For the first time, after all these years of Blue Bloods, I've rated an episode a 6. I felt the story was too disjointed, with too many complications, which did not leave enough time to explore the issues. Since Linda's death (writing Amy Carlson's character out of the show was a big mistake), I've expected the writers to use Danny Reagan's grief and anger as plot starters, and take the opportunity to have Danny grow as a character instead of always being the same week after week. Instead, they just have the character acting the same, no matter what the case is but have Danny be even more verbally short-tempered with everyone. I think they are wasting a great opportunity here; they didn't want to pay Amy Carlson more money (or whatever was the real reason for her leaving) so they kill off Linda and that's it...no flashbacks, no therapy sessions for Danny and the boys, just Danny being a jerk to people. Also, Sean and Jack don't seem to miss their mom at all...it's as though Linda is away, instead of dead. The teenage years are a really bad time to lose a parent, and offers the opportunity for more issues with one or more of the boys, but instead, nothing but homework and video games. Having Nicki sit in Linda's place at the table is really a bad idea as well...Linda's empty chair should be sitting there, a reminder to the characters and audience that she's gone. Nicki sitting there just looks wrong. If they're really not going to write anything about the loss of a major family member, why not give Jamie better stories? Why not have him promoted to a new department in the NYPD, as a sergeant for a unit in the force that deals with mentally ill suspects, the way it was implied he wanted to do in an episode a few years ago? That way, his romance with Eddie could progress, instead of them just sniping at each other in the patrol car. I'm disappointed in the writing this season, and each episode seems to get a little worse. While I'm on the subject of the writing, why not develop a new romance for Frank? He certainly had some sparks fly with the woman who was the oversight judge of the NYPD, who was played by Bebe Neuwirth. That character always seemed like she was just about to make a pass at Frank...bring her back, and have them get involved. The series needs a permanent NYC mayor as well. Mayor Poole is gone, and the interim mayor is so annoying; an election and a new mayor might help liven up this slowly dying series. Henry needs more to do as well; get him a dog, or a part-time job, or a new girlfriend. Bottom line, I think the writers need to come up with some new twists and turns to keep the show alive...unless of course they're planning for season 8 to be the last season.
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