That said, I again enjoyed tonight’s episode tremendously! Red leaving the two thumbs in the safe deposit box for the Director to find was priceless. Red seems to be much more hands-on this season (e.g., dropping down himself into the vault rather than sending someone else on “Team Red” to do it). Anything that gives James Spader even one more second of air time is great with me.

Speaking of great, Tom telling the bad guys how he was going to take them out — and then pulling it off perfectly — was poetry in motion! That’s a scene to be viewed over and over! Though he remains very effective in what he does, you can tell Tom has changed just by the emotion he showed after reluctantly killing Asher. Is it Tom’s involvement with, and love for, Liz that’s made him more humane? Whatever the reason, Ryan Eggold’s portrayal of Tom is terrific and the writers would be wise to ensure that he sticks around.