‘Boston Blue’: All the Details on Len Cariou’s Return in Powerful Episode
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What To Know
- Len Cariou returns as Henry Reagan in the Blue Bloods spinoff Boston Blue, visiting Boston to see his great-grandson Sean in uniform and deliver a special gift to Danny.
- The episode features emotional family reunions, including Henry’s heartfelt interactions with Danny and Sean, and marks the first major Reagan family cameo on the new series.
- Alongside Henry’s visit, the action-packed episode includes a drive-by shooting at a church, family secrets revealed for Mae and Jill, and a cameo by Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
Pop Reagan is coming to town on Boston Blue! Len Cariou reprises his role as Henry Reagan, paying a visit to see his rookie-cop great-grandson, Sean (Mika Amonsen, formerly played by Andrew Terraciano), in uniform for the first time when the Blue Bloods spinoff returns on Friday, April 3, on CBS. But Henry’s also there to deliver a special gift to grandson Danny (Donnie Wahlberg, above, with Cariou).
Executive producer Brandon Sonnier explains why they chose Henry as the next Blue Bloods cameo, other than the fact that they just love the character.
“There was a very special relationship between Danny and Gramps on Blue Bloods,” Sonnier says. “He was always sort of the go-to for advice. Yes, there was Frank [Tom Selleck], but it always felt like father and son had a little bit of friction, and in order to smooth that friction over, it was grandpa that Danny would go to. It felt like the right move to have Len show up in Boston as sort of the ambassador for the Reagans, and just a check-in and a touchstone to what’s happening back home, and also where Danny is in his journey of moving to Boston and being away from the family for so long.”
Sonnier admits “there were tears” when Wahlberg and Cariou filmed their first scene together in Toronto, which is also Cariou’s hometown. “Aside from the characters on the show having a special relationship, Len and Donnie have a special relationship.”
Christos Kalohoridis / CBS
Executive producer Brandon Margolis says the spinoff’s crew (none of whom worked on the original series) recognized that they were witnessing something “pretty unique” with Wahlberg and Cariou, which, aside from the appearance of Danny’s younger sister Erin (Bridget Moynahan) in the pilot, marks the first time a Reagan family member has come to the show.
“Thankfully, [Henry is] arriving at a time where things between Danny and Sean are actually in a pretty solid place, but he is there,” Sonnier says. “He is coming to Boston with his own motive, which is an emotional story that gets told over the course of the episode and revealed by the end. But what was exciting for us was the chance for him to get to spend time with both Danny and Sean.”
“It was a lovely emotional moment to see Henry with his great-grandson in uniform, and the pride that was on his face was really moving,” Sonnier adds. “It was a fun day to film.”
Henry actually has three motives for his trip to Boston, according to the showrunners. Margolis reveals: “It’s to visit some old friends from the BPD from back in those days. It’s to see his great-grandson in action and to see him in his uniform and just pop in on him. But he also has a third reason for being there, which is a surprise gift for his grandson, Danny.”
That gift is delivered at the end of the episode. Before that, it’s an action-packed installment for Ernie Hudson‘s Reverend Edwin Peters and his daughters, Mae (Gloria Reuben) and Jill (guest star Holly Robinson Peete). A drive-by shooting at the church pulls Lena (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Danny into the complicated past of one of Reverend Peters’ associates. Meanwhile, Mae faces painful revelations about her family, and the team manages internal friction. There’s also a cameo from Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown to look forward to.
Jill makes her debut at a very emotional time in her little sister Mae’s life.
“It’s an episode where some secrets come to light that May had not been privy to, but her sister had,” Margolis teases, “and then there’s going to be an emotional impact as a result.”
Christos Kalohoridis / CBS
Just like Blue Bloods before it, the episode’s intensity dissipates by the time the family gathers for their weekly dinner. Will Pop Reagan join the Silvers for Shabbat?
“He absolutely gets the invite to dinner,” Margolis assures, adding that Cariou and Reuben “have a very lovely moment” in the episode. The executive producers are eager “to see Henry and the Rev just chop it up,” Margolis adds of Hudson and Cariou (Sonnier agrees).
Get ready for some intense, but moving, family reunions.
Boston Blue, 10/9c, CBS
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Have been watching Blue Bloods since the very beginning and absolutely love and adore! Not to mention having continued to stream Episodes since the Finale! My husband and I feel that Boston Blue is simply a weak copy cat trying to fill a humongous position to which is never going to make it. Especially if the writers think that by splashing in the Reagan family here and there is going to boost the ratings enough to keep them on the air in the slot that Blue Bloods held every Friday night - I cannot begin to imagine that ever happening. It's weak and the actors are just as weak as the writing. And honestly - I'm not trying to be ugly - - just honest. Boston Blue is such a total let down all the way to Donnie's pitch black hair! I mean - OMGOSH! What the heck is THAT ABOUT! I can not get past that mess!! Are they trying to make him look LESS than everyone else cause if so - They have succeeded. And also - most police departments typically don't have much money - yet, this one is built like a King's castle! What's up with that? Their office is humongous and even "The sweat box" is gorgeous? Everything! The best coffeemaker and Kuerig cups.
Come on! Fancy! Fancy! It's all bad and we just cannot seem to lock-in and from what I've been reading on here and other places - we are definitely not alone.
Still - The only time we watch is while we are eating dinner and there is literally nothing else to choose from and we've not much time
BRING BACK BLUE BLOODS!
Thank goodness for Streaming!
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A
Not a fan of Boston Blue--cannot get into it.
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B
Looking forward to seeing this episode! Love this show anyway and always enjoy anyone from Blu Bloods visiting!! 💖💖
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G
Can’t wait. I’ll have some tissues ready just in case
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A
So sorry I won’t be able to watch it since my cable provider and the company that controls CBS can’t reach an agreement. So the viewers get screwed.
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P
I love to see Shemar Moore and Vivian a fox 🦊 on the young and the restless ,maybe they will get married ,and lily and. Daniel get back together ,
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P
I miss Blue Bloods, I stop watching Boston Blue because it’s not the same and also too many commercials, too many previews of other shows. A lot of the shows nowadays don’t seem to be about what the show is about, but about the characters personal lives, that’s why I don’t watch it.. Nowadays a lot of shows are like soap operas
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P
Watch the ratings skyrocket for this episode. I just don't care about any of the characters in Boston Blue, except for Danny - and maybe Sean (jury is out on this actor). The supporting cast is mediocre, and Maggie Lawson needs to GO!
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D
Mr. Curiou was born in St. Boniface, Winnipeg, Manitoba NOT Toronto. Please amend your records.
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C
Yes, I believe he went to Provencher School and represented his high school and served on the Inter High Council back in the 1950!! His brother went to St. Paul's H.S. & College but I'm not sure if Len did?
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