The Blacklist season 3 explained

Season Number:	3
Bgcolour:	54585C
Network:	NBC
Num Episodes:	23
Episode List:	List of The Blacklist episodes

The third season of the American crime thriller television series The Blacklist premiered on NBC on October 1, 2015 and concluded on May 19, 2016. The season consisted of 23 episodes.^[1] ^[2] ^[3] The season was produced by Davis Entertainment, Universal Television, and Sony Pictures Television, and the executive producers were Jon Bokenkamp, John Davis, John Eisendrath, John Fox, and Joe Carnahan.

Premise

The third season sees Liz and Reddington on the run from the government and the Task Force. The first part of the season explores The Cabal's efforts to capture Liz and Reddington and their efforts to clear Liz's name. The Cabal is represented by the ruthless Director of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service Peter Kotsiopulos (David Strathairn). The season also introduces private intelligence contractor Susan "Scottie" Hargrave (Famke Janssen), the mother of secret agent Tom Keen, mercenary Mattias Solomon (Edi Gathegi) and ex-United States Navy officer Nez Rowan (Tawny Cypress), key characters for the spin-off series , focusing on Tom and Scottie Hargrave. The final episodes of the season also introduce a new series antagonist Alexander Kirk, AKA Konstantin Rostov, a businessman with aplastic anaemia, who claims to be Liz's father and will stop at nothing to protect her and win her loyalty. An important subplot for the season is Liz's pregnancy and Reddington’s cleaner Mr. Kaplan's (Susan Blommaert) efforts to protect Liz and Tom's daughter from Reddington.

Cast

Main

James Spader as Raymond Reddington
Megan Boone as Elizabeth Keen
- Diego Klattenhoff as Donald Ressler Ryan Eggold as Tom Keen
Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper
Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai
Mozhan Marnò as Samar Navabi
Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma

Recurring

Susan Blommaert as Mr. Kaplan.
Deidre Lovejoy as Cynthia Panabaker.
David Strathairn as Peter Kotsiopulos, the Director of the National Clandestine Service.
Edi Gathegi as Matias Solomon, a Cabal operative sent to hunt down Reddington.
Adriane Lenox as Deputy Attorney General Reven Wright, the Department of Justice liaison to the Task Force.
Christine Lahti as Laurel Hitchin, National Security Advisor and chairman of the commission tasked with investigating the OREA bombing.
Margarita Levieva as Gina Zanetakos, a corporate terrorist turned master criminal who recruits Tom for a heist.
Andrew Divoff as Karakurt, a Russian assassin responsible for the OREA bombing and killing of Senator Hawkins.
Fisher Stevens as Marvin Gerard, Reddington's lawyer.
Peter Vack as Asher Sutton, a socialite whom Tom Keen exploits to track Karakurt.
Paul Reubens as Mr. Vargas, Reddington's double agent.
Tony Plana as Mr. Diaz, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister whom Reddington asks for help.
Conor Leslie as Gwen Hollander, Asher Sutton's girlfriend.
Clark Middleton as Glen Carter, a DMV employee occasionally employed by Reddington.
Ned van Zandt as Leonard Caul, an operative of Reddington's and an expert on computer security.
Tawny Cypress as Nez Rowan, a mercenary.
Famke Janssen as Susan "Scottie" Hargrave and the mother of Tom Keen.
Ulrich Thomsen as Alexander Kirk/Konstantin Rostov, the man claiming to be Liz's father.
Benito Martinez as Senator Robert Diaz, a presidential candidate being supported by Alexander Kirk.
Murphy Guyer as The Eye in the Sky.
Piter Marek as Nik, Liz's former boyfriend and Reddington's emergency doctor.
Raoul Trujillo as Mato, a hitman employed by Alexander Kirk.

Episodes

Production

Hisham Tawfiq, who plays Red's body man, Dembe Zuma, was promoted to series regular beginning with Season 3.^[4]

Potential spin-off

Episode 22 was written by Bokenkamp and Eisendrath and directed by Michael Dinner as a potential spin-off of the series. It aired on May 12, 2016.^[5] The spin-off was ordered titled .^[6]

Reception

The third season of The Blacklist received positive reviews from critics. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 93% approval score based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The consensus reads: "The Blacklist is back in top form with fresh dangers that put Red on the ropes while giving James Spader room to shine".^[7]

Ratings

No.	Title	Time slot (EST)	Ratings/Share (18–49)	Viewers (millions)	DVR 18–49	DVR Viewers (millions)	Total 18–49	Total viewers (millions)
1	"The Troll Farmer (No. 38)"	Thursdays 9:00 pm	1.8/6	7.76	1.7	5.479	3.5	13.244^[8]
2	"Marvin Gerard (No. 80)"		1.5/5	7.02	1.5	4.892	3.0	11.911^[9]
3	"Eli Matchett (No. 72)"		1.4/4	6.93	1.6	5.049	3.0	11.978^[10]
4	"The Djinn (No. 43)"		1.4/5	6.68	1.5	5.157	2.9	11.836^[11]
5	"Arioch Cain (No. 50)"		1.5/5	7.03	1.4	4.632	2.9	11.661^[12]
6	"Sir Crispin Crandall (No. 86)"		1.4/4	6.44	1.5	5.018	2.9	11.454^[13]
7	"Zal Bin Hasaan (No. 31)"		1.5/5	6.75	1.4	4.809	2.9	11.563^[14]
8	"Kings of the Highway (No. 108)"		1.5/5	6.91	1.3	4.485	2.8	11.398^[15]
9	"The Director (No. 24)"		1.6/5	7.52	1.4	4.601	3.0	12.123^[16]
10	"The Director, Conclusion (No. 24)"		1.6/5	7.47	1.4	4.880	3.0	12.352^[17]
11	"Mr. Gregory Devry (No. 95)"		1.6/5	7.42	1.4	5.082	3.0	12.506^[18]
12	"The Vehm (No. 132)"		1.6/5	7.16	1.4	4.579	3.0	11.743^[19]
13	"Alistair Pitt (No. 103)"		1.5/5	6.49	1.4	4.846	2.9	11.375^[20]
14	"Lady Ambrosia (No. 77)"		1.4/4	6.43	1.5	5.061	2.9	11.498^[21]
15	"Drexel (No. 113)"		1.3/4	6.02	1.4	4.985	2.7	11.008^[22]
16	"The Caretaker (No. 78)"		1.3/4	5.97	1.3	4.613	2.6	10.565^[23]
17	"Mr. Solomon (No. 32)"		1.2/4	6.42	1.3	4.629	2.5	11.044^[24]
18	"Mr. Solomon: Conclusion (No. 32)"		1.4/5	6.74	1.1	4.325	2.5	11.062^[25]
19	"Cape May"		1.3/4	7.02	1.3	4.171	2.6	11.188^[26]
20	"The Artax Network (No. 41)"		1.2/4	6.70	1.3	4.502	2.5	11.206^[27]
21	"Susan Hargrave (No. 18)"		1.2/4	6.65	1.4	4.493	2.6	11.144^[28]
22	"Alexander Kirk (No. 14)"		1.3/4	6.62	1.2	4.284	2.5	10.900^[29]
23	"Alexander Kirk: Conclusion (No. 14)"		1.3/4	6.88	1.2	4.446	2.5	11.323^[30]

Notes and References

Web site: In 'The Blacklist' Season 3, 'Liz Keen is no longer working within the law'. Reiher. Andrea. Zap2it. May 14, 2015. September 1, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150908064838/http://zap2it.com/2015/05/the-blacklist-season-3-liz-keen-no-longer-working-within-the-law/. September 8, 2015.
Web site: Shows A-Z - blacklist, the on NBC . The Futon Critic. April 7, 2015.
Web site: THE BLACKLIST (NBC): LISTINGS. The Futon Critic. August 31, 2015.
Web site: 'The Blacklist' Promotes Hisham Tawfiq to Series Regular For Season 3. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. 31 March 2015. September 18, 2015.
Web site: 'The Blacklist' Spinoff Starring Famke Janssen In the Works At NBC. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. March 29, 2016. March 29, 2016.
Web site: 'The Blacklist' Spinoff Picked up to Series by NBC, 'Cruel Intentions' Still Alive. 14 May 2016.
Web site: The Blacklist : Season 3. rottentomatoes.com. Rotten Tomatoes. June 23, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 2: 'The Blacklist' premiere joins 'Empire' and 'Blindspot' atop the charts. https://web.archive.org/web/20151020142054/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/19/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-2-the-blacklist-premiere-joins-empire-and-blindspot-atop-the-charts/479111/. dead. October 20, 2015. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. October 19, 2015. October 19, 2015.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 3: 'Quantico' more than doubles, 'Empire' and 'Blindspot' score biggest gains. https://web.archive.org/web/20151107212508/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/31/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-3-quantico-more-than-doubles-empire-and-blindspot-score-biggest-gains/. dead. November 7, 2015. Porter. Rick. October 31, 2015. TV by the Numbers. October 31, 2015.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 4: 'Jane the Virgin' premiere doubles, 'Empire' and 'Blindspot' top charts for Oct. 12-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20151107202722/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/04/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-4-jane-the-virgin-premiere-doubles-empire-and-blindspot-top-charts-for-oct-12-18/. dead. November 7, 2015. Porter. Rick. November 4, 2015. TV by the Numbers. November 4, 2015.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 5: 'Empire' and 'Blindspot' have biggest total gains, 5 shows double. https://web.archive.org/web/20151113034210/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/09/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-5-oct-19-25-2015/. dead. November 13, 2015. Porter. Rick . November 9, 2015. TV by the Numbers. November 9, 2015.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' and 'Blindspot' top week 6, 'Quantico' doubles in 18-49 and viewers. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032234/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/16/broadcast-live-7-ratings-big-bang-theory-and-blindspot-top-week-6-quantico-doubles-in-18-49-and-viewers/. dead. November 17, 2015. Porter. Rick . November 16, 2015. TV by the Numbers. November 17, 2015.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 7: 'Elementary' is still a strong DVR show. https://web.archive.org/web/20151124144526/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/23/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-7-nov-2-8-2015/. dead. November 24, 2015. Porter. Rick . November 23, 2015. TV by the Numbers. November 23, 2015.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 8: 'Empire', 'Big Bang Theory', and 'Quantico' top charts for Nov 9-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20151203192118/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/12/01/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-8-empire-big-bang-theory-and-quantico-top-charts-for-nov-9-15/. dead. December 3, 2015. Porter. Rick . December 1, 2015. TV by the Numbers. December 1, 2015.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 9: 'Big Bang Theory' makes the biggest gains. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208104803/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/12/07/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-9-big-bang-theory-makes-the-biggest-gains/. dead. December 8, 2015. Porter. Rick . December 8, 2015. TV by the Numbers. December 8, 2015.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Shades of Blue' premiere gets a good lift in week 16. https://web.archive.org/web/20160128010705/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/01/25/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-16-jan-4-10-2016/. dead. January 28, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. January 25, 2016. January 25, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' and 'Modern Family' lead week 17, 'Shades of Blue' doubles . https://web.archive.org/web/20160202103725/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/02/01/broadcast-live-7-ratings-jan-11-17-2016-week-17/ . dead . February 2, 2016 . TV by the Numbers . Porter . Rick . February 1, 2016 . February 3, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'X-Files' premiere dominates week 18, 'Limitless' doubles. https://web.archive.org/web/20160210091925/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/02/08/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-18-jan-18-24-2016/. dead. February 10, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. February 8, 2016. February 8, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Lucifer' premiere shows solid growth in week 19. https://web.archive.org/web/20160217092849/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/02/16/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-19-jan-25-31-2016/. dead. February 17, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. February 16, 2016. February 16, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' gains the most, 'Vampire Diaries' and 'Shades of Blue' double. https://web.archive.org/web/20160224003456/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/02/22/broadcast-live-7-ratings-feb-1-7-2016/. dead. February 24, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. February 22, 2016. February 23, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'How to Get Away with Murder' 5 other shows double in a DVR-heavy week 21. https://web.archive.org/web/20160301101611/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/02/29/broadcast-live-7-ratings-week-21-feb-8-14-2016/. dead. March 1, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. February 29, 2016. March 1, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'The Blacklist' and 'The Big Bang Theory' lead week 22. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308062021/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/07/broadcast-live-7-ratings-feb-15-21-2016-week-22/. dead. March 8, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. March 7, 2016. March 12, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' has biggest week 23 gain, 'Jane the Virgin' and 3 others double. https://web.archive.org/web/20160315035448/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/14/broadcast-live-7-ratings-feb-22-28-2016/. dead. March 15, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. March 14, 2016. March 21, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Empire' and 'Big Bang Theory' stay on top for April 4–10. https://web.archive.org/web/20160425224416/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/04/25/broadcast-live-7-ratings-april-4-10-2016/. dead. April 25, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. April 25, 2016. April 26, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Empire' and 'Blacklist' have biggest gains, 4 shows double. https://web.archive.org/web/20160503111910/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/02/broadcast-live-7-ratings-april-11-17-2016/. dead. May 3, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. May 2, 2016. May 2, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Empire' and 'Big Bang Theory' lead for April 18–24, 5 shows double. https://web.archive.org/web/20160510032340/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/09/broadcast-live-7-ratings-april-18-24-2016/. dead. May 10, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. May 9, 2016. May 9, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory', 'Empire' and 'Blacklist' lead for April 25-May 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20160518100306/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/17/broadcast-live-7-ratings-april-25-may-1-2016/. dead. May 18, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. May 17, 2016. May 17, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' tops total gains, 'Vampire Diaries' and 9 others double in 18-49. https://web.archive.org/web/20160526085940/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/23/broadcast-live-7-ratings-may-2-8-2016/. dead. May 26, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. May 23, 2016. May 23, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' finale and 'Empire' share lead for May 9–15. https://web.archive.org/web/20160601134556/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/31/broadcast-live-7-ratings-may-9-15-2016/. dead. June 1, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. May 31, 2016. May 31, 2016.
Web site: Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Empire' and 'Blacklist' finales lead the week of May 16–22. https://web.archive.org/web/20160607043613/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/06/06/broadcast-live-7-ratings-may-16-22-2016/. dead. June 7, 2016. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. June 6, 2016. June 7, 2016.