The Blue Bloods Finale Can’t Top What Happened in Season 1

The Blue Bloods Finale Can't Top What Happened in Season 1

Summary

  • CBS’s
    Blue Bloods
    enters its last season with an iconic cast featuring Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes, and Len Cariou.
  • Season 1’s finale featured an intense storyline involving corrupt cops within the NYPD threatening the Reagans.
  • Blue Bloods
    could have expanded on the Blue Templar story for a more satisfying series finale, which is potentially a missed opportunity.

As a longtime fan of Blue Bloods, I can’t help but reflect on the impactful first season and the intriguing storyline surrounding the Blue Templars and Sonny Malevsky. Having grown up in New York City, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with corrupt cops and the darker side of law enforcement.


For over a decade, CBS’s popular weekly show, “Blue Bloods,” featuring the Reagan law enforcement family, will commence the final chapter of its run in September. A significant factor contributing to its consistent high ratings was the captivating performances of its lead actors and their compelling characters.

As a gamer, I’d describe it like this: I play the role of NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods. Tom Selleck brings a strong and caring demeanor to my character, balancing sternness with compassion. My son Danny, portrayed by Donnie Wahlberg, is fiery and dedicated as a detective. Bridget Moynahan breathes life into Jamie, my calm and competent sister who’s a sergeant, while Will Estes brings depth to Erin, my wise-cracking yet insightful lawyer sibling. Although their stories don’t always intersect with the main plot, I find their courtroom and street dramas just as captivating. And Len Cariou brilliantly portrays Henry, my wise and seasoned father, keeping our family grounded.

For over a decade, the core cast of Blue Bloods – Jamie, Danny, Frank, Erin, and Eddie – have been present throughout the show. In contrast, other characters such as Jackie Curatola, Linda Reagan, and Nicky Reagan-Boyle have come and gone. However, when it comes to the beginning and end of this series, these five characters hold significant importance. Regrettably, a thrilling finale that matches the impact of those bookends has already been delivered – it culminated at the close of the first season. After discovering the existence of this clandestine group hidden within the NYPD, one can’t help but ponder: Perhaps Blue Bloods told its most captivating tale a decade ago.

A Secret Fraternal Order Threatens the Reagans in Blue Bloods

Apart from Danny, Erin, and Jamie, Commissioner Frank Reagan and his deceased wife Mary raised one more child named Joseph. Like his father and older siblings, Joe chose a career in law enforcement. Tragically, he lost his life in the course of duty fifteen months before the show began. Initially, both the Reagan family and the audience believed that Joe worked with a well-known detective called Sonny Malevsky in the warrant division. Let’s delve into season one using this background information in hand.

As the youngest sibling, Jamie Reagan had a special bond with Joe. So when the FBI reached out to him concerning Joe’s undercover work into the Blue Templar, an investigation tragically cut short by his death, Jamie was taken aback and unaware. The newest recruits of this once respected fraternal order, now tarnished, had effortlessly corrupted the small group. They were responsible for taking lives of both criminals and innocent bystanders, as well as pilfering all the cash and narcotics from crime scenes. It was clear that “Blue Bloods” wasn’t shy about exploring stories of corrupt law enforcement.

The Blue Bloods Season 1 Finale Ramped up the Intensity

The Blue Bloods Finale Can't Top What Happened in Season 1The Blue Bloods Finale Can't Top What Happened in Season 1The Blue Bloods Finale Can't Top What Happened in Season 1

In memory of his deceased brother, Jamie chose not to carry on with the undercover operation with the FBI and instead attempted to collect evidence independently. However, this choice proved risky as Malevsky and the Blue Templar retaliated against Jamie. They took his gun and tampered with his car brakes, causing a near-fatal accident.

At the Reagan residence, the family sets up a makeshift headquarters with a secret phone line. Through this connection, they uncover shocking news: members of the Blue Templar gang are not only responsible for Joe’s death but also refer to anyone they eliminate as “Reagan’d.” The family further learns that the entire Blue Templar group is convening one final time at a shuttered bar. In just the first season, there have been two instances where NYPD officers have displayed hostile and lethal intentions towards the Reagans. Despite the early stage of the series, the complex family dynamics are skillfully explored, eliciting strong emotions as we mourn the loss of a beloved brother.

The final showdown between The Reagans and Malevsky along with The Blue Templars leaves a lasting impression for several reasons. To begin with, the choice of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” as the background music before Frank Reagan and his team burst in serves as an ominous premonition of things to come. In an unexpected turn of events, Frank nearly loses control while querying, “Who hurt my son?” The effect is intensified by his being positioned off-camera when he speaks this line.

Malevsky responds with a smirk and a chilly retort, surprising us momentarily as we anticipate an explosive encounter between these contrasting figures. However, the unexpected occurs when the supposed head of the Templar Order takes his own life in a final rebellious act. Although there have been subsequent storylines involving Malevsky (such as his son’s aspirations to become a law enforcement officer to rectify past mistakes), it appears that the Blue Templars have disbanded for good.

More Time for the Blue Templars in Blue Bloods?

Imagining how much more impactful the first season cliffhanger would have had if we’d only learned then that Malevsky was the killer. He could have started off as a trusted and relatable character, building audience connection before the shocking revelation. With The Blue Templar being a secret police unit, those ten years of showtime could have been utilized to subtly uncover which officers were part of this group and how they connected to the Reagans.

When Frank challenged Gerry O’Brien about the missing pistols during their encounter, it was a standalone incident. Similarly, the corrupt cops’ actions against Jamie were isolated events. If these incidents had been spread out across several seasons, the Blue Templars’ looming and enigmatic presence could have added more depth to the storyline. This would have also led to a more fulfilling conclusion, tying everything back to the family and the truth behind Joe’s death. Despite how the final episodes unfold, Blue Bloods will remain a cherished CBS series with lasting appeal. Tune in to CBS on October 18 at 10 pm for new episodes. Previous episodes are available to stream on Paramount +, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Hulu, Philo, and fuboTV.

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2024-07-24 02:01