The third episode of the Blue Bloods spin-off, Boston Blue, titled “History,” promised a powerful cocktail of old rivalries, new loves, and the deep family drama that defines the series. And, in many ways, it delivered. The episode expertly confirmed the status of Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) and Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez) while introducing a compelling romantic arc for his new partner, Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green).
However, despite these wins, “History” drew criticism from fans and critics alike for several plotlines that were deemed too predictable, too convenient, and ultimately, lacking the genuine dramatic tension required to define a new procedural hit. The episode was a mix of sweet treats and disappointing tricks.
💖 The Romance Wins: Baez’s Big Payoff and Danny’s Sage Advice
The biggest success of the episode lay in its masterful handling of the Blue Bloods carryover romance and its subsequent influence on the Boston-based characters.
The Baez Reunion
After a premiere that confirmed Danny and Baez were dating long-distance, Maria Baez made her highly anticipated appearance at the end of “History.” The reunion, though brief, was the ultimate payoff for fans who had waited a decade for the Dabaez romance to ignite.
- The Moment: Baez arrived at Danny’s precinct office for a romantic weekend, and the moment they embraced—with Danny proclaiming, “God, I missed you”—was electric. It reaffirmed that their relationship is serious, committed, and worth the long-distance struggle. The moment cemented their status as a dedicated couple for the Boston Blue era.
- The Disappointment (The Tease): However, the scene was cut almost immediately as they entered the elevator. For fans who were hoping for a major, extended guest arc or a full on-screen kiss after years of waiting, the briefness of the cameo felt like a tease rather than a full reward, leaving some viewers wanting more immediate gratification from the long-awaited pairing.
The Lena/Brian Dynamic
The episode introduced Lena’s former partner, Detective Brian Rodgers (Ryan Broussard), when the teams were forced to collaborate on a tense drug investigation involving the potent narcotic “Killer Whale.”
- The Romantic Intent: Lena’s step-sister, Superintendent Sarah Silver, was clearly playing matchmaker, forcing Lena and Brian to work together again in hopes that Lena would finally cross the line that she had previously resisted due to their professional partnership.
- Danny’s Redemption: The best part of this subplot was Danny’s conversation with Lena. Drawing on his own “history” with Baez and the fear of getting hurt after losing Linda, Danny gave Lena genuine, heartfelt advice, encouraging her to take a chance on happiness. This scene validated Danny’s emotional maturity and successfully extinguished any immediate romantic speculation between him and Lena, easing fan concerns about a premature love triangle.
- The Result: Lena takes Danny’s advice and agrees to go on a date with Brian, a predictable but satisfying conclusion that sets up a new romantic arc for the Silver family.
📉 The Dramatic Disappointments: Predictable Subplots
While the emotional stakes of the main drug case were high—involving a victim whose sister was a known addict, creating genuine heartbreak—other storylines in “History” suffered from a lack of believable conflict, leading to critical disappointment.
The Rookie Rebellion
The parallel subplot following patrol cops Sean Reagan (Mika Amonsen) and Jonah Silver (Marcus Scribner) was largely criticized for being too inconsequential and contrived.
- The Premise: Sean and Jonah spent the episode chasing a missing man involved in a scavenger hunt, operating outside their jurisdiction as uniformed officers and actively playing detective.
- The Lack of Consequence: Despite being repeatedly advised that they were making a serious mistake, the rookies stumble into the right outcome, successfully finding the missing person.
- The Message Problem: The biggest source of disappointment was the final scene between Danny and Sean. When Danny confronts his son about breaking protocol, Sean counters that Danny would have done the same thing, and Danny confirms it. Critics found this messaging problematic, arguing that the show essentially taught the rookies that it’s “okay to make the wrong decision as long as you stumble into the right outcome.” This cheapened the dramatic tension and undermined the importance of protocol in a procedural drama.
Sarah Silver’s Step-Parenting Struggle
Superintendent Sarah Silver (Maggie Lawson) grappled with the common but somewhat dull challenges of being a stepmother to her boyfriend’s teenage daughter, Phoebe.
- The Conflict: Phoebe sneaks out and lies to Sarah, prompting a confrontation. Sarah, the police superintendent, struggled to balance her professional authority with her role as a step-parent.
- The Convenience: While the subplot humanized Sarah, the dramatic tension was quickly resolved by the end of the episode. Sarah’s boyfriend suggested they move in together as a solution, a move that felt too convenient and rushed, minimizing the complexity of the step-parenting journey. Critics noted that the resolution was “too neat and tidy,” removing the long-term struggle that could have provided a genuine source of family drama.
✅ Conclusion: A Solid Foundation with Shaky Walls
Boston Blue Episode 3, “History,” solidified the show’s identity by paying homage to the Blue Bloods legacy while forging its own path. The return of Baez was a fan-fueled victory, and the introduction of Lena’s romantic arc added essential depth to the Silver family.
However, the episode’s tendency to contrive easy solutions—especially in the rookie storyline and Sarah’s personal life—demonstrated a potential weakness. Boston Blue is attempting to establish its own moral compass, but the constant reinforcement that breaking rules is fine if it leads to a happy ending risks making the drama less compelling than its predecessor.
Overall, “History” was a significant step forward for the romance in Boston, but the dramatic disappointment lies in the show’s reluctance to let its characters face the long-term consequences that make television compelling.
