Several theories about how Blue Bloods will end provide satisfying ways of wrapping up the popular police and family drama. The Tom Selleck-led series about a multi-generational family of cops continues to be popular despite CBS’ decision to cancel it after season 14. There are only eight episodes of Blue Bloods left before the series wraps up, which has led to widespread speculation about how the show will end the Reagan family’s saga and prepare for a potential spinoff.

Blue Bloods’ focus on the Reagan family is one of the strongest reasons for its enduring popularity, as it is one of only a few shows that makes family central to each story. For the ending to be satisfying, the series must wrap up each family member’s storyline and celebrate the family while delivering one last crime story that is similar to the ones Blue Bloods has provided for 14 years. There are several ways each character’s story could end that would make for a memorable ending, though some are more heartbreaking than others.

5. Frank Receives An Award Honoring His Lifetime Of Service
If He Isn’t Retiring, An Award Is The Next Best Thing

The most logical ending for Frank’s story is for him to retire as Commissioner of Police. Blue Bloods’ premise relies on Frank balancing the needs of his family with his duties to all cops and determination to treat them fairly, so if he retired it would make it clear the series is over. However, Tom Selleck has stated that this is not the way Blue Bloods will end (via TV Insider). If Frank will remain in his position, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award would be the next best way to honor his character and end the show.

Frank is not the type of man who does the job in order to get accolades and might not want this type of recognition, so this plot would allow the series finale to devote significant time to the family convincing him to accept the award. Additionally, the ceremony itself would be the perfect opportunity to thank Frank for his years of service and offer a retrospective of his important storylines over the years. This story would also provide a strong, positive reason for Nicky and Jack to return for the series finale, as they could come to New York to celebrate Frank’s achievement.

Frank receiving a lifetime achievement award would be a departure from the past. Many of his storylines have revolved around his clashes with the current mayor or other high-ranking officials whose policies he disagrees with. Instead of being treated like a thorn in everyone’s side, Frank receiving an award would give him the recognition and honor he has long deserved but never gotten. This would be a poignant end to the chapter of his life that has been depicted in Blue Bloods for the past fourteen years, even though it would be difficult for Frank to accept such an honor.

4. Blue Bloods’ Jamie And Eddie Reveal They Are Expecting Their First Child
This Development Would Be A Poignant End To Their Story

Jamie and Eddie took a long time to get together in Blue Bloods despite being a fan-favorite couple, and one of the biggest disappointments in the series’ later years has been that the pair don’t get much time together. The series finale could rectify this mistake somewhat by revealing that the two are expecting their first child. This would also be a poignant reminder that the Reagan family will continue to grow and expand after the series’ end, particularly if the couple names the baby after Henry.

While it might be disappointing that the baby won’t be born or grow up on-screen, it would be satisfying for the series finale to reveal Eddie’s pregnancy.

Jamie and Eddie having a baby would be the perfect Blue Bloods ending for this reason. Additionally, it is one of the most frequently mentioned events in discussions of things that must happen before Blue Bloods ends. While it might be disappointing that the baby won’t be born or grow up on-screen, it would be satisfying for the series finale to reveal Eddie’s pregnancy. Doing so would also open the door for a potential spinoff featuring Jamie, Eddie, and their new child.

Jamie and Eddie having a baby together could be coupled with more life-changing news for Jamie, which would make this development especially poignant. Although Frank is not retiring yet at the series end, Jamie could be on a career path in which he will ultimately attempt to become the new commissioner after Frank’s retirement. The addition of a baby to this plan would suggest that Jamie is following in Frank’s footsteps in every possible way, as he will have to balance his work and family lives the same way Frank has done throughout his career.

3. Danny and Baez Get Together Romantically
Hinting At A Relationship That Won’t Appear On-Screen Is A Compromise

Danny and Baez have gotten closer over the years since Linda’s death in Blue Bloods, and some of their recent interactions have crossed the line from friendship to something more. Danny’s protectiveness of Baez and her infant daughter could easily be the foundation of a new romance. While it’s debatable whether Blue Bloods’ Danny Reagan deserves a romantic partner, it would be a fitting end for his storyline and the series for him and Baez to admit their feelings for each other.

There have been several reasons that establishing a romance between Danny and Baez wouldn’t have worked well in the past. It seems redundant for both Danny and Jamie to marry their work partners, and Danny doing so would likely have ended his ability to partner with Baez on the job, necessitating a third partner switch for Danny. However, if the couple begins a romance in the finale, the storytelling issues would not be relevant, as the series would no longer air.

It will also have been five years since Linda’s death when Blue Bloods airs its final episode. It is appropriate for Danny to move on after mourning Linda for half a decade, and it would wrap up his story in a satisfying manner if he was in the early stages of a new relationship as the ending credits rolled. This ending would reassure the audience that Danny had found happiness without going into too much detail about his new relationship. It would also be the perfect set-up featuring Danny, Baez, and their kids.

The boys’ acceptance of their father’s new situation after struggling with it would add to the finale’s poignancy.

This ending would signify the beginning of a new chapter in Danny’s life. However, there is potential for drama during the finale, as his sons would have to deal with their feelings about him moving on.Blue Bloods would handle this type of conflict in a mature and reasonable way rather than allowing it to devolve into soap opera-like histrionics, but the boys’ acceptance of their father’s new situation after struggling with it would add to the finale’s poignancy.

2. The Family Mourns Henry’s Death
This Bittersweet Ending Would Affirm The Reagan Family Bonds While Permanently Ending Henry’s Storyline

Henry is one of Blue Bloods’ best characters, and it would be heartbreaking to lose him during the series finale. However, in recent years, Henry has not been heavily featured in most episodes, and when he has had a story, it is often about potential health issues. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in Blue Bloods season 12, episode 19. While this cancer is treatable when caught early, that storyline could also foreshadow Henry’s death. Additionally, several stories in the past few years have focused on Henry’s potential memory problems, so he could easily be diagnosed with dementia.

Losing Henry would also explain why Nicky and Jack are returning for the series finale. Their inclusion in the finale could provide a joyful counterpoint to the sadness of Henry’s death even if they are there to mourn. The entire family could honor Henry’s memory with a final Reagan family dinner, where they reminisce about him and his place in the family. This would be an effective but sad ending.

It would be especially poignant if Jamie and Eddie named their baby after a dead or dying Henry, which would end the series with the message that the Reagan family will always go on even if it loses some members.

Blue Bloods’ finale will include a non-hopeful surprise along with several positive ones, and Henry’s death or terminal illness fits that description perfectly. It would be risky for the series to end this way, as a heartbreaking loss near the end of the series could depress an audience that is already sad about Blue Bloods ending. However, this ending is logical given Henry’s previous health issues and the series’ need to end. It would be especially poignant if Jamie and Eddie named their baby after a dead or dying Henry, which would end the series with the message that the Reagan family will always go on even if it loses some members.

1. Blue Bloods Will End With A Final Toast To The Reagan Family
The Entire Family Will Be There, Offering A Perfect Final Tribute

Since the Reagan family dinner is arguably the most iconic part of Blue Bloods, it makes sense to end it with one of the most special versions of that event the series has had. A huge family dinner featuring the entire family, including honorary members such as Anthony and Baez, would pay tribute to the series’ emphasis on family values and allow them to celebrate their love for each other one last time. Nicky and Jack’s inclusion in the final family dinner makes it even more poignant, as they don’t live in New York anymore and rarely come home.

Blue Bloods could take the final Reagan family dinner a step further by having the final moment be a tribute to the Reagan family. The family members could discuss what these dinners mean to them and their gratitude for having been able to break bread together every Sunday for the past fourteen years. The episode could end with a toast to the Reagans that everybody at the table participates in. This would be the perfect way to honor the Reagan family as the series wraps up, making it the best choice for an emotional and satisfying ending.