This continues the alternative approach to reviewing an old episode; as a different episode can highlight other considerations and aspects of the show. Again, this is still a review, but it will also consider how it was produced. What ideas can this provide about what’s possible with the current filming restrictions for location work, as well as those required for working during the health crisis?
When a well-regarded, newly retired NYPD lieutenant is accused of shooting a group of potential muggers on the subway and then disappears, Frank must deal with the fallout. Also, when a drug dealer returns to Baez’s old neighborhood, she and Danny must figure out how to arrest him for a murder that Baez witnessed as a child, on BLUE BLOODS.
CBS Press Release
Initial Thoughts
These are my thoughts on the thirteenth episode of season 6. Much of it is my interpretation of what is not said and may exist purely in my imagination. If you agree or disagree please let me know as I’d still love to hear from you regardless, I just ask that you’re polite, it’d be great to debate ideas and see what interesting theories emerge.
This is one of the few times in season 6 where there’s a definite reminder of the unspoken relationship between Jamie and Eddie. It highlights the difficulty of dealing with unwanted advances in a male-dominated work environment and the fact that it’s easy to become isolated in these situations.
Scene by scene breakdown
A slightly different layout for the breakdown, this is to highlight the two focal points; firstly how it reads for Jamko, and secondly what it suggests regarding the future potential for filming. I’ve included links to the various scenes on YouTube.
Training Session
Jamko
The mistake made during the training session isn’t consistent with anything we’ve seen Jamie do while on patrol. It’s one of those scenes where things have to happen in a particular way to facilitate the plot, even if it’s contrary to a character’s normal behaviour. It means that Ray the Training Sergeant is already being painted in a negative light as he suggests Jamie isn’t careful or cautious.
Filming
An action scene which isn’t what it initially appears, a similar scenario could be used to alleviate the pressures of working within the current restrictions. There are very few people involved in the scene, and it’s easy to imagine that something similar could still be filmed today with only a few modifications.
Drinks for Two
Jamko
They may share a kiss, but Eddie has a line she’s unwilling to cross. Initially, it isn’t too awkward as he doesn’t seem to push; but Eddie quickly becomes uncomfortable, and that’s the first sign of the later problems. The discomfort is probably a result of Eddie realising what Ray has done; how he’d been negative about her partnership with Jamie, and how he suggested he could provide her with a useful hook.
Filming
It currently seems unlikely that we’d see a bar scene like this, although the need for social distancing would provide an accurate portrayal of New York in 2020. It seems unlikely that any of the single characters would have a dating scene with any guest actor, just because it would involve introducing additional risk. During the process of defining the new working protocols, there has been a recognition that actors won’t always be able to maintain social distancing, but this is reliant on testing keeping any risks to a minimum.
Unexpected Assignments
Jamko
Eddie now seems to be very uncomfortable about what happened, judging by her sudden need to be elsewhere rather than taking part in the ride-along. This makes sure that Jamie starts to suspect something is wrong. Jamie appears to go on high alert as soon as Ray possessively grips Eddie’s shoulder.
Filming
This is within the precinct so the production team have full control, the question is whether they’d want this many people on set. Jamie’s first roll call in Meet the New Boss provides an idea of the traditional distance between the rows, but a similar scene could be filmed in a way that makes it appear busier than it is. This could be achieved through the positioning of the camera; with it behind two officers and facing towards the sergeant and intercut it with close-ups on an officer, the audience can’t necessarily judge the distance between the focal character and the people behind them. These are the type of visual tricks that can be used which avoid a need for CGI.
Concerned Questions
Jamko
Jamie is trying not to jump to conclusions, he checks with Eddie what happened. At this point, Eddie mainly seems to be embarrassed, worried about how it will reflect on her. This is sadly very similar to how she felt about the assault in season 4’s Justice Served, too often the victim is judged more harshly than the perpetrator.
Filming
A few background actors are passing through, but the hallway is only lightly populated, meaning that there wouldn’t be many visible changes if filmed today. Although it seems likely that they’d want to keep interactions with the main cast to a minimum, to ensure there’s little risk of infection.
Challenging Questions
Jamko
Someone advising Jamie on how to de-escalate a situation, Jamie is typically the character who will ensure an incident is resolved safely. It was in With Friends Like These, earlier in the season, that Jamie had prevented other officers from shooting a vulnerable woman. Again Ray appears untrustworthy by questioning Jamie’s commitment to community policing. Jamie is regularly shown to care about the people he deals with, and won’t blindly back a fellow cop. When Eddie becomes the topic of conversation, Ray starts to suggest that Jamie is jealous and questions whether they’re just partners.
Filming
This is a typical RMP scene and something that probably can continue when filming restarts. With actors’ positions, there appears to be a manageable risk. Especially as there are no windows in the vehicle during green screen filming, even though it looks to be enclosed.
Confrontational Questions
Jamko
Jamie is even more concerned about the situation, after the conversation in the RMP, his dislike of Ray is growing. It doesn’t exactly go well when he talks to Eddie, mainly because she believes it’s because he’s jealous. Jamie’s questions do become a little crude, but it underlines the importance of consent and that it needs to be respected at all times. Eddie makes it clear that things only went as far as she wanted them to, the problem seems to be the after-effects. Eddie is doing her impression of a porcupine and trying to keep Jamie away from what she feels is her problem. Jamie’s final comment is a sign of how it would be resolved; it addresses the fact that Eddie’s currently unwilling to act because she feels partly responsible, and is ignoring that Ray has had plenty of practice.
Filming
This is a precinct scene for which nothing should need to change if it were filmed today. There are barely any background actors, and even the main actors spend very little time facing each other. The kitchen area at the 29th Precinct has a different setup, but that wouldn’t mean much had to change. Actually, the only potential difference would be whether the use of communal facilities was restricted due to the risk of passing on the virus. Of course, it doesn’t need to be a precinct scene, it’s easy to imagine Jamie and Eddie talking side-by-side in the kitchen of their apartment.
Reagan Family Dinner
Jamko
There’s no direct reference to Eddie and Jamie’s story, but the common theme of the episode seems to be the responsible use of authority. The discussion is one that is particularly sensitive at the moment, comparing the present situation with “the good old days”. Is the balance of conversation even-handed? The story seems somewhat ridiculous and could raise questions of why this would be considered a practical approach. Both Frank and Erin point out why things have changed.
Filming
Last week’s post highlighted the major physical challenges that the family dinner scene might present when filming resumes. This particular scene is a reminder of its significance within the show due to the type of conversations that can take place, especially now when there’s a greater need for debate and understanding. There must be careful consideration of tone and language to ensure it remains successful, even if the format is different due to the requirements of social distancing.
Drinks for More
Jamko
Have to wonder how this meeting happened. Did Jamie make enquiries to find these women, and perhaps prove that he wasn’t motivated purely by jealousy? Did he then tell Eddie about them so she didn’t feel alone? Jamie deals with Ray by offering him an ultimatum, it’s similar to how he resolved the issue with Troy in Friends in High Places, whether this ensures that Ray changes his ways is unclear. There aren’t many options for dealing with a superior officer because they’re avoiding reporting the issue. It feels that this is one of those rare occasions where Jamie is relying on the authority of his surname to make a difference.
Filming
Filming in a location like this would be a challenge right now, it doesn’t seem possible that they could accommodate a film crew and then open as normal later on. Especially as the current filming restrictions prevent any location filming within a certain distance of outdoor dining areas. Of course, it might be that there are bars that are unable to open, which would benefit from the income provided by being hired for filming (although the space required would be a major consideration).
Final Thoughts
Jamko
Eddie is a fairly passive participant, even though the storyline is about dealing with Ray following their kiss. This is especially noticeable in the final bar scene where Eddie is present but barely involved. It’s great that Jamie is unwilling to allow someone to treat women that way, but it’s a little disappointing that the women are relegated to being observers while Jamie deals with Ray.
Ray’s suggestion that Jamie is interested in Eddie and her implication that Jamie is driven by jealousy is one of the few times in season 6 where there’s an acknowledgement of their relationship. During this season their partnership seemed far more antagonistic, but here Jamie is driven mainly by his belief in doing the right thing and sensitivity to when something is bothering Eddie.
Filming
Compared to Occupational Hazards this episode has more scenes which would present a challenge under the current working restrictions. It’s mainly the off-duty scenes which seem to present a problem, rather than the work-related scenes. That’s not to suggest they’re impossible, especially as those are the types of situations which are common to all TV dramas, with filming already underway on one CBS show it might be that we start to get a better idea of how this is being handled.
Thoughts on Jamko 