‘Blue Bloods’ season 5, episode 18 review: Is Restorative Justice served?
“Blue Bloods” has taken on a variety of challenges in its storytelling throughout its five-season run, but incorporating the Restorative Justice program is still a big risk to take. This is not something most viewers are aware of, and not something that is particularly easy to watch.
The story that to us stole the entire episode was that of Sarah, a woman who confronted the murderer of her entire family when she was a child. He claimed that he had changed, that he had a mental illness that was diagnosed, and that he had found religion and hope behind bars. He had tried to move forward and was seemingly looking for any shred of forgiveness. He found none. Sarah’s response to him was brutal and contained the sort of darkness you would expect for someone who spend so many years of her life feeling alone. Frank was there for her throughout, but this did not do much to wash away the past. How could it, really? There is almost no way for someone to move past this even if they tried the hardest. It’s pain. Some pain is permanent.
This is powerful, harrowing stuff, and some of the best work the show has done this season.
While we were not completely invested in the rest of the episode, seeing Eddie’s first undercover mission proved itself to be very entertaining. After all, it was so nice to see the actual process of this, since the majority of the time we only see the end result where every cop is somehow awesome at this. Life is never quite that easy, even for the best operatives.
We have to say that the strength of the Frank story lifts the episode, which is something we find ourselves saying many times on “Blue Bloods.” Not being well-rounded hurts it ever so slightly. Grade: B+.
Did you think that Sarah’s response was appropriate? Let us know in the comments.
Photo: CBS
bbtvfan
March 14, 2015 @ 7:34 pm
BB is a great show which makes you think. I myself would have not said what Sarah said, but then again, I didn’t lose everyone at such a young age. If you haven’t been through it, it’s hard to say what you would do. Why should we feel a need to make him feel better when it is putting her through so much grief?? But no, I wouldn’t say it. I always try to find some tiny bit of hope in people. My husband on the other hand, would NEVER forgive anyone if (God forbid) they murdered anyone in our family. Sarah’s response would be mild in comparison. These characters aren’t real, for one. Second, I think it’s easy to forgive him when you aren’t emotionally involved, but with her involvement and even Frank’s involvement (not to mention the years of hatred he has seen), I don’t blame them. Interesting story line, that’s for sure!!!!!!!! Bravo for tackling something so sensitive!
kch22
March 14, 2015 @ 5:35 pm
I was horrified by Sarah’s venom filled response to the repentant man. She then had the audacity to walk smiling into a Catholic Church for her wedding the very next day? Watching Frank Reagan sit nodding as she foamed at the mouth was just as shocking. To the writers, truly poor decision making with this one. Yes, a horrible crime was committed by a repentant man who had been untreated and mentally ill at the time of the crime. The actor who portrayed the man did an excellent job at portraying the man’s torment, remorse and attempt to do some good with the life he had (despite attempting and failing at suicide). This man could have remained an awful person but chose not to. Too bad I cannot say the same for the character of Sarah. It was awful to watch her response. She could learn a thing or two from the people of Rwanda and South Africa. To forgive frees the victim as well as the perpetrator. If she wasn’t ready to forgive she should have stayed home and had her wedding at a beach and not in a Catholic Church that espouses the teachings of Jesus.
Tomalak Geret'kal
March 14, 2015 @ 8:47 pm
Yes, this was a dreadful scene! A shame because I like the show and I love Amelia Rose Blaire (who keeps popping up on all my favourite shows, lately!), but what a terrible, terrible way for the show to handle the consequences of serious mental illness. I could write it off as being realistically dark and “unfair” if it weren’t for Frank joining in. Surely he’s supposed to have some integrity?
Mary Sue Langly
March 14, 2015 @ 4:22 am
I loved that Blue Bloods opened up the subject of Restorative Justice. Sarah handeled the encounter they only way that she knew how to, which for me was sad. If she had some counseling and help along the way, and especiallly before her encounter with the perpetrator, perhaps it could have turned out differently. Her anger and hurt were very evident, and had solidified into a deep bitterness andd hatred. That is like a poison that will et her up on the inside and color the way she looks at life and human relationships. I grieve evey time I hear Victim Wittness Statements in court cases where such anger and bitterness is spewed with posionous venom. Left unresolved this is so destructive.
In my own case, I lived with that seething bitterness and anger from the time I was 11 until I was married and had several children. Life was good until someone touched that pain hiding deep inside and I wouldd erupt like volcano! I blamed my husband for my unhappiness, yelle, screamed, slammed cupboard doors nearly taking them of the hinges. I came down with several serious sicknesses, that nearly took my life.
It was in my early 30’s and I had been really sick for 11 years with serious auto immune diseases. I heard a sermon at church about forgivness, and it began to work on me. I actually heard the Holy Spirit tell me that I had bitterness and unforgiveness and that it was killing me. I was so broken as I realized all the pain I had caused my husband and my children because of all the turmoil in y heart. With the help of others, I walked trough about two years of forgiving, layer by layer, and was able to forgive those that had so wronged me, and taken from me that which could never be replaced. I not only forgve them, but asked their forgiveness for all of tthe bitterness, anger, and hatred that I had toward them. Shortly after, I was at a Christian Conference and went into a Healing Workshop, and wa totallly and miraculously healed!
Forgiveness of those who have hurt us is the only way that we can be set free from the pain.
Randma
March 15, 2015 @ 9:59 pm
AWESOME!! Thank you for sharing your personal testimony as to how pent up anger impacted your life, both in your physical health and in your relationships. Like you, I wish this episode had touched on that. It would have been much better if the episode had taken into account the fact that there are Restorative Justice programs involve previous counseling sessions with the victim prior to any meeting with the incarcerated perpetrator.
little sarah
March 20, 2015 @ 7:30 pm
YOU’RE FULL OF IT LADY. YOU KNOW NOTHING UNLESS YOU’VE WALKED IN THEIR SHOES.