The Blacklist - The Alchemist

While Reddington (James Spader) continues his own investigation into the mole the FBI have long ago stopped looking for he also alerts Agent Keen (Megan Boone) to the identity of another member of The Blacklist: a "forensic virtuoso" who specializes in making people disappear by faking their deaths down to the teeth and DNA. Although the FBI originally scoffs at Reddington's claims, after they find a very much living mobster (David Vadim) whose body was positively identified in a plane crash they become far more interested in getting their hands on The Alchemist (Ryan O'Nan) and all the former clients he has helped disappear over the years.

While trying to track down the scientist through the expensive equipment he would need to fiddle with DNA, Lizzie grins and bears it through a baby shower thrown by Tom's (Ryan Eggold) co-workers which only leads to more stress between the couple six weeks before the scheduled adoption. The episode also introduces Rachel Brosnahan the character of Jolene who is obviously far more than just a substitute teacher. The episode also spends quite a bit of time on Ressler (Diego Klattenhoff) deciding what to do about his former girlfriend (Emily Tremaine) recent engagement to another man.


The Alchemist performs his sleight of hand to stage the apparent murder of his wife and daughter which Keen quickly sniffs out and leads the FBI to taking the man down. Although not able to take The Alchemist alive, Keen and her team are able to find a list of his clients which, apparently, is what Reddington was after all along when he put Lizzie on the man's scent (although we don't know who on the list is the reason for his interest).

The introduction of Jolene, whose true motives beyond sleeping with Tom are anyone's guess at this point, is likely another severe body blow to Lizzie and Tom's marriage. However, the big reveal at the end of the episode sets the stage for next week's episode and possibly beyond as Reddington's team, while digging through trash bags of shredded documents, finds a crucial piece of evidence leading him straight to the mole - Meera (Parminder Nagra).