Ep 1. Smokey Putnum

As the fifth season of The Blacklist begins, fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the twisted relationship between con man Red and FBI profiler Liz.

In Smokey Putnum, the fifth season premiere episode, we pick up where we left off with Red and Liz - but things are quickly complicated as Red finds himself behind bars.

Red's incarceration sets off a chain of events as Liz finds herself caught up in a new case with an old FBI partner while attempting to free Red from prison. Along the way, she enlists the help of a talented computer hacker and the unexpected assistance of a fellow inmate in Red's prison.

The episode is fast-paced and tense as the stakes for Red and Liz continue to escalate. We're treated to some key character development as Liz grapples with the reality of Red's criminal past, and we see the complex web of relationships around Red (including his loyal right-hand man, Dembe) begin to fray.

As always, the writing on The Blacklist is sharp and the performances are top-notch. Fans of the show will be thrilled with the season premiere and left eagerly anticipating what's to come.