A decade-long journey came to its conclusion with the popular series, The Blacklist, ending on a thrilling note with a two-hour series finale that was every bit as gripping as fans would have wanted it to be. 

The Blacklist, an FBI-centric crime-drama show tells the story of witnesses and hardened criminals with Raymond Reddington (played by James Spader) at its core. A former government agent turned high-profile criminal, Reddington voluntarily surrenders to the FBI offering to help them track down and apprehend the criminals he had associated with during his tryst with the criminal world.

In the two-hour grand series finale, we dive back into the dangerous world of Raymond “Red” Reddington, who has escaped the Task Force, and is on the run from the FBI.

Congressman Hudson and Agent Nixon are hot on Red’s trail, knowing that with each passing moment, the elusive Red is slipping through their hands.

Red, played immaculately by James Spader, who is known for his unmatched wit, intellect, and resourcefulness managed to hoodwink the FBI by dispersing identical vehicles with the same license plates throughout the city. This was just one of the cunning moves that the infamous criminal mastermind pulled off to evade the authorities. Despite the FBI mounting a massive manhunt, Red’s close aide, Dembe, knew that catching Red was almost an impossible task.

There was a substantial turn in the plot when upon discovering Red's safe house set on fire, Dembe concluded that Red must be using a firetruck as a means to escape. This revelation led to a chain of events that pushed the plot towards its eventual climax. The bloodshot series of adrenaline-pumping events that followed saw Red staging daring escapes, veering through the city in a firetruck, hoodwinking authorities at every step.

However, amid this captivating chase, Red seemed unnervingly calm, focused primarily on taking measures to ensure Dembe's safety. This not only demonstrated the deep camaraderie etched between Red and Dembe but also Red's humanity hidden beneath his hard exterior.

Through moments that involved emotional heart-to-hearts with Dembe, to urging him not to jeopardize his new life with the FBI for him, to providing him with direly needed blood transfusion, we saw Red’s character in a different light.

Upon discovering that Dembe has been arrested on suspicion of helping Red escape, Red is rattled. Yet, he manages to ensure a clean getaway for Dembe, even if it meant unleashing a pandemonium of gunfire. The grand finale continued to blur the lines between right and wrong, with some FBI agents showing a soft corner for Red.

The feeling of impending doom was intensified when Red's deteriorating health came into the picture.

Despite suffering from a potentially fatal disease, Red continued on his mission, adding another thrilling edge to the plotline.

In the stunning series finale, we saw Red travel to Spain, for a brief respite, only to find himself face to face with a raging bull. In an incredible turn of events, Red chose not to back away from the bull, despite knowing the deadly consequence. When the FBI agent Ressler found Red's lifeless body in the field, an end was put to the saga of the elusive criminal and his larger-than-life persona.

Red, who held a special place in the heart of his fans due to his unyielding spirit, audacious charm, and unwavering loyalty, met a poignant end.

The legacy that Red left behind with his unmatched zeal for life was deeply moving, thereby confirming the fact that even in death, Red managed to create an impact that will remain in the hearts of the show's fans for eternity.

The industry has successful shows, and then it has The Blacklist. It was a ten-year rollercoaster ride that had its highs and moments that tugged at heartstrings. Raymond Reddington's journey ended, but the memories of his larger-than-life persona are etched deep in the hearts of fans. As this story comes to an end, it is indeed a splendid goodbye to The Blacklist and the masterful man who drove the riveting tale forward.