‘Blue Bloods’: Bridget Moynahan on That ‘Touching’ Tribute to Joe Reagan
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Blue Bloods Season 14 Episode 14 “New York Minute.”]
The Reagans get to celebrate the late member of their family, Joe (who died before the series began), in a way they never could in the latest episode of Blue Bloods.
Near the beginning of the episode, Frank (Tom Selleck) learns that the Irish Society pulled an invitation to honor Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) with a service award (before the detective even knew about it). It seems to be a first in the 100-odd years of honoring cops and firefighters. The determining factor is, ostensibly, Danny’s reputation and baggage.
The mouthpiece is Grace Edwards (Lori Loughlin), with whom Frank previously crossed paths. He sets a meeting with her away from his office—as he does when one might get overheated—and tries to appeal to her. She says that stains in the press and public perception are hard to remove, even as Frank argues his son is a decorated cop and fine family man. That doesn’t change the fact that he comes from New York’s most visible cop family and enjoys a reputation as a very loose cannon. Their next meeting doesn’t go much better, with her feeling like she’s been blackmailed, not given information pertaining to five of her former nominees and board members.
CBS
To Frank’s surprise, Henry (Len Cariou) thinks it’s probably a good thing that the award has been taken from Danny. They both know how Joe’s turned out; he received it before he died (the ceremony was scheduled for two days later), and as Henry sees it, it’s jinxed. Other recipients have been paralyzed and stabbed by a perp. He even tries to get Erin (Bridget Moynahan) and Jamie (Will Estes) on his side. Jamie thinks Danny deserves it, but Erin argues it’s Joe’s award and should stay that way.
Danny (finally) finds out about it when the truth comes out over, of course, family dinner. As everyone argues, he leaves the table to return to his case.
At Frank’s last meeting with Grace, he tells her about Joe and admits he fooled himself into thinking this award could close that circle when nothing can. He apologizes for not handling it very well.
The episode ends with Frank, Henry, Danny, Erin, and Jamie meeting at Joe’s favorite restaurant, where they’d go whenever it was his turn to pick. Danny reveals he was officially ordered the award and turned it down, for two reasons (and neither is because he thinks it’s cursed).
“I just think being a good detective does not need to be rewarded with a shiny gold medal. I think the reward that I get is catching bad guys, reuniting families, saving lives, and that’s enough for me. And honestly, we could have saved all of ourselves a lot of chaos if we had just talked about it in the first place,” he explains. The second reason is simple: “Joe. We all admired Joe from the moment we knew what a big brother was, what a first child was, what a first grandchild was, and he wore all of those titles exceptionally well. But he was also a second-to-none cop, and he was truly deserving of this honor, and I don’t think that he should have to share the spotlight with me. This award belongs to him.” With that, they celebrate Joe, “the way we never got a chance to,” and toast to him.
“I think that it was always really sweet when we could bring that character of Joe Reagan back,” Moynahan tells TV Insider. “It was always really interesting to have storylines where they brought Joe Reagan back because he is part of the family, and yet we never met him on screen because he had passed away before the pilot. And it’s just another way that we Reagans got to bond over something that we cared about, we loved, and somehow the audience also learned to love Joe over the years. So that was really a touching moment for us.”
What did you think of the latest episode? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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G
Another stellar episode...loved the tribute and Eddie's story line too!
26
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O
Definitely a great episode saluting their fallen brother Joe. Another peek into the unseen family life. Gonna miss new family stories for sure ....
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C
This show just continues to get better. I'm in denial that this is the final season.
19
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C
I was hoping they would get real creative where the show does a flashback sequence where each character gets to relive the last time each one interacted with Joe, and has it end at their last Sunday dinner. Even if it runs an hour and a half long.
16 1
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G
We have been watching "Blue Bloods" from the beginning of the series. Every episode has been well-written and the acting has been outstanding! We will miss this series. Episode 14, "New York Minute" was particularly heartfelt and touching. Listening to Danny recount all the characteristics Joe possessed and why Danny believed that the award should belong to Joe only. That Danny's reward was the job and all that entailed. This episode was a tearjerker without a doubt. We will miss the Reagan family for some time.
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G
It's ashame that Joe's son was not in episode. So far final season not that interesting.
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R
That was the only issue I had with the episode. It makes NO sense to not include his son in such a moment celebrating Joe. 🤔
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B
Great episode but would have liked to see Joe Hill be part of the restaurant group.
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C
I think it was an awesome episode, Danny’s tribute was very beautiful, but it’s hard because his words do not make sense. Joe was not the first child, Danny is the oldest, so that means he was never the first grandchild, again, Danny is the oldest, so that would have made Danny the first grandchild. The birth order has always been explained as Danny, Erin, Joe and Jamie.
12 7
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O
No, Joe is the oldest. When Frank talked about Joe and Danny fighting at a Survivors meeting, he says that Joe the oldest brother by 18 months. He called them Irish twins.
13 1
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R
Wrong. Danny, Erin, Joe and Jamie
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O
No, there was one episode that said Joe was the oldest, then Danny and theb Erin with Jaimie following years later
5 2
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R
Nope. Danny, Erin, Joe and Jamie
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R
Think alphabet order. D.E.J.
3 1
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R
You're right. That's twice now, the writers have changed the birth order.
Clearly they don't fact check too well.
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O
Perfect episode. Enjoyed the fact that Rachel made an appearance.
4
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C
Previous comment should have read “I have NEVER watched an episode that disappointed me!!”
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B
What did Danny mean when he was talking about big brother and the first son and first grandson when as from an episode in season 1 that it had been established that Danny is the oldest. Somwhy all the first stuff about Joe. And why Henry wouldn't support Danny getting an award it doesn't make sense when he has backed up Danny in the past.
5 2
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R
Writers have changed the birth order twice now. A few years ago, they switched Erin and Joe around. Now apparently Joe is the oldest.
Simply because the writers don't faxt check. It's Danny, Erin, Joe and Jamie.
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R
I think the tribute to Joe episode was one of the best I’ve ever witnessed from Blue Bloods. It is probably the most realistic depictions of a police family and their professional lives on television.
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S
I still can’t believe that CBS cancelled such a good show, how sad!! TV viewers deserve good entertainment and the Blue Bloods series is excellent. Why cancel such a good show with morals and a strong character and strong ratings? A television executive must have been trying to “reduce costs” and decided to cancel Blue Bloods. Shame on you CBS, you should listen to your viewers!
2
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R
I think the writers don't check facts. The birth order for the Reagan siblings has been changed, twice, on this show. Apparently have information like that on fike, isn't important.
Birth order is: Danny, Erin, Joe and Jamie.
What's next, Jamie is the oldest?
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B
It was always a great show to look forward to all week. I don't understand why this one ended while others are renewed. I think I had my expectations too high. I thought these last episodes would need a kleenex box each week & they haven't. I hope the last one does finish all stories, not leaving any character out. It deserves a HUGE, GREAT ENDING. One more thing... the episode where the entire family was going to a beach house for a whole week, without their occupations following them - I wish we could've seen that! The show could end there, on the beach, at sunset. That would be amazing to see them ALL as regular people.
3 2
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G
The lack of communication makes other episodes with better communication seem so important. Excellent acting as usual.
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B
I think the show was as good as it gets. Love Joe and what he meant to the show just loved the Blood Blood Show should not be canceled.
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G
I love all the episodes! They show love, family squabbles, real emotional issues, stories that pull at your heartstrings and much more! I watch it Mon, Tues, Wednesdays evenings and
Don’t know what I’ll do without them!
1
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G
I think the writing for these last episodes is awful. Grace Edward's appears out of nowhere and looks demonic in her meeting with Frank. The actors appear almost disinterested in these stories. Hardly any Erin or Anthony. Dumb cases to solve. No jack Boyle. Really awful. Jmo
2 1
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C
Absolutely love Blue Bloods and have watched an episode that was a disappointment. Friday nights will never be the same without the Reagan Family
1
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B
I love every episode. I am truly going to miss my Blue Bloods family. But like old photos and videos, I will watch reruns until the cows come home. Truly heartbroken for the series ending. 😢
1
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O
I will also miss Blue Bloods. I watched the show for 14 years now. It is like saying goodbye to your friends for the last time.
19
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O
I've yet to see an episode that I didn't enjoy. The drama, suspense, friendships, squabbles & patch-ups, family love & interactions, etc., et al ... and often inclusion of heritage, USA loyalty, and recognition of a "Higher Power."
The almost usual family meal endings with personal & morale messages were thought provoking.
So Sad this great series is ending.
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G
That is why it wouldn't cut it set in London - the fact that they talk so much about religion, friends with the Bishop, knowing all the previous priests for the last who knows how many years - saying Grace at least once every episode. We are not so much into religion here. The 'God thing' just wouldn't fly in UK.
3 1
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P
I think Danny should have gotten the award in his brother's name and for the work Danny does
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P
Great
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O
I wish Joe's son was included in the celebration.
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R
I've loved every episode. I wish I could see more.
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C
I don’t like the episodes with the drag queens or gay characters. We just skip through their scenes.
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C
We just recently started watching Blue Bloods we got it from the pilot up on Hallmark. We watch 2-3 a night. We love it. We’re stalled on new episodes until Monday night. I heard it’s possibly canceled because of some contract issues or negotiations. It’s a good show. Almost addictive for me. While we’re waiting for a new week of shows we went back to the beginning. The actors are great. There was one character she was Danny’s partner and she played a great role then left suddenly we were not sure why.
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B
It is so , so sad to think of this show ending. This is a HUGE mistake to end this show that has such substance. It is in my opinion one, if not the best, produced show on TV . It never gets old.
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R
I think writers need to fact check a lot better than they do. That's twice now, they've changed the birth order of the Reagan siblings.
It's, Danny, Erin, Joe and Jamie.
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C
I can't believe CBS is letting this show end. You can't tell me it wasn't making money. This show could go for 5 more years or better. Another network should pick this up if they had any brains. There's so much more they could do with this show. Smh 🙄
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G
The writers did a great job on this one too. Our hearts were touched by the family's desire to honor Joe, deservedly. It's a good lesson for the viewers too, to make comparisons with their own. We have loved every episode and watch reruns regularly. PLEASE don't let us down.
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P
We should have a naton wide for not canceling the series thank you a big big fan
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P
Good writing
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P
So far not even a mention of Joe Hill. I always liked, once he was introduced to the family, when he was included in an episode. Liked the character. He seemed to be a lot like his uncle Danny.
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C
I didn't read the article, but I wanted to say that if I could choose to look like another woman, Bridget Moynihan would be that person. First, she's gorgeous. Dark hair, dark complected, little make-up, beautiful figure, etc. We couldn't be more different in looks. I have naturally dark blonde hair, have blue eyes, white as a ghost, and I could stand to lose 10-15 pounds. Second, we're both of Irish heritage, and I'm m very proud of that. Both of my parents had dual citizenship. Well, maybe next life.... In the meantime, i will keep admiring her beauty.
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R
It was a touching episode.
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O
I HAVE LOVED THIS SHOW SINCE THE FIRST SHOW I HAVE ONLY M ISSED 2 SHOWS I LOVE EVERY SHOW. I DONT WANT IT TO END. IT IS A NICE FAMILY SHOW