Great TV: ‘Boston Blue’ & Its Shabbat Tradition
In a time of chaos and conflict in the world, I am a big fan of shows that take a problem and solve it in an hour.
It is probably good for my mental health. Real life rarely offers quick and neat endings. The problems we face—antisemitism, war, political division, loneliness, and global instability—rarely resolve in 45 minutes with calm music in the background. So, I find comfort in stories where people work together, pursue justice, and restore some sense of order.
That is one of the reasons why I have long loved police shows including Law & Order: SVU and NCIS. But of all the shows in this genre, the one I have always loved most is Blue Bloods.
It was never just about solving crimes.
At its heart, Blue Bloods is about family, values, faith, duty, and showing up for one another. The Reagan family dinners – which always included Catholic grace – were the emotional center of the show. Week after week, we watched people disagree strongly and still come together around a table with love and respect.
Now there is a new spin-off from Blue Bloods – a show carrying that same spirit forward: Boston Blue. Only this time it has the Jewish shabbat dinner table at its core. Indeed, diverse Jewish life is woven into the story in a way that feels authentic, grounded, and deeply human.
At the center of this creative vision is executive producer Brandon Sonnier........
