Blue Bloods’ Spinoff ‘Boston Blue’ Is an Enticing Continuation of the Beloved Family Drama: TV Review

CBS
The Reagans, or at least a handful of them, are returning to CBS in the new “Blue Bloods” spinoff, “Boston Blue.” Developed by Brandon Sonnier and Brandon Margolis, the Boston-set series follows former NYPD Detective Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg), who decides to take a position in the Boston Police Department in an effort to form a closer relationship with his patrol cop son, Sean (Mika Amonsen). Though the Reagans’ name looms large in the Big Apple, in The Hub, it’s the Silvers who are are law enforcement royalty. Forming an unlikely friendship with his new partner, Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green), Danny decides to see what Boston has to offer. A thoughtful and well-paced police procedural, “Boston Blue” expands the “Blue Bloods” universe into a new city, without losing the essence of the original.

Boston Blue” opens on an unassuming evening in the New England city. Two 20-something guys, Sean and his best friend Jonah Silver (Marcus Scribner), are out on the town. As the pair chat up a couple of young women, they spot a burning building in the distance. Despite being straight out of the police academy, the rookies run toward the fire, desperate for help. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes apparent that these two are in way over their heads. One woman on the premises is already dead — and it’s not from the fire. Moreover, Sean is severely injured in the rescue mission, and he is placed in a medically induced coma to recover.