Unveiling Every ‘Blue Bloods’ Reference in the Series Premiere: A Must-Read for Fans and Newcomers

Fans of “Blue Bloods” need not worry about feeling lost while diving into “Boston Blue,” as the spin-off warmly nods to its predecessor while charting its own course. The first episode, “Faith and Family,” is sprinkled with familiar elements, such as Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) stepping up to support her brother during a significant family crisis. The episode also confirms that Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) and Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez) have taken their partnership to a romantic level. Meanwhile, the Silver family gathers for a dinner rich with prayer, discussions of work, and cherished memories, echoing scenes that “Blue Bloods” fans will recognize. Even the opening credits offer a nostalgic nod to the original series.

For fans rooting for Danny and Maria, the episode delivers on their hopes. Their relationship status is made clear in an intimate scene where Danny and Maria are in his bedroom, hinting at their new dynamic. However, their private moment is cut short when Danny receives news that Sean (Mika Amonsen) has been injured in a fire, prompting him to rush to Boston.

Maria isn’t the only familiar face or name from “Blue Bloods” to appear in “Faith and Family.” Danny reaches out to his father, Frank (Tom Selleck), to keep him updated on Sean’s condition. While Frank remains off-screen, Danny leverages his father’s esteemed reputation to his advantage. He informs Lena (Sonequa Martin-Green) and her fellow officers about the formidable reputation of the Reagan family in New York and highlights his own efficient track record. Danny’s reference to his badge as a “shield” underscores the perilous nature of his career and the Reagan family’s protective legacy. These elements serve as a respectful homage to the original series.

The parallels between the Silver and Reagan families extend beyond their communal dinners. The episode concludes with the Silvers attending Sunday service at the Baptist church led by their patriarch, Reverend Edwin Peters (Ernie Hudson). Lena and her family are clearly regular attendees, and their interfaith identity shines through during a Jewish prayer recited over dinner with Danny and Erin. This blend of faiths illustrates that the Silvers cherish their diverse spiritual backgrounds, much like the Reagans’ churchgoing traditions. The similarities between the two families hint at a strong connection between the spin-off and the original series. Donnie Wahlberg has expressed his desire to maintain this bond between the shows.

The Silver clan’s resemblance to the Reagans doesn’t end with their unifying family dinners — at the conclusion of “Faith and Family,” the Silvers attend Sunday service at the Baptist church of their family patriarch, Reverend Edwin Peters (Ernie Hudson). Lena, her siblings, and her mother are apparently regular attendees. This, plus the Jewish prayer the family recites over their shared meal with Danny and Erin, tells us that the Silvers are just as religious as the churchgoing Reagans were on “Blue Bloods,” but they’re a proud interfaith clan that celebrates multiple belief systems. In short: the many similarities which lie between the Silvers and the Reagans hint that the spin-off and its mothership show will be intermarried — and Donnie Wahlberg has admitted that he hopes to keep the two shows connected.

During a phone call he made to the “Billy & Lisa in the Morning” show, Wahlberg noted that it was important for him to keep a strong link between “Blue Bloods” and “Boston Blue” as the two shows strive to create their own individual but interlinked experiences. “The family and Tom Selleck and the entire cast were you know, my friends, and we’re very close and so this is a new world,” the actor said, adding that the new show is “going to stay connected with the old characters, and they’ll be popping up from time to time.” Who else will appear to make friends with the Silvers and get a taste of life in Boston? Watch “Boston Blue” to find out.