Blue Bloods -12 - 32 - Danny and Maria
Sunday morning Abbey wakes up Frank from his restful sleep
Abbey: Wake up sleepy head…. I have a lot to do before we go to Mass ….. we haven't had a Sunday dinner in weeks and I have to prepare
Frank: why don't you come back to bed….. I'm sure the kids got everything under control
Abbey: What makes you think that….. I've talked to Maria and and Eddie and they haven't had a Sunday Dinner since we left… so don't make that assumption….. things change when you're not around
Frank: Oh!
Abbey: go take a shower while I start doing the prep work so the Reagan family tradition can get back to normal
After mass the Reagan's assemble at the family home as the Reagan women congregate around Abbey to find out if the vacation was everything as the pictures she sent
Abbey: first up help with putting everything on the table so we can eat ….then you can ask your questions
Eddie: I can't wait that long….. Did you and Frank ….. you know
Maria: after having triplets….. you still have sex on the brain
Eddie: I want to know what I can look forward to
Erin: What you got to look forward to is a 25 year class reunion and in my case becoming a grandmother… Nikki is expecting anytime soon
Abbey: Are you and Jack flying out to LA ….. if you do make the most of it and don't think about the campaign or work… Seeing Frank not think about onePP was the best I could've asked for….. we had such a good time.
Eddie: So the operation was a success…
Abbey: In ways you can't imagine
As dinner is being served and Frank leads with the usual grace
Frank: so what have we missed while we've been gone….. other than the babies have grown
Danny: Same old same old… you know the usual NYP crap we are dealt with everyday…. I had to put away a poor sap that really got dealt a raw deal….. but my job was to arrest him and send him back to prison because his only crime was wanting to see a son that he didn't know he had.
Maria: I felt so bad for Danny….. when he told me the story… the guy was already in prison yet his douchebag wife/ girlfriend couldn't handle the son and gave him up for adoption without telling him that he even had a son
Eddie: did the boy get a good family
Danny: the adoptive mother kept blaming herself for not doing a good enough job in protecting him… but it was one mistake after another….. our laws are set in stone and really don't protect the innocent… how do you do it dad….. day in and day out you're forced to make the hard decisions
Frank: It's getting harder and harder…. These last few weeks have made me realize that there may be more to life than the job
Abbey: I'm so thankful that he is finally seeing it… make the most of the time that you have
Erin: so this trip turned into a game changer did it?….. you have to tell me where this place was that you went to … Jack and I have to go there
Jack: With Nikki giving birth we will have our own game changer….. grandma…. Everyone laughs
Erin: you just love saying that to me….. don't you
Frank: It's a blessing not a curse…. I'm going to be a great grandfather ….. who would've thought
Sean: Can someone pass the yams… now that's a change I thought I would never say… I use to hate yams
Danny: Life has a way of doing that to you… what you once thought doesn't turn out the way you expected
Maria: Danni and I thank you everyday for thinking like that….. When Eddie told me about the scuffle that two cops had and Jamie had to resolve it… I thought How would Danny Reagan handle that situation if it were Danni Reagan that was at the heart of it
Danny: Jamie what is my beautiful wife trying to imply
Jamie : I witnessed a female Sergeant Mcnichols punch out officer Berner who is twice her size, but she busted him good. At first I thought I had to report her, especially her being a sergeant she should know better… it was clearly an assault
Eddie: Jamie and his rules….. everyone in the precinct thinks he has a stick up his ass even though his rule changes are good , but I get shun for being his wife every time I go to see him
Frank: That's some of the consequences of being a good leader… not everyone will like you
Danny: So how did the next Commissioner Reagan handle it and how does it affect my Danni
Jamie: the whole thing started because Officer Berner is the coach of the Mini Mites Hockey team and Sergeant Mcnichols took offense that Berner is a misogynistic douchebag who makes her daughter ride the bench even though she's better than half the boys on the team. She told me that she even got the second most goals to anyone even with the limited time that Berner played her
Danny: So Berner is a typical ass that doesn't think a girl can compete with the boys no matter what
Jamie: When Mcnichols told me that she even told her daughter what she did…. I got taken back thinking that's some parenting….. she came back at me with… Until you raise a daughter knowing how to stand up to guys like Berner…. Then you come back and talk to me
Danny: Well she was right…. I'm definitely going to teach Danni to defend herself… did you apologize
Jamie: I did
Danny: So how did you solve it
Eddie: this is the good part… My not so by the book husband actually came up with a good compromise … with a little help from me
Frank: Team work…. Listening to the one you can trust the most…. I don't know what I would do without you Abbey Reagan
Abbey: I love you too…
Danny: let's not get sidetracked here ….finish the story
Jamie: After talking to Captain Espinoza the Mentor - Mentee Tours that Mcnichols had put out there was a good idea… who better to implement it than it's originator….. Berner now gets a taste of his own medicine… They will have a lot time to work out their problems by riding together for the next month. With Berner being occupied on Thursday nights Mcnichols daughter may get her due to shine with a replacement coach that can see her worth
Eddie: It takes my husband a while to get his head out of the state penal laws, but when he does he makes it work… you have to admit my choice for desert wasn't bad for doing your good deed
Amy: what desert did you have….. maybe Joe and I can try it
Joe: I don't think Eddie's talking about desert in a restaurant…. Everyone laughs and smiles
Amy: Oh ….. that kind of desert ….. we do that all the time anyway
Erin: to be young and carefree again….. Amy enjoy it while it lasts
Abbey: who says you have to be young to enjoy it… As all eyes look to Frank
Frank: why is everyone looking at me….. I'm just going with the flow as they would say
Maria: the pictures looked great that you sent back….. both of you looked so relaxed
David: Mom did those Elk really come to the back porch
Abbey: everyone told us to watch for the Elk around 5:00 PM …. Sure enough around 4:30 everyday they start migrating into the yard….. they came in sections until the whole herd formed
Frank: it was a sight to behold there were up to 100 at times….. eating and laying down and then running around.
Andrew: they weren't afraid of humans
Abbey: As we drove around they were in front of peoples yards minding their own business
David: I wish we could've gone
Abbey: Next time you boys will come with us….. since Frank has agreed to take family vacations from on
Erin: Well Abbey you've been able to do what none of us have… Dad has been all work since mom died
Frank: let's say I have a new incentive….. with a new lease on life….. does the DA's office have any surprises for me now that I've been gone
Erin: Thanks to a former classmate and pain in the ass Micheal Davis a public defender he gave us a case from 10 years ago that the DA's office along with the NYPD got it all wrong
Frank: Micheal Davis….. isn't that the guy that beat you out of valedictorian by a nose hair
Erin: Don't remind me….. he certainly hasn't let me forget it….. any way he dropped the name Ty Williams since he made it sound like we all dropped the ball on him
Frank: How so
Erin: I gave the name to Anthony and he assigned it to my new side kicks Maria and Eddie
Eddie: I just love Anthony's expressions… After he saw the information Maria and I came up with… he said that this case had more wholes than his lucky underwear... He cracks me up
Maria: The case was filled with holes….. Williams was convicted of murdering his girlfriend Julia about 10 years ago… Apparently, he hit her with his care after finding out she was pregnant with another man's baby
Erin: turns out the Lead Prosecutor was Dean Zora who was just about to retire when this case fell in his lap…..between his zest to get this over with and very incompetent case detective…. No one bothered to follow any other leads
Maria: No one bothered to find out who the baby daddy was … but when Mr Williams didn't help his case by confessing at his second parole hearing….. the incompetence was swept under the rug
Erin: the three of us went to talk to Mr Williams and asked him why he changed his plea if he was innocent….. yet he swore that he didn't do it and that he wasn't driving the care that night... the system made him believe that by pleading guilty he'd have a better chance of getting out sooner
Eddie: When Davis said that Williams was a victim of a biased and criminal justice system and lazy prosecution… that pissed all of us off….. we try our best to get it right, but this case showed that he was right …. This guy fit the mold and was easily railroaded
Danny: being the good detectives that you both are….. you got to the bottom of it
Maria: being your partner for all those years certainly helped in knowing were to look….. We found the DNA samples found in the car matched William's best friend Maurice Bell
Eddie: Maurice Bell was a piece of work...he was two timing his girlfriend and Julia… When Julia told him she was pregnant by him… that complicated his life with his girlfriend that now is his wife.
Maria: the lead prosecutor nor the lead detective bothered to verify his alibi which was in Davis's case file that clearly stated Mr Bell admitted that he was in New York City and not in Lancaster PA at the time of the murder
Erin: Mr Bell tried to deflect his guilt by trying to imply Williams was guilty of other wrong doings
Danny: one scumbag trying to pin another scumbag … Maria…. Eddie you make me proud of being a detective
Erin: I'm so lucky to have them on my side
Frank: this certainly has been an interesting Sunday Dinner…. Even Garrett and Sid couldn't have given me a better debriefing… what else will I be in store tomorrow
Abbey: we still have another night not to think about it
The Morning briefing begins with business as usual with Abbey taking her center seat looking exceptionally relaxed and attractive with her black gold button dress Garrett and Sid come in with each sitting on either side of her
Frank: now that we are back what do you have for me
Sid: I must say boss the vacation must have done you a world of good you and Abbey look great….. you all recovered from the surgery
Frank: Thank you and I have….. Abbey and I had a great time
Garrett: We're all glad that you're back….. but the city never sleeps….. I don't know if you have heard about our new super hero... Decorated Marine … Captain Chuck Phillips has been making the news with his heroics … not only once but twice…. He first saved a woman in the subway and then a store clerk in a liquor store
Frank: so what's the problem
Sid: He's kinda auditioning for a job….. the news media asked him what he would like and his answer was a meeting with The NYPD Commissioner… he nows that he is to old to be a recruit… so he is asking for an exception
Garrett: Long story short, the city council approved an exception to the age limit for Captain Phillips to join up
Frank: Any strings attached
Garrett: No strings attached, really…. More like loose ends…. The final decision is up to you
Sid: Boss, I been thinking….. 42 is like the new 30….. Isn't that what they say?
Abbey: No …. No one says that….. especially women
Sid: Well, they say something like that, right?
Frank: And you're still against bringing him on
Garrett: But I seem to be the lone voice shouting into the void
Frank: Well I'm listening
Garrett: I just don't see how a combat Marine's skill set translate to a modern day New York Cop's… What I do see is the headlines " He survived three tours as a Marine in Fallujah and three days as a cop in New York" …. God forbid it went south
Frank: That's a grim outlook, even for you…. But what if the very thing that makes him an effective Marine does make him an effective cop? … Why would that be counterintuitive
Sid: I'm with the boss here
Garrett: Big surprise
Frank: He clearly has the reflexes and the sharp eyes for seeing 360 degrees around a problem… proved that twice in three days already
Garrett: All true
Frank: What am I missing, Garrett?
Garrett: Law of Averages… the enemies on our streets hide in plain sight among eight million innocent civilians. He is batting a thousand so far… but who has ever kept batting a thousand….. City Council and the Mayor are setting you up to take the fall when this guy strikes out ... if you put him on the force
Abbey: I have to agree with Garrett on that point….. they are passing the buck onto you to make you their scape goat
Frank: so you agree with Garrett
Abbey: Garrett makes a valid point as to why City Council is doing this…..but, you will do what you think is right… you always do
Frank: Set up a meeting with Captain Phillips at PJ Clark's at 1900 hours…. Have Danny attend …. I won't be home for dinner
Frank: Captain Phillips It's my pleasure to meet you…. I've invited my son Detective Danny Reagan to join us….. Danny served over there and has a unique perspective of doing both
Danny: It's an honor to meet you sir… three tours especially in Fallujah….. you have to be commended
Frank: So, the city council has offered me a waiver on the age limit in your case
Captain Phillips: That's great news
Frank: It's rare that they offer me anything but a sharp stick in the eye… But it is you who earned their consideration , not me.
Captain Phillips: I was in the right place at the right time
Danny: Or the wrong place if you're the criminals
Captain Phillips: I guess… Yeah… Uh, my signals are jammed
Frank: How so?
Captain Phillips : I can't tell if I'm at a wedding or a funeral
Danny: That's the NYPD for you
Frank: One of, uh, my company C.O.s back then had a saying…. Probably kept some of us alive… Fight the Fight… not the fight plan
Captain Phillips: Sounds right
Frank: Yeah …. And it was…. Believe me…. Until I got to the NYPD….. where you fight the fight plan
Danny: Here…. The enemy doesn't were any enemy uniform… The guy on the subway platform, you took one look at him and you knew... right
Captain Phillips: yes
Danny: But there's a guy on the next platform, looks just like him….. and that guy's a decent man who's down on his luck and wouldn't hurt a fly
Captain Phillips: I feel I can tell the difference
Danny: In Fallujah you're not surround by cell phones videoing your every move just hoping that you make a mistake
Frank: when that mistake is made….. I can't cover it up as collateral damage and walk away…. 30,000 cops get tarnished by that mistake ….our mistakes make the nightly news along with multiple videos for all the world to see
Danny: Some of those videos are edited to only show you in the worst possible light…. So our fight plan is to have eyes in the back of our heads just to survive on a daily basis
Captain Phillips: so why do you keep doing it
Danny: In our case it's the family business….. we don't know any better
Frank: we are a family of cops …sons, daughter in laws , grandchildren we are cops ….. we've paid a heavy price to keep the family moto of serve and protect that my late father instilled in all of us
Captain Phillips: Why am I starting to feel is that you don't want to put me in a position to fail and If I insist, I will regret my decision….. is that right
Frank: Every year the department has collateral damage within the ranks…. Season veterans find themselves unable to endure the fickleness of the citizens and their leaders that only put their fingers to the winds to see where they should fall that day… our brave men and women pay a heavy price for that indecisiveness imposed on them…. You're a good man… you've served your country well … but I truly don't believe this is a good fit for you
Captain Phillips: Commissioner… thank you for hearing me out… you certainly have a hard job on your hands … Detective Reagan….. your family dinners must be something
Danny: that they are….. Thank you for your service…. Captain
Captain Phillips leaves and Frank and Danny have a drink to talk over what just happened
Danny: Dad…. I can tell this is not sitting well …. You feel guilty about turning him away
Frank: I have learned not to second -guess calls like that
Danny: Not all Marines are wired to be cops, despite the fact that we'd all like to believe otherwise
Frank: you can't let guilt stop you from making the hard decisions….. but you know what I'm wondering… Do people change… or are we just who we are?
Danny: I think people can learn from their mistakes…. I've changed… I've started a new chapter in my life
Frank: Maria and Danni has been quit a change for you…. That little beauty is going to keep your hands full
Danny: So what's really bothering you…. Were you worried that Captain Phillips couldn't change…. Is that why you didn't want him on the job
Frank: No … I wasn't wondering about him … I was wondering about me
Danny: You mean if you've changed?
Frank: Couple of years ago, I would've been proud to have him on the job… Now I've sent a man away who's cut from the same cloth as almost everyone in our family
Danny: Well, we all got to make choices we don't like sometimes…Dad… you unfortunately have to do it a little bit more than most us
Frank: Yeah, I know….. I'm just finding it harder and harder to live with them
Danny: Dad, now that you have Abbey… have you been thinking about packing it in …. Hell… no one would blame you if you did
Frank: She has been good for me and she deserve all of me especially what little time I have left
Danny: Are you not telling us everything… The surgery and all
Frank: no don't think anything is wrong… the surgery actually helped me…. I can make love to my wife …. Not as often but at least I can
Danny: let's call it a night and we both go home to our wives