“Blue Bloods: My Thoughts on the Series Finale”
After 14 memorable seasons, Blue Bloods has come to a close. The series finale, “End of Tour,” delivered a high-stakes, emotional chapter that brought the entire Reagan family together for a case that forced them to reevaluate their lives and their roles in law enforcement.
The episode opens with chaos across the city when a Supreme Court judge is murdered and a string of coordinated attacks threatens key figures, including NYPD officers Eddie and Badillo, as well as the mayor. The attacks are orchestrated by the united gangs of New York, who demand the release of their imprisoned members. Eddie (Vanessa Ray) and Badillo (Ian Quinlan) are caught in the crossfire while going about their routine workday. Eddie is injured, but the wound isn’t life-threatening. Badillo, however, succumbs to his injuries, which many fans had predicted after seeing funeral images from the finale.
In a pivotal scene, Mayor Chase (Dylan Walsh) privately urges Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) to take matters into his own hands. The mayor tells Frank to bypass the chain of command and metaphorically take the “keys to the city,” signaling that Frank should act beyond the law’s usual constraints. Frank uses this freedom to interrogate Lorenzo Batista (Edward James Olmos) off the books, hoping to gain intelligence about Lorenzo’s son, Alejandro, who is linked to the attacks. Frank’s conversation with Lorenzo underscores his deep fatherly emotions, as he shares that he would sacrifice anything, even his own freedom, for a chance to spend time with his late son, Joe, who died in the line of duty before the series began.
Meanwhile, Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), Baez (Marisa Ramirez), and Eddie track down Carlo Ramirez (Manny Perez), a dangerous figure seeking revenge and trying to reclaim his daughter. Henry (Len Cariou) gives Danny advice rooted in family values, urging him to “think like a father” in order to catch their suspect.
As the story progresses, family is at the forefront for everyone. Jamie (Will Estes) works tirelessly to bring justice for his wife’s shooter and Badillo’s killer, with his nephew Joe (Will Hochman) by his side. Erin (Bridget Moynahan) fears for her remaining family members as the police face new threats, and she joins the hunt to stop the attackers.
The finale delivers moments of both heartbreak and hope. Badillo’s funeral serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve, while some unexpected romantic twists provide lighter moments. Erin and Jack (Peter Hermann) quietly decide to remarry, and in a touching scene, Danny honors his late grandfather by asking Baez out for pizza—fulfilling his promise to seek love after the case was over.
In the final moments, the Reagan family gathers for one last dinner together, with both of Danny’s sons, Erin and Jack’s daughter, and Jamie and Eddie revealing they’re expecting a child. The table is filled with love and emotion, and the final shot captures Frank Reagan (Selleck) smiling at his family, bringing the series to a fitting close.
