Ep 1. Roanoke

Reddington is back with a bang in The Blacklist season 8 episode 1, "Roanoke", as the gangsters from the Task Force have to deal with an enigmatic kidnapping. As soon as the episode begins, we find Raymond Reddington devoid of his usual swagger, stuck in an unfamiliar place that’s clearly not his usual residence, and he's being tortured by unknown agents – a conundrum that seems to have no easy solution.

Although he's been locked up by an unknown group for 10 days already, Red's quick thinking saves him as he spills his captor's identity and the secret location of a Blacklister named Roanoke. Meanwhile, the FBI Task Force tries to track down Reddington and discovers a sinister agenda afoot that will test their resilience to the limit.

As Red continues to endure the torture, Aram becomes the key influencer in the location of Reddington. The crucial discovery is that Red is holed up in a secret armory belonging to Roanoke in a desolate area. It's a nuclear bunker buried deep beneath a mountain, and it's where they stumble upon an array of heavy weaponry that could do great harm to America if it falls into the wrong hands.

The team learns that Roanoke's objective is to launch these weapons, and they must thwart his plans by getting to him before he hits the red button. As they approach the bunker, Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold) is adamant about not leaving Red behind, and he puts his own life in danger trying to rescue him. Inna struggles to work through the emotional rollercoaster that ensues when Red is finally brought back to safety.

In the end, the FBI Task Force is shown to be a resilient force that will stop at nothing to save the day. The tension is thick in the air as they work against the clock to stop Roanoke's plan and stop him from causing destruction to the United States.

As always, James Spader's performances as Reddington are riveting, as he offers glimpses into his mysterious past while trying to cling to the little humanity he has left in him. The episode also gives some insights into Liz's mental state, letting the viewers know how she's coping with Red's disappearance, and it sets up an exciting narrative for the season ahead.

Overall, The Blacklist season 8 premiere is a thrilling, action-packed episode that sets the tone for the rest of the season. The show is still as fresh and exciting as it was in its first season, and it's good to see the team back in action. With Reddington's fate hanging in the balance, fans of the show are in for a wild ride this season.