Ep 1. Playing with Fire

In the season 9 premiere of Blue Bloods, entitled "Playing with Fire," we find the Reagan family still grappling with the aftermath of the events that occurred at the end of season 8. Frank, the patriarch of the family and the Police Commissioner of New York City, has just fired his long-time aide, Garrett Moore, after he refused to delete a photo of a protester being manhandled by the police. Meanwhile, Danny, Frank's middle son and a detective with the NYPD, has just survived a sniper attack and is struggling to come to terms with the trauma.

The episode opens with Frank and Garrett meeting in a park to discuss their fallout. Frank is clearly still upset with Garrett's actions, but he also seems remorseful about having to let him go. Garrett, for his part, is trying to maintain his dignity, but it's clear that he's hurt by Frank's decision. As they part ways, it's clear that their friendship has been damaged, perhaps beyond repair.

The rest of the episode focuses on Danny and his investigation into the sniper attack. He's trying to piece together what happened and who was behind it, but he's also dealing with his own post-traumatic stress. He's short-tempered with his colleagues, especially his partner Maria, and he's prone to flashbacks and nightmares. He's also struggling to connect with his teenage son, who's acting out in school.

As Danny continues his investigation, he begins to uncover a web of corruption that's tied to a powerful real estate developer. The developer's son was killed in a gang-related shooting, and he's been using his influence and money to try to clean up the neighborhood. But Danny suspects that he's also been involved in some shady dealings, and that he may have had a hand in the attack on Danny himself.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Reagan family is dealing with their own issues. Erin, the family's only daughter, is still working as a prosecutor and is trying to juggle a challenging new case with her duties as a single mother. Jamie, Frank's youngest son and a beat cop, is struggling with his own sense of purpose and trying to figure out if he wants to take the sergeant's exam. And Frank himself is trying to keep the peace between his family and the NYPD, while also dealing with pressure from the mayor's office and the media.

Throughout the episode, there are moments of tension and conflict, but also moments of warmth and humor. The Reagan family is fiercely loyal to one another, and they're all struggling to find their place in a world that's changing rapidly. But despite the challenges they face, they remain committed to doing what's right, even if it's difficult or unpopular.

In the end, Danny is able to solve the case and bring the corrupt real estate developer to justice. He also starts to come to terms with his own trauma, thanks to the support of his family and his partner. And the Reagan family, as always, sticks together and rallies around their own. The episode ends with Danny nodding off in his chair, exhausted but finally at peace.

Overall, "Playing with Fire" is a strong start to season 9 of Blue Bloods. It's a tense and well-crafted episode that sets the stage for the rest of the season while also exploring important themes around family, loyalty, and justice. Fans of the show will be pleased to see their favorite characters back in action, and new viewers will be drawn in by the compelling storylines and well-drawn characters.