Get With the Program: Blue Bloods 

So I spent the past two weekends catching up on Blue Bloods. Yes, I had every single episode on my DVR. How did I know it would be worth my time? I didn’t but with a cast like Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan I knew I had to give it a try. And I’m really glad I did. I’ve got some issues (I’ll get to those later), but this is a great show. 

It is so nice to see Magnum P.I. back on the small screen. Yes, I know he’s had other roles since then (Friends anyone? or Jesse Stone?) but I like seeing him as an authority figure. As New York’s top cop, he brings so much integrity and heart to the job. I love that the entire family is involved in the “family business” in some way but I like that Frank refuses to give any of his kids special treatment. I also love that he refuses to be the mayor’s puppet. It’s nice to see a character like this on television.

I know I’m probably one of the few, but I liked Bridget Moynahan in Six Degrees. I can’t say I loved the show but I watched every episode until it got cancelled, mostly for her. With this role I think Bridget Moynahan’s finally found the right fit. I like that she’s in the only girl and the only (practicing) lawyer in this family of cops. It’s nice to see them work together to catch the bad guys then make sure they spend as much time in jail as the law will allow for. I like what’s going on with Bobby Cannavale as her boss. It’s great drama and conflict but she deserves someone who will put her first, especially since she picked the wrong guy to marry the first time around.

I’ve been a fan of Donnie Wahlberg since his days in New Kids on the Block. I remember him from Band of Brothers but I feel like his television career really took off with Boomtown, which I didn’t watch. I know he’s had some other TV roles but when I heard he was cast in this, I was impressed by the caliber of talent that the show had attracted. And quite frankly, if a show is set in New York I’ll usually give it a shot.

Will Estes is essentially new to me. I never watched 7th Heaven, American Dreams or Reunion but I knew I knew that face from somewhere when I started seeing promos for the show. I really like the struggle his character is going through and I think he and Nicholas Turturro make such great partners. I’m a fan.

The rest of the family is well cast and I love their weekly dinners together. It makes me wish I lived closer to my family so I could spend more time with them. Le sigh.

And now for the quibbles:

What the heck happened with Andrea Roth? I have to admit I wasn’t really a fan of her character but I don’t like the way she was written out of the show. I kind of wonder if the shakeup behind the scenes resulted in her being let go.

Why has Danny had three partners since the pilot? Or better yet, why didn’t we get any explanation as to why they kept changing? First it was Flex Alexander, then Yvonna Kopacz Wright, and now Jennifer Esposito. Don’t get me wrong, I love Jennifer Esposito as Danny’s partner. Their chemistry is great and I love how their partnership has developed.

What happened with Jamie’s finacee? I was not at all pleased on how her exit was handled. And they’ve spent minimal time dealing with how Jamie’s been dealing with it. He was going to marry her. Part of him had to think she was the love of his life of he proposed, right? I don’t think their relationship was fully formed so I can’t say I miss her. But it’s time for him to start moving on. He’s too cute (and too male) not to at least be looking around.

As I mentioned above, I love Donnie Wahlberg but sometimes he needs to tone it down. Loud yelling does not equal good acting. I don’t think he does it that often and he’s so great in the quiet small moments.

Lastly, if this truly is an ensemble I want to see equal screen time for the four leads.