06×02 Absolute Power

Danny and Baez investigate a possible serial killer who sends a chilling message to Danny, and Erin toys with the idea of applying for a judgeship. Also, Frank is in a bind when mayoral candidate Katherine Tucker (Mary Stuart Masterson) accuses him of secretly investigating her husband, and Eddie faces her estranged father when he winds up in the hospital, on BLUE BLOODS.

CBS Press Release

Initial Thoughts

These are my thoughts on the second episode of season six. A lot 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 thought-provoking theories emerge.

Having mentioned the impact Armin’s had on Eddie’s life in the previous post, it felt like it was time that I examined his first appearance on the show. Especially as it demonstrates how complicated Eddie’s relationship is with her father. The story also highlights one of the subtler elements of Jamie and Eddie’s relationship, the level of trust they share; without it being linked to anything romantic.

Scene by Scene Breakdown

Unfortunately, only the deleted scenes are currently available on YouTube. Click on the headings for a link to the relevant clips; the scenes have been inserted at what’s likely to have been their intended position in the storyline.

Deleted Scene – Phone In

With this, we learn that the story was intended to open with a fun scene as Eddie makes use of Jamie’s knowledge (unusual for it to be used in an unserious setting). Events like this are likely to be why Eddie wanted Jamie on her team for the trivia night in The Devil You Know. Plus, there’s another Bruce Springsteen connection.

This would’ve served the purpose of increasing the shock of Eddie being confronted with her father’s situation. From the high of happy excitement to the low of a seriously ill parent. (Especially as they were so flippant when guessing who might’ve asked for Eddie). We are left wondering who got to make use of the tickets for the game.

Unpleasant Surprise

Firstly, hooray for a scene with Eddie and Linda. How I wish we could have seen a conversation between them, where they compared notes about dealing with their respective Reagan brothers. As seen in the dinner conversation in Partners, it was no secret that Linda knew about how they felt about each other. So it’s easy to imagine that Linda would’ve dropped not so subtle hints even when they weren’t together.

Sadly, that’s the total of Linda’s involvement in this storyline. Instead, we move onto our introduction to Armin. An understandable choice was made to have Eddie arriving at the hospital unaware of who was asking for her. Based on other episodes, like Identity and Triumph Over Trauma, Eddie would have rejected any request from Armin to see her. It would have required a couple of extra steps of finding out what was wrong before she relented; this allows the script to move forward more quickly.

Taking Action

Of course, Eddie isn’t taking it at face value; she wants to know how and why the attack happened. Eddie has issues with Armin, but she still cares about him, as shown by the way her voice breaks as she’s describing his injuries. Despite the past betrayal seeing him that vulnerable causes Eddie to put that aside. Jamie provides a sounding board, acknowledging the problems they face but confirming he’s still going to help her and that what she wants to do is the right course of action.

Problematic Answers

They’re questioning Armin, but he’s distracted by Eddie’s presence – he’s full of pride at what Eddie has achieved. Although many of his actions seem to have a questionable motive, the attention he’s paying to Eddie is likely to be genuine. The lawyer Eddie met in Careful What You Wish For appears to confirm that he was always proud of Eddie’s accomplishments.

The problem is that Armin’s apparent distraction could equally be a con. It’s a convenient way of dodging questions he’d prefer not to answer; without having to acknowledge the question. It could be considered similar to how Lena reacts when confronted with a subject she doesn’t want to discuss, as seen in her conversations with Frank during Common Enemies. The question then becomes, what is he trying to avoid?

Deleted Scene – Not Being Let Down

Eddie: Jamie. Why you doing all this?
Jamie: Cos I don't wanna let you down.

Such a sweet and significant moment between Jamie and Eddie. This would have added so much depth to Jamie’s actions for the rest of the story. Eddie’s stating what’s at stake for her depending on what they find out.

A New Source

It’s made clear that Jefferey has only recently been released and appears to have shared a cell with Armin for some time. He states that Eddie never visited Armin, except she has visited him at least once; perhaps the visit in Custody Battle was a one-off and so is easily dismissed. In this situation, there is a plausible explanation that fits what we know, rather than it being a continuity issue.

Despite being more concerned with delivering his pizzas, Jefferey provides helpful information. What he says can be read two ways, the way that Eddie interprets it with Armin trying to take a cut of the action, or the alternative that Armin might be trying to stop it.

Disappointment in Dad

Eddie is so quick to believe that Armin has been involved in drug dealing. It’s a sign of how easy it is to lose the little trust she has in her father. Eddie knows he’s capable of frequently lying and stealing large amounts of money, so it wouldn’t seem impossible for him to commit other crimes. Especially when he claims he has never lied to her despite all of the evidence to the contrary. It’s so similar to what happens during their visit in season 9’s Identity.

Jamie steps in to encourage Armin to do the right thing for Eddie. This gains even more significance in light of the second deleted scene, where Eddie states her worries about losing what she’s regained since she realised the extent of Armin’s wrongdoing. Jamie will always act if he thinks he can help to improve the relationship Eddie has with her parents. Sometimes it helps, like in By Hook or By Crook, and sometimes it doesn’t. 

Fond Farewell

Armin appears to be working to improve himself, which should be great for Eddie, but his explanation is edging into gaslighting territory. Armin says that he did it for Eddie, so it feels like he’s trying to elicit sympathy. Even with Armin stating that he wasn’t trying to apportion blame to Eddie, it still connects her to his actions and choices. Considering the level of money he stole and that he bought Eddie a Porsche Boxster as a high school graduation present, it wasn’t about providing a stable life for Eddie. No one needs that level of material wealth. Along with the lying and everything else, it’s just greed.

With Armin, it could be that this is the lie he’s told himself to justify what’s happened. During Identity, his claim that Eddie had been writing to him seems likely to be what he wishes had happened, rather than just a lie he tells Jamie. 

Final Thoughts

The story ends on a high, with Eddie’s relationship with Armin having improved; and having a reason to be proud of him. Not quite sure whether any of the later episodes reflect his reward for helping the authorities, although that doesn’t matter too much now that he’s been released. By asking Jamie to look after Eddie, Armin isn’t only acknowledging Jamie’s role as her patrol partner; it was also recognition of the importance of his advice.

This story compares the two most important men in Eddie’s life: the father who broke her trust; and Jamie as the one who has helped her and continues to prove it’s possible to trust. Armin demonstrates that he does love Eddie; however, his nature will continually create a risk to any relationship they may have. Although Jamie and Eddie’s relationship may have the occasional bump, there’s never any suggestion that there’s a loss of trust.