The Blacklist (2013) – Season 4 – Episode 19 – Dr. Bogdan Krilov (No. 29) – 2017

If you want your enemy to become your friend… create a problem for them and then solve it.

– Raymond Reddington

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Manipulation and Strategy:

The enigmatic character known as Mr. Kaplan, played by Susan Blommaert, offers a piece of advice that is both Machiavellian and surprisingly practical: “If you want your enemy to become your friend… create a problem for them and then solve it.”

The context of the scene is that Mr. Kaplan is advising Red, the show’s protagonist and a notorious criminal, on how to win over a powerful adversary. She suggests that he create a problem or crisis for his enemy, and then offer to solve it in exchange for their cooperation or friendship.

The line speaks to the power of manipulation and strategy in achieving one’s goals. By creating a problem or crisis, one can put pressure on an adversary and force them to rely on you for a solution. By offering to solve the problem, one can build trust and goodwill, and potentially turn an enemy into an ally.

While the advice is certainly Machiavellian, it also has practical applications beyond the world of crime and intrigue. In many situations, creating a problem and then solving it can be an effective way to build relationships and gain influence.

For example, in business, a company might create a problem or challenge for a potential client or partner, and then offer a solution that demonstrates their expertise and value. In personal relationships, one might create a problem for a friend or loved one, and then offer a solution that shows empathy and support.

Of course, there are risks to this approach as well. If the problem is too severe or the solution is not convincing, it can backfire and damage the relationship or reputation of the person trying to manipulate the situation.

In the context of “The Blacklist,” the line also speaks to the complex and morally ambiguous nature of the show’s characters. While Red and Mr. Kaplan are certainly criminals, they are also skilled strategists and manipulators who are capable of using their intelligence and cunning to achieve their goals.

In conclusion, the scene in “The Blacklist” Season four, Episode nineteen, where Mr. Kaplan offers her advice on how to win over an adversary by creating a problem and then solving it, is a powerful reflection on the power of manipulation and strategy in achieving one’s goals. While the advice is certainly Machiavellian, it also has practical applications in many situations, from business to personal relationships. The scene is also a reminder of the complex and morally ambiguous nature of the show’s characters, who are capable of both great cunning and great compassion.

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