The Blacklist, the NBC crime thriller series, has been known for its surprising twists and turns, but none more so than the fate of one of its main characters, Tom Keen. Tom, played by Ryan Eggold, was the husband of Elizabeth Keen, the FBI profiler and the daughter of the notorious criminal mastermind, Raymond Reddington. Tom was also a covert operative, who worked for various organizations and enemies of Reddington, before eventually joining his side and becoming his ally. But is Tom Keen really dead? Or is there a chance that he could return to the show?
In this article, we will explore the answer to this question, and explain how and why Tom Keen died, what his death meant for the show and the characters, and whether there is any possibility of his resurrection.
How and Why Did Tom Keen Die?
Tom Keen died in the eighth episode of the fifth season of The Blacklist, titled “Ian Garvey”. In this episode, Tom and Elizabeth discover a mysterious suitcase that contains the bones of an unidentified person, who turns out to be the real Raymond Reddington, the father of Elizabeth. The impostor Reddington, who has been posing as her father for years, had hidden the suitcase and ordered Tom to stay away from it. However, Tom and Elizabeth decide to investigate the truth behind the bones, and end up being attacked by Ian Garvey, a corrupt US Marshal and a member of a criminal organization called Nash Syndicate. Garvey wants the bones for himself, as they hold a secret that could expose Reddington and his empire.
In the ensuing fight, Tom and Elizabeth are severely wounded by Garvey and his men, who take the suitcase and leave them for dead. Tom manages to call Reddington for help, but it is too late. Tom and Elizabeth are rushed to the hospital, where Tom succumbs to his injuries and dies in Elizabeth’s arms, after telling her that he loves her and their daughter, Agnes.
Tom Keen died because the showrunners and the writers wanted to create a dramatic and emotional impact on the show and the characters, as well as to explore new directions and possibilities for the story. According to Jon Bokenkamp, the creator and executive producer of The Blacklist, Tom’s death was a “bold move” that was planned for a long time, and that it was a “necessary evil” to shake up the show and the characters. He also said that Tom’s death was a “tribute” to his character and his journey, and that it was a “beautiful” and “tragic” way to end his story.
What Did Tom Keen’s Death Mean for the Show and the Characters?
Tom Keen’s death had a profound impact on the show and the characters, especially on Elizabeth and Reddington. For Elizabeth, Tom’s death was a devastating loss, as he was her husband, her partner, and the father of her child. She also felt guilty and angry, as she blamed herself and Reddington for Tom’s death, and for keeping the secret of the bones from him. Elizabeth went into a coma after Tom’s death, and when she woke up, she vowed to avenge him and find out the truth about the bones and Reddington’s identity. She also became more ruthless and reckless, as she was willing to do anything to get justice for Tom, even if it meant breaking the law and betraying her friends and colleagues.
For Reddington, Tom’s death was a complicated and conflicting situation, as he had a love-hate relationship with Tom. On one hand, Reddington hated Tom for lying to Elizabeth and working for his enemies, and he tried to kill him several times. On the other hand, Reddington respected Tom for his skills and loyalty, and he cared for him as Elizabeth’s husband and Agnes’ father. Reddington also felt responsible and remorseful for Tom’s death, as he realized that he had put him and Elizabeth in danger by hiding the bones and the truth from them. Reddington tried to help Elizabeth cope with her grief and anger, and he also tried to protect her and Agnes from Garvey and his associates.
Tom Keen’s death also affected the other characters and the dynamics of the show, as it created new alliances and conflicts, and introduced new threats and mysteries. For example, Tom’s death led to the involvement of his parents, Susan and Howard Hargrave, who are the owners of a private military company called Halcyon Aegis. They joined forces with Reddington and Elizabeth to find Garvey and the bones, and to uncover the secret of Reddington’s identity. Tom’s death also led to the emergence of a new enemy, Sutton Ross, who was a former associate of Reddington and the impostor, and who wanted to expose and destroy them. Tom’s death also led to the revelation of the identity of the bones, which turned out to be the real Raymond Reddington, and the impostor’s true name, which was Ilya Koslov, a former KGB agent and a childhood friend of Elizabeth’s mother, Katarina Rostova.
Is There Any Possibility of Tom Keen’s Resurrection?
Tom Keen’s death seemed to be final and definitive, as he was shown to be dead on-screen, and his body was cremated and buried. However, some fans have speculated that there could be a possibility of his resurrection, as the show has been known for its twists and surprises, and as some characters have survived or returned from seemingly fatal situations. For example, Elizabeth herself was presumed to be dead in the third season finale, but she was revealed to be alive in the fourth season premiere. Similarly, Reddington himself was shot and killed in the sixth season finale, but he was revived by a medical team in the seventh season premiere.
Some of the theories and clues that fans have used to support the possibility of Tom Keen’s resurrection are:
- The show has never explicitly confirmed or denied that Tom is really dead, and has left some room for doubt and ambiguity.
- The show has hinted at some inconsistencies and mysteries surrounding Tom’s death, such as the missing time between his death and his cremation, the lack of a proper autopsy or DNA test, and the possibility of a body switch or a fake death.
- The show has introduced some elements and characters that could be related to Tom’s resurrection, such as the Longevity Initiative, a project that aimed to extend human life and cheat death, and Dr. Hans Koehler, a plastic surgeon who specialized in changing identities and appearances.
- The show has kept Tom’s presence and influence alive, as he has appeared in flashbacks, hallucinations, and mentions, and as his actions and decisions have affected the plot and the characters.
- The show has expressed interest and openness to bringing Tom back, as the showrunners and the writers have said that they love the character and the actor, and that they would be happy to work with him again if the opportunity arises.
However, these theories and clues are not conclusive or definitive, and they could be interpreted in different ways. Moreover, there are also some factors and challenges that could prevent or complicate Tom Keen’s resurrection, such as:
- The show has already moved on from Tom’s death, and has focused on other stories and characters, and bringing him back could disrupt or undermine the current narrative and direction of the show.
- The show has already given Tom a proper and emotional farewell, and bringing him back could diminish or negate the impact and meaning of his death and his legacy.
- The show has already explored the possibility of Tom’s resurrection in a previous episode, titled “Ruin”, where Elizabeth imagined that Tom was alive and that they were living happily together, but she realized that it was a fantasy and that she had to face reality.
- The actor who played Tom, Ryan Eggold, has already moved on to other projects and roles, such as the medical drama series New Amsterdam, and he may not be available or interested to return to The Blacklist.
Therefore, the possibility of Tom Keen’s resurrection is uncertain and unlikely, and it depends on various factors and decisions that are beyond the control or knowledge of the fans. However, the fans can still hope and wish for Tom’s return, as the show has proven to be unpredictable and surprising, and as anything can happen in The Blacklist.
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