The Secret Within the Blue Bloods-the Understory

What could complement Tom Selleck (Frank Reagan) as police commissioner of a post 9/11 New York City? Perhaps, a delicious understory filled with comical characters and a dark side Blue Templar that may have killed his son- also a policeman.

All new television dramas implement at least one understory. At least that is what I call it. Usually, they toy with two or three. Then, see which one works the best. Whatever pops up as viewer-friendly becomes the one understory to watch and talk about the next day with your friends on Facebook.

In the first four episodes, the understory is a combination of comical segments starring, rookie New York City cop, Jamie Reagan, ( Will Estes) and son of the police commissioner and his mentor-fellow street cop hitting upon street crimes in NYC.

Hit 1- Reagan and his fellow street cop are called to the scene of a much visited domestic disturbance- man and wife are always fighting and this time the wife has taken her protests to the streets, complete with a bullhorn and balloon sized pig- screaming that hubby is a pig throughout it all.

Hit 2- Reagan and his fellow street cop spy a man dressed up like a hot dog on a day when a '˜credible threat' has been imposed upon the city. Reagan's partner tells him to drop the hot dog. Reagan hesitates because he doesn't believe there is anything to the hot dog character, only to find out after the arrest that the hot dog man has lots of illegal prescription pills in his pocket.

Hit 3- Reagan is approached in the night by two dark characters who ask him to think about infiltrating the Blue Templars under the assumption that they (the Blue Templars) were involved in the death of his brother, Joe Reagan.

The Blue Bloods have a great story to tell, especially about post 9/11 New York City. And, the insertion of real-life street scenes actually brings a necessary comic-relief to the dramatic crime and terrorism plotting.

It will be interesting to see what understory becomes the one that hits with viewers, however. Me, I am hoping it is not the Blue Templar subplots. The Blue Templars are known as a fraternity of local, state and other types of sheriff departments.

I believe it would only inject a sinister element into a storyline that will already have more than enough dramatic appeal.

So, let's go for Hit 1!

Who doesn't love a blaring domestic call that includes an angry, frazzled wife, an ugly, old cheating man hanging out of a window, a pig and blow horn?