Raymond Reddington, from hit Netflix show “The Blacklist,” is an enigma to society’s definition of a villain. He redefines the standard of how I view criminals in fantasy. On the surface, most people see him for the criminal he is ruthless, calculated, and a force to be reckoned with. But, he is not always the hardened man he presents to the world. And after spending six months and hundreds of hours watching the show and fan edits, his humanity becomes apparent quickly.
Underneath the captivating monologues, cryptic riddles, shady business deals, and blurred lines, Reddington remains my best definition of an oxymoron. He lives in darkness searching for light. Reddington spent 30 years evading capture from the world’s intelligence agencies, building the biggest criminal empire, remaining two steps ahead of everyone. His name alone is enough to strike fear in the hearts of anyone, earning him the nicknames “The Man in the Hat” and “Concierge of Crime.”
This raises the question; what is Raymond Reddington? I believe he is neither hero nor villain, but a man. A man trying to do good in the world, even the world hates him. A man at war with himself because of the light he seeks whilst holding the darkness. A man who has every move planned, making every action a display of his power. A man worn down and tired of the job and empire he’s built for himself. He says multiple times that he hates unnecessary violence, and every time he kills someone, part of his soul dies with them.
Throughout the seasons we see him grow beaten down by the things the world throws at him. Reddington has always been a realist with a heavy dose of cynicism, so it’s not surprising to see him slip into cynicism at the end of the series. I suspect he struggles with depression, although it’s never directly shown. Even still, Reddington refuses to take a break saying he wants as many reminders of the good and beauty the world has to offer, reminding us he’s just a man trying to live on this Earth.
Despite everything, Reddington is still a criminal, willing to manipulate the people around him to get what he wants. But he still chooses to empathize with people and show others there’s some good in him after all. Reddington is willing to be seen as a heartless criminal, but be human when no one’s looking. He looks for the light wherever he goes while still embracing and at times, welcoming the darkness because he knows he’s the best one at his job out there. He remains an unacknowledged hero in a world determined to see him as a villain. Reddington shows us how taking a second to listen to others, even if we never agree with them, can do more good than anything else out there. So go out and be the light others are looking for, the world can always use more of it.
