Liz and the Task Force hunt for an elusive criminal who will stop at nothing to destroy some of the world's most precious treasures. Meanwhile, a surprise encounter leads a cash-strapped Red toward a new business opportunity, and Tom takes action to investigate the bones in the suitcase.
Raymond "Red" Reddington, one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives, surrenders in person at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He claims that he and the FBI have the same interests: bringing down dangerous criminals and terrorists. In the last two decades, he's made a list of criminals and terrorists that matter the most but the FBI cannot find because it does not know they exist. Reddington calls this "The Blacklist".
Reddington will co-operate, but insists that he will speak only to Elizabeth Keen, a rookie FBI profiler.
Reddington makes a disturbing request to Liz in exchange for the truth about his identity.
When Reddington takes Liz to the mysterious epicenter of his empire, their shared past reveals itself and long buried secrets are divulged.
Liz, Red and Dembe are forced to work together to survive an attack from Townsend. Cooper and the Task Force attempt to de-escalate the increasing danger to all.
Hoping to move some precious cargo quietly, Red enlists the assistance of an enforcer who specializes in transporting items through an underground network.
The Task Force springs into action to stop an elusive assassin on Liz's trail.