“Bad to Worse” offers a potent cocktail of classic Blue Bloods ingredients: inter-generational family squabbles, stubborn authority figures, and a dash of ethically murky police work. While the episode doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it effectively leans into the show’s strengths, delivering a solid, if predictable, hour of television.
The central Reagan family conflict revolves around Henry’s (Len Cariou) baffling decision to testify for the defense in a case Erin (Bridget Moynahan) is prosecuting. Erin’s frustration is understandable. It’s never fun to be professionally undermined by a family member, especially when that family member is as typically level-headed as Henry.
Meanwhile, Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and Baez (Marisa Ramirez) investigate a gruesome discovery in a storage unit: not the treasure a buyer was hoping for, but the skeletal remains of a long-missing person. The case leads them down a twisty path, exposing a disturbing pattern of violence and a mother’s misguided attempts to protect her son. Danny seems unusually weary throughout the episode, a detail the show hints at but doesn’t fully explore. Is this simply the toll of a difficult case, or is something more brewing beneath the surface?
Frank (Tom Selleck) finds himself mediating a heated dispute between the Mayor and the Fire Commissioner. The Mayor’s decision to skip a firefighter’s funeral in favor of a political rally sparks outrage, and the resulting public spat threatens to cripple the city’s emergency services. Frank’s attempts to broker peace initially backfire, escalating the conflict and highlighting the challenges of dealing with political sensitivities. His eventual, unconventional strategy—treating both officials like squabbling children—proves surprisingly effective, offering a moment of levity in an otherwise tense storyline.
Eddie and Badillo grapple with a peculiar arrest when their suspect claims he’s due to donate a kidney. The situation raises questions about the limits of law enforcement and the importance of compassion in policing. While the storyline provides a welcome change of pace from the heavier themes of the episode, it also feels somewhat disconnected from the central narrative. Badillo’s newfound social media fame adds a contemporary touch but also raises some uneasy questions about the role of public image in modern police work.
Overall, “Bad to Worse” doesn’t offer any groundbreaking twists or shocking revelations. Instead, it relies on familiar character dynamics and well-worn plot devices. Yet, the episode succeeds in delivering a satisfying dose of Blue Bloods comfort food.
Blue Bloods airs Friday nights on CBS.
