The Blacklist: Raymond Reddington Was Indeed Katarina Rostova

By: Mark T. Wilson

As great as The Blacklist was, it did not end without letdowns. One of the main questions fans wanted to know was if Raymond Reddington was Katarina Rostova. All signs pointed to that after the episode where he explained most to Liz but the writers never fully said they were the same person.

It wasn’t until the final episode that everything came to light. While talking to Agnes, as usual, Red was concerned about her well-being. Agnes then replied to him “Pinky, you sound like a Mom.” Red then replied, “ I guess, I just can’t help it.” Right there, that was the moment when it was confirmed. Some fans will disagree but I’m keeping with the sport of The Blacklist. They never come out in full blast with reveals, they keep it subtle and quick.

Red’s response to Agnes was the confirmation many wanted but at the same time, it was one that many did it want. Most wanted it plastered across a Billboard in Times Square. They wanted Red to come out and say it but when has that even been the style of The Blacklist? We got what we got because that’s the only way they know how to give it.

Since the beginning of The Blacklist, that has been the biggest mystery. Although the death of Elizabeth Keen may have shattered those dreams of finding out, we do have to remember that she did indeed know the truth. That was what the letter explained that Dembe gave her against the wishes of Raymond Reddington before she was about to kill him. 

Was Raymond Reddington Katarina Rostova

The look in Liz’s eyes was not one of hate. It was a look of love and admiration. Red asked Liz to kill him so she could take over but how could she kill her mother? She tried countless times to kill Red and even arrested him. Hell, she sent him to prison where he almost died of lethal injection. Liz loved Red but she yearned for the love of her mother.

Red even told Liz that he’s not her father a few times but Liz refused to believe him. The signs have been there. But most importantly, think back to the final 2 seasons since Liz passed. There has been no mention of Red’s identity. That’s because that storyline died with Liz. The truth was already out to the people who needed to know. Liz, Dembe, and Red. That was it. As far as fans go, we just decided to ignore what was right in front of our eyes. We wanted it in bold print when it was written in fine print but no matter what, we were already told the truth.

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There was a scene that has people talking since the series finale when Red and Ressler were in the box and Ressler was dying. Red spoke of wanting to sleep again as he did as a boy. However, that was Season 1. In TV, there are many times when storylines are changed from the first season to Season 8 and so on. 

It’s a trait that writers use a lot. They may forget small details and years later, they want to pivot and tell another story. Or, that could have been Red from the beginning throwing everyone off the fact that he was indeed born a female. With The Blacklist, nothing is as it ever seems. Red has said many times that he lies. What’s the difference here?

Go back to Agnes. What does she call Red? Pinky, right? Why is that? Pink is for girls. As I said, the answers have always been there. 

In the video above, look and listen closely as everyone tasked with protecting Liz and the secret is talking to her. She knows that someone took the identity of Raymond Reddington and even then, we also know that Katarina is supposedly alive. During that clip, the music switched after we see someone go in for an operation. The score changes to “It’s A Mans World.” The significance of that is huge.

Rostova went from a woman on the run from her country to a man who would go on to run the greatest criminal enterprise ever. All she wanted was to protect her daughter and granddaughter and the only way to do that was from within. The real Reddington died and Katarina Rosotva took his identity, that was the last place anyone would look for her. Her becoming Raymond Reddington was a genius move. And let’s not forget the famous line, Rostova said that a new Reddington had to be created and constructed and that was right before the mysterious surgery took place.

Raymond Reddington is Katarina Rosatva. I wanted a happy ending. While I’m disappointed in how Red died, I’m satisfied knowing that the answers I’ve been clamoring for were answered. I like many, decided to ignore the hints at first.