If you asked a group of “Blue Bloods” fans who their favorite character on the show is, you’re likely to get more than a few votes for Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan. The NYPD detective has been a mainstay on the show since its very first episode, in which he solved an extremely complicated missing persons case in record time. Since that blazing introduction, longtime viewers have been delighted to watch the Reagan son carry out justice time and time again (even if the exact parameters of Danny’s job has some fans scratching their heads).
Danny may be a clear fan-favorite, but that’s not to say that watchers believe he’s a perfect character. In fact, there are few members of the main cast on “Blue Bloods” with a more complicated and dubious history than the detective, who has threaded the needle between justice and vigilantism on more than a few occasions. However, there’s another problem that many fans have with Danny during the earlier seasons of the show that has hindered their enjoyment of him as a character.
Danny’s anger issues are tough to swallow
When “Blue Bloods” starts, Danny is the quintessential tough cop. Hard on both criminals and peers and tortured by personal demons, the detective debuts as quite the hothead. But, in the later seasons…he still is, though he’s grown in certain ways and even has a developing relationship that some “Blue Bloods” fans can’t seem to agree on. Unfortunately, getting through Danny’s introductory period can be tough.
In a thread on the r/bluebloods subreddit, u/danahenry1708 expressed their frustration with Danny’s behavior early on. “I think Danny’s anger issues are quite annoying,” the user wrote. “He doesn’t get ANY consequences for behaving the way he does and it’s happening more and more frequently.”
While other users agreed that Danny has problems controlling his rage, veteran fans noted that the detective gets better throughout subsequent seasons. “I strongly disliked Danny at the beginning of the show,” u/AphroditeRose1 commented. “He was my least favourite character, but I enjoy his character more now. I don’t want to spoil anything specific, but he does improve.”
Donnie Wahlberg felt Danny’s initial prickliness was crucial. In an interview with The 92nd Street Y, New York, the actor spoke about embracing his character’s flaws. “I wouldn’t have been ready 10 years ago to play it,” he said. “Maybe even eight years ago. But when this part came along, I was able to trust what was on the paper and risk the audience not liking me for the better of the show.”