When CBS premiered the Tom Selleck-led series, police procedurals set in New York were not a novel concept. However, it managed to stand out from the competition by placing a complete family at the heart of it’s narrative. Years after Linda’s passing in Blue Bloods, her influence remains a significant aspect of Danny’s life — so much so that it is even hindering his prospects in Boston Blue.
As a result, the personal stories of the Reagan family were just as significant as the cases they handled each week. What truly sets Blue Bloods apart is it’s ability to maintain large cast throughout the run. Although the show experienced only a handful of personal losses, those moments resonated even more deeply.
Now, eight years following Linda’s passing in Blue Bloods, her influence remains evident in Danny’s life as the story progresses in Boston Blue.
Danny’s Swift Choice To Relocate To Boston Serves As A Poignant Reminder of Linda’s Enduring Legacy
Following the conclusion of Blue Bloods, there have been discussions regarding the potential continuation of the series, whether through CBS reversing it’s cancellation or by creating a spin-off. Ultimately, the network opted for the latter, with Donnie Wahlberg leading the charge.
The primary obstacle for Boston Blue was finding a way to explain Danny’s relocation to Boston, which was cleverly addressed through Sean’s near-fatal accident. Justifying Danny’s choice is straightforward, particularly considering Blue Bloods’ overarching theme that emphasizes the significance of family.
It is important to recognize that Linda’s passing likely influenced Danny’s swift decision to relocate to Beantown. To provide some context, Linda (Amy Carlson) tragically died in a helicopter accident, and Blue Bloods effectively portrayed the immense struggle he faced in dealing with the grief of her loss.
For years, Danny didn’t even consider dating, until the finale of Blue Bloods paved the way for his eventual relationship with Baez — a storyline that now carries on in Boston Blue. If it weren’t for the harrowing experience of losing Linda, Danny likely wouldn’t have completely changed his life to relocate to Boston with Sean.
As he shared with Lena Silver during the Boston Blue premiere, it was Danny who proposed that his son move to Boston to pursue a career in the police force.
With years of active duty under his belt, Danny was well aware of the risks associated with the job, but due to the tragedy involving Linda, he felt a stronger urge to put his son’s safety above his own life in New York, which included his relationship with Baez.
How Linda’s Legacy Undermines Danny’s Prospects In Boston Blue ?
To be fair, Linda probably doesn’t wish for Danny to dedicate his entire life to caring for the family while neglecting his own needs. Even with the difficulties they face as a married couple, their love for each other is genuine, making it reasonable to believe she would want her ex-husband to flourish outside of his role as a father to their sons.
Nonetheless, it’s hard to blame Danny for being overly protective after Sean’s close call with death, especially given the loss of Linda. As Boston Blue confronts the unforeseen consequences of Danny’s reckless choice to depart from New York, there looms a threat that his long-standing relationship with Baez — which has blossomed over the years, could suddenly come to a close.
From a narrative perspective, maintaining their romance as it currently stands is challenging. With Danny comfortably establishing himself in Boston and no indication of Marisa Ramirez becoming a series regular in the Blue Bloods spin-off, a separation seems unavoidable.