The Reagan family is full of surprises. Apparently they aren't only ready "To Protect and Serve" the general public but they have secret code words in order to protect one another as well.

But let's start from the beginning.

When Danny learned that Raul Delgado disappeared from the system after being sentenced to prison for murder, I knew something was up. So it wasn't a huge surprise to find out he was an informant for Homeland Security but that didn't mean the story didn't have some unexpected twists.

Danny took an entire SWAT team to capture Delgado. So why was he the only one to jump through that window and chase the man? There were several people on that team. Did they all just decide they'd let Detective Reagan handle it?  One of my pet peeves about this show is that sometimes it tries too hard to make Danny look like a hero.

I knew from the previews that the courtroom was going to be taken hostage but what I never expected was for Erin to get shot. Somehow Erin made a gunshot wound to the shoulder not look so bad, being that she was still standing upright and talking coherently. She even made it to Sunday dinner.

I loved that the entire Reagan clan had a code phrase that meant hit the floor and that everyone from the oldest to the youngest members knew just what to do. 

There were a lot of other great moments in this episode. I actually had a new appreciation for Jack Boyle as he did his best to protect Erin from Delgado. His reasoning for not coming to visit her in the hospital was actually rather endearing as he explained in this Blue Bloods quote…

Jack: I was going to come see you at the hospital but I knew you had your family there and they always carry loaded weapons. | permalink

I can imagine that being an ex amongst Reagans is an uncomfortable situation.  But Jack and Erin looked pretty cozy at the end of this episode as he admitted that letting her go was his one true regret. Was what happened next nothing more than a one night stand or the start of something more?

I also appreciated Jamie's story. He definitely did the right thing not leaving that child but that didn't mean there weren't consequences for his actions. Unfortunately there are many times when doing the right thing is not rewarded, or as Frank put it…

Frank:  Balls is knowing the cost and going ahead anyway. 

So do you think Erin and Jack have a future or was this just a life affirming fling? Was I the only one who almost didn't recognize Jamie's partner in her date clothes? And should Danny have gone up against Homeland Security on this week's Blue Bloods?

Just because something is not true, doesn't make it a lie. As "The Truth About Lying" shows, when every moment of our lives is posted online, perception can quickly become reality. 

The first incident was Danny's murder case, which wasn't a murder at all. But it was hard to determine that fact from the video. It truly looked as though the Hulk was throwing Amy in front of that train.  But my fear of Bernard quickly turned to sympathy as the huge man with mental illness could barely communicate that he was trying to save the young girl who had always been nice to him.

Unfortunately, when Amy's own brother turned on her, she couldn't figure out how to go on. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Amy's parents who not only lost one child to suicide but would have to live with the knowledge the other sibling had driven her to it. 

Jamie's partner was an interesting case. I kept wondering why she wasn't telling the truth about the arrest. It took me a while to figure out that her memory of the incident was unclear. 

I can't even imagine trying to remember the small details under that kind of stress but that's what cops are tasked with every day. 

And it made for some interesting dinner conversation at the Reagan table. 

I was a little surprised at Erin's insistence that the cop be fired. The guy not only stole the phone but also tried to assault the officer with a pipe. But Erin was adamant that one omission from her statement should mean her dismissal. 

It was quite the revelation when Jamie took sides with the cops instead of the lawyers. He shared his revelation in thisBlue Bloods quote…

Jamie: After being in the streets every day. It's not always black and white. | permalink

That's quite an admission from the previously idealist Harvard attorney. 

It appeared everyone was having a difficult week as Frank had to meet the new Inspector General. I liked Bebe Neuwirth's as Kelly Peterson from the very first scene. It's about time someone pointed out how tall Tom Selleck is…

Kelly: Of course if we were face to face I'd have to climb up on that desk but this will do. | permalink

Kelly was tough but also willing to go through the training simulator when the Commissioner asked and even reverse her original decision. 

I hope we see more of Frank and Kelly. They're both smart, tough and fair. I'd like to see them go toe to toe more often both personally and professionally. 

So were you happy that Jamie's partner was saved and would you like to see more of Kelly Peterson on this season of Blue Bloods?

"Lost and Found" took a few turns I didn't expect and left me remembering how different Blue Bloods is from anything else on TV. 

When Frank found out that police chaplain Father Markham had been let go on four possible DWI charges, I had no doubt how the Police Commissioner was going to handle it. Yet Frank still did the decent thing and let the man turn himself in instead of sending someone to arrest him. 

What I didn't see coming was why the priest had fallen off the wagon or how personally it would affect Frank. 

The stories about the police officers sifting through the rubble looking for bodies after 9/11 and that picture in Frank's office of the towers burning before they fell still put my stomach in a knot after all these years later. I can't imagine the affect the memories must have for the people who worked the front line. 

But it wasn't just the alcohol or one man's suicide that was plaguing Father Markham. He was feeling useless as cops who used to seek his counsel were now opting for doctors who prescribed pills and diagnosed them with things like depression and PTSD. 

I'm not saying either way is wrong but I could see how it could push the man into a criss of faith. It turns out even priests can lose their way. 

Across town Jamie was about to face his own crisis as he brilliantly played out a hostage situation. For as much as Grady felt he'd gotten played, Jamie was right. Another cop probably would have shot the man the moment he could get to his gun. Jamie truly wanted to help. 

But Jamie's best intentions couldn't change Grady's situation or his choices. The look on Jamie's face was like a punch to the gut when he found out the man had killed himself in jail. 

Jamie had done everything right but as he explained to Danny's sons in thisBlue Bloods quote…

Jamie: Even when you do what seems like the right thing it can still turn out wrong. | permalink

Speaking of which, when was the last time you saw a family sit down to Sunday dinner and openly discuss a church sermon?  Or witnessed parents and grandparents struggle to explain the meaning of faith. I loved it when the question, "How does God take sides?" stumped the entire table. 

Blue Bloods tackles these quiet moments in a way that sets it apart from the rest of what's on TV. It's what makes the show stand out from every other cop procedural or family drama out there.

Finally we get to Danny's kidnapping case. 

I liked how the sometimes hot headed detective kept his cool about the entire situation, taking the investigation one step at a time. And it made sense that a father with kids around the same age would recognize a dojo patch on the girl's pant leg. A detail that could have easily been missed by someone else. 

Detective Baez has also fit right in with Danny this season. Her quiet brand of sarcasm works well against Danny's brasher version and I had to laugh when she pointed out the kidnapper's flaw. 

Baez: He did break the number one rule of kidnapping. Don't take your victim out for pancakes. | permalink

In the end the undercover plan was a good one. Unfortunately with such short notice they couldn't find two officers who spoke Croatian. 

When it all fell apart I couldn't help but think Danny was reckless to be shooting at the man from such a distance in a crowded park. And in the end it wasn't a gun that took the man down but NYC traffic.

Leaving us with a stellar episode of Blue Bloods and a good lesson to remember…always look both ways.

Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 6 gave us a glimpse into Danny's past that was pretty but a little trashy.

No, not his past as a cop. It was his needy ex-girlfriend Marianne from high school who liked to think she could pull Danny back in whenever she needed him, like when her fiance decided to use her as a punching bag.

The best part of the entire story was Linda's reaction to the trashy ex. First it was her recommendation to tell Marianne that there's this thing called 911 she can call when she's in trouble. But best of all was Linda grabbing the woman's phone and deleting Danny's from the contact list.

It wasn't so much that Linda didn't trust Danny. She'd just had enough of this woman's crap and it was time stake her claim. And Linda made sure that Marianne knew there was no place for her in Danny's life.

Even better was everyone reminiscing about Marianne on Sunday. It made for one of the funniest family dinners in quite a while and was a welcomed change from the angst we've had over the last few weeks.

I don't think anyone's story could top Henry's about Marianne volunteering at the high school car wash and his late wife wanting him to arrest her for indecent exposure for her soaked through attire.

In an unexpected twist, Danny remembered the day he'd first kissed Linda and how it changed his life forever. He even swore he'd kept the ticket stubs from their movie.

And just as I was thinking how odd it was that Danny would be the romantic who'd save ticket stubs, Linda shot back with this Blue Bloods quote…

Linda: I'm going to need to see those ticket stubs.
Frank: My thought exactly.

• Permalink: My thought exactly.
• Added: November 02, 2013

Because there are two Reagans on the job and I feel that it's my duty to let you know when they're involved in job related conflict. It's not because I expect you to intervene.

Garrett

• Permalink: Because there are two Reagans on the job and I feel that it's my duty to let you know when...
• Added: November 02, 2013

Everyone was judging someone in Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 7 but did anyone have the right to be? 

Even something as simple as driving styles had Jamie and his partner squabbling as though they were siblings.  I did find it funny when their argument ended up spiraling down to name calling. Jamie's the boy scout. Eddy's a daddy's girl.

That just about covered it.

Their day got way more complicated when they got a shots fired call but it was Officer Montero's day that got a whole lot worse.

I figured the shop keeper stole the gun from the beginning. She was just too vocal to be an innocent bystander and she certainly hated the cops enough to do it.  Frank's manipulating her to hand the gun over and come clean while giving her an out was both brilliant and generous.

The discussion about the shooting of a 14 year old boy over Sunday dinner was classic Blue Bloods. Everyone got a say. The kids were young enough to see the situation as simple right and wrong and shooting a 14 year old is wrong. But the adults at the table knew that things could be a lot more complicated than they seemed and it was best to get all the facts before making judgements.

The underlying conversation between Danny and Henry was hilarious as they threw lightly veiled digs at one another in the middle of the debate. Frank would have had to have been deaf not to notice.

It didn't surprise me that Henry would try his hand at an illegal high stakes poker game. I could see him looking at that as a victimless crime but many years later that decision put Danny in a horrible position.

Of course Danny's first instinct was to protect his family. Unfortunately that road led to another man getting killed and although it wasn't Danny's fault directly, he still carried the burden for his murder.

And we got to see that on his worst days, even Danny Reagan seeks absolution.

It was interesting to see the new dynamic between Frank and the mayor since his shooting. I liked that Frank got called out on his change of behavior when faced with the man in a wheelchair, even if the change was unintentional.

These two have a complicated relationship and it adds a realism to these controversial moments.  But it's nice to seem them both keep their sense of humor as when Frank told the Mayor in thisBlue Bloods quote…

Try not to smile when they boo when I'm introduced.

Franks

• Permalink: Try not to smile when they boo when I'm introduced.
• Added: November 09, 2013

Members of the Reagan family tackled different types of challenges as they tried to make sure justice got served in Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 8

I couldn't have been more surprised to see Danny on a jury, nevermind as the lone member submitting a non-guilty verdict in a murder case. Like most, I would have expected Danny to be the one pushing for a conviction but when the evidence didn't support it, neither did Danny.

Dashawn Williams was darn lucky to have a detective on his jury who saw the circumstantial evidence for what it was and recognized all of the holes that Dashawn's court appointed attorney obviously missed. And even luckier when Danny refused to walk away from the case after the mistrial.

Eddie's saga was disturbing. At first I found myself annoyed that she brought Jake back to her place after their first date just to send him away. I understand the romance of a good night kiss at the door but it seemed unwise considering they'd just met.

The assault was stomach turning without ever having to witness much of it and I was relieved that it hadn't been worse than it was. Eddie's behavior was inconsistent yet typical of someone who's been assaulted.

She wanted to hide away but if she didn't want Jamie at her door then she should have returned one of his many phone calls. She obviously didn't want to speak to her assailant again but she never blocked his number from her phone.

I understood why Eddie would rather go beat on the guy than press charges. Going public would put her in a vulnerable position, and no doubt many of her male colleagues would view her as weak whereas causing Jake some serious pain would feel as though she were regaining some power and control.

Lucky for her that Jamie was there to point out that assaulting her assailant could lead to the end of her career.

Jamie was a good friend and partner throughout. He pushed…just enough and always made sure Eddie knew he had her back.

Finally, Frank had a mess on his hands thanks to an old friend. I appreciated that Frank never abandoned Angelo despite the type of people he chose to represent. They'd been friends since they were kids and as long as Angelo wasn't doing anything illegal, Frank would stand by him.

I loved that Frank ordered a perp walk with full media to keep his friend safe and give him cover from his mobster clients.  I wouldn't want to play poker against Frank Reagan.

My only disappointment was this week's Sunday dinner. It was much too short and much too quiet and much like Henry, Nicky's joke about getting a tattoo made me wish for the quiet once again.

Hopefully next week's Thanksgiving dinner will be a lot more entertaining.
 

Various types of challenges and obstacles were placed in front of the Reagans on Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 8.

Danny had jury duty, for starters, becoming the lone member of 12 to submit a non-guilty verdict on his murder case.

Elsewhere: we witnessed an assault against Eddie, who responded by wanting to beat him right back instead of pressing charges, but Jamie pointed out the problem in this plan and how it could place her career in jeopardy.

Lastly, Frank had to deal with an old friend and a related mess and did so in his typically well-reasonable, benevolent manner. Meaning what, exactly? Click on the following picture to view this episode in full:

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 8

It was the Thanksgiving installment and Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 9 mixed family, friends, humor and a good dog in a way that made me thankful for all of the above.

We'll start with Danny and Baez. Detective Baez ran into a familiar face on the job. Her brother, Javi. And when I say ran in to I mean she tackled him through a glass door.

I suppose every family has its own way of saying hello.

But Baez had a long and unpleasant history with her drug addict brother and she wasn't so quick to believe he's gotten himself clean.  As she explained to Danny in this Blue Bloods quote…

Not everyone has a family where the worse thing that happens is that someone's late to Sunday dinner.

Baez

• Permalink: Not everyone has a family where the worse thing that happens is that someone's late to Sunday...
• Added: November 23, 2013

When Benny Russo and his thugs tossed Javi in that van and drove off, I had to wonder if Danny and his crew were doing their impersonation of the Keystone cops. It was an old van trying to get away from several police cars on city streets. How far ahead could it have gotten that they lost it?  It didn't seem it had that much of a head start.

Then there was Henry and his ex-partner Colleen.  I found it really sad that Colleen's daughter Mira would rather go to Henry with her concern that her mother had assisted in her father's death instead of confronting her mom.

Obviously she was right that the option had been seriously considered but I felt her disdain for her mother's computer searches was a little misplaced. Wouldn't anyone who a had a spouse battling cancer go over their life insurance policy?  That seemed more practical than suspicious. 

And no matter what Henry or Mira said, almost anyone who has witnessed a loved one suffer that kind of pain would at least consider ways to make it stop.  

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 9 Online

I though it was funny how even Frank admitted to having the hots for Colleen when he was a boy. Of course Henry did too and that's why he asked for a new partner, not because Colleen wasn't a good cop but because he valued his marriage too much to stay that close to temptation each day.

Finally we get to Frank and his past in the K-9 unit. It was more than a little heartbreaking to hear that he thought he couldn't cut it in that department and chose to leave…after his dog Greta was shot and killed by a robber.

Although I completely understood why Frank went to visit the dog who faced possible euthanasia, I loved that Garrett was there to show him how his actions could be interpreted.

Garrett: Dog bites boy. Reagan checks in on dog. What's wrong with this picture?
Frank: Oh.

• Permalink: Dog bites boy. Reagan checks in on dog. What's wrong with this picture?
• Added: November 23, 2013

Plus it's always great to see Frank stand up for what's right, especially when it's someone who can't fight for themselves.

Thanksgiving dinner was an event I didn't want to leave as everyone gave thanks for what they had, but Jamie's declaration was by far the best of the bunch.

I'm thankful for all the ordinary citizens who have come up to me on the beat over the past year and thanked me for my service All two of them. Also bullet proof vests.

Jamie

• Permalink: I'm thankful for all the ordinary citizens who have come up to me on the beat over the past...
• Added: November 23, 2013

Amen. And that's just one more reason why I'm thankful for Blue Bloods.

Thanksgiving arrived in New York City this week, at least on Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 9.

The hour did a strong job of mixing humor, family friends with an interesting investigation, as Baez literally ran into her drug addict of a brother.

There was also Henry and his ex-partner, Colleen, the latter of whom came into the picture when her daughter went to Henry with a worry that her mother had actually played a role on her dad's death.

Where did it all go from there? Click Play now to watch the episode from start to finish:

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 9 Online

As Frank pointed out in Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 10, New York is a city of immigrants and it always has been. With so many years of people coming from different parts of the world and living side by side, you'd think we'd get better at it. 

Yet, fear and hate are still prevalent. And sometimes it's as simple as ignorance and misunderstanding. The confrontation between the Officer and the Sikh doctor was an interesting one. As Frank pointed out, perhaps they were both in the wrong but since the audience never saw the actual incident it was left to our imaginations, although the assault couldn't be denied.

I was proud that Frank called the two men together in the end. Progress comes in small steps and one handshake at a time.

Danny and Baez had far more dangerous issues. It was only a matter of time before someone was killed by one of those bombs. I thought it was a unique twist that the bomber was motivated by his belief that God or Allah had abandoned him.

Much like the conversation at the Reagan family dinner, it made me think of how much violent stupidity man has committed in the name of God. 

As the boys at the table said, it is confusing and difficult to understand but I liked how Linda put it. It's usually as simple as one person deciding that they're going to take something that isn't theirs and claim that God has given them the right to do it. 

Or as Jamie said in this Blue Bloods quote...

No shortage of knuckleheads in the world.

Jamie

• Permalink: No shortage of knuckleheads in the world.
• Added: December 14, 2013

Jamie spent the hour juggling two woman…sort of. Dana is smart and beautiful and their law school background gives them an instant connection.

But Jamie's not a lawyer anymore, he's a cop.  With Dana frequently on the other side of the county, I wonder how long their non-exclusive relationship will last.

Especially when Jamie and Eddie have such obvious chemistry. Part of it is surely the job. They spend hours every day side by side which gives them a camaraderie that Dana can't possibly touch. But as Jamie pointed out, given the risks of the job, a romance isn't something he needs with his partner.

Still, there's definitely something there. We'll have to wait and see if it goes anywhere besides being partners as Blue Bloods season 4 progresses.

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 10 Online

Blue Bloods focused largely on the issues of immigration and diversity this week.

It's clear fear and intolerance are still unfortunately present throughout New York City, though ignorance is often the reason for both.

Frank did his best on Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 10 to bring a police officer and a Sikh doctor together in order to bridge what seemed like an impossible divide at one point.

Elsewhere, Danny and Baez looked into a case where a bombed was motivated by his belief that God or Allah had abandoned him. Heavy stuff, we know. How did it all turn out?

Watch the installment in full now:

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 10 Online

What happens when good friends go bad? And is someone who commits a crime forever a criminal?

Those were some of the questions asked in Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 11. 

Danny and old friend Mickey Patrick had been buddies since grammar school. They were so close they even created their own secret language. So it was easy to understand how torn Danny was when OSID asked him to wear a wire and get incriminating evidence against his friend.

Danny was shocked when he saw the pictures of Mickey in the middle of the Vasquez mob family's "golf" outing. However, Erin wasn't nearly as shocked as she explained to Danny in this Blue Bloods quote…

Danny: It's not like I was an angel. I mean every time Mickey got in trouble I was right there with him.
Erin: Yeah, which is why Dad never liked you hanging around him and always kept you on a short leash.

• Permalink: Yeah, which is why Dad never liked you hanging around him and always kept you on a short leash.
• Added: December 21, 2013

Was Henry right and Mickey was always a bad seed who was destined to become a criminal? Did Danny just have a blind spot for his dear friend? Or maybe if he'd had a father to keep him on a short leash things would have gone in another direction No one can know for certain but in the end, the decisions were Mickey's to make 

Despite arresting his friend and being on opposite sides of the law, Danny still did everything he could to protect him and risked his own life to make sure Mickey wasn't killed. Their friendship will never be what it once was but a certain amount of loyalty still remained. 

As always, the Reagan family dinner was interesting. Did committing a crime mean that you'd be labelled a criminal forever? Was Ebenezer Scrooge a greedy, old miser or a redeemed generous hero. It's all in how you look at it and Frank was right once again. How you view other people says a lot about who you are.

Frank had his own issues. With a judicial ruling saying that officers could be personally sued if they stopped and frisked someone without just cause, crime stats were rising. 

I liked that the show tried to look at both points of view on this controversial policy. On the one hand Frank was right. Police officers have to use their instincts and make judgement calls every day and they see and interpret things in ways that most other people wouldn't.  

As Frank put it...

I can think of no other profession where you're told to bench your talents and then you're penalized if you don't.

Frank

• Permalink: I can think of no other profession where you're told to bench your talents and then you're...
• Added: December 21, 2013

And although Jamie agreed that the new ruling tied the hands of officers, he also admitted that although Stop and Frisk was a valuable tool, that it was frequently being used as a short cut where other methods may have worked better.

Despite Frank's personal feelings on the subject, he made it clear how he felt about the new ruling…

It is the law and because it is the law we are damn sure going to see that it is carried out.

Frank

• Permalink: It is the law and because it is the law we are damn sure going to see that it is carried out.
• Added: December 21, 2013

Frank's strategy of asking the public to call in tips more often was a unique way of handling the situation. Would that make the difference? It's hard to say but it definitely gave a new way of looking at community policing.  And in the end I enjoyed that Blue Bloods took a look at this timely and controversial issue within the NYPD. 

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 11 Online

Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 11 asked a couple major life questions. To wit:

•  What takes place when good pals go bad?
• Is someone who commits a crime a criminal... forever?

Deep stuff, we know.

The installment also featured Rebecca Budig as a guest star, as Danny met up with an old friend named Mickey Patrick. But then the OSID asked him to wear a wire in order to gather incriminating evidence against his friend and... yeah, that's awkward.

Where did the story go from there? How did it conclude? Watch Blue Bloods online now for the answer:

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 11 Online

The investigation into a new and deadly form of heroin called "The Bogeyman" took some unexpected turns on Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 12. 

First off, Frank's reaction to the users of the heroin was something that I didn't see coming. Although I don't wish anyone to die, I had to agree with Garrett. You choose stick a needle in your arm you're taking your chances. 

And when Frank pushed to make the deadly heroin a public health emergency, I found myself thinking similarly to Garrett once again as he said in this Blue Bloods quote…

It's not tainted aspirin or a bad batch of hamburger. It's pure heroin. You can't just issue a consumer recall.

Garrett

• Permalink: It's not tainted aspirin or a bad batch of hamburger. It's pure heroin. You can't just issue...
• Added: January 11, 2014

Frank's drug buy back program had me a little befuddled. Was it his hope that there was simply a finite supply on the streets and once they bought it all the deaths would stop? Or would buying it with public funds simply increase supply and demand and urge the supplier to continue to make more?

When Frank went to Kelly I kept waiting for him to better explain his reasoning behind buying back the drugs but that explanation never came. 

However I did like what he shared with her about the NYPD…

They are the finest police department on the planet but they carry guns and shields not magic wands.

Frank

• Permalink: They are the finest police department on the planet but they carry guns and shields not magic...
• Added: January 11, 2014

The way Frank lit into Kelly was quite unlike him, especially when he didn't yet have all the facts. It made sense that if she had reached out to others about the program as he'd asked, one of them could have easily leaked it. 

Frank deserved to be kicked out of her house. And she certainly deserved his heartfelt apology later on.

I'd really like to see the relationship between these two developed further as Blue Bloods season 4 continues.

On other fronts, I was expecting more consequences for Nicky after being at a party where a drug overdose occurred but in the end I suppose she was right. She did all the right things given the circumstances.

Yes, I know she lied to 911 about her name but how quickly would it have made the papers if Frank Reagan's granddaughter was involved with a heroin overdose?

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 12 Online

The other issue that wasn't addressed was that her underaged friends were drinking heavily at that party but unfortunately, I guess that is to be expected. 

The Reagan family dinner was nice. There was nothing unexpected about their conversations. Nicky wanted to spread her wings and go off to college somewhere away from her very close knit family. That's not an unusual choice for a young person to make.

And it's also normal for her family to worry and miss her.

It was sweet of Eddie to try and save Morgan but I never doubted where that would end. Morgan was determined to continue down her path as the bad girl. My only question was whether or not we've seen the last of her or will she be calling on Eddie again in the future.

Danny and Baez's escapades with the dead dealer were kind of fun. Having Danny tell Jimmy not to jostle the body because it was leaky and might make a mess made me laugh. 

Perhaps calling in for some backup would have been the smarter decision but for some reason, Danny rarely seems to like that option.

And I hope Baez gets them to tack on an attempted murder of a police officer for Jimmy who kept urging his cohort to shoot her once her gun was emptied. 

Because as much fun as Blue Bloods can be, you never know when the next officer will go down. 

And tell us TV Fanatics, what did you think of Frank's buy back program?

We learned what The Bogeyman is on Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 12 - and it wasn't anything good.

This is a new and deadly form of heroin, the investigation into which was at the center of this week's installment.

Frank had an unexpected reaction to users of the drug, while Garrett came right out and said if you stick a needle into your arm… you pretty much deserve to die. You know you're taking a rather big chance.

But Frank pushed forward with drug buy back program, one that may have left many viewers a tad confused.

What did it entail? Were you on board with the idea? Watch Blue Bloods online now and let your opinion be heard:

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 12 Online

On Blue Bloods this week, Danny made it clear to his son that, despite four generations of Reagans in the military, their family legacy wasn't one of combat but of service.

Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 13 followed the Reagan legacy as Danny tried to change the story for another family. In the end, he was only able to do so on paper.

The truth was that John Russell was a broken man. He'd done too many tours in combat. He's seen too much violence and been under extreme stress that most of us will thankfully never know. It not only broke his spirit but his ability to cope in a world where his life wasn't in danger every minute of the day. 

I was a little surprised that Erin had so little sympathy for the man as they discussed the case over the Reagan family dinner. Not that John shouldn't have faced the consequences for beating his wife and kidnapping his son but his service to his country and the trauma he'd faced should have been taken into account. The man obviously needed help.

Unfortunately, Danny's assistance was too little too late. All he could do was change the paperwork in the hope that young Tommy would never find out that his father took his own life. It was a truly sad story with tragic consequences.

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 13 Online

Jack's school project was fascinating as he traced the history of the Reagan family. I had no idea that the reason there were so many Irish police officers in the NYPD was that in the early 1900s, when many poor Irish immigrated to the city, jobs as police and firefighters were considered menial work.  

My one complaint was that we saw so little of Jamie once again. It feels as though he's had very few scenes over the past several episodes. 

It was no surprise that Frank decided to conduct his own investigation into Michelle Lowe's murder. When Detective Douglas was asked about the case and replied, "That chick that was found in the shallow grave," I just braced for Frank's reaction. 

It was fun to watch Frank stay completely calm while he asked the man questions and then inform him of the upcoming Internal Affairs review he'd be facing just as he was almost out the door. 

Finally, all of the Reagan men, Jack included now that he's 13, headed out for the Reagan Manly Man Camping Trip. Don't you wish you could have seen that weekend? I know I do.

Now it's your turn TV Fanatics. Do you think Danny made the right decision falsifying his report to say that John Russell slipped and fell instead of committing suicide?

There were plenty of women targeted in Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 14 for an array of reasons. Although each handled it differently, Detective Baker was definitely my favorite. 

Love how Baker takes on Deputy Chief Sal DeLuca at the symposium. How much of a jerk do you have to be to make lewd and harassing remarks in the middle of a conference full of your peers? As much as Frank obviously wanted to step in, it was great that he held back and let Baker deal with the jackass herself.

Apparently this wasn't the first time she's had to do so. She said she kept his voicemails in case things escalated but shouldn't 150 voicemails already be considered harassment? 

I found it interesting that NYPD had surveillance drones to follow the car. I wonder if DeLuca saw that one coming?

The case of the murdered drag queen was actually very sad. When Burton broke down in tears in the interrogation room after finding out that Tiffany had been killed, it was his broken, "I was going to show him Paris" that really got to me. 

The 1940's film noir look and mood music was a hoot. Loved Tallulah's outfit and the way she dealt with Danny. They were such fun together. 

Erin's abduction was truly scary and for that reason I can understand why she was so angry at Doris Cooper…but I also understood why she let the dying woman go. 

As far as the other ADA. Yes, he was an ass and had quite the chip on his shoulder but I couldn't completly blame him for Timothy Cooper's case falling through the cracks. Erin only figured it out because the woman bought a $3,000 coat two years later and then decided to run the license plate of the car she was driving. Then took it a step further and had another state unseal juvenile records. That took a lot of jumps and just the right timing to come up with the answers that cleared Timothy.

As usual, the Reagan family dinner was great fun as Nicky asked who had the most speeding tickets. Turns out it was the last person she expected as Henry answered her in this Blue Bloods quote…

It was your lead foot mother in Joe's hot rod.

Harry

• Permalink: It was your lead foot mother in Joe's hot rod.
• Added: February 01, 2014

I have no doubt her father made her pay for every one of those tickets. 

Once again, my only complaint was that we only got to see Jamie at the family dinner. I can only hope that there's a story arc with his name on it coming our way sometime soon. 

Your turn TV Fanatics. Would you like to see more of Jamie Reagan this season?

When a drag queen turned up dead in a golf bag, Danny uses his knowledge from a reality TV show to help in the investigation, much to Baez's amusement. 

On Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 14, Tiffany Lamp was engaged and on her way to Paris when her ex got jealous, snapped her neck and dumped her body in the woods. But it was Tiffany's friend Tallulah who was able to lead Danny to the killer. 

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 14 Online

At a law enforcement symposium, Det. Baker is harassed by Deputy Chief Sal DeLuca from Long Island and it's not the first time. But Baker gets her day when Frank lets her take the lead on the case that proves DeLuca and his brother-in-law have been recklessly speeding and showing the video online to make the Police Commisioner look poorly.

Finally, Erin was abdcuted off the street when the dying mother of a man accused of murder wanted to make a desperate plea for his future. Once released, Erin dove into the case and found out that in this case, mom wasn't wrong. Her boy really was innocent after spending two years in jail awaiting trial. 

In case you missed it or just want to see it again, you can watch Blue Bloods online right here at TV Fanatic. 

A child being kidnapped outside of her school had Danny remembering a similar case from seven years ago on Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 15.

If Danny's own memories of failing to find Allie weren't enough, he had to contend with Allie's dad showing up and still holding out hope that his daughter would be found.

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 15 Online

I give the actor who played Joseph credit. Even as he thought and acted rationally he always had that haunted, half-crazed look in his eyes. It was the look of someone who'd been forced to walk through a living nightmare for seven years.

I loved the Reagan family dinner as Danny changed his mind about allowing his young son to go off with friends overnight to see a basketball game in Philadelphia. It's a scary world and although some might consider it an overreaction I respected Danny for canceling the trip because he didn't know the other parent well enough. 

Of course the kids had a different take on it but as Jamie pointed out in this Blue Bloods quote…

Jamie: Some times people don't appreciate the way you try to keep them safe.
Henry: Until something goes wrong.

• Permalink: Until something goes wrong.
• Added: March 01, 2014

When Erin came home to find Nicky with a boy in her room I was very surprised that she didn't have a discussion with her daughter as soon as Ben left. I found it very odd that Nicky was the one who prompted the conversation some days later. 

However, once they finally started talking I did agree with most of what Erin said. She can't control what Nicky chooses to do but she can try and guide her in the right direction and set boundaries for proper behavior in their home. 

Erin's case of the week wasn't all that interesting. The psychiatric expert was a pompous ass and it was good to see Erin put him in his place. 

Frank's story line was fascinating, I only wish we could have found out more about the International Liaison Program but then the need for secrecy was the point of the story. 

I love that the NYPD is the only police department in the country that has its own international intelligence gather operation.

As Frank pointed out…

Being safe can cost you something but it beats the hell out of the alternative.

Frank

• Permalink: Being safe can cost you something but it beats the hell out of the alternative.
• Added: March 01, 2014

As someone who spends time in NYC and was in the area during 9/11, I agree that the alternative is terrifying. I appreciated Kelly wanting to make sure there were checks and balances for the program but I was equally happy to know that Frank would go to jail to protect it.  

But the one light hearted moment of the night came from Garrett who offered to get Frank a disguise to avoid a possible subpoena…

I'd buy you a fake mustache and glasses but you've got that covered.

Garrett

• Permalink: I'd buy you a fake mustache and glasses but you've got that covered.
• Added: March 01, 2014

Small moments like that remind me why Blue Bloods is one of the best ensembles on TV.

Now it's your turn, TV Fanatics. Do you think Danny was right to cancel his son's trip?

When a young girl is abducted outside of her school, Danny is haunted by a similar case from seven years ago in which the child was never found.

As Danny and Baez track down leads the last thing they expect is for the original kidnapping case to lead them to their abductors on Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 15.

Back at Police Plaza, Frank holds his ground when Inspector General Kelly Peterson presses him for details about the NYPD's International Intelligence Liason Program after an incident overseas.

Frank points out that intelligence becomes a lot less useful when word leaks out and the enemy knows you have it. He's even willing to go to jail to protect the program.

And Erin gets a surprise when she comes home to Nicky and her new boy-friend "studying" in her bedroom. 

Remember you can always watch Blue Bloods online right here at TV Fanatic. 

Watch Blue Bloods Season 4 Episode 15 Online