"Blue Bloods" Review: A Welcome Return

Is it just me or have I spent a lot of time this week trying to differentiate between the new police/legal dramas on your fall TV schedule?

So let me tell you how CBS’ “Blue Bloods” is different: It’s about family AND it has Tom Selleck…

Selleck is Frank Reagan, the New York City Police Commissioner. His father, Henry (Len Cariou), was also Commissioner, but his brash personality clashed with the politicians. Frank’s oldest son is Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), a detective who sometimes crosses the line to close his cases. Frank’s daughter, Erin (Bridget Moynahan), is an Assistant DA, while his youngest son, Jamie (Will Estes), gave up the possibility of a successful law career and joined the NYPD as well. The death of Frank’s other son looms large over the family since he was killed in the line of duty.

In the premiere, a young girl is missing and Danny pulls out all the stops to find her, while Frank must deal with the political fallout from the case’s media attention. But then it’s Erin who has to deal with the case when Danny violates a suspect’s rights. Meanwhile, Jamie has to deal with his police trainer, his father dating, and an invitation to participate in an investigation that could change his family forever.

Family is the key to this drama and the chemistry of the cast really helps to sell it. Selleck is great as usual and this is the best performance I’ve ever seen Moynahan give in anything. And I still adore Estes from his “Reunion” days.

But it’s Wahlberg who is the real star here. He played a grizzled cop before in the short-lived “Boomtown” and he is as good here as he was in that show. Sooner or later, one of these shows is going to catch on and he will become the TV star he is meant to be…

If you like family dramas and procedurals, then “Bloods” is the perfect hybrid for you. Plus, there’s a mystery simmering in the background for those of you who like that sort of thing.

And isn’t the return of Tom Selleck to weekly TV everybody’s thing?

“Blue Bloods” premieres Friday, September 24th at 10 p.m. on CBS…

Photo Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/CBS