The episode 10 of Season 3 of "The Blacklist", entitled "The Director," sets the stage for the inevitable confrontation between the ruthless renegade agent Reddington (James Spader) and the equally maipulative Cabal. Reddington wants to clear the name of Liz Keene (Megan Boone) and gains unexpected but needed support from the temporary alliance of adversaries, Tom Keene (Ryan Eggold) and Donald Ressler.(Diego Klattenhoff).
The summary of Episode 10, published by The Master Herald, starts the mid-season opener with a bang as the embattled Liz and set free to continue finding the proof that will truly exonerate her once and for all. Aram (Amir Aramson) stuns everyone by pulling a gun on the Director (David Straithairn) and opening Lizs cell door. Aram gets a boost when the enigmatic Reddington and Liz's self-appointed protector commends him for his bravery and tells him that he owes him a huge debt. Considering the power that Reddington wields, Aram should save that favor for a rainy day, which will come now that Liz's freedom has roused even more the anger of the Cabal.
Pop Matters forecasts that the inevitable showdown between Reddington and the Cabal will be a must-watch episode. Aside from the Director, the Cabal is composed of operatives and leaders (played by Christine Lahti and Matias Solomon) who, together, as a team can match Reddington in terms of skills, influences, and efficiency. Their main objective is to assassinate Liz.
Fortunately, the agent on the run has other allies aside from her guardian angel, Reddington. Ex-husband-and-enemy-agent, Tom Keene (Ryan Eggold), who still bears a torch for her, teams up with straight-laced agent Ressler. The two put aside their differences and enmity to protect Liz and bring the Cabal to justice. Lines are becoming blurred though, as Tom seems to side with the angels for once, while Ressler is pushed beyond his limits to break the law.
Carter Matt reports that the White Knight Ressler will have more than his fair share of action as the season ends. Show creator Jon Bokenkamp says that Ressler's backstory will emerge to impact the outcome of the next two episodes, which would have Cabal and the Reddington team finally duking it out in open conflct.
The Blacklist's Episode 10 will air on January 14 at NBC.
