooper to be temporarily removed from his position, leaving Ressler in charge of the task force.

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