Longtime fans of “Blue Bloods” will know that the Reagan family dinners are one of the most critical aspects of the entire series, occurring at least once every episode. These infamous family dinners gather the Reagan dynasty to laugh together, discuss their work, and preserve a bit of normalcy in their hectic and dangerous lives.

The heartfelt family banter during these scenes is perhaps the most endearing aspect of the show, and it’s certainly the part that fans seem to discuss the most. Series creator Leonard Goldberg once claimed (via TV Guide) that these dinner sequences were, in his words, “the cornerstone of the family side of the show.”

Blue Bloods is about flawed but honorable people, who might disagree but always come together

Goldberg’s statement, when fully examined, also asserts that “Blue Bloods” itself is much more of a family drama than your average police procedural, which is exactly what appeals to fans. As writer Robin Green elaborated in the same TV Guide article, “Not that these characters don’t have flaws, but they are basically strong, good, honorable people who are trying to do the right thing and make an honorable world.”

As realistic and endearing as these dinner scenes might be, it’s worth noting that nearly every actor in these scenes is merely pretending to eat, and as such, most of the characters in these scenes barely touch their food. The one exception is Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg), who practically inhales everything on his plate and frequently speaks with his mouth full.

Donnie Wahlberg says Danny eats all of his food because of his reckless nature

Hilariously, actor Donnie Wahlberg says there is a pretty significant reason behind his character quirk on “Blue Bloods,” which also ties to his demeanor outside of these intimate family dinners. “Danny probably eats the most because Donnie’s the hungriest,” Wahlberg quipped during an interview with TV Insider. “Seriously though, Danny is kind of a bull in a china shop. The best way to play that at dinner is to talk a lot with his mouth full.”

Indeed, throughout the series Danny Reagan has proven to be perhaps the boldest and most hot-headed member of the entire Reagan clan — often using excessive force when apprehending criminals and frequently allowing his emotions to get the best of him while on the job. Considering the headstrong nature of Danny, it seems highly fitting that Wahlberg would make a conscious effort to have him act recklessly and excitable at the dinner table too.

In any case, it’s certainly interesting to learn that there is an actual reason for Danny Reagan’s aggressive eating habits, which gives the audience some critical insights into his reckless nature.