I’ve been an SVU fan since way back when because it speaks to me as a trauma survivor, but this fall, it may not be the only show that does.
Boston Blue tested the waters last season with a mostly responsible handling of Sean’s trauma, and the new season might do an even better job.
I was thrilled that Boston Blue Season 2’s CBS preview included a scene where Danny tries to confront Lena about how she’s avoiding thinking about being shot.
Danny’s Understanding of Trauma Gives Boston Blue A Unique Perspective
On Boston Blue, Danny is no longer the hardened, cynical cop he often presented himself as during the early seasons of Blue Bloods.
It’s a jarring change from the way he used to be, but it’s one that makes sense when viewed through the lens of trauma.
Danny dealt with the same trauma as all the other Reagans when Joe died.
He also had a hard time dealing with the loss of Linda eight years later, and he came to Boston after his younger son nearly died in the line of duty.
So if anyone knows trauma, it’s Danny — and now he has stopped hiding behind his cynicism and tried as best he can to deal with it.
Trauma among police officers isn’t often discussed on television, although Law & Order: SVU has put some of its protagonists in over-the-top violent situations in order to do so.
As much as I love SVU, I don’t think those unrealistic situations did much to address the real causes of trauma that cops may face on the job.
Boston Blue Season 2 is in a position to do way better in this regard.
The idea was already baked into the premise because moving to a new city when you’re used to being surrounded by your family can be traumatic, especially given what Danny has been through in his life and what he was worried about with Sean.
Plus, Danny has learned a few hard lessons about not dealing with your emotions after a traumatic event.
In recent episodes, he’s encouraged Sean to talk about it after seeing explosions or experiencing on-the-job violence.
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Although Boston Blue needs to stand on its own, I want it to keep doing what Blue Bloods did for cops: show them fairly and realistically.
Many cop shows perpetuate stereotypes of police officers who compartmentalize so well they are never affected by anything.
Rogue officers always do the right thing at the expense of their relationships with their bosses, and male officers who neither need nor want to process their feelings.
One of the best ways to combat this stereotype is to offer three-dimensional, relatable cop characters.
Blue Bloods did that phenomenally well, and Boston Blue should keep doing.
It’s especially important to normalize the idea that cops can be traumatized or have mental health issues.
Ignoring these issues can make anyone a liability to themselves or others.
Police officers are already often at higher risk because cultural beliefs say they should be able to handle anything the job throws at them without help.
Danny’s conversation with Lena about how she can’t run from her trauma forever is a lesson he’s learned the hard way.
It’s also an important step toward depicting trauma honestly and realistically from a veteran cop’s perspective.
Your turn, Boston Blue fanatics. Share your thoughts on Boston Blue’s depiction of trauma.
How do you want the show to handle this issue during its sophomore season?
Do you think Boston Blue can handle this type of trauma as well or better than SVU?
Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends.
We have lots more Boston Blue conversations you can jump into while you’re waiting for the new season! Check out all of our reviews of last season’s episodes.
Boston Blue will return on CBS on October 9, 2026 at 9/8c and stream on Paramount+ on October 10.
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