Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) takes the brunt of Blue Bloods heat, but has no trouble standing for his convictions, even under the thumb of a new Inspector General, Kelly Peterson, masterfully crafted by multitalented Bebe Neuwirth. Frank thinks the appointment of his new adversary is “stupid,” and Danny’s son, Jack (Tony Terraciano) thinks memorizing a speech on a statue is stupid, too. Personal encounters often change perceptions, and the Reagan family has to wrestle with the gray areas in between the black and white in “The Truth About Lying.”
Following a closed-door session, Frank Reagan and the newly appointed Inspector General, Kelly Peterson, engage in forced pleasantries, as she insists she has empathy and the greatest respect for law enforcement, as a former prosecutor. Meanwhile, Jamie (Will Estes) and partner, Eddie (Vanessa Ray) are fighting the real battle on the streets. He has a collision with a pedestrian, and she takes in the perpetrator, who flings pipe in an attempt to do her in. A horrific death of a teenage girl, falling into subway tracks only seconds before the cars zoom by, is the case for Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and Detective Baez (Marisa Ramirez). First witnesses immediately pinpoint a large built suspect as a “guy with problems” who gets very angry, and seems the natural target for the death. Danny has to deliver the sad news to the family, steeped in the stoic Asian traditions of honor, and the disgrace of shame. Danny and Maria follow a lead to a shelter, where the supervisor flatly contests that the man she knows as Bernard (EJ Carroll) and others slur as “the Hulk,” could never commit such crime, even suffering from his extreme mental illness. While Eddie is commended for her first felony arrest, a video of the takedown has been turned in to Erin (Bridget Moynahan), who takes the evidence to dad, declaring that authorities above are after her shield, saying that her story of what happened in the video evidence differ. Confused and scared, Eddie does to Jamie, who is now more of a target himself. He can only advise her to remain in “head down, mouth shut” mode. Danny tries to question Bernard, but the suspect is so disturbed by his unwanted nickname, his surroundings, and the circumstances, he is hardly aware of his emotions, as he goes on a rampage, destroying the room, and almost Danny, in the process.
Frank and Kelly have lunch and find they agree on the menu, and on classic movies, i.e. “Bridge on the River Kwai,” and the bigger themes of the story. She tells Frank that Eddie is “low hanging fruit” in this predicament, and he reminds her there is no “win-win” here. Scanning the evidence, Danny realizes that Bernard never pushed Amy Lin (Christine Choe), she pushed away from him, to her death. Further investigation shows a suicide note on the phone, which they share with parents. Danny probes for secrets from Amy’s mother, and she admits to the taunting of online bullies against her daughter. Eddie refuses to recant her story, despite five chances. Frank shares over dinner that legalities and life-and-death situations can’t always compare, and there’s more to being human than the black-and-white, sharing his own story as a five-year cop, saying “I sleep just fine,” with his choice. Reverse directory guides Danny and Maria to the Clarke residence, and a confession by the young daughter that she and Amy were in love, never enemies. When Danny returns to Amy’s home, he has evidence that brother, David (Ki Hong Lee) was the true instigator of his sister’s terror, saying now he only wanted to help her, but the shame brought to his family, prompting him to take his own life with a knife. Danny coaxes him with the story of his own brother’s loss, saving the family more sorrow.
Frank decides to put Kelly in shoes similar to Eddie’s taking her through a simulated crime scene, and a weapons drill. The crack IG agent has trouble making her own calls in the fright of the surrounding felons coming at her from all sides. She’s three out of four for taking out her gunmen, but fuzzy on all the details of the scene. The result is a review of Eddie’s case, and a determination to keep her on the force. Danny and his family take a visit to the Statue of Liberty, making that speech real for his sons, as he reflects on the realities of his job and what today’s youth face,
Frank is asked whether he supports the IG appointment now, and the Blue Bloods boss concedes, “right now, for this case, I do.” The season is sure to hold many interesting exchanges between these magnificent actors. Stay tuned!