07×18 A Deep Blue Goodbye

Looking back to one of the silliest story lines they’ve had.

Danny investigates the circumstances of an ex-NYPD officer who goes missing the day after she revealed to him that she had planned to make amends to the woman she and her partner wrongfully convicted years ago. Also, Frank faces a dilemma when one of his peers, Chief Taylor Daniels (Isaiah Washington), refuses to retire, even though he’s hit the mandatory age limit, on the 150th episode of BLUE BLOODS

CBS Press Release

Initial Thoughts

These are my thoughts on the eighteenth episode of season 7. 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 was the 150th episode, and to mark the occasion Jamie and Eddie got a somewhat silly story. It may not be a surprise once you watch the DVD extras and hear Kevin Wade explain that his starting point was the idea to use one of the small patrol cars in an episode. The challenge they’re presented with is a simple prank war, but in dealing with their adversaries, there’s plenty of opportunities to show off their humour and trust in each other. The enjoyment is largely due to the performances of everyone involved.

Scene by Scene Breakdown

Click on the headings for links to the various scenes on YouTube.

Dodgy Donuts

It starts with the prank war already underway, and it isn’t until a little later that we find out about the first prank, there’s no explanation as to how long the war has been running or what caused it. The only thing we can sure of is that it’s got to be serious, Eddie’s taking the prank war seriously if she’s willing to sacrifice food for it.

Volunteered

Jamie already wants to call a truce; it’s an indication of how uninterested Jamie is in this type of thing if he can’t even remember that he was the original target that started things. Maybe the fact that this all started with Welch putting sushi in Jamie’s locker is the reason Eddie is so determined, similar to Eddie’s reaction in Authority Figures when she believed Tuna was pranking Jamie. The pranks are drifting into dangerous territory if it’s involving setups using formal procedures. Jamie is onto it quickly and makes sure to stop Eddie from revealing the truth to the sergeant. It’s a nice trick that we’re let into the secret of Jamie surreptitiously winking at Eddie to let her know that she needs to play along.

A Petite Patrol

The visual gag of the Smart car in NYPD livery is a great introduction to the scene; they’re able to emphasise how small it is compared to a regular patrol vehicle by focusing on the details, such as the scaled-down flashing lights. The use of this vehicle leads into Jamie and Eddie having no authority when they respond to an incident; Welch seems to have succeeded if his goal was to make Jamie and Eddie look foolish.

Aborted Apology

The incident with the microcar has solidified Jamie’s view that it should be brought to an end. Have to wonder what motivates Patimkin to stir things up just as they’ve agreed to a truce with Welch. Is she generally suspicious of everyone? (It could be due to her background and subsequent experience with IAB) Or is it because she’s already set things in motion with IAB? Not to suggest she engineered the whole thing, but it seems convenient for her. Jamie’s reaction to downing the peppermint schnapps, and the subsequent reaction from Eddie, has to be one of the highlights of the episode.

Dressing Down

It’s slightly suspicious that IAB turned up so soon after Jamie and Eddie’s failed attempt at a truce, especially when one of the charges is tampering with drinks (and only one person was suggesting that had happened, almost as though they’d been given a list of what charges were wanted). Someone has to have reported everything to IAB as the fake request to volunteer for the green vehicle pilot was the only one that would leave a paper trail. Of course, IAB can’t pass up an opportunity to comment on Jamie’s surname; sometimes you have to wonder if they’re having a competition within IAB to see who can discipline Jamie most severely.

Sign of Sweet Revenge

With Jamie and Welch so obviously nonchalant waiting for Eddie and Patimkin, it’s an unsubtle hint that they’re up to something. So it’s not a complete surprise when the sign is revealed. It’s a juvenile prank but, understandably, they want to get some payback when it seems likely that Patimkin was responsible for IAB becoming involved, especially after her comments at the bar.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t a favourite of mine, mainly because the story doesn’t feel that strong, but it’s an enjoyable one to watch due to the various reactions from Jamie and Eddie throughout. When thinking about the plot, it has to be assumed that the situation was driven by Patimkin and her need to have something to feed to IAB especially as the bar scene suggests it was easy for her to nudge Welch into a particular reaction. It would make sense that she could earn bonus points with IAB by snagging a Reagan. The alternative is that it was part of her escape plan, with her manoeuvring things in the hope that she could get partnered with Jamie, the patrol officer with the biggest hook at 1PP. Once she achieved that position, she then might be able to change her circumstances or be able to get a different level of information to pass to IAB. Although, her attitude in Love Lost suggests she thinks she’s always right and she doesn’t seem the slightest bit inclined to ingratiate herself with Jamie.

I may find the plot unsatisfying due to it being so lightweight, but it does provide some much-needed relief from the more serious tone of the other storylines. Also, the lack of anything significant or meaningful can be viewed as a positive, at least in terms of Eddie’s departure. If it had been a story full of emotion, it might have seemed like it signalled a permanent change even if their punishment was only supposed to last 30 days. We have the benefit of hindsight, but this approach made it clear that it was only temporary and Eddie would be back.