“Blue Bloods Review: 14×18 ‘Final Call'”
Review of Blue Bloods: Season 14, Episode 18, “End of Tour”
Frank Reagan, the head of the Reagan family, serves as the current police commissioner of the NYPD, following in the footsteps of his father Henry, a former commissioner. Frank’s oldest son, Danny, is a detective, while his youngest son, Jamie, is a decorated sergeant. His daughter Erin works as the bureau chief for the DA’s office, and even Frank’s late son, Joe (who was tragically killed off-screen before the show began), was a police officer who died at the hands of a corrupt organization known as the Blue Templar. Even Jamie’s wife, Eddie, played by Vanessa Ray, is a cop.
Throughout the series, Blue Bloods has focused on the Reagan family’s personal and professional struggles—from Danny’s devastating loss of his wife Linda (Amy Carlson) in season seven, to Erin’s complicated relationship with her ex-husband, Jack Boyle (Peter Hermann). Meanwhile, Jamie and Eddie’s relationship has evolved, with Eddie saving Jamie’s life in the season eight finale, leading to his proposal. The show’s final moments strike a balance between happiness and bittersweetness. Season 14, Episode 18, “End of Tour,” is predictable to long-time fans of the series, but that doesn’t make it any less impactful.
In the season and series finale, “End of Tour,” the gangs of New York have joined forces to target both the NYPD and City Hall, forcing the Reagan family to unite in an effort to restore order. While the episode is marked by the death of a recurring character, it doesn’t offer too many surprises. This, however, was comforting, as each member of the Reagan family got their moment to say goodbye in a way that felt fitting.
The episode opens with Eddie’s partner, Luis Badillo, being shot by a gang member. In earlier episodes, Badillo was given more screen time, which now makes sense—his role was increased to make his death more emotionally resonant. Though his death is impactful, it doesn’t come as a surprise. Badillo, while important, had always been a recurring character and was expendable. His loss hits the hardest for Eddie, who mourns the loss of a close friend and colleague.
While I felt bad about Badillo’s death, I found that “End of Tour” leaned a bit too heavily on it. Although we hear about other attacks on police officers, such as firebombings and the murder of a judge, Badillo is the only one we actually see affected. A major character like the mayor, Peter Chase (Dylan Walsh), is shot but survives, leaving Badillo’s death as the primary emotional anchor for the audience.
The two gangs involved—Mano Sangriento and the Ace Double Treys—claim to be “one family,” demanding amnesty for their incarcerated members and the release of one awaiting trial. But the true mastermind behind the chaos is revealed to be Carlos Ramirez, the villain who escaped by helicopter in the Season 14 midseason premiere, “Life Sentence.” Ramirez is still fixated on rescuing his daughter Amelia, and Danny, who has a personal connection to the case, is drawn deeper into the conflict. In “Life Sentence,” Danny was forced to let Ramirez escape, and he struggles with the consequences until his grandfather, Henry, reminds him that Ramirez’s actions are driven by a father’s desire to protect his child—a reminder that Danny must think “like a father” to truly understand the situation.