I'm a huge fan of Tom Selleck, and I've enjoyed his latest series Blue Bloods. A family of cops, two New York Police Commissioners in the retired grandfather and father (Frank Reagan, played by Tom Selleck), one son (and brother) has died in the line of duty and Tom Selleck's wife has passed away when the series begins.
But seemingly with all series TV, there comes a season where the characters "devolve" and the writing suffers. That would be this year for Blue Bloods. This season the Police Commissioner played by Selleck has become more hard-hearted and less empathetic. The worst episode of the season, and perhaps the series, aired Friday evening (March 13th).
A young bride-to-be enlists the PC to walk her down the aisle of her wedding because many years ago he was the investigating officer of her family's disturbing murder, and she describes him as like a father to her. She is so important to him that he allows her to show up at his office and immediately gain entrance to talk to him whereas anyone else, including his staff, must keep specific appointments with him.
She receives a letter from the incarcerated murderer but doesn't open it instead bringing it to the PC to read. When he encourages her to wait until after her marriage to make a decision whether or not she wishes to learn its content, she makes the decision to ask what he's written. When the PC tells her the murderer wants to see her to make amends, she goes to the prison with the PC – she with a huge mad on and he with utter disdain and cynicism. To this point, she's a sympathetic character, and we understand the Commissioner's opinion and attitude.
However, the spectacle of the murderer's confession and her reaction to him reverses the sympathy for her. She is hateful, bitter, ugly, and by her own words will never forgive him. While it would've been acceptable for her not to indulge in trusting his confession, the demonstration of skepticism without the putrid outburst and cruel venomous response would have been far more beneficial to view. And all the while, the PC nods his head at her, urging her to get it all out. It's an ugly scene, and totally eliminated any sympathy or empathy I held for her. The Commissioner tells her he's proud of her, and I felt like gagging.
There have been traces of God-mocking in the PC's character, but the portrayal and endorsement of this young woman's ungodly behavior makes me wonder about the "hidden" agenda of Blue Bloods. If these subtle – and not so subtle – examples continue to be held up within the episodes, perhaps assuming this Catholic family's Sunday dinners around the table after saying "grace" will be enough to sustain viewers such as myself, I'm one viewer they can count on losing. Who needs it?
Father, it's almost impossible to forgive those who've done horrendous things to us or our families. You're the only one who can help us forgive, and forgive we must. It never means forget. It means forgive. Your ways are so much higher than our own. We struggle to understand them and to do the right things. Please forgive us for indulging sin in so many ways. We're all desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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