Warning: SPOILERS ahead for the Blue Bloods series finale.One Blue Bloods character didn't get the happy ending they should have at the end of season 14, episode 18, "End of Tour." CBS canceled the long-running police and family drama after 14 seasons, despite its continued high ratings, so the only way to soften the blow of the disappointing Blue Bloods cancelation news was for the series to have a satisfying wrap-up. Thus, every character should have had a strong ending.
The final episode allowed Blue Bloods' Reagan family to work together on one final mission. Each Reagan had a role to play in restoring order to New York City after gangs united to create mayhem by attacking cops, judges, and other public servants, including Mayor Chase (Dylan Walsh). After the gang members were subdued, the Reagans had one last family dinner where they celebrated one another and the good news that Eddie was pregnant. However, a few Blue Bloods characters did not get endings at all — and for one in particular, life just went on as usual.
Tom Selleck Says That Frank Reagan Actually Hates His Job In Blue Bloods
Frank Staying In His Job Was An Unhappy Ending For Him
Frank's (Tom Selleck) job as police commissioner was at the heart of Blue Bloods. He often had to balance his duties to the NYPD with his desire to be a loving father, and many storylines revolved around his refusal to compromise his values, even if it hurt him politically. Yet, Selleck says that Frank hated being the NYPD commissioner and that it would have been interesting to play the story of his retirement (via Variety). In Selleck's view, Frank would have had to be forced out because he felt too much responsibility to walk away even though he didn't want the job.
This perspective makes Blue Bloods' ending for Frank frustrating. While Frank's gratitude for his family was a beautiful way to wrap up, it would have been even better if he had retired. Considering that Frank hated his job, retiring would have been a relief, even if he felt guilty about it. Additionally, Frank leaving his post would have made it clear the series was over, since his work-related stories were such a big part of Blue Bloods. Thus, leaving his story open-ended left a hole in the otherwise perfect wrap-up.
Frank Retiring At The End Of Blue Bloods Is A Happier Ending For Him
This Ending Would Allow Him To Focus On His Family Life While Welcoming A New Grandchild
Retiring would have made a lot of sense for Frank, and it would have been a happier ending for him. His final mission was intense, as he had to convince a prisoner to give up the location of his son, who was the man suspected of shooting the mayor. Frank also had to dig into his feelings about the death of Blue Bloods' Joe Reagan in order to get the prisoner to talk. The experience might have reminded him of confronting his son's killer and worn him out, leading him to consider retirement. However, that didn't happen.
Even more importantly, the final Blue Bloods family dinner included Eddie sharing that she was pregnant, which means that a new Reagan will be joining the family in June. If Frank had retired, it would have allowed him to spend his golden years doting on his new grandchild and spending time with the rest of the family. This would have been the happiest ending possible, as it would have reassured the audience that Frank was relieved of the burden of being the NYPD commissioner and that the rest of his life would be a happy one.
How & When Might Frank Retire In Blue Bloods
He Will Likely Keep Working For As Long As Possible
Considering Selleck's comments, it's unlikely that Frank will retire any time soon. Clearly, the addition of a new grandchild to the family is not enough to offset his belief that he needs to remain in the job to ensure that the NYPD is taken care of properly. Thus, the only way Frank will retire is if he's forced to by the mayor or has a health issue that makes it impossible for him to continue working.
One way that Frank could relieve himself of this responsibility without something drastic happening is for him to begin preparing a successor. While it's up to the mayor to determine who will fill Frank's post after he leaves, he can establish a decent working relationship with Mayor Chase and begin training someone he trusts to take over. That could solve the problem. Sadly, that will have to happen off-screen, as Blue Bloods is over. However, if Frank can be shown as happily retired in a future reunion movie, that will make up for his unhappy ending in the series.
