Donald Ressler is a very private person who, to a casual observer, seems completely closed off both emotionally and physically (in terms of demonstrating love, affection or comfort). Through 7+ seasons of TB, we can probably count on both hands the number of times he has initiated physical contact with someone. In S1 of TB, in Anslo Garrick when he goes to get Red in Germany, when Red embraces him as part of his cover, Ressler initially is discomfited and takes a few minutes to mimic Red and put his arms around Red. In S3 of TB, when Aram hugs him at the end of Arioch Cain, he accepts the embrace but is visibly uncomfortable and half jokingly threatens him to never do it again. Also in S3, in Mr. Solomon the conclusion, when he tells Samar about Liz’s death, you see Samar reaching a hand out to him and Ressler almost reluctantly going into an embrace (despite their history and Ressler firing Samar, at that moment she is the one reaching out for physical comfort).
I think Ressler’s body language is very deliberate on the part of the writers to show how he holds himself back in the emotional and physical sense, even from people he interacts with everyday (his coworkers). This is why in S1, in the Stewmaker, when Ressler initiates physical contact (by touching Liz’s chin to assess her injuries when they charge into Stanley’s cabin), you get an inkling that somehow Liz is/will be different from everyone else in his life. Even his voice when he is comforting her is so gentle “It’s okay. It’s all over now.” The contrast between how he barks his order for a medic and then changes his tone when comforting Liz is glaring. Later in the episode, when Liz breaks down in his arms (the moment that launched a thousand ships 😋), you see Ressler unprepared and perhaps initially discomfited but he puts his arms around Liz (a bit hesitatingly perhaps) and becomes her anchor in that moment. For someone like Ressler, this moment is huge - to let Liz in physically and emotionally as he whispers reassurances to her and is in a way almost trying to absorb some of her pain through their embrace. Throughout the seasons, you see time and again Ressler physically reaching out to comfort or reassure Liz. This is by no means an exhaustive list but here are some of my favorite moments. In S2 in the second part of Luther Braxton, as Liz stumbles and shouts out at Red, Ressler swoops in with his blue blanket and puts his arm around Liz to support her. In the Scimitar, you see him leaning on Liz initially but later he is supporting Liz as they are rescued by Samar. I love the last few minutes of The Mombasa Cartel, when the tables are turned and Liz is the one offering comfort by putting her arm on Ressler’s shoulder. From his body language, you can see how implicitly he trusts his partner and allows himself to be vulnerable and seek comfort. In S4 in Mato, you see Liz walking towards Ressler and he doesn’t even hesitate before opening his arms to her. This moment is absolutely beautiful. Despite the pain Liz has put Ressler (and her team) through with her fake death, in that moment, the only thing that matters to Ressler is to console and perhaps reassure Liz about her daughter’s disappearance. There is another small moment at the end of Mato (blink and you will miss it!) when Liz is standing outside her “new home” at the warehouse and preparing herself to go in. Right before Liz goes in it seems Ressler is about to clasp her fingers. Another one of my all time favorite scenes is from S5 Ian Garvey. When Liz and Ressler go to the place where Ian Garvey held Tom hostage, you can practically see Ressler sensing Liz’s anxiety and starting to look towards her to offer comfort and reassurance. He even gently shushes her as he is holding her in his embrace. For someone as private as Ressler to embrace Liz publicly, without hesitation or embarrassment, speaks volumes. One thing I should mention here is how much the camera loves Keenler. In almost every Liz and Ressler hug, they are almost swaying as they are holding on to each other (Stewmaker, Ian Garvey, Brothers S7). I can’t end this post without mentioning Brothers. When Liz tells Ressler how much he means to her, again Ressler initiates contact. “Come here” as he pulls her into a hug. In S5 Capricorn Killer, Ressler puts his arm around Liz comfortingly even though she let one of the killers get away (he doesn’t know it was deliberate). The camera pans to show them from behind and you see Ressler’s fingers gently moving on her back while comforting her. Again, he is showing her with his body i.e. his gestures, how much she means to him.
Ressler has not uttered the L word to Liz yet (he has gone as far as admitting he cares about her in S8) but his body language speaks the words that his mouth hasn’t uttered yet. With every touch, you see his love for Liz.
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