Raymond Reddington- The Greatest Heel of All Time?

[Bagpipes]

So after watching last week's episode of The Blacklist, I'm convinced that Red is the best heel of all time. Without posting spoilers for those who may not have seen it yet, I felt this was Red's finest heel performance to date, solidifying himself as a compassionless badass who would literally do anything to achieve personal satisfaction.

The argument could be made that his feelings for, and dedication to, Liz (and perhaps now Tom and the baby), disqualifies him from being a true heel in the sense that he's not just in it for himself anymore, but looking at the broader picture, maybe there is something in the endgame of ensuring Liz's protection and survival that we don't know about yet.

Thoughts?

 

[Mighty NorCal]

Not sure I would refer to him as a heel, not in the pure form. He refuses to hurt animals or children, and this had been since day one.

Certainley deserves a spot among the pantheon of great tv characters though.

In regards to last week's episode....welp, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

 

[Bagpipes]

Fair point, definitely reasonable to not consider Red as a full fledged heel. Much like the Bray Wyatts or Adam Coles of the wrestling world, no matter how much we're supposed to dislike them, we can't help but love them. Actually, I'm not entirely sure we're supposed to dislike Red.

I enjoy how Blacklist has blurred the lines between compassionate, lovable hero and scum of the Earth, criminal villain.

Regardless, Spader's portrayal of Reddington has been one of the best I've ever seen on a television show.

 

[Kodo Sawaki]

Thoughts?

Thats not how you write "Littlefinger" from "Game of Thrones". Or even if you do all time greats list Walter White. Or Dexter.

Red is great and Spyder continues his great portrayal of TV characters as he did Alan Shore before that, but cant see him as all time great heel.

 

[Navi]

I have friends that go on like maniacs about this show, so one of these days I have to watch an episode.

I'm probably the only person on the planet who has never seen an episode of Blacklist, Swamp People, Gotham and only watched one episode of the Walking Dead.