The Blacklist: When a College Girl Becomes a Catalyst
"The Blacklist" is a television series renowned for its intricate plots, morally ambiguous characters, and the complex relationship between Raymond "Red" Reddington and Elizabeth Keen. Season 7, particularly the episode involving a college girl, delves into the murky world of Red's blacklist and the ethical dilemmas faced by the FBI Task Force.
The Premise of Season 7
In the previous season's cliffhanger, Raymond Reddington, portrayed by James Spader, finds himself kidnapped by Katarina Rostova, Liz's mother and a former Russian agent. Driven by a desperate need to clear her name after being framed and relentlessly pursued by Townsend's Directive, Katarina seeks information from Red. This conflict embroils Elizabeth and the FBI Task Force, further complicating their already complex dynamic. Throughout the season, Katarina infiltrates Liz's life by disguising herself as a friendly neighbor.
The season faced production challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the suspension of filming. The final episode creatively utilized animation to complete the narrative, with actors recording dialogue from their homes to match the animated sequences.
The Case of Gordon Kemp and Fine Caliber Arms International
Episode 15 of Season 7, titled "Gordon Kemp," presents a particularly compelling case that forces Liz to choose between Red and the Task Force. The episode opens with a poignant scene: Red and Dembe stop at a convenience store where a young clerk excitedly shares the news of her college acceptance with her mother. Tragically, a robber enters the store and shoots the girl dead. Red and Dembe neutralize the threat, but the senseless loss deeply affects Red.
This event sets the stage for the introduction of Gordon Kemp and his company, Fine Caliber Arms International, a century-old gun manufacturer. Red places Kemp on the blacklist due to his company's role in flooding the market with easily accessible and untraceable firearms. The specific gun used in the convenience store shooting is linked back to Kemp's company, highlighting the devastating consequences of his business practices.
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Ethical Dilemmas and Divided Loyalties
The Task Force learns that the girlfriend of the man who sold the gun to the robber had purchased thirty guns at a gun show in West Virginia from Judson Firearms, claiming to start a personal collection. She then gave all thirty guns to her boyfriend to sell on the street. Red urges Cooper to target Judson Firearms, but Cooper argues that the girlfriend's young age isn't sufficient justification.
Meanwhile, Ilya Koslov, haunted by his past torture at the hands of Katarina, experiences paranoia and mistakenly attacks Dembe, believing him to be Katarina.
The investigation leads Liz and Ressler to interview Kemp, who defends his business by stating that he merely manufactures guns and cannot control how they are used. He acknowledges that shootings increase his business and that he has ordered six thousand more guns. Cooper is pressured to drop the case, preventing it from going to court.
Red, unwilling to let Kemp's actions go unpunished, takes matters into his own hands. He learns from Liz which truck is carrying the guns, appealing to her sense of justice for the young woman who lost her life. However, Cooper anticipates Liz's divided loyalties and deliberately misleads her, leading Red to intercept the wrong convoy.
Red's Justice and Liz's Betrayal
Liz confronts Cooper, accusing him of lying and betraying her trust. Cooper defends his actions, stating that he couldn't risk her informing Red. Undeterred, Red confronts Kemp, holding him accountable for the lives ruined by his company's products. Red executes his own form of justice, mirroring the senseless violence that Kemp's guns enable.
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In the aftermath, Liz visits Red, frustrated that Cooper tricked her. Red acknowledges Liz's strong convictions and principles. While Kemp's guns were successfully delivered, Red reveals that he still exacted his revenge on Kemp himself.
The episode concludes with Red receiving a phone call revealing that Liz has hired a private investigator to follow Ilya, as she doesn't believe Red is Ilya and she has been keeping it from him. Red toasts with Liz, hoping they can be on the same side.
Thematic Resonance
The "Gordon Kemp" episode explores several key themes prevalent throughout "The Blacklist":
- Justice vs. the Law: The episode highlights the tension between legal justice and moral justice, as Red often operates outside the boundaries of the law to achieve what he believes is right.
- The Cost of Ambiguity: Liz's struggle to reconcile her loyalty to the FBI with her complex relationship with Red underscores the personal cost of navigating morally ambiguous situations.
- The Cycle of Violence: The episode poignantly illustrates how easily accessible firearms contribute to a cycle of violence, impacting innocent lives and perpetuating tragedy.
- The Nature of Responsibility: The episode raises questions about the responsibility of manufacturers and individuals in preventing violence. Does Kemp bear responsibility for how his guns are used, or is he simply providing a product that others misuse?
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