While Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) has to worry about people looking to kiss the ring on “Blue Bloods,” he has assembled a team of people who refuse to do just that. Comprised of Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Garrett Moore (Gregory Jbara), Detective Abigail Baker (Abigail Hawk), and Lieutenant Sid Gormley (Robert Clohessy), Frank chose these people to advise the commissioner on every situation with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The commissioner picked them precisely because they spoke their mind.
However, just because this group is strong, open, and dedicated to their jobs, doesn’t mean they are above mistakes or reproach. Each of them has found themselves on the hot seat, either for stepping across a line, keeping a secret, or letting things get personal. Garrett Moore has done this multiple times. He is the only one of the three who never served as a police officer (a fact that he is reminded of often by the group) and, therefore, can feel alienated.
Because of this, he can frequently find himself out of the loop on specific issues, the second edge to the double-edged sword of being an outside perspective.After over a decade of going toe-to-toe with the media and trying to keep Frank Reagan from stepping in a media hornet’s nest, Moore has a collection of moments he wishes he could forget, but one of them stands alone as his worst moment. Here is the biggest mistake Garrett Moore ever made on “Blue Bloods.”
He doesn’t follow his own rules
At the end of the day, Garrett has one job, no matter how much Frank values his opinion and insight. As the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, Moore focuses on the relationship between the NYPD and the public, namely the media. He attempts to steer Frank’s comments and actions to represent the department in a positive light to the people. As he reminds people often, that is no easy task. However, his biggest mistake comes when he neglects his own rules and is caught acting in ways that negatively impact the department’s image.
In Season 7, Episode 17, “Shadow of a Doubt,” a reporter publishes an expose on DCPI Moore that implies the commissioner’s number two accepts gifts from people, presumably in response to favors he gives out. Frank takes issue with this assertion and tells him that he must hold a press conference, committing to repaying any gifts he has been given out of pocket. Moore takes exception to this and gives the always potent response of “or what?” Frank later discovers Garrett is living in a hotel due to having marital problems, laying the groundwork that Frank doesn’t know the DCPI as well as he thought.
Eventually, Moore gives the press conference, and all is forgiven. However, this is a mistake that simply makes little sense. Moore’s entire job is to avoid this behavior and ensure others do as well. In fact, he spends most of his time on-screen advising the group to work opposite of their instincts, which rubs viewers the wrong way at times (per this thread). This moment projects the image that Moore is corrupt and has a price, someone who could easily be bought. This is more dangerous, knowing he has the ear of the most powerful lawman in the city.