Warning: This article contains spoilers for Blue Bloods season 14, episode 12.Blue Bloods revealed which of Frank's (Tom Selleck) children is his true successor during season 14, episode 12. One reason the long-running police procedural is one of CBS' highest-rated shows, even after its cancelation, is that family is so central to its stories. Blue Bloods' Reagan family leaves their problems at the door every Sunday to get together for dinner where they laugh, tease each other, celebrate their family bonds, and offer one another their support. Frank usually sits at the head of the table next to Henry (Len Cariou), symbolizing the respect the family gives to its two patriarchs.
The family aspects of Blue Bloods have often led to speculation about which of Frank's children is most like him, and that question has become even more important now that Blue Bloods has only a few episodes left before it leaves the airwaves permanently. Jamie (Will Estes) is often mentioned as someone who is enough like Frank that he might make a good police commissioner if Frank retires at the end of the series. However, the events of episode 12 demonstrate that one of Frank's children is even more like him.
Erin & Frank Had Similar Problems In Blue Bloods Season 14, Episode 12
Erin & Frank Both Dealt With Their Bosses' Abuse Of Power In This Episode
During Blue Bloods season 14, episode 12, Frank and his daughter Erin (Bridget Moynahan) both deal with bosses who want them to do things that contradict their values. Unsurprisingly, Frank is intractable when it comes to Mayor Peter Chase's (Dylan Walsh) insistence that it is right to look the other way when an ex-cop pulled a gun on a civilian he was fighting with outside a bar and — even Chase's revelation that the man's wife is dying of pancreatic cancer doesn't change his mind. Meanwhile, shockingly late in the series, the sole Reagan daughter proves how much she takes after her father.
While this is going on, Erin faces pressure from District Attorney Kimberly Crawford (Roslyn Ruff) to present a strong case for indicting a cop who caused an accident when he tased a fleeing suspect. Crawford makes it clear that she is pandering to voters who believe that cops are never held accountable for harm to perpetrators and does not care that Anthony (Steve Schirripa) and Erin have evidence that the cop is telling the truth. Erin's refusal to go along with this is the first indication that she is more like Frank than previously believed.
Erin Solves Her Problem In Blue Bloods Season 14, Episode 12 The Way Frank Would
Erin Is Unwilling To Fall In Line Even With Crawford Sitting In The Courtroom
After Erin realizes that Crawford cannot be reasoned with, her solution to the problem demonstrates how similar she is to Frank. Taking Crawford's words to heart, and instead of subtly instructing the grand jury to indict an innocent man, Erin makes a point of stating during the cop's testimony that "it sounds like you deserve a medal." This comment aggravates Crawford, who knows she lost and storms out of the courtroom.
Erin's follow-up is even more Frank-like; when Crawford confronts Erin outside the courtroom about her supposed betrayal, Erin refuses to be intimidated. Instead, Erin points out that she followed Crawford's advice to the letter, except that she wanted the jury to reach the opposite conclusion. Frank often uses similar wordplay and sarcasm to explain why he didn't do what the mayor or other powerful people wanted when it was wrong, so Erin's comments made it clear how similar she is to her father.
What Erin Being The Most Similar To Frank Could Mean For Blue Bloods' Ending
Erin Might Work With Frank On One Last Case In Blue Bloods
While there hasn't been much information released yet about Erin's role in Blue Bloods' finale, the series has confirmed that the final episode will involve everyone working on the same case and that Frank will be on a mission to protect Mayor Chase from people who are trying to hurt him (via TVLine). Erin's similarity to Frank could play into how she approaches her part in this case, though it does not mean they will be on the same side. Frank and Erin's shared traits mean they have often butted heads, which has been central to some of Blue Bloods' best episodes.
Erin might cling as stubbornly to her beliefs as Frank does to his, leading them to clash as Frank does his best to bring the people to justice who are bothering Mayor Chase. However, Frank's Blue Bloods season 14 part 2 story hints at retirement as his character arc's ending, necessitating some kind of "passing the torch" symbolism in the finale. Even if a confrontation happens, father and daughter are sure to reconcile before the final Reagan family dinner, leading to a poignant final scene for Blue Bloods.
Source: TVLine
