"What do you say is the most realistic cop story ever told?" Danny asked during dinner.
"Let's see, most realistic cop story. Guess I'd have to say Serpico." Frank responded.
"Ah, movie or book?"
"Both. Book by Peter Maas, movie by Sidney Lumet."
"I knew Serpico. He really was that whiny and self-righteous." Henry somewhat grumbled.
"Yeah, but he blew the whistle on some pretty nasty stuff. Guy was a hero in his own way."
"Well, that's 'cause he was played by Al Pacino giving us his most magnetic Pacino."
"You're in the minority on that one, Pop." Erin said, bringing a bite of potatoes to her lips.
"Yeah?"
"For me, The Onion Field was the real deal. The New Centurions, too." Jamie gave his opinion, nodding.
"Because they were both written by Joseph Wambaugh, a man who actually was on the job." Henry explained, pointing his finger.
"I say French Connection." Danny focused on his food while he talked, "You got 'Popeye' Doyle, realistic detective work, and the second best car chase in movie history. After Bullitt of course."
Linda chuckled and rolled her eyes. Him and Bullitt.
"What about 21 Jump Street?" Sean asked
"What planet are you on?" Linda looked to Sean.
"That's a comedy, genius." Nicky smiled, shaking her head.
"And at least that movie came out this century."
"Sean," Linda scolded as Erin chuckled.
"My favorite is actually a made-for-TV one. Saw it when I was a kid. Boys in Blue." Erin smiled fondly.
"Boys in Blue?"
"Yeah, Robert Conrad was chasing these jewel thieves in the Riviera, looking so cool in his turtleneck. You know the one I mean?"
"Know it? I lived it. They got it all wrong."
"What do you mean?" Danny turned his attention to his grandpa.
"That story was about me. The Hotel Pierre heist. I mean, Robert Conrad was my character? Come on."
"I didn't know that."
"They cast Robert Conrad to play you? That's not right." Danny made a face of slight disgust.
"You're telling me it's not right."
"Yeah, they should've got someone more handsome at least."
"Yeah, like, uh, Paul Newman." Linda suggested, Danny echoing in agreement.
"Baby Blues. Now, that would've been perfect casting." Erin smiled as she nodded, the family chuckling in agreement.
"Okay, Francis. Very funny. Very, very funny. You'll get yours." Henry smiled deviously
"What about you Aunt Linda? What's your favorite?" Nicky looked to her aunt.
"It's probably not the mist realistic- in fact, not at all, but the one where Donnie Wahlberg's a detective with the crazy puppet that looks like Sweet's puppet people from the Buffy episode, Once More With Feeling?"
Nicky laughed, "betcha thought you'd never say those words all in one sentence!"
"Dead Silence. March 16, 2007, Twisted Pictures. Ryan Kwanten, Judith Roberts, Donnie Wahlberg, and Amber Valletta," Danny said, stabbing a green bean.
"Wow. Thank you, Remington."
"Of course, Laura."
"What?" Jack and Sean asked, looking to their parents.
"Remington Steele!" Erin and Linda said at the same time.
"Stephanie Zimbalist, Pierce Brosnan." Erin smiled.
"Ooh, he's dreamy!"
"And Stephanie was hot," Danny added. "It was a comedy, and it was PG, but those kissing scenes..."
"Those were very steamy." Linda looked up at the ceiling. "We only recently let them watch Magnum after we saw them watching that pathetic excuse of a reboot."
Frank groaned, "you have to watch the original. Nothing can compare."
"See? The police commissioner of New York is telling you to watch the original."
"We should show you two all our old detective shows. Magnum, Simon Simon, Remington, McMillon Wife, Rip Tide, Hill Street Blues..."
"Hill Street Blues!" Jamie smiled, "I had forgotten about that one."
"That's cause you weren't even born yet when it first aired," Erin told her brother. "Although, we did let you watch it when you were a baby."
"You had no idea what was going on."
"Joe an' I kept saying Danny was gonna turn out to be like Belker."
Linda spit her wine into her cup and started laughing out loud. She put her hand on Danny's arm, "that's hilarious!"
"Yeah, very funny. But seriously. Next Saturday, all of us here. We'll bring our collection."
"Hey, that's a good idea," Linda smiled. "Our schedules are so busy, Danny and I haven't been able to watch one together for a while. Whaddaya say? '80's detective party?"
"Definitely," Erin nodded, agreeing enthusiastically.
"I'll be here," Jamie raised his glass to his lips.
"Good." Linda smiled widely, this is gonna be fun.
A/n I know the new Magnum PI came out after this episode, but it fits my chapter better
