Blue Bloods season 8 episode 2: How Donnie Wahlberg, cast move forward
The premiere episode tonight contained one of the biggest shockers in the entire history of the show, as we bore witness to the departure of one Linda Reagan, played by Amy Carlson. The exit was stunning in that it effectively had nothing to do with either the finale with the fire or the premiere — it was a death that happened over the summer.
Moving forward on the show, what’s going to happen next? CBS released a promo for Blue Bloods season 8 episode 2 after the episode wrapped, and it was very much traditional for the show — there is a corrupt politician, and you’re going to see over the course of the hour the NYPD try to take this person down. It’s not the first time we’ve seen a story like this on the show, nor will it be the last. Still, given the relationship between politics and police at the moment in society, it is clear that there is a lot of material that the producers could mine from this if they so choose.
Ultimately, this is the show trying to move on. We understand why they would want to do this (after all, this is a procedural and things need to stay fairly separate for the sake of syndication). Yet, at the same time we also realize that this is a show that can’t just ignore some of what’s happening here. They have to address it in several episodes in order for it to matter. Otherwise, they just run the risk of making it irrelevant, and that’s not something that anyone should want for this character. She was the heart of Danny’s family and he loved her dearly; he still needs to mourn her, even if her death happened months ago.
Here’s one interesting note that we’ll put in here as a TV journalist: There was no synopsis released for next week’s new episode. At the time we saw it we admittedly didn’t make anything of that, but that’s since changed. Clearly CBS was trying to protect what happened tonight as best they could — there was no mention of her exit anywhere. We were finding out about it tonight at the same exact time as all of you out there.
Over the coming days we’ll have a little more in the way of information about this episode, and some other topics, including whether or not Jamie and Eddie could get together and what’s coming up for some of the supporting characters on the show. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a little more information on that as soon as possible.
What do you want to see on Blue Bloods season 8 episode 2, and are you still in a state of shock after what happened tonight? Share in the comments below.
(Photo: CBS.)
Pjw2748
September 30, 2017 @ 4:41 pm
I think at some point they need to do a flashback to when Linda died, how Danny reacted and a service for her. I wish they had not killed Linda off, she was the homemaker, the wife the mother. She could give a non cop non law enforcement view of the storyline. She knew how to put everyone in line, when they all got out of line. I think this was a dreadful mistake, but they didn’t ask me
Sarita Boyette
October 3, 2017 @ 4:30 pm
Agreed! I miss her already.
Kathy Agel
September 30, 2017 @ 12:36 pm
The helicopter accident had the feel of a last-minute solution. Perhaps they were in negotiations all summer and at the last minute, they fell apart (similar to what happened with Cote dePablo — but it seems that the BB staff had more notice). But there were a lot of better solutions, rather than having hints dribbled out piece by piece throughout the half hour. Shoddy and slapdash writing, from a show that is usually much better.
Sarita Boyette
October 3, 2017 @ 4:35 pm
I didn’t care for the helicopter accident either. What would have seemed more feasible to me is that the bullet left in her body from the shooting a couple years ago might have shifted & pierced a major organ, causing internal hemorrhaging.
Eileen M.
September 30, 2017 @ 12:28 pm
What a shocker and such a disappointment to BB fans. Such a shame that they in effect dumped Linda Reagan with no respect for the character. If they felt they had to let her go they should have done it with a proper story line instead of her just glossing over her death. She was an integral part of the Reagan family and their struggles and will certainly be missed around their table.
Kathy Agel
September 30, 2017 @ 12:33 pm
They dumped her with no respect for the fans, as well.
Sharon Stark
September 30, 2017 @ 12:19 pm
I was surprised for sure but not shocked. I love all the characters in the show. Everyone will move on eventually. I would like to see more scenes with Jamie and Eddie.
Marie
September 30, 2017 @ 8:54 am
If they knew at end of last season she wasn’t coming back, which it sounds like they kind of did because her contract was up, the fire and chaos at the end of last season should have been the way to eliminate her character. A cliffhanger where Danny finds the boys together outside the house, but no Linda, If they decided to keep her, they could have found her at the beginning of the new season or had her declared dead to remove her. At least there would have been some kind of logic and continuity to it. The manufacturing of some obscure senseless helicopter crash left me cold and with real mixed feelings about continuing to watch the show. Because of previews, I fully expected the commissioner to be out of a job, but not sure how that would have worked out over the long run since too much occurs with that character. It could have been interesting to see how that might have played out though.
QuixoteReborn
September 30, 2017 @ 11:56 am
… or … perhaps they did know, and they wanted to send her off exactly this way:
What went unnoticed through all of this is that Vanessa Ray has lost noticeable weight, is obviously in supreme fighting (love scene) shape, and is scheduled for some Eddie/Jamie hotness this season. One of the best bits last season was when the two of them were running to roll call and on the way they discuss her hair.
(she does have great hair)
.
Louis E.
September 30, 2017 @ 7:40 am
The “De Havilland Rule” limits actors’ contracts to 7 years in length,so after 7 years regular cast members are entitled to renegotiate.With the show successful I imagine they all wanted raises.Whoever decides such things probably figured that Amy Carlson,out of the original cast,was the most disposable and her salary being cut would pay for the other performers’ raises.
Ever James
September 30, 2017 @ 7:30 am
I am very upset that Linda was not on Blue Bloods last-minute night. It was sort of casually mentioned that she was killed in a helicopter accident. I don’t know if CBS is aware of how much Linda is very much a big part of the show. Does anyone remember what happened to the Good Wife when Will was killed and left the show. What ever the problem is or was someone has to get Linda back on Blue Bloods. I was very unhappy the way her death and absence was portrayed.
Sarita Boyette
September 30, 2017 @ 5:08 am
I didn’t see Amy Carlson’s “demise” coming, but now that I look back, she didn’t have a very strong presence last season. Maybe she was tired of BB and wanted to leave for another opportunity or to spend more time with her family. I’ll have to check her Instagram & Twitter to see if she mentions anything. I did love the Season 8 premiere – love it when everyone in the family is on the show. Although I don’t care for Erin’s D.A. character, I DO love her & Jack together. Wish the two could work out their differences & come back as a couple. Peter Hermann is a handsome, talented actor. Altogether, it was a good show. I’m sorry to see Danny’s character bereft – he already had enough going against him with the PTSD after Fallujah. Could have used more Jamko, but with such a heavy story of Linda’s death & Jack’s near death, it was just enough Jamko to keep us hoping.
Eric H
September 30, 2017 @ 6:23 am
She posted a statement on Instagram and Twitter but it’s really just her thanking the fans, show, and crew. Doubt we’ll really hear the real reason for her departure.
Sarita Boyette
September 30, 2017 @ 9:44 am
I’m sure you are right. I did read the statement & am curious as ever to know why. But, all told, it’s not my business, even though we fans are the ones who have been BB’s audience since its inception. And watch the reruns, buy show DVDs & other merchandise. In other words, we are their bread & butter and sometimes I believe we do need an explanation!
Eric H
September 30, 2017 @ 9:57 am
Seems they had the opportunity to warn people that she was being written off the show earlier (sounds like she left on her own after her contract ended after last season) but instead used it to drum up the drama in an overly stuffed episode that left more viewers feeling confused and upset than satisfied. Not one of the show’s finer moments.
Cb
September 30, 2017 @ 11:24 am
Maybe she received a leaving bonus by being quiet about not returning to the show. Maybe Danny W wanted a new wife on show. If it was money issue all the kids could have been sent to schools away. And brought in for special events.
Kathy Agel
September 30, 2017 @ 12:39 pm
They drove up the drama, but at the expense of angering their audience. There are a lot of people out there feeling like they’ve been played for fools. Twitter and the comment pages of several entertainment sites have been blowing up since last night.
Sarita Boyette
October 3, 2017 @ 4:28 pm
It was overstuffed, wasn’t it? There was enough material for a 2 hour show.