Did The Blacklist Actually Reveal Reds Identity in the Finale?
Maybe not as much as it seemed. Were thinking its possibly both. First, a quick recap: Red came up with a plan to ensure Liz would be seen as the criminal she needed to in order to protect her. Shed take over the blacklist  after killing him. (He is, after all, dying already.) Only then would he allow her to read a letter from her mother that would tell her who he is. But when it came time for her to pull the trigger, she couldnt. Vandyke (Lukas Hassel), however, could, shooting her in the chest. It sure looked like a fatal wound (but you never know). Cue Lizs memories of everyone in her life, including flashes of her mom Katarina kissing her on the head as a baby as Red did the same thing. That transition as Liz (possibly) died wasnt the only major hint to the latter. Earlier in the episode, Red suggested, Maybe you were born to this, out of a lie, the daughter of a spy, genetically predisposed to deception and danger. He also said he knew Lizs mother better than anyone. And he insisted she couldnt know who he really is before she took his life because if you knew beforehand, youd never agree to kill me.  All signs point to a very strong (familial) connection between the two. He would know Lizs mother better than anyone if thats who he really is. Hed know that Liz wouldnt even entertain the thought of shooting him if thats the case, too. Its why the contents of that letter remain a mystery (one we hope is solved in Season 9). With Boones exit, it would only make sense that the big mystery of who Red is is closed because it wouldnt land the same way if the truth (a different one) comes out after shes gone (whether Liz is dead or just off-screen). Just consider how big that question was in her final episode. Imagine how it would come across if its revealed hes someone else important to herwithout seeing how she reacts. Besides, The Blacklist can continue to play with that mystery a bit since it has yet to be confirmed onscreen. We could, however, perhaps see that happen with Red mentioning to Dembe (Hisham Tawfiq) something about her at least figuring out the truth before she died (if she does) next season. It could still be left up in the air if hes Lizs mom (by not saying it explicitly onscreen) without removing just how tied to her that reveal is. Without confirmation from anyone from The Blacklist, all we can do is hope to get answers sooner rather than later. The Blacklist, Season 9, Fall 2021, NBC