Blue Bloods: Season 3

Television as we know it is dead. We don't watch regular TV. Judging by the number of GOOD shows which have been canceled, we're not the only ones. Thank God Blue Bloods has survived to live yet an other season. Sunday dinner would not be the same without them.The Irish-American Reagan family is alive and kicking. Tom Selleck shines as Frank Reagan, the ever stalwart New York City Police Commissioner, perinatal family man and all around good guy.Grandpa Henry Reagan (Len Cariou), retired Police Commissioner, is still with us. Having in past seasons survived a heart attack, the death of his son and more. This season he survives an attack and robbery by an armed gunman, along with a huge bump to his head and ego. He's also forced to up driving. (getting old sucks)Bridget Moynahan is back as Erin Reagan-Boyle, Assistant District Attorney and Mom to Niki (Sami Gayle) now 16 and driving. In Episode 3, Erin becomes Erin Reagan, after dropping Boyle from her last name.The brothers Tony and Andrew Terraciano are still playing Sean and Jack, sons of Danny and Linda (Amy Carlson) Reagan. Money's still tight for Danny and Linda Reagan, so Danny's working overtime and Linda's back working as an E.R. RN.Jennifer Esposito (Detective Curatola - placed on indefinite leave of absence) was dropped from the series, after suffering from complications of Celiac Disease. Which means Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) is now partnered yet an other replacement partner ::: currently Detective Candice McElroy (Megan Boone - formerly of Law & Order LA).Jamie Reagan (Will Estes) has a colorful new partner Officer Vinny Cruz (Sebastian Sozzi).David Ramsey returns as New York City Mayor Carter Poole. Peter Hermann is back as Jack Boyle, Erin's ex-husband lawyer and father to Niki. Watch episode 3, when Erin removes Boyle from her name. Gregory Jbara is back as NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Garrett Moore. Garrett gets into hot water after a poorly thought out dalliance turns into black mail and possibly the loss of his job.I love New York.

This show is so good, I can't believe it is still on the air. Examples:- Excellent gun handling, way better than most cop shows. Excellent trigger discipline, and realistic shots. No "Glock cocking" (playing a hammer cocking sound when a striker-fired pistol is pointed; you see this all over movies and TV)- Actual, seriously-treated prayer at the Reagan's Sunday dinners. Linda and Henry seem to be the most faithful in the family, but Francis (Selleck's character) is portrayed as going to Mass every weekend. Danny the detective even has a moment where his lack of faith in God is challenged. Good stuff.- Integrity is the overriding characteristic of the Police Commissioner (played by Selleck), the ADA, the detective and the younger Reagan cop. They try to take the moral high road, every time, even if they bend the rules a little bit. Selleck's character is the epitome of class. Even if he KNOWS someone is guilty of doing something wrong, and the other person knows he knows it, he doesn't mention it, but gives the other person the benefit of the doubt. Selleck's character is constantly making references to Teddy Roosevelt, who at one point was Police Commissioner of NYC, before he became POTUS.- It is mentioned once that the detective's kid might get a spanking. Amazing! I thought the Progressives had destroyed all references to parental discipline on TV!- Danny the detective shows his kid the four rules of gun handling, and then when his wife goes ballistic, actually makes the case that the kid needs to know! Astounding! I would have thought the Progressive censors would have DELETED that scene!GREAT family show.

Many things to recommend with this series. Tom Selleck does an excellent job as the patriarch of the Reagan family, which is the highlight of the story, who meet at his house each Sunday for dinner and real discussions of their very interesting lives. The Reagans , the first family of the NYPD, are a terrific group, and each week is filled with police and legal stories of the first order. Four generations of Reagans are present at the Sunday dinners and the interplay and education that accompanies dinner is superb writing and makes me yearn for days of old. The weekday action, both policing and legal is well done and is also instructive to me at a time like ours when police are under the microscope and often criticized . Bridget Moynahan, the only Reagan who becomes a lawyer rather than a cop continues to develop as a fine actress as well as a beauty. This one has my highest rating.

The Blue Blood series reminds me a lot of " Hill Street Blues " except the the events feature the different family membersinstead of many different caricatures . Tom Selleck is one of my favorite actors . I love all his Western movies and havemost of them . I also feel he is good as a police officer . His roll as the New York City Police Commissioner and head of hisfamily is excellent . Donnie Wahlberg , Bridget Moynahan , Will Estes and Len Cariou round out the family members whokeeps everyone busy . Tom Selleck does a great job as a cop . I have all of his Jessie Stone DVD's and watch them allthe time . Blue Bloods is a blend of the family fighting street crime and family problems , with Tom Selleck as Commissioner,and referee . All the episodes are good as well as the acting . It is a pretty down to earth series with the plots resemblingfamilies everyday life . -------Rich mellinger