Tom Selleck’s ‘Blue Bloods’ Character Just Played a Key Role in the Spin-Off’s Premiere md20

We’re back in the world of Blue Bloods, this time reuniting with Donnie Wahlberg‘s Danny in his spin-off, Boston Blue. The promising new series brings Danny to Boston to take care of his ailing son, Sean Reagan (Mika Amonsen), who was injured in an arson fire in the prologue of the series premiere, “Faith and Family.” Other than Wahlberg, the only other veteran Blue Bloods star who reprises their role in the Boston Blue premiere is Bridget Moynahan, who returns for a special guest appearance as Danny’s sister, Erin Reagan. But what about their father, New York Police Department Commissioner and Reagan family patriarch, Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck)? Although Frank doesn’t appear in the Boston Blue pilot, he plays a pivotal off-screen role.

Frank Reagan Vouches for Danny in ‘Boston Blue’s Premiere

Image via John Medland/CBS

Frank is first mentioned early in the episode when Danny joins Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green) at the Boston Police Department headquarters. He’s updating Frank via cellphone on Sean’s condition, as he’s still in a coma at the hospital at this point in the episode. Danny also lets his father know that he will keep him informed if anything changes. Frank is not seen or heard during the phone call, but it shows that Frank’s presence still looms heavily over the Blue Bloods universe. Frank always maintained a close relationship with Danny and Sean throughout the original series, and Frank would undoubtedly move heaven and earth to help his family (within the allowable rules and regulations of his office, of course). It’s also good to see that Danny is maintaining open lines of communication with Frank and not keeping everyone in the dark about Sean’s condition.

But later in this scene is what’s really important. BPD Superintendent Sarah Silver (Maggie Lawson), who is Lena’s stepsister and boss, convenes with Lena and Danny, informing them that she also spoke with Commissioner Reagan. Sarah reveals that Frank vouched for his son, explaining to Danny, “Your dad’s voice counts for a lot, even this far from home.” Sarah also reveals that she approved of Danny consulting with BPD on the case of Andrea Decker’s murder. Decker is the murder victim whom Sean and Jonah Silver (Marcus Scriber), Lena and Sarah’s younger brother, discovered in the burning building in the cold open. Despite the first episode keeping Frank off-screen, his actions still have a major impact on Boston Blue.

Tom Selleck’s ‘Blue Bloods’ Character Commissioner Frank Reagan Has a Lot of Power

The scene with Danny, Lena, and Sarah reinforces the importance and integrity of Frank Reagan as a character. Frank’s word was enough to get Danny approved to work with the BPD on the investigation into Andrea Decker’s murder. There’s also an amusing non-verbal reaction when Lena realizes that Danny is also the NYPD commissioner’s son during the exchange, as Danny amusingly states, “Danny Reagan, son of Frank, commissioner of all the land,” hilariously evoking Lena’s explanation about her familial connection to Sarah. Clearly, Danny can relate to Lena about having a direct family member as their boss.

Additionally, the references to Frank prove that although he has yet to appear on Boston Blue, he’s acting as a guiding, invisible hand, helping his family and other characters along the way. The dialogue exchange establishes that Frank is still the commissioner of the NYPD when Boston Blue opens, and he’s still actively working in the background. The mentions of Frank also set up Selleck’s potential return, hopefully reprising his iconic role in the near future when that time inevitably comes.

Danny Makes the Case for Why Other ‘Blue Bloods’ Characters Don’t Appear in ‘Boston Blue’s Premiere

Image via CBS

If any Blue Bloods viewers are confused as to why Frank or any of the other members of the Reagan family don’t appear in person while Sean is laid up in the hospital, it’s because Danny asked them not to. When Erin visits her brother and nephew in the hospital, Danny points out, “I’m pretty sure I said nobody needed to come.” Erin amusingly retorts to her brother, “Since when have I ever listened to you?”

For example, Jamie Reagan (Will Estes) and his wife, Eddie (Vanessa Ray), revealed they were expecting their first child in the Blue Bloods series finale, “End of Tour.” Frank still has his duties as the commissioner of the NYPD, and Henry Reagan (Len Cariou) is in his 90s and likely would’ve found it tougher to make the trip. Danny grew closer to his nephew, Joe Hill (Will Hochman), during Blue Bloods‘ final season, but Joe has his own budding career in the NYPD, where he usually works undercover assignments. Danny was likely acting in the interest of not wanting to inconvenience the family by forcing them to travel to Boston, which makes sense.

Regardless, the mentions of Frank throughout the pilot were nice touches and organically maintain the character as an active background player for Boston Blue for the foreseeable future. Perhaps, there will be an opportunity for Frank to interact with the BPD’s police commissioner, who is mentioned twice but never formally introduced. Their meeting could be a source for potential conflicts or storylines in future episodes. Boston Blue is just getting started, so there will still be plenty of time for Frank to appear.