Reverend Edwin Peters became the victim of a shooting, which ultimately unveiled hidden family secrets in Boston Blue. Portrayed by Ghostbusters veteran Ernie Hudson, Edwin serves as the head of the Peters family. He is the father of Jill, played by Holly Robinson Peete, and Mae, portrayed by Gloria Reuben, and the grandfather to Lena, played by Sonequa Martin-Green, and Jonah, played by Marcus Scribner.
Although he is a nurturing presence in his family’s lives, it appears that he has been concealing certain truths from his loved ones. The climax of this narrative unfolds in Boston Blue Episode 13, titled “Beautiful Broken Things.”
In this episode, a drive-by shooting at Edwin’s church results in him being hospitalized, prompting Jill and Mae to investigate the incident. As the story progresses, Mae discovers a painful truth – her mother did not die in a car accident as she was led to believe, but rather by suicide, a fact that both Jill and Reverend Peters intentionally concealed from her.
The tension escalates towards the conclusion of the episode, where Edwin confronts the shooter in a high-stakes game of Russian Roulette, all to safeguard Pastor Charles’ daughter. Reflecting on the Russian Roulette scene from the conclusion, the Emmy nominee characterized it as the moment “when he comes to his faith” within the series.
He highlighted the pivotal scene where Edwin realizes that Dohn Norwood’s Pastor Charles has “been living this life that he didn’t even know,” leaving him to grapple with the uncertainty of whether he can “ever know [if] this guy is who he actually is”.
According to Ernie Hudson, “However, the friend has an opportunity to rise to the occasion, to walk alongside God, and to support his daughter. For years, he has preached this message, yet he chooses to walk away, leaving Edwin’s heart shattered. Now, the question arises – does he truly stand firm in his faith? Does he genuinely believe in the words he speaks? You may discuss it, but seldom are you faced with a true test. In this episode, I believe he is confronted with that very challenge. Whatever unfolds is ultimately in God’s hands, and I sense he sincerely means it.“
Hudson elaborated that Edwin “didn’t intend to” engage physically with the main antagonist of Boston Blue Episode 13. However, he believed that, “if this is the path God has set for me, then I will follow it,” and the character was taken aback by his own behavior.
With the conclusion of Boston Blue Episode 13 showcasing a form of reconciliation between Edwin and his family, Hudson is confident that his character is now “in a better place” as the show progresses.
He particularly feels this way after Mae has finally uncovered the truth regarding her mother’s death, describing it as “a significant weight lifted off his shoulders.” He hopes that the rest of his family will begin to share this sentiment, but playfully hints that Mae is “not quite prepared to release her secrets yet.”
As per Ernie Hudson, “In this episode, I believe the Reverend faces a significant challenge, yet he seems to take pride in not backing down, which liberates him in many respects. It’s easy to discuss confronting fear, but when you genuinely confront it, you experience a revitalizing effect. Emerging from such experiences makes you more resilient. As he progresses, it’s likely that he will expect more from himself and his family.”