'The Blacklist' Has Revealed Liz's Fate Ahead Of Season 9 Premiere

Will Hart / NBC

Ever since “The Blacklist” shocked viewers with its Season 8 finale, there have been many questions about Liz’s fate. Now, the show appears to have confirmed what will become of her via the official synopsis for Season 9. While many probably anticipated learning the definitive outcome of the shocking cliffhanger when Season 9 premieres in October, the reveal has come early. So, what is it?

In a somewhat surprising twist, “The Blacklist” is not leaving Liz’s fate a mystery – at all. According to the plot synopsis for Season 9, Liz died. Yes, you read that correctly. It seems as though the veteran drama will cut straight to the chase about what happened after Season 8 faded to black. And there’s more.

When “The Blacklist” kicks off in Season 9, the show will have leaped two years forward in time. So, expect the characters’ emotions not to run as high as viewers’ when Red and company return. For fans, it feels like just yesterday that Liz got shot in the Season 8 finale. Liz was on her way to assassinate Red at his own behest, only for her to be felled by Neville Townsend’s henchman.

“The Blacklist” left Liz’s fate among the living open by a hair’s width. Considering that her life and certain truths flashed before her eyes, it seemed like Liz went to the great beyond. This plot synopsis confirms it. But, of course, this is “The Blacklist” we are talking about, and seldom is anything what it seems. Liz’s death could have been faked for her own protection.

It stands to reason that Liz could actually be lingering in a coma as she did years ago when Tom got murdered, and she got attacked alongside him. If that is the case, though, I would expect “The Blacklist” to give a few knowing nods or winks as to the legitimacy of Liz’s demise. If they did, it would distract from the still unsolved mystery of what Red’s real identity is.

In one other critical development revealed in Season 9’s plot synopsis, the Task Force has broken up in the wake of Liz’s death. If there is any silver lining in the rather bleak summary, it is that the band will get back together. Oh, and did I mention that Red is still alive despite two years having passed since the Season 8 finale? Apparently, that deadly illness was not as fatal as “The Blacklist” hinted.

Here is the full synopsis NBC provided:

“In the two years following the death of Elizabeth Keen, Raymond Reddington (James Spader) and the members of the FBI Task Force have disbanded – their lives now changed in unexpected ways and with Reddington’s whereabouts unknown. Finding themselves each at a crossroads, a common purpose compels them to renew their original mission: to take down dangerous, vicious and eccentric Blacklisters. In the process, they begin to uncover lethal adversaries, unimaginable conspiracies and surprising betrayals that will threaten alliances and spur vengeance for the past, led by the most devious criminal of them all – Raymond Reddington.”

I do not know about you, but I am excited about what is to come, if tentatively nervous about it. This is the first season of “The Blacklist” since Megan Boone departed the show as its co-anchor and its maiden voyage without the series’ creator, Jon Bokenkamp, steering the ship. The executive producer and showrunner announced his exit from the show the morning after the Season 8 finale aired.

In another surprising turn, neither Jon Bokenkamp nor Megan Boone have given an exit interview following their departures. “The Blacklist” pillars both left messages on social media and left it at that. Their absences will certainly get felt. How the show moves forward in Season 9 will undoubtedly determine its future. I am hoping for a bright one. Season 9 of “The Blacklist” will premiere on NBC on Thursday, October 21 at 8 p.m. ET.