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The Blacklist Season 9 introduced the idea that Liz Keen may have known Raymond Reddington‘s identity before she died. Episode 8 confirmed that Dembe gave Liz the letter that revealed the truth. Red is placing a lot of blame on Dembe for Liz’s death. However, many fans think that Dembe did the right thing when he gave the letter to Liz.

[Spoiler warning: This article contains spoilers for The Blacklist Season 9 Episode 8, “Dr. Razmik Maier.”]

The Blacklist Season 9 revealed Dembe gave Liz the letter. Red and Dembe sit at a dinner table in season 8.
Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma, James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in ‘The Blacklist’ | Will Hart/NBC

Dembe confirms he gave Liz the letter in ‘The Blacklist’ Season 9 Episode 8

The Blacklist has always centered around the mystery of Red’s identity. In season 8, Red entrusted Dembe with a letter explaining the truth. He told Dembe to give Liz the letter after his death. However, in episode 8, “Dr. Razmik Maier,” Dembe admits that he gave Liz the letter before he was supposed to.

Red places a lot of the blame for Liz’s death on Dembe. He tells Dembe that Elias Van Dyke was present at the coffee shop where Dembe gave Liz the letter. Van Dyke went on to shoot and kill Liz. Red tells Dembe that he was so distracted with telling Liz the truth, that he failed to do his job and properly protect her.

‘The Blacklist’ fans are siding with Dembe about the letter

The Blacklist fans love James Spader and his iconic character Raymond Reddington. However, a lot of fans can’t get behind his treatment of Dembe in The Blacklist Season 9. Some are even siding with Dembe over Red when it comes to his decision about the letter.

“Team Dembe,” a Reddit user wrote. “Red behaved like a selfish d*** about that letter. I’d have shown it to Liz, too, and I AM DAMNED GLAD to hear the truth made Liz happy.” Another wrote, “Honestly I don’t care about Red feeling betrayed. Liz deserved the truth, and she deserved the opportunity to make a well-informed decision.”

Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma and James Spader as Raymond "Red" Reddington in The Blacklist Season 9. Dembe sits at a table looking up at Red.
Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma and James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in ‘The Blacklist’ Season 9 | Will Hart/NBC
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At the end of the episode, when Red tells Dembe that Van Dyke was at the coffee shop, Dembe takes some of the blame for Liz’s death. “Elizabeth is dead for many reasons, but it looks like one of those reasons is me,” he tells Red.

Many fans are also pointing out Red’s inability to take any responsibility for Liz’s death. “Come on, Red just cannot admit fault to anything. Just pass the blame to everyone else,” a Reddit user wrote. While Dembe may have failed to take out a threat to Liz, Red is the one who has dragged her into countless dangerous situations.

Will Red seek revenge on Dembe?

Red has been digging deeper into the night Liz died and he doesn’t show any sign of stopping. In The Blacklist Season 9 Episode 8, Mierce leaves Red because she is concerned his anger will get someone killed. When Weecha asks Red if his investigation is over, Red replies, “It’s just beginning.” It’s not clear yet what Red will do with the information he learned about Dembe or if he will seek revenge on his former friend.

The Blacklist Season 9 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.

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