Boston Blue is a commendable procedural in its own right, as it would undoubtedly be the dullest, most conflict-averse show currently airing if not for the intricate weekly cases that propel it forward. In "Rites of Passage," as in many of its other episodes, it's the twisted details of the cases—a murder, a hostage situation, a legal conundrum—that captivate. Everything else, including the cheery family dinners and their overly agreeable approach to religious tradition, as well as the key dynamics between the main characters, feels excruciatingly stale. Will anyone in this show ever truly clash over anything?
The looming event in "Rites of Passage" is Ben Silver's yahrzeit, the anniversary of a loved one's death in the Jewish calendar. Naturally, this brings the Silver clan together, causing them to feel deeply introspective. Recall from the premiere that Ben was Mae's husband, a circuit judge who was murdered on the courthouse steps. All of the family has fond memories of him, as they are all caricaturishly reasonable and upstanding, but Lena is experiencing a minor religious crisis all the same.
I use the term "crisis" loosely—it's not a true crisis at all. It's mostly an excuse for Lena to share more of her backstory with Danny and for them to swap anecdotes about their personal relationships with their faith. Lena didn't convert when she was young, and only fully embraced Judaism after Ben's death. However, she hasn't officially converted out of respect for her grandfather being a Baptist pastor. But I'm not sure how that works since he's at the yahrzeit anyway, and the entire rest of the family is Jewish, so he doesn't seem to be that concerned.
Mae's subplot this week is designed to test these ideas. She's confronted outside the courthouse by a woman named Joanna, who claims her son, Elijah, was unfairly sentenced to ten years in prison for accidentally injuring someone in a bar fight that he didn't start. Mae quickly discovers that Ben was the judge who sentenced him, and the case never crossed her desk since it was assumed—obviously incorrectly—that she would simply support her husband's decision. If you've seen previous episodes of Boston Blue, you already know where this is headed.
Mae reversing her late husband's decision with support from her father is supposed to be a significant moment, but it doesn't come across as one. Ben was clearly wrong in his sentencing, Mae corrects him, and everyone is understanding. The acknowledgment that the justice system is ostensibly built around rehabilitation and not indefinite incarceration is commendable—and always relevant—but it's so predictable in its broad strokes that it's difficult to fully invest in it.
I have a particular fondness for the case that Danny and Lena are delving into in "Boston Blue" Episode 4, and how it intertwines with the bank robbery that Sarah is diligently investigating. It's precisely in these procedural elements—the interviews, deductions, and thrilling action sequences—where the show truly excels. Sean and Jonah are also drawn into the fray, as their own hit-and-run investigation intersects with the main case.
Yet, there's still a bit of friction between Danny and Lena, as well as their respective son and brother. The younger kids yearn to prove their mettle and demonstrate their maturity as cops, but they must also respect the chain of command and proper procedure. Naturally, a conversation could smooth over these differences; however, I find myself hesitant to criticize the show too harshly since many stories struggle to maintain believability precisely because their characters don't communicate effectively.
"Boston Blue," however, leans too far in the other direction, making the interpersonal drama feel too simple and lightweight. I'm still hopeful for more meaningful conflicts to arise as we progress, but at this point, it doesn't seem especially likely.
