In many respects, Blue Bloods season 14, episode 18, “End of Tour,” was the perfect wrap-up for the Reagan family. There are many reasons to be disappointed by Blue Bloods’ cancelation, especially considering how popular the police and family drama is after 14 seasons. After a massive fan-led effort to save Blue Bloods failed, the best that could be hoped for was a strong series finale, but it wasn’t clear that would happen.
Most episodes of Blue Bloods‘ final season did little to move toward a definitive conclusion, so there were some fears that the wrap-up would be less than satisfying. If little to none of the most popular items on the Blue Bloods series finale wishlist took place, that would have been even more heartbreaking than CBS’ decision to cancel the fan-favorite procedural. Fortunately, the final episode did not make this mistake, though the audience was left wishing it could come along for the next chapter in the Reagan family saga.
8. Joe Hill Gets The Perfect Ending For His Story
He Finally Embraces The Reagan Family And Vice Versa
Throughout the four seasons that Joe Hill (Will Hochman) has been part of Blue Bloods‘ Reagan family, he’s struggled to find his place within it. Joe initially was uncomfortable with the Reagans, having not learned he was one of them until after he grew up and became an NYPD cop. Unfortunately, relations were fraught on both sides, as Joe saw the Reagans as entitled, and they saw him as a Johnny-come-lately who reminded them daily of the loss of his father and made things more difficult for them on the job
Joe began to get closer with the Reagans toward the end of season 14. His story ends perfectly but quietly in “End Of Tour.” Not only does Jamie (Will Estes) accept his help finding Badillo’s (Ian Quinlan) killer, but at the final Reagan family dinner, Joe says that Jamie and Eddie’s new baby is lucky to be a Reagan. This one line demonstrates his new acceptance of the Reagans and Frank patting him on the shoulder in response speaks volumes about how far they have all come.
7. Frank’s Final Mission Pays Tribute To The Late Joe Reagan
He Uses His Pain To Get A Prisoner To Give Him Vital Info
Mayor Chase (Dylan Walsh) gives Frank (Tom Selleck) instructions to “drive us out of this” after he is shot, telling him to bypass the Public Advocate’s calls and implying he should do whatever it takes to catch the gang members who were wreaking havoc by shooting at cops, judges, and public officials. Frank thus confronts a prisoner-for-life who has vital knowledge about the mayor’s assassin, who is his son. This epic confrontation is almost as strong as Frank’s season 1 confrontation of Sonny Malevsky about Joe’s death.
This scene is perfect because Frank began his Blue Bloods story in season 1 searching for answers about Joe’s death and ends it by using that pain to convince the prisoner to give up his son’s location so that justice can be served and order can be returned to the city. Although Frank still has to live with the loss of his son for the rest of his life, he can at least know that Joe would have been proud of how he used that pain for the greater good.
6. Blue Bloods’ Final Case Highlights The Show’s Strength
The Ensemble Case Demonstrated The Values That Are At Blue Bloods’ Heart
Blue Bloods’ final case reinforces the themes of family support and respect for the NYPD that have made the series so popular. Each story thread strikes a perfect balance between action and heart, with Eddie’s (Vanessa Ray) determination to get justice for her late partner and find the little girl she once fostered being the strongest arc of all. The case is intertwined with small moments of family support, such as Henry encouraging Danny to find a life partner to ease his pain over Linda’s death once the case is over and Erin and Jack deciding to secretly get married.
The final family dinner scene is iconic, but it is the last act after Badillo’s funeral, which is an important reinforcement of the theme of respect for the police. The funeral is one of the saddest moments in a tear-inducing hour of television, especially when Badillo’s mother receives the NYPD flag in his honor, and the little boy he mentored receives his police hat. These small moments honor the lives of fallen officers and those they leave behind, reflecting the unusual respect for police officers that Blue Bloods was committed to.
5. Blue Bloods Finally Begins Danny & Baez’s Romance
Danny Asks Baez Out For Pizza After The Case Wraps Up
The fanbase is divided about whether Blue Bloods‘ Danny and Baez should try for romance. However, the pair taking steps toward exploring a relationship is a great ending for Danny, who has been a widower since season 8 and has recently admitted that he’s afraid that if he moves on he will lose another person he loves to a premature death. While Danny’s feelings are understandable, the series couldn’t end with his future happiness in limbo, and Baez was the most logical choice for a romantic partner since he already knows her well.
Having Danny and Baez explore a relationship rather than making them a committed couple satisfies both halves of the debate over the pairing
Blue Bloods did little to wrap things up ahead of the finale, so there was no time for Danny to meet someone new, and it wouldn’t have been nearly as satisfying for his story to end with him doing something out-of-character such as picking up a woman in a bar. Additionally, having Danny and Baez explore a relationship rather than making them a committed couple satisfies both halves of the debate over the pairing. Since there are no more new episodes to come, audience members can imagine it working out whatever way they prefer.
4. Jamie And Eddie Get Their Dream Ending
Eddie’s Pregnancy Will Happen Off-Screen But It’s Still The Ending The Couple Deserves
Blue Bloods’ Jamie and Eddie first started discussing having children in Blue Bloods season 14, episode 11, making it clear that Eddie would be pregnant by the series’ end. It’s unfortunate that Blue Bloods will not have more seasons so that the audience can meet the baby and follow Jamie and Eddie’s parenting journey. However, Eddie’s pregnancy is the perfect ending not only for the couple but for the Reagan family in general.
The audience can readily imagine the entire family coming to the hospital when Eddie gives birth, their joy at learning the baby’s name, and the new child’s inclusion in family dinners for years to come.
Eddie’s pregnancy represents the idea of the Reagan family continuing to celebrate big moments together after the series ends. The audience can readily imagine the entire family coming to the hospital when Eddie gives birth, their joy at learning the baby’s name, and the new child’s inclusion in family dinners for years to come. The final line of the finale is Jamie saying Grace over the food, which is especially significant because he is soon to be a father who will be passing on these traditions and values to his child.
3. The Final Dinner Reinforces The Family Values Theme
The Ending Was A Beautiful Tribute To The Show’s Iconic Centerpiece
Blue Bloods‘ Reagan family dinners are iconic for a reason. These scenes set the show apart from other police procedurals and were the most popular aspect of the series, and thus there is no better ending than for the family to get together and celebrate each other one last time. The only thing missing is a toast to the Reagan family. However, Frank’s comment that “looking around this table, we have a lot to be thankful for, and I can’t be any more proud or grateful.” is a wonderful tribute.
Eddie’s pregnancy is especially poignant after the shooting that could have taken her life along with her partner’s, and it allows the family to celebrate good news despite the sadness of Badillo’s death.
Frank’s tribute to the family also vocalizes another important Blue Bloods theme related to family values. The Reagans have always stood for finding the good even in the face of tragedy, as demonstrated by their continued movement forward together after Joe Reagan’s death. This final family dinner reinforces that theme. Eddie’s pregnancy is especially poignant after the shooting that could have taken her life along with her partner’s, and it allows the family to celebrate good news despite the sadness of Badillo’s death.
2. Erin and Jack’s Reconciliation Is Completed
The Two Secretly Wed, Giving Them The Happiest Possible Ending
Erin and Jack’s (Peter Hermann) marriage was broken before the series began and represents another heartbreak on top of Joe Reagan’s death. However, the ending reversed that beautifully. While it was disappointing that Erin and Jack’s initial reconciliation in Blue Bloods was revealed as a plot twist in Erin’s final story instead of happening on-screen, these two moving forward into a second try at marriage makes for a poignant ending that allows Erin to be happy and reinforces the themes of family love and forgiveness.
Throughout Blue Bloods, Jack has evolved from a villain to a recurring character that Erin has mixed feelings about and the family doesn’t want to accept back into the fold. As late as Blue Bloods season 14, episode 11, Jack was an unwelcome guest at the Reagan family dinner table. However, Blue Bloods’ ending shows that he has reconciled with the entire Reagan family and will be part of them moving forward, as he is at the final Reagan family dinner, congratulates Eddie on her pregnancy, and says Grace alongside the others.
1. Blue Bloods Finale Leaves Room For Sequels Without Leaving Many Loose Ends
Everything Is Set Up For A Sequel Or Spinoff, Yet Is Satisfying
Although every Blue Bloods character has a definite ending, there is plenty of room for sequels. If Blue Bloods were to have a reunion movie later, the series could pick up where it left off, as nobody retired, died, or made such drastic changes that they could no longer be part of the show or a sequel. Even secondary characters such as Frank’s staff and Mayor Chase all remained at their jobs, so there wouldn’t have to be any adjustments to the series’ main premises if it were to return in some form down the road.
This type of ending is ideal for a beloved series that could still have stories to tell in the future.
Blue Bloods is now over, and there is not yet a spinoff in development. However, the series finale was written in such a way that everything was wrapped up while leaving room for more. Thus, there are plenty of ideas for spinoffs or sequels, and the stage is also set for a reunion movie after enough time has passed. This type of ending is ideal for a beloved series that could still have stories to tell in the future.
