The new Blue Bloods spinoff will feature Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) as its central character, but there are several ways to include the rest of the Reagan family. Blue Bloods’ Reagan family was the backbone of the popular cop/family drama for 14 years. The series was unique among procedurals because of its focus on the relationship between each member of a three-generation family of cops. Each episode featured a family dinner scene where everyone did their best to put their problems aside and connect with each other.
Blue Bloods was still popular during its final season despite CBS’ decision to cancel the long-running series. Although there was a massive fan-led protest to save Blue Bloods, the network declined to do so, citing high costs and the procedural’s age as reasons to end it. However, CBS also promised to develop a Blue Bloods spinoff, which was undoubtedly meant to soften the blow of losing the original series.
Frank Could Have A Working Relationship With The Boston Commissioner Of Police
Part of Blue Bloods’ premise rested on Frank’s (Tom Selleck) dual role as the NYPD Commissioner Of Police employing several of his children and as their loving father. These roles often conflicted, and Frank had to deal with his children’s anger when he had to put NYPD protocol above his personal relationship with his sons. Since Danny is moving to Boston, this storyline can’t continue. However, it’s logical for Frank to have a working relationship with the Boston Commissioner of Police since his family is as prominent in Boston as Frank’s is in New York.
This use of Frank wouldn’t be as satisfying as seeing him in his office arguing with his staff or trying to explain himself at the Reagan family dinner in Blue Bloods. However, it would be a way to keep him in the new series without shoehorning him in. Frank’s calls with the Boston Commissioner of Police could be similar to Jubal’s (Jeremy Sisto) calls in some of the FBI spinoffs — short and meant to help guide an investigation in the right direction.
In some situations, Danny might resent Frank’s interference in his cases from afar, which could add to the drama. Additionally, some episodes could have a more extensive visit from Frank in which he and Danny have father-son time.
New York & Boston Joint Cases Could Occasionally Be Combined With Family Time
While Blue Bloods is over, there is no reason Jamie or Joe Hill couldn’t occasionally work with Danny in a story that spans multiple cities. This idea might be more challenging now that the original procedural is finished, as it can’t be a full crossover between Blue Bloods and Boston Blue. However, CBS could get around this by having a two-hour episode of Boston Blue that features Danny returning to New York for part of the show and Jamie or Joe traveling to Boston for the other part.
If the writers could find a way to do it, special episodes along these lines would offer the type of ensemble stories that made Blue Bloods popular.
Joint stories like this wouldn’t be much different than some of Blue Bloods’ Joe Hill stories, which featured him as a narcotics officer who worked with Jamie or Danny on narcotics-related cases. Of course, there would need to be a logical reason for the story to require visits to both cities. However, if the writers could find a way to do it, special episodes along these lines would offer the type of ensemble stories that made Blue Bloods popular.
Other Reagan Family Members Can Visit Danny In Boston
Danny is close with the other Reagans, so it would be strange and off-putting if he didn’t maintain his relationships with them now that he’s moved to Boston. Additionally, the Blue Bloods series finale included the news that Eddie was pregnant and was expecting her baby in June. Thus, Danny should stay in touch with Eddie and Jamie and be ready to visit New York when his new niece or nephew is born.
While Jamie and Eddie might not be able to travel to Boston because they have a newborn, several other characters can and should make the trip occasionally. Danny’s kids don’t need an excuse to visit their father, so they could visit whenever the storyline allows. Additionally, Erin and Jack Boyle should visit occasionally to keep the relationship alive. If family members visit, they could have a small family dinner in Boston to keep up the tradition begun in Blue Bloods.
Why It’s Important For The Other Reagans To Return In Boston Blue
Technically, Boston Blue could continue Blue Bloods’ legacy without involving the other members of the Reagan family. According to the description, Danny’s new partner comes from a prominent Boston cop family. Thus, the new series could offer stories about her family to make up for the absence of the rest of the Reagans. The new family could continue the tradition of a weekly family dinner and Danny could become an honorary member because he works with this partner. Thus, the show could pay homage to the Reagan family while introducing new characters.
It is not enough to drop Danny into a new environment and continue with a different family.
While this setup would be similar to Blue Bloods, it wouldn’t be satisfying. The Reagans were all unique characters who audiences fell in love with over the course of 14 years. Thus, it is not enough to drop Danny into a new environment and continue with a different family. Instead, Boston Blue should honor its roots by including other Reagans on a regular basis. If it doesn’t do this, Boston Blue will be little more than another procedural featuring cases of the week.
While many procedurals are high quality, Blue Bloods’ audience didn’t tune in primarily for the cases of the week. This show appealed to people who were hungry for family dramas and enjoyed seeing the various generations of cops butt heads with each other but ultimately have each other’s backs because of their relationships. Thus, if the other Reagans are eliminated from the new series, it will not maintain audience interest in the way that it is expected to do.
If the Reagans are eliminated, the show’s commitment to family values won’t feel as genuine. Having another family of cops might be entertaining, but it will also feel as if the writers are attempting to reboot Blue Bloods with new characters. This would be unsatisfying and would only reinforce how disappointing Blue Bloods’ cancelation was in the first place. Furthermore, it would make it seem as if Danny were only borrowed from his original show to attract audiences without any thought as to whether he really fit into the new show.
