The series finale of Blue Bloods left enough unresolved threads to serve as a fitting conclusion for the season, had CBS opted to keep the beloved procedural on air. Following the resolution of a gripping case, the episode featured Danny inviting Baez on a date, Erin deciding to secretly remarry Jack, and Jamie and Eddie revealing their exciting news about expecting their first child.
Additionally, Joe’s storyline reached a satisfying conclusion as he congratulated his aunt and uncle, expressing that the baby would be fortunate to join the Reagan family, signifying his acceptance of their relationship.
These touching moments confirmed that the Reagan family from Blue Bloods would continue on, even after the series concluded. The show intentionally wrapped up with a family dinner, highlighting the significance of these scenes to its viewers.
However, the concluding family interactions seemed more like an epilogue than a cohesive part of the final narrative. A two-hour finale could have provided Blue Bloods with the opportunity to properly conclude the series. Additionally, it would have allowed for more family moments throughout the storyline, serving as a more fitting homage to this beloved long-running show.
Blue Bloods Did Not Have A Two-Hour Series Finale
While the series finale of Blue Bloods was commendable in numerous ways, it was unfortunate that it didn’t receive a two-hour concluding episode. Instead, on November 29, 2024, CBS chose to air a retrospective special honoring the show, featuring exclusive interviews with the cast, behind-the-scenes insights, and a preview of the finale. The following week, viewers were treated to a regular episode of Blue Bloods, culminating in a one-hour finale on December 13, 2024.
In contrast, CBS has recently revealed that S.W.A.T will feature a two-hour finale. This extended format provides the series with ample time to conclude both its final case and character arcs without the pressure of a 60-minute constraint.
Given that CBS is capable of adjusting its regular schedule for a two-hour finale, it stands to reason that a similar arrangement could have been made for Blue Bloods if both the network and the writers had desired a two-hour conclusion.
Blue Bloods’ Greatest Strength Might Have Inadvertently Contributed For CBS’ Cancelation
CBS’ choice to cancel Blue Bloods could very well stem from the show’s greatest strength. This Tom Selleck-led police and family drama stood out as one of CBS’ top-rated series for an impressive fourteen years, even in its concluding season. Blue Bloods finale attracted over 11 million viewers, a remarkable feat given the show’s longevity and its time slot. The conclusion featured the last Reagan family dinner, underscoring the significance of this element within the series.
Despite a significant grassroots effort from fans to keep Blue Bloods on the air, CBS remained resolute in its choice to cancel the beloved police procedural. The network’s decision was primarily driven by financial considerations, as the production costs for Blue Bloods were higher than those of many other series.
Factors contributing to these expenses included the show’s filming location in New York and its large ensemble cast, which had been consistent throughout all fourteen seasons.
Blue Bloods Has Consistently Kept Its Main Cast Intact Throughout It’s Entire Series
Blue Bloods stands out from other enduring procedural dramas like Law & Order : Special Victims Unit due to its consistent core cast throughout its entire run. This is quite rare for a series that has lasted more than ten years.
Typically, actors seek new opportunities after spending five or more years on a single show, resulting in frequent cast changes. Consequently, by the time a series reaches its tenth anniversary, it often has very few, if any, original cast members remaining.
In the case of Blue Bloods, the show has experienced remarkably few significant cast changes over the years. The dedication of the cast is so strong that many viewers might be surprised to learn that Baez (Marisa Ramirez) and Eddie (Vanessa Ray) only became part of the ensemble in Season 4.
Baez stepped in as Danny’s new partner after Jackie (Jennifer Esposito) had to leave due to health concerns. The only other notable shift occurred in season 8 when Amy Carlson chose not to renew her contract, leading to the off-screen death of her character, Linda, in a helicopter crash.
The Impact of A Cohesive Cast On The Rising Costs of Blue Bloods
The cohesive cast of Blue Bloods not only reflected a strong family dynamic both in front of and behind the camera, but it also contributed to the show’s financial challenges. As actors generally receive annual pay increases, those who have been part of the series for over ten years naturally demand higher salaries compared to newer cast members.
With five primary actors and six supporting ones, the cost of maintaining such a talented ensemble escalated. Moreover, Tom Selleck, being a well-known figure in the industry, likely required an even more substantial salary, further complicating the budget.
The escalating expenses associated with production are a significant factor in why numerous shows conclude after seven seasons, as budgets for both production and talent often surge (according to Deadline). Blue Bloods has remarkably outlasted many other beloved series, including Young Sheldon and The Good Doctor, by a considerable margin.
Nevertheless, the financial demands of this procedural, particularly due to its extensive cast, remained exorbitant. Even with the cast and crew’s willingness to accept a 25% pay reduction for the upcoming Season 14, it still fell short of making the show financially viable.
The Challenges of Changing The Cast In Blue Bloods
Many procedural shows implement cast rotation as a strategy to manage expenses. Instead of featuring the entire cast in every episode, only a select group of characters appears, allowing others to be absent for multiple episodes.
For instance, in Season 7 of FBI, Jubal (Jeremy Sisto) was temporarily written out following his suspension from duty. Similarly, in Law & Order : Special Victims Unit, the character Kat Silva (Juliana Aidén Martinez) inexplicably vanished for several episodes after her initial introduction.
Blue Bloods would have found it challenging to implement this cost-saving strategy. The only characters that could be easily added or removed without affecting the show’s identity were Frank’s associates at 1 Police Plaza. Characters like Sid, Abigail, or Garrett could have been conveniently described as being unavailable during a meeting. However, these individuals are more peripheral to the main storyline.
The series’ dedication to family values would have been undermined if characters had missed the Reagan family dinner. Therefore, the only way to incorporate cast rotation was to feature them solely in that pivotal scene.
As a result, every Reagan participated in the memorable Blue Bloods family dinner, even if they lacked individual storylines that week. When beloved characters like Jamie were sidelined without story arcs, it disrupted the show’s equilibrium, highlighting that cast rotation was not an effective strategy for this series.