Skip to main content

The Blacklist Season 9 introduced a very intriguing storyline in episode 6. Red made a huge discovery that will certainly impact him the rest of the season. Usually, episodes of The Blacklist are named after the criminal that the episode focuses on. However, occasionally the show deviates from the norm and focuses more specifically on the solo journey of an important character. It looks like season 9, episode 7 will be one such episode.

Diany Rodriguez as Weecha Xiu and James Spader as Red in The Blacklist Season 9. Red is talking to someone with Weecha and armed guards behind him.
Diany Rodriguez as Weecha Xiu and James Spader as Red in ‘The Blacklist’ Season 9 | Sony Pictures Television

Episodes not named after a criminal are atypical for the series

A few episodes of The Blacklist are not named after blacklister criminals. These episodes are atypical for the series in some way or other. Oftentimes, they give context to the series by telling a story through flashbacks. For example, “Requiem” reveals Mr. Kaplan’s backstory. “Brothers,” an episode in season 7, tells the story of Ressler’s complicated relationship with his brother.

These atypical episodes also often occur after the main character experiences a major tragedy or event. For example, in “Cape May,” Red travels to New Jersey after the (fake) death of Liz Keen. It’s a unique episode that focuses solely on Red. “Ruin” is similar in that it focuses on Liz after the death of her husband, Tom Keen. Liz hides out in a remote cabin to deal with Tom’s death and ends up helping an injured man in the woods.

‘The Blacklist’ Season 9 Episode 7 will be a unique episode

The Blacklist Season 9 will not return until 2022, but at least fans have an interesting episode to look forward to. Episode 7 is titled “Between Sleep & Awake,” which immediately suggests it will deviate from the norm. It’s possible that fans will have a Red-centric episode on their hands.

In episode 6, Red makes a shocking discovery. He learned that Liz knew his true identity before he died, presumably because Dembe gave her the letter Red entrusted to him. This sends Red into a spiral where he is afraid of the “depth and breadth” of his anger. Red also hires therapist Dr. Roberta Sand, Ph.D., and she agrees to counsel him for a few months on a remote island.

Enid Graham as Dr. Roberta Sand in The Blacklist Season 9 Episode 6. Sands is wearing a mustard-colored turtle neck sweater and round glasses.
Enid Graham as Dr. Roberta Sand in ‘The Blacklist’ Season 9 | Will Hart/NBC
Related

‘The Blacklist’ Season 9: Are Fans Finally Ready for the Series to End?

Atypical episodes of The Blacklist often use flashbacks to tell a story, and The Blacklist Season 9 really needs to fill in the blanks about what went down between Red and Dembe. Perhaps episode 7 will begin with Red and Sand in therapy. While Red explains his anger to Sand, fans might get to see flashbacks that finally explain what happened between the two.

When will ‘The Blacklist’ Season 9 Episode 7 air?

The Blacklist Season 9 won’t return with episode 7 until 2022. The series will go on a break for the holidays, but fans can catch the new episode Thursday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, according to Matt&Jess TV Commentary. In the meantime, fans can go back and watch seasons 1-8 of The Blacklist on Netflix, or check out similar shows suggested here.