By 
How does a nine-year old procedural drama like CBS’ Blue Bloods continue to draw nearly 10 million viewers regularly on a Friday night? With episodes like the one that aired February 15, 2019. Star Donnie Wahlberg wasn’t kidding when he said this was the most emotional episode that he’s ever filmed. This is probably Donnie’s best work, period, and that’s saying something.
In the episode “Blues,” the 15th of the ninth season, while off duty, Danny encounters a gas station robbery in progress and is forced to use his weapon, leaving him shaken and his family and co-workers concerned. Also, Eddie apprehends a turnstile jumper who pleads for leniency by offering information on a missing weapon that’s vital to one of Erin’s cases, and Frank learns that a top officer in his department has a dark past
What Do You Do?
It begins in the most mundane way; Danny stops at a gas station after work while arguing with his youngest on the phone about his homework. He looks over and sees something fishy going on through the window inside of the station. It’s fascinating to watch as his posture, eyes, demeanor go from man on the phone with his son to first grade detective Reagan. He reaches for his weapon even as he gives his son the soft promise of “I’ll see you when I get home”, even though in the moment he doesn’t know if he can keep it.
A young man comes out, disheveled and jumpy, no older than Danny’s oldest son. A verbal altercation ensues before the man jumps at Danny, attempting to stab him with something as Danny shoots. In the silence that follows, it’s hard not to think that Danny’s life has changed. He keeps telling everyone that he’s fine, that it wasn’t the first time he had to shoot his weapon, that there is no reason for everyone to fuss over him. But he’s not fine.
If he was, he wouldn’t have gone to see the mother of the young man that he killed. If he was, he wouldn’t have almost had a breakdown while watching a grieving mother cry after he informed her of her son’s death. No, Danny wasn’t okay, and it wasn’t until his family got involved that we realized why. Erin pointed out that he could have made his sons orphans if something had gone wrong. Henry pointed out that Linda wasn’t around for him to lean on, to give him solace. His partner, Maria, pointed out that the kid was young. No older than Sean, maybe younger than Jack.
Then the kid’s mom came to visit him at the station. Let me tell you that it was hard to watch. “I don’t know if you have children… I will never forgive you. But I will give you this, and you better believe it is a gift, when you came to my door, I could see that you’ve been carrying the weight of this… I can see it in your eyes. That meant something to me…for what that’s worth, and it ain’t much, there you go.”
Let me tell you that after she left and Danny finally let those tears fall? I was a mess. Danny does not cry. He gets angry, he gets belligerent, but he does not cry. Poor Danny’s life is an emotional mess right now and I can’t help but want to hug him. Hopefully it gets better sooner than later.
Other Happenings
Laughter was necessary and needed in this episode and it turned to Eddie and Anthony of all people to give it to us. This unlikely duo is put together after Eddie’s collar says she has information on one of Erin’s cases.
One of the funniest scenes of the season was in this episode. Eddie didn’t know she would be going out with Anthony on the case and she’s not sure what she should do. Anthony tells her, “look, either crap or get off the pot.”
“I’ll crap! Wait, that came out wrong!”
Oh Eddie, never change!
Anthony is what you would call “old school”. Very NYPD Blue type of cop. Always in your face threatening to throw you in jail kind of thing. Eddie has always been more reserved, usually using charm and intelligence to get someone to talk to her.
It’s the odd couple of the NYPD. Eddie keeps interrupting Anthony as he questions people and the look of death, he gives her every time is hilarious. Eddie wants to make detective, has for years, so she tries to pick his brain on why he is the way he is. “How do you know she was lying?” She questions. “Because they always lie.”
Eddie is the one that ends up saving the day in the end, with her own brand of cajoling.
She will make a great detective someday! Hopefully sooner than later!
All in all, this was one of the best episodes of the season for me. I really loved that we got to see more of Eddie away from Jamie and the 2-9 and having Anthony around is always a plus.
Blue Bloods won’t be back next week! Expect a new episode March 8th!
Comments