Tom Keen - Blog Posts

Day 7: “Crazy in Love”. Gay!Keenler aka Tom Keen/Donald Ressler

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Day 8, Bonus Day

Ugh. Look at these two: Thomas Vincent Keen and Special Agent Donald Ressler. They're like two magnificent, sexy beasts, seemingly always at odds. Forever enemies, never friends. Constantly in heat.

Sometimes circumstances create unexpected alliances. The notorious blacklister Karakurt had to be delivered safely to testify in court. Along the way, he had to be kept from the clutches of another blacklister, Matias Solomon. Holed up in Harold Cooper's woodland cabin, the tiger and the lion were forced to team up when Mr. Solomon brought a heavily armed posse down on them. Just when it appeared they had failed, and Tom was throwing his usual witty insults at Donald, Cooper got the jump on Solomon and the good guys were once more in control -- after Tom talked Donald down from executing Solomon right there on the spot.

Thus, it appears even two men who, on the surface hate the mere sight of the other, can sometimes work together. Hell, sometimes they might even like each other for a minute. #Tessler

(Gifs are not mine. All credit to the original gif artist/s.)

#donald ressler #tom keen #tessler truce #the blacklist rare ships week #TBLRSW

I love Tom and Liz! When you love someone you have no control. I’m a fan of a good ol love story. I don’t condone toxic relationships and for sure when this relationship started off, it was unhealthy, for a better part of the series. However, they were both working on and focusing on that simple normal life they both yearned and were making great strides when it was cut short sadly. Thru their ups and downs, one thing is for sure, these two ADORED each other and I don’t think anyone can contest that. Tom was LIz’s rock and accepted her AND her faults. So much so that Liz called the man she married perfect. Well… I think except for that one part, he WAS all those things. 

Despite the odds and a marriage that was built on lies on Tom’s part. He did his best to change. Remember Tom was just a child when he was recruited by the major. It was all he ever knew and was trained to be a dangerous operative. In the land of TBL spies/killers will be spies and killers. But Tom found love in Liz. And Liz was not pink and perfect. They shared similar backgrounds which is why they worked so well together. In a way, this post is more about Tom’s redemption. Tom is no different than any human being who decides to change their ways for the better. He was willing to pay the price for killing the Harbormaster. He did his very best to come clean and be honest. He was a great father. True, he had sociopathic tendencies but this began to shift and he grew as a character. A psychopath he most certainly was not as he CARED and had EMPATHY. Traits psychopaths do not possess. Here is a short  long compilation of screen grabs of scenes that I love. and a few gifs. :)

Day 7: “Crazy In Love”

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A compilation of some of my favorite Tom and Liz scenes. 

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Day 5, "Come On, Closer"

It starts with that little tip-up of the chin: Ressler beckons Tom and his dark, depthless blue eyes nearer. But this time, Tom's guard is down and, before he knows it, Ressler's got him pinned against the wall. When the Agent presses his muscular bulk against Tom's lean frame, it's definitely "Personal space? What space?!"

#donald ressler #tom keen #tessler tango #the blacklist rare ships week #TBLRSW

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Day 4, "The Things You Do Aren't Good For My Health"

Before they agreed to team up and fight Matias Solomon and his army of goons, Tom had to go and point a rifle at Donald. Silly Tom! Donnie don't play those kinds of games! #Tessler

#tom keen #donald ressler #tessler tusslin' #the blacklist rare ships week #TBLRSW

Day 4: “The Things You Do Aren’t Good For My Health” or “I’ll Take Care of You”

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Day Four: “I’ll Take Care of You”

Whump moments with your favs. If that’s not you jam, alternatively, you may show us the moments they care about each other.

Drexel remains one of my very favourite Blacklist episodes because of this storyline in it. Tom felt cornered and took a stupid risk that nearly got him killed. He knows it was dumb (and admits to it), Liz knows it was dumb, but it highlights what’s most important in their lives: each other. They were both terrified that they’d never see the other again because of it.

Hurt/comfort is one of my favourite genres because of the emotional discovery it lends to. The characters are pushed to the brink and they realize just what was actually at stake. For this episode with these characters, it only helped them grow stronger.

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Day 3, “Hands All Over”

Now Kiss and Make up

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Day 3, "Hands All Over"

There's no denying it: Whenever Donald and Tom got into a fight, it was anything goes and LOTS of physical contact. And look closely at frame #6: Tom had to get in the last "hit", the way he swatted Donald's arm while walking away. You guys just can't keep your paws off each other, can you? #Tessler

#donald ressler #tom keen #tessler #theblacklistrareshipsweek #TBLRSW

(Not my gifs. Credit to the original gif maker/s.)

Day 3: “Hands All Over”

They hold hands? Their fingers brush for an instant? Or they are hungry for touch?

What about both? I love all the ways they love each other. The gentle touches and the support, the desperate way they hold on when they’ve missed each other. There’s so much in ever movement, in every touch.

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Day 2, "Damn Your Eyes"

Even Tom can't resist those ever-changeable hazel Ressler peepers! "Damn, what have I gotten myself into now?" 🤣 #Tessler!

#theblacklistrareshipsweek #TBLRSW #donaldressler #tomkeen #tessler

Day 2: “Damn Your Eyes”

Is it a stolen glance, seductive gaze, or shameless stare which makes your heart beat faster?

Two scenes jump to mind.

The first is from 2.22. Liz went to Tom for help and instead of running to save himself, he stayed to help her. I think Liz was always in love with Tom, always knew him, but I think she realized it in increments over the course of S2 and S3. This was one of those moments when she realized that all she wanted was him. He was home.

The second is from 3.17 just before their second wedding. I love the way she’s teasing him, how she misquotes Lewis Carroll to him, and just how much they love each other in that moment. She didn’t need perfect. She had him.

Day 1: “When I First Saw You”

Gina saved him. They were compatible in the land of the spies. 😎🔥

The Blacklist Rare Ships Week, Day 1

When I first saw you/the scene that made you fall in love with your ship

Ah, the romance known as Tessler! Donnie never trusted Tom from the get-go, but this major blow-up really put their love on the map and tested Harold's blood pressure. Also, an unfortunate garden gnome unwittingly played a part in what became a running gag that fans watch for to this day. Come on boys, now kiss and make up!

(Gifs are not mine; credit to the original gif artist/s)

#The Blacklist Rare Ships Week #TBLRSW

i'll find my way back to you

day 1: “when i first saw you”

the scene which made you fall in love with your ship/the first scene your faves meet each other.

i had been a passive viewer of the show right up to this point. this is the scene that had me. the second beginning of elizabeth following her heart, and against all odds, it leading her back to the one man she loved. soulmates is what they are.

Day 1: “When I First Saw You”

The scene which made you fall in love with your ship/the first scene your favs meet each other.

The very first one. It’s hard to remember exactly what I thought the first time through, but I started watching when S2 was about halfway through airing, and I had heard a rumour that Ryan’s character was more than he appeared. I didn’t know what that meant (I think my earliest theory was actually CIA), but I’m a sucker for badasses in domestic scenes. They’re just so normal here… until  you get to know them. That’s when you see the little things like the way that Tom easily lifts Liz’s badge or that neither of them are at all bothered by the fact that there’s a chopper to pick her up.They’re efficient and in sync with each other. They were a team and worked well together even before the bomb dropped about Tom’s identity. 

The Blacklist Rare Ships Appreciation Week

Day 1: “When I First Saw You”

With the endless tragedies the characters of the Blacklist are continuously asked to cope with, I thought I’d give them an oasis of undisturbed love and happiness. See them bask in each other’s gaze in this drama-free comedy series.