'The Blacklist' Season 8 Episode 8 Spoilers: Will Harold Cooper die? Red's birdwatcher makes a comeback

Harold Cooper may or may not know who N13 is, but there's no denying the danger he faces with the thumb drive in his possession. Who will get to him first?
Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper James Spader as Red in 'The Blacklist' (NBC)
Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper James Spader as Red in 'The Blacklist' (NBC)

One of the most adrenaline-pumping and telling moments about the main characters of 'The Blacklist' was when Red's (James Spader) 'friend' in Moscow learned of Liz (Megan Boone) stealing his thumb drive and delivering it to Harold Cooper (Harry Lennix). The 'friend's immediate reaction was if that were truly the case, Cooper would have to be taken out of the equation, and we all know what that code word means.

Harold Cooper's life is in danger and it does not matter how certain he is of the identity of N13. Does that mean his arc is simmering to an early sunset? Or does Liz have a bigger, more twisted masterplan to incorporate him against Red?

In the upcoming Episode 8 of Season 8, "the Task Force investigates the apparent disappearance of a defense contractor. Cooper receives an unexpected offer and Red makes a connection." The said connection has to be the return of Anne — the birdwatcher Red befriended two weeks ago, at the end of Episode 6.

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Fans had their doubts surrounding how far one should trust Anne 0151 she could be a Liz-appointed distraction for all we know. But there's also no denying that watching Red's life come full circle by finding love above all things will be a touching finale to whatever terminal illness he's battling. Teaser photos from Episode 8 reveal Red and Anne at a diner setting, as the woman smiles at him warmly and wide, hinting at a romantic beginning.

But all of this might be dimmed in the not so glorious gloom of Red having to kill Cooper. With his prospects as N13 compromised now that Cooper has the thumb drive, Red agreed with his Moscow friend that the man would have to be eliminated if need be. This will sure shot give rise to a dilemma since although he isn't entirely in favor of the way Cooper functions, the two have a backstory that goes way too deep into their past in Kuwait.

Anne meets with Red again in Episode 8 of 'The Blacklist' (NBC)

Will Red be able to actually kill Cooper if the situation calls for it? Knowing that Liz has already helped the man by delivering the mysterious thumb drive to him, there's also a chance that she will save Cooper in the nick of time to have turned him against Red and thus gain another ally on her team. In the end, Liz's main goal is to destroy Red, and she will get whatever help she can on that journey. 

There's also a vague possibility that by providing him the thumb drive, Liz is just luring Cooper into a trap to kill him. While he would be a valuable asset to add to her team of Blacklisters, he too possesses honor and pride and might not give into Liz's motives. The next best alternative would be to eliminate him by Red's side too, so as of now, Cooper's fate on the show looks rather grim.

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