As Blue Bloods fans brace for the final season of the beloved CBS series, there’s been a growing sense of unease about how the Reagan family’s storylines will come to a close. For 14 seasons, the iconic Reagan family dinners and the family dynamics have felt like a slice of home for viewers, with each member of the Reagan clan feeling like a member of our own. But with the announcement of the show’s cancellation, it’s inevitable that the series will need to wrap up each character’s arc—and that means some of those stories will likely end in heartbreaking ways.
Since the news of Blue Bloods’ cancellation broke, rumors of a potential death in the series finale have been swirling. These theories are rooted in the idea that the show might want to deliver a definitive ending, and the death of a central character could provide that sense of closure. While it’s a thought that none of us want to entertain, it makes sense, and many fans have speculated about which Reagan might meet their end. Up until now, I’ve been convinced that Henry Reagan (played by Len Cariou), the family patriarch, was the most likely candidate. But the events of Blue Bloods Season 14, Episode 13 have thrown a curveball my way, casting doubt on that theory and making me realize that I’ve been worrying about the wrong Reagan.
The Case for Henry’s Death
Henry Reagan has long been one of the more peripheral figures in the Blue Bloods universe, even though he’s the family’s moral and emotional cornerstone. He’s in his 80s, and over the years, the show has introduced a number of health issues for him, from a heart attack to a prostate cancer scare, all of which have given viewers cause to worry about his health. The show has also dropped subtle hints that his time might be running out, especially as the series nears its final stretch.
One of the most significant moments pointing to Henry’s potential death came in Season 14, Episode 11, when Henry remarked that Jack Boyle would be on the outs with the family “until I die.” This line stood out as a potential foreshadowing of his death, given how often Blue Bloods uses these kinds of statements to signal a character’s eventual fate. Then, in the following episode, Henry asked for a “living wake” during a family dinner, which further heightened suspicions about his death. He explained that he’d rather hear his family express their love for him while he was still alive than wait for a traditional eulogy after his passing.
The concept of the “living wake” seemed to serve as a reflective moment for Henry and the family—a chance for them to honor him while he was still around. This felt like a bittersweet way to close his chapter, especially given that Henry has played such an integral, albeit sometimes background, role in the show. These clues—combined with the ongoing health issues—made it easy to assume that Henry might be the one whose death would serve as a powerful, emotional conclusion to the series.
The Surprising Twist: Danny’s Fate?
However, Season 14, Episode 13 has given me pause. In this episode, Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) faces a storyline that may have us worrying about him more than we ever have before. Over the years, Danny has been one of the most emotionally charged characters on the show, often finding himself at the center of action-packed cases and intense moral dilemmas. But this latest episode introduces a vulnerability in Danny that I didn’t see coming. His storyline touches on the same themes of mortality and family legacy that have been prominent for Henry—except, this time, it’s Danny who seems to be grappling with his own fate.
As Danny struggles with certain aspects of his career and his personal life, there’s a new level of tension in his character arc that feels very much in line with the kind of storyline we’d expect for a character heading toward a possible death. The fact that this development comes so late in the series only adds to the emotional weight of the situation. For years, Danny has been the most unpredictable of the Reagan siblings—always ready for a fight, always quick with a quip—but now, he seems to be confronting a deeper, more existential crisis, and it feels like the show may be setting him up for a heartbreaking conclusion.
Why Danny’s Possible Death Makes More Sense Than Henry’s
While Henry’s death would certainly be a poignant moment, his age and health have made his potential passing feel somewhat inevitable. On the other hand, Danny’s death would pack an even more powerful emotional punch. Danny is, after all, one of the series’ main protagonists, and his death would mark the end of an era for the Reagan family. Danny’s story has always been one of conflict—between his duty as a cop and his love for his family—and his death could bring a fitting end to his personal journey, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice in the name of both family and duty.
The fact that the show has begun to explore Danny in such a raw, introspective way—rather than just portraying him as the tough, no-nonsense cop—suggests that his character is being primed for a more dramatic, emotional farewell. And, unlike Henry, whose death might feel like a natural conclusion due to his age, Danny’s death would leave a much larger hole in the family dynamic, creating a sense of loss that would be difficult to overcome.
Final Thoughts
As Blue Bloods moves toward its inevitable conclusion, the possibility of a major character death has loomed large. While Henry seemed like the obvious choice for many fans, Season 14, Episode 13 has shifted the narrative and made me reconsider my assumptions. Now, I’m more worried about Danny than I ever was before, and I can’t help but feel that his potential death would have a far more profound impact on the show and the Reagan family.
Regardless of who ultimately meets their end, Blue Bloods has always been about family, duty, and legacy. Whether it’s Henry, Danny, or another character who has yet to face their fate, the series is sure to deliver an emotional and fitting end to the Reagan saga. As we near the series finale, though, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that Danny Reagan won’t be the one to make the ultimate sacrifice.
