#anti-ressler

[meetmeatthecoda]

Somehow, even though I haven't watched in years - and am 0% tempted to tonight - I've still got this tiny sliver of anxiety about the ending of The Blacklist. Is that crazy? It's like I know they can't possibly wrap up the story in a way I'll be happy or satisfied with (and after the 8th season I mostly gave up caring about what happens in "canon")...and yet I'm sure when I hear about what happened in the finale it's going to feel like one last, poorly written gut punch.

How are you feeling about tonight?

Hiya, anon ❤️ Ugh, can I just say that you summed up my tangle of feelings absolutely perfectly? 🥺 More specifically, no, that is not crazy at all. I am in the same place as you with not caring about any of it anymore - not since 8.22 ripped my fucking heart out - & I literally can't think of anything I'd like to do less than watch the series finale. But even in the years since 8.22, there was still that awareness that the show was still out there somewhere, even if I only heard drips & drabs, & I scoffed at it all, & I didn't give a tiny rat's ass what happened. And while that remains true, the fact that it's OFFICIALLY ending (despite the fact that it ended for us two years ago) is... a little sobering. For me, I think it's a reminder of the pain & grief of The Terrible Awful™️ 😓

Also, yes, anon, I completely understand the sliver of anxiety & dread... I felt the same thing when I heard that they were finally blessedly cancelled & again when I realized the last ep was coming up... I can only speak for myself, but I think it's bc I still care at least a little about Red &, deep down, I still want a happy ending for him, even though I fully believe he can't have one without Liz. But I have zero faith in TPTB & I'm sure they will make it a nebulous, "cool" ending with no real answers, like always, or they'll confirm godforsaken R*darina, or they'll just kill off Red because they're incapable of writing anything else. And I'm sure every other aspect of it will be disappointing, like Ressler being the hero or something (LMFAO) & it will be awful all around. I have no other expectations & I suppose I have to either accept it and/or ignore whatever happens AND/OR consider it all a crap AU & Lizzington as our canon. But the way you describe it, "one last, poorly written gut punch", perfectly describes how I feel. I tell myself that none of it matters anymore - it's not like we're getting a Lizzington ending lolz - but I think I'm just afraid of being hurt again bc, for all my posturing, I know TPTB still have the power to do that, simply bc I still care just a tiny bit. Despite all the heartbreak I've already felt... a little remains of the show, the characters, & my heart for them to destroy 💔

Idk if that made any sense at all, anon, but I hope I communicated at least 3 things: 1) you're not alone in the way you feel, 2) the ending will probably hurt & ache & betray in just the way we're afraid of, & 3) we simply have to deal with the residual hurt, know that TPTB failed us & it's not our fault, &... cherish what we had by holding our Lizzington AU close to our hearts & keeping them alive through fanfic... at least, that's what I plan on doing. So, feel free to drop another ask if you want to talk more, anon, I would certainly love to commiserate & work through our feelings together tbh, & btw I'm very flattered you came to my ask box with this & wanted to know how I feel, thank you for being so sweet. In the meantime, hang in there, anon, you're definitely not alone, & much love to you, my friend ❤️

[maidmerrymint]

SPOILER ALERT

Rewatching the Blacklist because I missed a bunch of episode. Just started season 2 and I've just got to say I don't really like Tom Keen. His whole relationship with Elizabeth in season 1 makes me feel really yucky.

And from the episodes I did see I know Liz and Tom get back together and have Agnes. But I just don't like Tom. I just can't get over how he was the first couple seasons.

I think Elizabeth and Ressler would have made such a better couple. Ressler and Liz have such a good working relationship that if Tom was out of the picture I think that they would have gotten together and Agnes would have been their child.

[kiss-my-freckle]

Anti-Rederina fans have a hard time grasping the concept of living in two identities. If Red isn’t the real Red, which they’ve already confirmed he’s not, then he’d speak from two different perspectives. Those perspectives being that of the real Raymond, and that of his original identity - Katarina. The very reason I tell fans just how important it is to consider what perspective he’s speaking from at all times. At ALL times. For instance... while speaking to a federal agent, it would be wise for Red to speak as the real Raymond so as not to inform said federal agent that he’s an imposter. So when he’s talking to Aram over an open grave, he’d speak of the real Raymond’s mother rather than his own. Expect Katarina’s mother to be alive - until she dies of cancer. While speaking of the Takoma Park house, expect him to speak from both perspectives - Raymond and Katarina. When Katarina hid her daughter with Sam, it would be wise to know why she chose him to begin with. “You have to leave Masha with someone unconnected, who I can trust.” Ivan Stepanov is connected, considering he was Katarina's handler. THIS would be the very reason he'd threaten Elizabeth Keen. Because he has no idea that she’s Masha Rostova until he actually sees her face-to-face. Until he actually sees her, she’s a random woman risking their business. 

It’s not my fault fans can’t differentiate the clues. Can’t see when they’ve introduced an imposter Katarina, pulled a fake reveal like Red is Ilya, or somehow fail to see how Rederina fits the entire series. Rederina fits EVERY clue in the show, no matter how many fans claim it doesn’t. I know it does because after 5x22 aired, I rewatched the series for the sake of it. Everything I saw aligned with Rederina... and everything following season 5 continued to align with it. That’s why I haven’t been wrong about Red and Katarina since then. I told fans Red isn’t Ilya, and that Tatiana wasn’t Katarina. Do not blame me because I chose to follow a theory that fit. I follow the only theory the writers gave me. The moment they removed Red as the father, there was only one theory left. Not my fault fans are angry because season after season, the writers continued dismantling their theories. Perhaps those fans wouldn’t be so angry had they fallen in line with the Rederina theory rather than spent 5+ seasons trying to debunk it. There’s nothing left to do with Lizzington but laugh my ass off at their posts because they have nothing left to fight with. Same with Daddygate, third man, etc. 

It’s not my fault fans can’t move their puzzle pieces around because they only see them one way. It’s not my fault fans can’t reason beyond what they’re used to, are limited by their own belief that clues can only be interpreted one way.

When Red was talking to Ressler in the box in 1x9, he was speaking with intent. What he wanted in that moment required the use of “boy” rather than “child” because it wasn’t for him. Red wanted Ressler to see, to feel, to want ���one more” for himself. He was painting a picture, and when painting a picture, details matter. Not just any horses or any number of horses, but exactly 10 race horses. Not just any cigar, but Cubans. Not just a set of sheets, but a cool set of sheets. Not just a child, but a boy. 

Ressler: We’re not gonna live through this. Red: I think we will. Ressler: How?

Red wanted Ressler to imagine himself sleeping like he slept when he was a boy. And he wanted this for the sake of giving Ressler hope. Giving him hope in response to Ressler’s own comment. That’s why he chose to refer to himself as a boy. Because it was for Ressler. That’s why Ressler is shown staring as he does and crying. He’s imagining these things for himself... as Red painted this very picture FOR him.  

These are things fans need to consider. It’s all perspective. Stop viewing things one way - your way - because they don’t fit your theory. Perhaps then you’ll stop posting idiotic arguments. 

[fancycaroline]

Febressuary ~ fanfic prompt ~ “Nice Jeans” / Ressler’s “Heart” Week

(NB: this super mini fic may not be for everyone, but all I’m going to say is that it is no worse than what the show has already subjected us to. Anyways, proceed with caution as you would, but don’t worry about anything worse than what you’ve already seen.)

Between Sleep and Awake

First, a deafening blow that struck with such force, he couldn’t tell where he had been hit. But looking down, he watched as a crimson blotch spread over his heart with the chaotic grace of a carnation in full bloom.

Vaguely, a succession of loud noises registered, muffled as if he was in a fish bowl. Voices became clearer as they approached, “Agent Zuma, Agent Ressler, I specifically told Harold not to let you or anyone in the Task Force follow me here..” A second voice said, “Rehmond, you cahn’t stay here. Weecha, get him out of here, NOW!”

Amidst the blur that permeated his vision, Red’s face came into focus, his eyes full of concern when they took in the bouquet blooming on his chest. His tone became softer, “Donald, don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t relish the idea of being in your debt in perpetuity…”

Suddenly, what had seemed like water all around him drained away instantly and his surroundings came into crystalline focus. The quiet street they had been surveilling gave the misleading impression that it would lead straight to a bridge that towered majestically in the distance, but they were actually far below and away from any significant traffic. Everything had been perfectly still at 4am, when they had arrived, and now, following that brief but explosive skirmish, the street was perfectly still once again. The violent perpetrators lay dead, and Ressler could now clearly see Weecha and Dembe, standing together in quiet tolerance of each other, looking on as Red bent over him.

High above, a ribbon of speckled sky had managed not to get totally crowded out by the tall row houses and mature trees lining the narrow street. The stars sparkled with unusual brightness and one seemed to drift gracefully down toward where the bridge stood and disappeared behind it’s stone arches.

Red was speaking in hushed tones to Dembe and Weecha, when suddenly a silver light all but obscured the bridge and stretched it’s rays to exactly where Ressler lay on the pavement. A luminous figure approached. She stretched out her hand in invitation and Ressler joined her with a warm hug. When they pulled apart Liz smiled up at Ressler and smirked, looking him up and down, “Nice Jeans.”

Ressler chuckled, marking the approval in her eyes, and replied, “You know they’re my favourite, rips and all.”

Liz dropped her gaze, blushing a little and biting her lip, “I never had a chance to tell you, but… they’re my favourite too.”

Ressler’s eyes saddened a little and a couple of pearly tears formed, “I figured we could make up for all those lazy Saturdays we missed out on.” Then it was his turn to look her up and down, saying, “I guess you had the same idea.”

Liz smiled her widest, dimpled smile, which he had loved since the day he had met her, and said, “Where I came from it’s all lazy Saturdays. With no consequences.” She added, a hint of humour playing about her eyes.

They both laughed lightly, neither able to hold back the tears now as they pulled each other close again. Liz rested her palm on Ressler’s cheek and he cupped her head, stroking her hair and letting it run through his fingers. They were speechless for a little while, their intense feelings overwhelming their ability to form coherent thoughts. So they stood their gazing into each other’s face, each drinking in the sight of the other.

Finally, with raw emotion, Ressler managed to utter, “I missed you.” Liz, her face streaked silver with her tears, replied, “I didn’t want this for you. But now, I’m just glad you’re here.” And then their lips met as they melted into each other in a profound kiss, the deep well of their mutual love finally flowing freely between them. Even when the kiss ended, they resisted letting each other go, showering a myriad of tiny kisses, peppered liberally, over their faces, as they gradually grasped the utter joy of finally having this moment together.

By now Red, Weecha and Dembe were deliberating over how best to handle the injured Ressler and the cleanup, and when Red turned around, he bent down, over Ressler’s limp form, “Donald!” He cried in a hushed tone. “Donald!” Dembe approached Red, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, “Rehmond, he’s gone.” Red bowed his head in grief.

Liz and Ressler had turned their heads at the sound of the alarm in Red’s voice, and now they looked on with pity. Liz, shaking off the somber scene, linked her arm with Ressler’s, and said cheerfully, tossing her head in the direction of the light, “Come on. I’ll show you around.”

Ressler’s mood easily rose to meet Liz’s and, without a second look back, he fell in step beside her, curling his arm affectionately around her neck and pulling her in for a loving kiss on the side of her head. Liz shifted her arm to wrap snuggly around him, and they walked together like that, arm in arm, disappearing into the light.

FIN

{Some other renderings of the original sketch, which incidentally, I first shared in this Tweet, where, if you are so inclined, you will see the original inspiration for the drawing. Of course when I saw the prompt “nice jeans”, my muse just went, oh yeah let’s do this. But it also works for Ressler’s “Heart” Week 😭 }

{Another little edit I made for my Tumblr cover page, so I guess I was already kind of formulating this story in my head weeks before I found an opportunity to write it. Actually, I think how the gif turned out made me think of Liz and Ressler being in heaven together. My headcanon is that Liz IS alone, bc Tom went to hell 🤷‍♀️ Anyways, as shitty as losing Liz was for our Keenler hearts, at least we got 9.07.}

~ Thanks for reading. I hope I didn’t ruin anyone’s day with this story. It’s an AU. I’m sure Ressler ain’t goin anywhere the show won’t go…

[alyblacklist]

Hey? Hi, can you remember that episode where Ressler is dating that prostitute? I tried googling but I wasn't able to find it.

You won't find it, because it doesn't exist. You're leaping to a conclusion that isn't supported by canon.

Ressler went to the Alter Ego agency at the end of Episode 6.05 to hire a date to take to his cousin's wedding.

The agency wasn't hiring out prostitutes (which would be illegal anyway)! The agency was described as offering actors to play certain roles - whether a date to a wedding, a fake bride (as we saw in the episode), a pretend father or grandfather, etc. Someone who would play to a script that the person hiring them could control. Not hiring actors out for sex!

Ressler and the woman he brought as his date to the wedding started an actual relationship offscreen sometime after the wedding and before Liz showed up at his door in 6.08 (Marko Jankowicz) when we met Hannah. He wasn't paying Hannah for that. She had a key to his apartment, showed up with lunch and clearly had real feelings for him (until she saw Ressler and Liz with the pregnant, bleeding drug mule in the living room). As Liz said in that episode to Ressler, "clearly she saw the amazing part" of Ressler. And Hannah admitted she had made a mistake getting involved with a client in the first place. A client for her services as an actor not a prostitute. At least she served the useful plot device of making Liz jealous.

[falle-ness]

Let me blow some uncomfortable truth from my horn:

Ressler has buried Liz already in s3. He thought she's dead. He carried the fucking hearse.

The writers had just decided to move on from that, and turn everything into rainbow and peaches and forgiveness and sweet love, but whatever.

Can you imagine what he felt? After and before, knowing she lied to him? Her death was almost the same as Audrey's, under bullets. Just look at it without any romantic implications.

Losing someone who is close to you is always a trauma.

It fucks you up—for life.

And now, as fucked up this finale is, she dies again in his arms.

Do y'all even realize how fucked up that is? And what it means for Ressler?

Yes, you all remembered he had lost Audrey, but conveniently leave out the fact Liz made everyone believe she's gone. She made Ressler (and Red) believe she's dead.

They lost her twice.

Ress is fucked up for life now.

Red, considering his condition and age, may not make it.

I don't know where the writers wanted to go with that or they just slapped the plot points here and there and vomited the end scene.

But the message—even if you can't see it or don't want to see—is clear. It's one of the recurring themes on TBL.

Consequences of your actions. For all the characters. Butterfly effect at its best.

I'm not saying she deserved to die like that. But you can't deny she—and those who enabled her, even Ress—didn't steer clear of danger. And surely, Red's consequences will catch up with him on s9.

And maybe, just maybe, as stupid and dumb that ending for Liz might seem, you can't deny she toyed with death. If you knock on the door hard enough...

[lovingcoldplayertonystark]

Why does anyone want Ressler and Liz together in the year of our lord 2021, Liz is terrible

[smol-blue-bird]

the blacklist is certainly A Show

[imyourplusone]

*

[samwinchestersleftshoe]

ressler is so black-and-white yall

i feel like he would yell at me for killing in self defense

[meetmeatthecoda]

I know that you haven't seen the s9 eps, which I totally get. But in e7, they show Liz's gravestone. By golly was it sad. Not for the reason you'll think. First of all, it was a R*ssler eps. The amount of red flags that eps had *exhales*. Anyways, they made it so that she was buried next to T*m. Aaaaaand they had T*m's stone read yk he's name, lifespan, that he was a husband and father. The usually stuff. The stuff you'll expect on a stone. Or whatever. But for Liz? Pfft! She got her name, lifespan and.... Yup that's it. Nothing about her being a mother, wife, etc. Nothing else.

Well all know that Red would've given her the works. But I bet R*ssler was the one in charge of it all 🙄.

Hey there, anon!! 👋 Ah, thank you for being understanding of my complete & utter rejection of season 9!! 😁 Buttttt yeah, I unfortunately saw a pic of her headstone briefly while doom-scrolling on Twitter & I could only look at it for about 0.4 seconds bc my initial reaction was something like ohmyfuckinggodareyoufuckingkiddingmewhatthefuck. But then that was quickly followed by 'WELP... IDK WHAT I EXPECTED ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ'. But honestly, it just goes to show how little of a shit they gave about her character in the end... they stuck her in the ground next to her abusive fraud ex-husband & couldn't even be bother to photoshop something decent on the headstone in the editing room lmfao 🥲 Also, sidenote, I would estimate TPTB have approximately the same amount of shits to give about Liz as I have about their new golden boy: I couldn't give a singular rat's ass about the Hilariously Ridiculous R*ssler Retcon 2k21/2 & I want to know absolutely nothing about his uTtEr ReLeVaNcE & ePiC lOvE sToRy (that I apparently blinked & missed) oh & of course his fAsCiNaTiNg ChArAcTeR dEvElOpMeNt that makes me want to scream laugh with tears streaming down my face as I clutch Lizzington photos to my aching chest just to remember who the actual main characters of this show used to be... *ahem* Anyway, just, ya know. Sidenote. 🙃 ANYHOO thank you muchly for this hella relatable lil update ask, anon, I do appreciate it, & much love to you, my friend!! ❤️

[lizziekeen]

i sure hope that the blacklist writers didn't forget that ressler never actually had faith in elizabeth

[kiss-my-freckle]

I think Ressler’s gonna find out Red is Katarina, then hire Herbie to do a touch DNA test on Diane Fowler's record brush. When he gets the results, he’s gonna find out the DNA is male... so it can’t be Red or Kate. 

Gale: He’s listening to “Sundown.” The strum of the guitar, the voice of a man who’s seen too much sorrow. You know, there is a chance this music was on before Reddington got here.

The voice of a man... and it was Ressler who took in the tape-recorded voice of Katarina in Minster D’s episode. Gale not only profiled a male killer... he profiled the idea that Red didn’t put the music on. It was on when he got there. Their male DNA will tie Anti-Rederina fans over the break... only to come back to find out Red is actually female, and he framed someone for Fowler’s murder. 

Ressler: Because dead men tell no tales. Even about their seed. 

[bi-ressler]

Lmao why does everyone on insta think that as soon as you kiss someone you‘re a couple?? I mean i haven‘t watched 8.01 and i‘m not planning to, but those people yelling „thanks for making liz and ressler a couple“? Wrong on so many levels

[lovingcoldplayertonystark]

So the writers think it's romantic to have Liz say she misses Ressler as she has a gun to his head and is threatening to shoot?!! What kind of toxic relationship???? MAKE IT STOP

[goldenclasp]

honestly, Donald Ressler can choke.