In the world of television, there are moments that resonate deeply with fans, and for "Blue Bloods," the Reagan family dinners have become iconic. As the show wraps up its 14th and final season, the cast gathered one last time to film what would be their final family dinner. This was no ordinary scene; it was a culmination of years of storytelling, camaraderie, and shared experiences. No matter what, the Reagan family always came together for these dinners in each episode, and the tradition continued into the final season, albeit with heightened emotions on set.
Len Cariou Shares His Thoughts on the Final Dinner Scene
During a heartfelt interview with TV Insider on November 1, Len Cariou, a beloved member of the "Blue Bloods" cast, opened up about the emotional weight of filming the final family dinner. He shared how the experience was bittersweet, filled with nostalgia and the realization that a chapter was coming to an end. "It wasn’t the last thing we did, but it was nice in one sense to be in the room together," Len, who is 85 years old, expressed. "But it was a tough day for us. And not everybody, of course, on the show is there when we’re filming that. So there’s that fragment of it." The scene was a reminder of the bonds formed over the years, both on and off the screen.
The Evolution of the Reagan Family Dinners
What made this moment even more poignant was the fact that the very first scene filmed for the pilot episode was also a family dinner. "The interesting thing about that was that the very first scene that we filmed when we made the pilot was the dinner scene," Len recalled. "The first thing we put on film was that scene back in Episode 101. So that was pretty interesting. We talked a bit about that because there were a couple of cast changes when the show finally launched. So it was pretty emotional." This full-circle moment highlighted the journey the show and its characters had taken, from the pilot episode to the series finale.
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The Vision Behind the Reagan Family Dinners
The consistency of the Reagan family dinners throughout the series was no accident. It was the brainchild of Leonard Goldberg, the creator of "Blue Bloods." "Yeah, that was Leonard Goldberg’s idea, to have that in every episode because he wanted to show the world that aspect of a family, of a cop family, how they functioned away from the job," Len explained. "So it was kind of the core of the whole thing." Mr. Goldberg took a bold step by insisting on including the dinner scenes in every episode, believing they were essential to capturing the essence of the Reagan family dynamic.
Mr. Goldberg’s decision to include the dinner scenes was a calculated risk. "Mr. Goldberg thought that was going to be — it was a gamble for him," Len revealed. "He wanted it to be in every episode if it worked. And so when we all got together that first day, we said, 'Why are we doing this as the first thing that we’re filming? We hardly know one another. We’re supposed to be a family — and multi-generational yet.’ But he said, 'I got to make sure that it works. If it doesn’t work, then I’m going to have to rethink things.’ But after he saw it, he said, 'It works well. I can’t imagine the thing without the family dinner. I don’t think it would’ve been the same show at all.’”
The Series Finale: What to Expect
As fans eagerly await the series finale of "Blue Bloods," airing on Friday, December 13, at 10 p.m. ET on CBS, there is much speculation about how the show will conclude. Theories abound regarding the fate of the Reagan family, with some suggesting that Henry might meet his end. However, as of now, the character remains alive. Cast members have teased emotional moments in the final episodes, promising both tears and hope. "There’ll be a lot of tears. I think the same kind of tears we had but there is a very sad scene that happens in the middle of the final episode which will be very emotional, but I think the audience is going to be really happy," Donnie Wahlberg shared on Andy Cohen's radio show in October. "I think it feels like a finale but a hopeful forward-thinking finale." Fans can expect a fitting conclusion to the beloved series, one that honors its legacy and the characters we’ve grown to love.
