BLUE BLOODS returned this past year with the Reagan family
dealing with a number of changes that began in season eight. Danny (Donnie
Wahlberg) is still reeling from the loss of his wife Linda (Amy Carlson). He’s
also dealing with his oldest about to begin college and his younger son is
having issues as well. If that weren’t enough he has his sights set on catching
the assassin he blames for his wife’s death popping up in at least two
episodes, Louis Delgado (Lou Diamond Phillips).
If that weren’t enough Jamie Reagan (Will Estes) and fiancé
Eddie Janko (Vanessa Ray) are dealing with the intricacies of planning a
wedding. Not only that, Eddie’s mother Lena (Christine Ebersole) has yet to be
seen until this season and her entrance is a breath of fresh though strange air
to the family.
And father Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck)? He still has problems
like always, some with his staff, some with the mayor, some with activists in
the city and some with his family. But being the stalwart rock foundation of
them all he mires his way through all of these troubles and finds solutions to
every problem.
Somewhat missing this season were Erin (Bridget Moynihan)
and her daughter Nicky (Sami Gayle). Don’t get me wrong, they are on hand and
several episodes dealing with work make their way into the stories this season.
But for some reason they weren’t highlighted nearly as much as the rest of the
Reagan clan.
What continues to make this show work is the dynamics of all
the members of the Reagan family as the come together both on the job and at
home. For them family continues to matter and their ability to separate the two
is what builds the bond among them. There may be times when they argue or can’t
stand one another but by episodes end they’ve resolved their issues. If only
real life were so easy.
The show has always done well for another reason and that it
that rather than take a staple like the cop drama and make it all about the
step by step process of solving a crime that most use, it takes a look at the
police involved as well. We see how the private lives of Danny and Jamie and
Eddie affect their relationships at work as well as the job they do. Life is
messy and there are times the job gets messy too. But each has the other’s back
and they make it work.
The family essence of the show remains intact this season
too though I think there might actually have been an episode or two that didn’t
end with the usual Sunday meal. Those moments of the family sitting around the
table, their tradition, as well as the tradition of joining the police force
makes this a series that remains enjoyable and one that shows how the bond of
family is something to be cherished rather than looked down upon. It’s
something most of us could learn from while watching the show.
Season ten begins soon and my guess is it will not be the
last. You also don’t last ten seasons with a show that offers little and no
characters to care about. There are still a number of unresolved questions for
the Reagan family that one can only hope will be answered before their ratings
decline and CBS decides to let Frank retire. If the series continues as it does
here that won’t be for a while.
No comments:
Post a Comment