"BLUE BLOODS" REAGAN FAMILY IS GOLD

     After reading the commentary below, please express your own thoughts.  Instructions on how to do so are written at the bottom of this column.  Thank you.

     Throughout more than 70 years of television history, hundreds of fictional families have been created for all formats of programming.  From The Cleavers of Leave It To Beaver to The Bradys of The Brady Bunch...from The Ewings of Dallas to The Carringtons of Dynasty...from The Waltons of The Waltons to The Huxtables of The Cosby Show... plus numerous others...families have played a central role in the concept of so many of television's greatest hits.  But one TV family gem that sparkles week after week... are The Reagans of Blue Bloods.

     
     The Reagan Family is a real family.  That is...in the sense...that the Reagans represent much of how life really is...in the homes of a wide range of American families.  Not necessarily by the professions of the people who make up the Reagan family...but the family itself.

     With the Reagans of Blue Bloods... brothers Danny and Jamie - a New York Police Department detective and a Harvard law graduate turned NYPD officer - argue.  And Donnie Wahlberg and Will Estes are impeccable with their performances.  Danny also quarrels with
sister, Erin...and in addition to being beautiful...Bridget Moynahan portrays the part of a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney with class and perfection.  The younger Reagans enter in to disagreements with their dad - the NYPD commissioner, Frank Reagan...and -

as without exception throughout his long and successful career - the dynamic and durable Tom Selleck brings brilliance to his compelling character.  There are marital spats between Danny and his wife, Linda - a registered

nurse - played with wonderful sincerity by Amy Carlson.  Heated conversations can also be had with Frank and his dad, Henry - a retired NYPD commissioner - skillfully portrayed by veteran actor Len Cariou.  But always...yes, always...by the conclusion of each solid hour of absorbing entertainment...the love is there.  Yes...the love is eternally there.  And that love is also evident  

between Erin and her daughter, Nicky.  Sami Gayle is delightful in the role in which she went - in Season One - from being a typical teenage girl...asking to stay out late or go places where her mom might not have wanted her to go...to becoming a college student and sophisticated woman.  

     "The family business" is referenced in several episodes of Blue Bloods...but it's not a business that only the Reagan cops and prosecutor Erin have participated in over the years.  Linda has been shot.  Nicky has been kidnapped...and in an early episode, she witnessed the dead body of another teenage girl when her uncle took her to a crime scene.  Danny specifically told Nicky to stay in the car...but his curious niece decided she wanted to take a peek, which not only left her somewhat traumatized, but caused Erin to be quite angry with Danny.  But despite her older sibling's apology...Erin would not accept it until the end of the episode.  However...their affection for each other - as sister and brother - finally overpowered Danny's mistake.

     Blue Bloods is outstanding...and it excels in captivating its audience without the need of graphic violence, bed-hopping sexual activity or harsh profanity.  Blue Bloods has been my "number one" TV show for six years...and it began its seventh season on September 23rd, 2016 with a top-notch episode.

     On a personal note...my mom and I watch every Blue Bloods together...in two separate houses...in two separate states.  And we communicate with each other - via telephone - during the commercials and at the end of the shows.  It's part of OUR...family time together. 

     Not only am I engrossed by the strong Reagan characters - every Friday night at 10 o'clock Eastern Time on CBS - but I'm treated to reruns of the series...throughout the week...on WGN America and ION Television.  And I can watch the same shows over and over again...to the point that I can recite dialogue.  Therefore, I could write pages about all the dramatic "cops" and "law" stories that Blue Bloods has given its viewers...but instead...I've decided to focus this commentary on the Blue Bloods family - that is...The Reagan Family - and their extended relatives from the NYPD.

     Emotions run the gamut on Blue Bloods...with smiles... tears...and shouting.  But despite the fact that Blue Bloods is defined as a drama...there is sidesplitting laughter too.  One time, in particular...the laughing was endless.  It was during the Reagan "Sunday dinner" - which is a staple of every Blue Bloods episode. 

     The Reagans strong, Irish-Catholic faith is essential to the family's way of life...and "saying grace" begins every meal at the "family home" in Bay Ridge, New York - a community in the Borough of Brooklyn.  And although Sunday night dinner can include serious and even confrontational conversations...this weekly gathering is usually light...but often with a smattering of humor...and sometimes supper talk can be knee-slapping funny.

     In "Moonlighting"...the 9th episode of Season 2 - originally aired on December 2nd, 2011 - Jamie was working undercover...to obtain evidence against a mob organization.  But the evidence was on a computer flashdrive, which Jamie needed to swallow.  Knowing that he'd be searched - and likely beaten up...which he was - popping the flashdrive into his mouth...and taking a swig of bottled water...was the only way Jamie could conceal from the suspects...that he stole the information, which was necessary to ultimately have them arrested.

     At the Sunday dinner table...Jamie's face and eyes were badly bruised...and there was obvious concern by the family, which led to a reminiscent discussion...of some of the times....when as a kid...Jamie would swallow items, which could only be retrieved later...shall I say..."naturally."

     Growing up before our eyes have been the youngest Reagans - Danny and Linda's sons, Jack and Sean - convincingly portrayed by real-life brothers, Tony Terraciano and Andrew Terraciano.  The boys were unaware of their Uncle Jamie's mischievous childhood habit.  Danny shared with his sons...a memory...of when his youngest sibling...ate his "Liberty Head dimes from my coin collection."  Danny continued by saying that "Once I boiled them...they were good as new."  From that point...giggles became belly laughs as Erin spoke of her Confirmation locket...going down Jamie's throat...followed by Frank cracking-up himself and everyone else...as he reflected back on the key to the liquor cabinet...making its way through Jamie's body.

     Jamie, of course, was suffering in pain from being pummeled while undercover... and it hurt to laugh.  "Come on, I'm begging you," he implored his family.  But even Jamie had to add his prized moment, which was when he swallowed his mother's jewelry.  "Mom never did wear those pearl earrings again."  By then, the entire Reagan clan was doubled-up with laughter.  In a series with spectacular scenes - both intense and sprightly-spirited - the few minutes of lighthearted merriment... recollecting about Jamie's obsession to swallow everything in sight...is my favorite highlight...from Blue Bloods.

     In the 7th episode of Season 4, titled "Drawing Dead" - originally aired on November 8th, 2013 - Frank reminded Danny that "family comes first."  And there was no other Blue Bloods show that expressed that sentiment better...than "To Protect and Serve" - which first appeared on October 11th, 2013, as the 3rd episode of Season 4.  It was when Erin was held hostage by a defendant...who was angry by a judge's ruling...not to release the accused prisoner on bail.  The defendant had grabbed the bailiff's gun...and shot Erin.  With her shoulder bleeding...the lawbreaker threatened to kill Erin if he was not allowed to escape unharmed.  To the rescue came Danny...with a car to take the felon to an airplane.  But Danny, Erin and all the Reagan kids and grandkids...were taught from the time they were very young...that whenever the words, "Please don't hurt my family" were uttered...it meant to duck and hit the ground.  So at the opportune moment...Danny pleaded with the man who wounded his sister...to "Please don't hurt my family."  Erin dropped to her knees...and with a hidden revolver...Danny shot the criminal dead.  Those five words - "Please don't hurt my family" - are the essence of the Reagan family.  They are always there for one another...no matter what.  And as Frank articulated on April 1st, 2011...in the 18th episode of Season 1 - "To Tell The Truth"..."Family's what makes us strong." 

     I would be remiss if I didn't mention the other Blue Bloods characters and cast members.  Albeit the fact they are not Reagans...they are still a vital part of the series and the "Blue Bloods family."  NYPD Detective Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez)...NYPD Officer Edit "Eddie" Janko (Vanessa Ray)...NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Garrett Moore (Gregory 


Jbara)...NYPD Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Lieutenant Sid Gormley (Robert Clohessy)...NYPD Sergeant Tony Renzulli (Nick Turturro)...Manhattan District Attorney Investigator Anthony Abetemarco (Steven R. Schirripa)...NYPD Detective Abigail Baker (Abigail Hawk)... and Mayor Carter Poole (David Ramsey)...each


 
makes a tremendous impact on this superb series...and, along with the regular stars of the show - named earlier in this column - all contribute greatly to the huge success of Blue Bloods.




     Led by the accomplished and renowned executive producer - the distinguished Leonard Goldberg - Blue Bloods was destined to be a hit from the very beginning.  After all...the series was created by the illustrious writers/executive 

producers...Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess.  Goldberg...and Green and Burgess...are all award-winning masters of their craft...and each of their resumes...represents a glowing catalog of some of television's biggest and most popular shows.  As Blue Bloods has progressed...it has done so with a consummate team of high caliber writers...first-class directors...excellent producers...and a cast that includes many of the finest actors in television.  All combined...these show business professionals have made Blue Bloods one of TV's best.  CBS should be extremely proud of this impressive project...thus "The Tiffany Network" should keep Blue Bloods on the air...for as long as Selleck, Wahlberg and company want to do it.

     For anyone who has never seen Blue Bloods...I encourage you to do so.  I think I've made it quite clear...that Blue Bloods is much more than a cop show.  It's much more than a show that features stories about the law.  Blue Bloods is an awesome show...about family.  And in the 7th episode of Season 6 - "The Bullitt Mustang" - first aired on November 6th, 2015...Frank questioned Erin...knowing full well that she knew the answer.  "What always comes first?"  Erin replied..."Family."

     Before the final "fade-out"...most Blue Bloods episodes will end...with the camera focused on Commissioner Reagan.  And what I call..."the Selleck nod"...is generally quite obvious to viewers.  With one of the most recognizable faces in American entertainment - if not the world - including that trademark moustache, which has a life of its own...Tom Selleck's nod and facial expressions...along with an occasional... "Selleck sigh"...wraps-up the hour.  It's Blue Bloods' way of displaying approval...that all is well with the Reagan family until next week.

     As Season 3 came to a close on May 10th, 2013...in the 23rd episode, titled "This Way Out"...the Reagans enjoyed their traditional Sunday dinner when Linda suggested that the whole family plan a vacation at the shore.  After working together...and eating together...the Reagan family wants to still be with each other on their off time.  Not much else can be said about the heartfelt love...and the friendship...that the Reagans have for each other...than the following words that were spoken by Francis "Frank" Reagan himself.  "A week at the beach?  Amen to that too."

     Author Anthony Brandt wrote..."Other things may change us.  But we start and end...with family."  And The Reagans and Blue Bloods...prove that every week.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

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Photo credits: pinterest.com (Cast of Leave It To Beaver), chicagotribune.com (Cast of The Brady Bunch), cbs.com (Cast of Blue Bloods #1), zimbio.com, CBS and Panda Productions (Donnie Wahlberg), wgnamerica.com (Will Estes), zimbio.com (Bridget Moynahan), hollywoodnewssource.com (Tom Selleck), tvguide.com, CBS and Panda Productions (Amy Carlson), zap2it.com (Len Cariou), cbs.com (Sami Gayle), minnesota.cbslocal.com, CBS and Panda Productions (Cast of Blue Bloods at "Sunday Dinner"), imdb.com (Tony Terraciano), celebrityimages.org (Andrew Terraciano), tvguide.com (Marisa Ramirez), twitter.com (Vanessa Ray), theimproper.com (Gregory Jbara), imagesjar.com and wearysloth.com (Robert Clohessy), bluebloodstv.wikia.com, CBS and Panda Productions (Nick Turturro), foxnews.com (Steven R. Schirripa), imdb.com (Abigail Hawk), tvinsider.com, CBS and Panda Productions (David Ramsey), zimbio.com (Leonard Goldberg), zimbio.com (Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess), sagharboronline.com (Anthony Brandt) and freerepublic.com, Tatyana Oracle, CBS and Panda Productions (Cast of Blue Bloods #2)  

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