Blue Bloods Recap: Did Jackie Survive Her Return? And What News Did Erin Have to Share? — Grade the Finale
CBS‘ Blue Bloods this Friday night closed out Season 13 with a few blasts from the past, some divine intervention in the commish/mayor feud, and an announcement from one Erin Reagan.
As TVLine was first to tell you, original cast member Jennifer Esposito returned as Jackie Curatola for the first time since early Season 3. The apparent resumption of Dr. Walker’s killing spree led Danny to re-partner with Jackie, who is now Chief of Police for an itty bitty town in Suffolk County. Walker, they learned, had been quietly released from prison, but Danny & Co. had no luck tying him to the new slayings. They did, however, find Walker’s very late mother stashed behind a wall in the not-so-good doctor’s garage, but before Danny and Baez could find him and bring him in, Walker sneaked into Jackie’s home and attacked her. Jackie apparently fought him off, after which he fled into the night.
Jackie and Danny then parted ways again, though not before she nudged him to find his own happy, as she did out in the boondocks. Of some note, Baez from the car closely regarded their farewell, and when Danny seemed a bit distracted when he hopped into the passenger seat, Baez asked if he was OK. He maintained, “I’m exactly where I want to be,” and they drove off.
Elsewhere in the already-renewed drama’s season finale:
* When a man who Erin had let go weeks prior (having remanded him to a rehab program) started assaulting women again, Jamie and Eddie worked hard to get one of his new victims to testify. Once they did, Erin successfully got the man sentenced to 25 years. After that win, Anthony, Jack, Jamie and Eddie were waiting for Erin. But rather than slip out the back, dodging waiting reporters, Erin turned to speak to the press — detailing the sentencing, and then addressing the elephant in the room: her candidacy for DA. But Erin, probably sparked by something Anthony had said earlier — about how as DA, she’d be busy networking and glad-handing and not helping victims firsthand anymore — announced to the press that she would be running “not this time,” and instead was right where she needs to be. (“You’re full of surprises,” Jack said after; “You ain’t seen nothing yet,” Erin smiled back.)
* Frank locked horns yet again with Mayor Chase, who had announced a “joint” City Hall/NYPD mission to get the homeless and EDPs off the streets by, well, “talking them into handcuffs,” they getting them to a facility. Frank publicly protested the idea, but later had to eat some crow when some of his officers set the stage for the mayor’s SUV to be attacked him an EDP. Frank was leveraged into singing the mayor’s praises at an event, but before Frank did so, Archbishop Kearns stepped in and grabbed the mic. Afterward, in private, Kearns facilitated a truce between the forever-warring men, noting that mayors always command respect, but a professional such as Frank deserves respect as well.
* Capping the finale, of course, was a family dinner — one attended by both Erin’s daughter Nicky Reagan-Boyle (MIA since Dec. 8, 2020) and Danny’s eldest son Jack (last seen in the Season 12 premiere), who had come home for Erin’s (non-)announcement soiree.
What did you think of Jackie’s return, and Erin’s decision?
Throughout the season, every time Erin talked about running for D.A. she seemed to hesitate. Not surprising she changed her mind.
Would have loved more of Nicky and Jack then just at the family dinner. Wish they’d pop up more and could also meet Joe.
Very smart of Garrett to go to Kevin to help Frank out.
Mayor Chase is the most irritating character on this show. His arrogance and unreasonable nature makes it hard to do anything but change the channel or mute the television whenever he comes on.
@Katherine: He should stick with Superman & Lois
Um, isn’t that the point–being an arrogant irritant to Frank?
Like Bruce Altman, Dylan Walsh is an unlikable irritant, while David Ramsey and Lorraine Bracco were likable irritants, IMO.
It was no surprise to me that Erin was going to run for DA, Anthony’s little jabs always clued me in. Now Erin and Jack can be together ( love them together)
Great to see Jackie again (held my breath for a minute and wondered if they brought Jen on just to kill off her character). Phew!
Would have loved to see a little more of the grandkids and a Joe drop in would’ve been nice, but I’ll take what I’m given and Frank’s hint of the dinner table about a full table wasn’t lost on us who know they fought n sacrificed to get a new seasons.
btw: I guess the doc will be back for S14
I forgot to add, my favorite scene was when Kearns made Frank and Chase shake hands like they’re in the Principal’s office. I love the arrowverse mayors, Poole and Chase also serve as good foil for Frank.
That was such a cheat never having Jackie and Baez on screen together except for scenes in which Jackie was played by a body double
Searching Mama Walker’s garage…. https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/blue-bloods-13×21-jackie-baez.jpg
Great show great cast and love it.
I get the impression Stacy Keach is having fun in this role.
Would like to see some more of Dective Baker involved in situations.
Sorry everyone – I was completely bummed about the finale. Everything felt rushed and hectic, like they had too many loose ends to tie up. Was wishing for better.
I agree with you, it felt like it was originally a double-episode that was condensed down to one hour. Each storyline conclusion felt rushed and the family dinner scene left me wondering “did they really bring back two actors just for a 2-minute scene?’
Ok. I loved having Jackie back but I would of liked to see her a little more. It almost felt he feld something special between them. I wish they would bring her back. I do not like his partner that he has now. She just doesn,t fit the part of a cop. I was very upset when Jackie left. I found the season ender quite drab.
@ GEERY BERRY: Feld????
I agree. I don’t want Danny and Baez to get together.
Jack was previously seen in the same episode Nicky was – when they came home for Christmas to meet Joe and he bailed on them. (Joe should have come to meet them in this episode, btw!)
Are you kidding me. How does Frank announce at the finale dinner how great it is to have the whole family there and the writers neglect to have Frank’s grandson there. Shameful! It’s a slap in the face to Joe . What are the writer thinking. it could have been an amazing ending to the season.
Not having Erin run for DA at the last minute like that is absurd. Erin is smart enough, more than smart enough, to understand that while some of the job is glad handing, that as DA she would have a lot of power to work on systemic changes and have a broader impact on the very same people she helps on a one-to-one basis.
Erin has been in her job long enough to have strong ideas on what she’d like to change and to cop out like this is just so very wrong. I think I am kind of done with her. I don’t really think she has too many new stories to tell in her current job and moving to DA would have finally opened some fresh territory.
So terrible episode from that perspective.
I thought over all it was good. Bringing back 4 former cast members was a nitch, but they blew it at dinner. Even if Joe had a guest spot it should have been at dinner to finally meet Nicki and Jack. Frank saying how great it was to have all the family there, but yet one of his grandsons, who by the way is also carrying the family mantle as a Police Office (blue blood) was absent. Bad move on the writers part.
Funny how for the past couple of years, Erin has been upset that her chance for D.A. was taken away from her and now all of sudden she doesn’t want it?
Different writers from before and I hate when they change storylines around.
Enjoyed seeing Jackie back on the scene. Great partner and she worked well with Danny. Erin’s announcement was what I expected. She does well in her job at the present time. When the series ends then she can run for DA. Frank and any mayor are like oil and water. That is good for the show. Hope Erin and Jack get back together at some point. They care about each other. Nicky is out of the picture. Let them both have some happiness together. The family will have to accept. Good seeing all the kids together.
Oh yeah, I love this show. Good, solid entertainment. Why does it seem like Mayors are always arses? What is the deal with Joe? I must have missed that story line; is he the black sheep or something? Maybe I’ll catch it on the summer reruns! Starting already, wow that was fast.
Joe is the son of the late eldest son, also a Joe. His gf at the time of his death did not let the family know about him (I’m a little hazy on the details as to exactly when he was born, but I don’t believe Joe the elder knew about his son, 9r that she was pregnant). Danny’s younger boy did a DNA search and found out about him.
Definitely felt as a soft series finale had it not been renewed. Bring back a fan favorite OG character? Check. Bring back some of the grandkids? Check. Resolve some plot lines in case it was the end (not running for DA, being right where Danny needed to be) check check. Still a good episode
Did this get proofed before posting?
Why was Joe Hill not included (or at least mentioned) in the season finale dinner sequence? Frank is happy to have everyone together at his table – does this mean we won’t be seeing Joe Hill next season??
We see a few minutes of family dinner.. Maybe Joe was busy and was going to swing by later to see his cousins… Not everything happens on camera.. Plus… maybe the actor who plays Joe was not available.. Silly to mention and not have him in the episode..
Jennifer Esposito needs to come back as a regular. She is Danny’s best partner.
Always loved the character of Jackie! Hated that they let her go. Nice to see her return. She was definitely Danny’s best partner.
I was disappointed Joe wasn’t included.
Bring back Jackie full time. She and Danny are better together. Always loved her. Baez is good but I prefer Jackie. Listen to your viewers
Bring her back.
Can Jackie (the great Jennifer Esposito) return next season as a reoccurring guest as Danny’s love interest? She & Danny still have that old chemistry. I realize next season might be their last with all the cast salary cuts but get rid of Eddy & Baez to keep cost down. Danny & Jackie belong together.
I’m sure Marisa Ramirez and Vanessa Ray must be thrilled to hear that you want them to be fired because you don’t like them.
Danny and Jackie have to be end game. So much chemistry and they always have had it.
Enough of Baez and her sour face. She is so bland.
Love the writers and cast of Blue Bloods. Have taped all from the beginning and watch over and over because the characters seem real to life. Good job all the way around. I know there are still stories to tell.