Brothers

While I wouldn't have thought so before, I am thrilled that this episode did not include Redington. This was a great backstory explaining Ressler's history. I haven't always been a fan of the actor playing Ressler, but the story and the acting in this episode was very good. The ending was especially top-notch.

I really loved the casting come on people 70 really!! best episode in B2 for me

Amazing to see how well the actors perform without Spader. Diego was particularly good in this episode, and giving him a decent script really allows him to shine. The amount of one star reviews from Spader fanatics are concerning, the Blacklist is finally taking time after 7 seasons to focus on some of its much neglected characters. Wonderful episode which explains a lot of Ressler's choices and career moves.

A departure from the same formula every week, making the most 2-dimensional character in the show 3-dimensional. Shows this long need to change things up.

Everyone who got their jimmies rustled by Spader taking an episode off needs to remember that he had his "Agatha Christie" episode recently, in which he was on screen nearly the whole time. No doubt this is comp time for that.

Not a bad episode. Wish Red an Dembe were in it but that's ok. If Elizabeth didn't show up in this episode I would have gave this a higher rating! Was actually good and interesting until they just had to bring her in it