For once onThe Blacklist, Agent Elizabeth Keen is a step ahead of the elusive Raymond Reddington.
We spoke to executive producerJon Bokenkampabout whats coming in the back half of the season.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Theres this huge, damaging secret between Red and Liz.
Credit: Virginia Sherwood/NBC
How bad will things get between them this time?
And what lengths will Red go to for maintain their relationship?
JON BOKENKAMP:I think our series always ebbs and flows regarding that core relationship.
Karolina Wojtasik/NBC
At times Red and Liz are close, at times theyre emotionally far apart.
Shes not in a rush to confront him because she knows shes not going to get answers.
You saw that in the end of tonights episode.
Red feels like hes answered the Katarina question, and he has nothing more to say about it.
In his mind, all this business with Katarina Rostova is in the rearview mirror.
Liz on the other hand well, well have to wait and see how she responds.
But for now, shes playing her cards close to the vest.
Katarina is not seen but mentioned, and shes definitely out there.
How heavily will she loom over the second half of the season?
Not for a while.
Liz knows her mother survived.
The audience knows shes out there somewhere.
But again, looking at the series from Reds point of view, hes feeling positive.
He believes a mortal enemy is gone.
We have great stories for all of our core cast.
Remember, Aram is deep into an unexpected relationship, so were going to continue to explore that.
Its fair to say shes got a secret or two.
And speaking of secrets, one of the biggest secrets is being kept by Agent Ressler.
Any Blacklisters youre especially excited for viewers to meet in the back half of the season?
Next week is a super-fun episode with Cornelius Ruck.
Its a really great whodunit.
Weve got some really fun episodes coming up.
What else can you tease about whats coming this season?
I think the best part about whats to come on theBlacklistis that its fun.
We can be a very dark show, but this next run of episodes is a blast.
Reds in a good mood and having fun.
And when Red has fun, we all have fun.
The Blacklistairs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
