Blue Bloods: Season 2 Premiere

Due to the plethora of the outstanding episodes I watched last season, I was sure that Blue Bloods Season 2 Premiere episode “Mercy,” would’ve delivered the same high dramatic intensity. To be fair, the program started with zest.

Cole (Bob Gaynor), illegally parks his pricey Land Rover on a tree-lined, brownstone street. He greets a guy (James Hosey) sitting on his stoop, looks around suspiciously, then slinks across the street. Right away we know something isn’t right.

At a later date, Cole is found dead. But surprise, it’s Detective Jackie Curatola (Jennifer Esposito), and not Detective Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg), who investigates. Curatola corners and questions the guy from the stoop who is so nervous, he starts sweating profusely and swaying precariously, like palm leaves in a hurricane. I thought Danny was the top detective. So why was his role down-played in this season opener?

Blood is uncovered inside a horrendous Pepto Bismol, cotton candy-esque room complete with kids’ toys, and the hunt is on for the room’s occupant. Across town, mild-mannered ADA Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) comforts a friend. A tough lawyer Erin is not, though my interest is piqued. Bring on the suspense.

Though the episode lulls with a duet by Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood at the fancy dress gala, I’m nonplussed to find out Police Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) has done the unthinkable. Can you blame him after what his family’s been through? Wait, was that a CD plug?

As if trying to cover the sales pitch blunder, the next scene is fraught with tension as bad penny new Mayor Carter Poole (David Ramsey), tries to go up against Frank and insinuates himself into police business. Blunder forgiven. Even so, no one ruffles Frank and gets off easy.

The investigation meanders until the momentum increases with trash-talking Croatian native Kiril (Steve Cirbus), who readily confesses his crime but believes he’s not accountable. All right, I’m wide-awake and psyched up for the fireworks. However, the momentum flat lines, as US Customs Agent Stark (Kurt McKinney) swoops in and claims Kiril.

The heart of this series can be found within the Reagan family gatherings, a subtle departure from the norm for police procedurals, but those scenes were stilted, lacked warmth and seemed more like filler. Even rookie officer Jamie Reagan’s (Will Estes) first stakeout was as unfulfilling as watching paint dry. The investigation was substandard at best, with no appropriate conclusion. A big no-no for a program centered around crime solving. Where did the fire go?

This lackluster episode sputtered and fizzled until the final scene, choking what little suspense there was along the way. A profound disappointment. This is a good family drama, filled with interesting characters. Yet despite the show’s debatable opener, there’s great potential for so much more. Nevertheless, if you’re expecting constant fireworks, find another program.