WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW

I was more than a little concerned that one of my favorite shows had jumped the shark after watching the robo-sex-slave/assassin episode (S9:E13 - Genuine Models, Inc.). It just seemed to have lost its way, like it didn’t know what kind of show it wanted to be any more. And, in my opinion, the whole plot was ridiculous.

It regained its footing a little in the Eva Mason episode (S9:E14) and brought Pannabaker more into the mix and she is a character I thoroughly enjoy.

Then, I watched the Andrew Kennison episode and I thought, “Yes! It’s back!”

This is one of the first epsiodes of Season 9 that had the old Blacklist mojo.

It’s been difficult to find for the show runners. I imagine it would have to be. When Megan Boone exited the show it could no longer be about who Red Reddington really is because she was the only one who really cared. So, now it’s about who Elizabeth’s killer is, which is a nice direction, but the show seemed to be struggling to find its way.

This epsiode seems to have them solidly back on that path.

You’ve got Red walking that razor thin edge between darkness and light. A man at war with himself. The scene between him and Cooper when they both discovered that Cooper’s blackmailer and Red’s search for Keen’s killer were connected was excellent. You could see the shadow pass over Red. Spader is a wonderful actor.

You’ve got Cooper wrestling with matters of conscience and once again proving to be a person of integrity and responsibility. He’s a light in the darkness. He’s an angel shaking hands with the devil. That’s good TV.

You’ve got Aram being his amazing, loyal, child-like, genius self. He’s the conscience of the team.

And I was really pleased to see Pannabaker have so much screen time. She’s an excellent character, whose arc has really developed more this season.

And the intrigue! The mystery! The complexity! All on point in this episode.

And, let’s face it, the scene where the dirt bag ex-cop and the dirt bag lawayer were gunned down in the street, pushing Red a little farther away from his goal of finding Elizabeth’s killer, was masterfully written and beautifully shot. Pun intended.

So, faith restored.

I was never off The Blacklist bandwagon, you understand. I would have ridden it all the way to the bitter end. I am just thrilled to see that it seems to be back on track.