In a very emotional moment, Blue Bloods saw the departure of Officer Rachel Witten, played by Lauren Patten, in Season 12, Episode 4, titled "True Blue." It was the result of several painful encounters at work, one of which happened when a homeless woman spat at her face after Rachel had attempted to assist her.
This season was a turning point for Rachel. She had been suffering the emotional toll of police work for some seasons. Though Eddie Janko-Reagan, played by Vanessa Ray, urged Rachel to stay, Rachel resigned. She claimed that she just ran "out of gas.".
She bid goodbye from the heart and met Commissioner Frank Reagan, whom she promised to keep in touch with later. Fans were sad when Rachel left because she became a favorite part of the show since she came in Season 8.
Below, we explore why Rachel left, what happened to her character, and how that affected Eddie and the overall story of Blue Bloods.
Rachel Witten’s journey and struggles on Blue Bloods
Rachel Witten did not have an easy time compared to the rest of the cast of Blue Bloods, who have had to deal with. She began her appearance in Season 8 when she was somewhat of a struggling character. She had just gotten fired from the NYPD for breaking a set of rules. Commissioner Reagan brought her back during Season 9.
In her time on the show, Rachel was portrayed as an industrious but sensitive police officer. The most significant event occurred during Blue Bloods Season 11 when Rachel was reprimanded after she had shot a suspect in a very tense situation. She was described as a "crisis actor," and this really bothered her.
By Season 12, however, she had exhausted all emotional strength. According to Nicole Weaver from Cheat Sheet, Rachel's capacity to keep on doing her job began to break down, especially after she met an assailant who spat on the person she was trying to save.
Even though Eddie tried to help her, Rachel was emotionally exhausted, so she quit. She informed both Eddie and Commissioner Reagan of her decision. In their final conversation, Frank gave Rachel the chance to reconnect with the NYPD in a year to show how much she mattered.
This sad goodbye shows Rachel's humanity and the personal costs of the job in law enforcement.
The impact of Rachel Witten’s exit on Eddie Janko
Eddie Janko was affected most when Rachel left because she was very close to her partner. Her efforts to talk to Rachel even after the spitting incident prove that she was a very committed partner. According to Daniel Levine of PopCulture.com, Eddie was trying to keep Rachel upbeat most of the time and even suggested that they spend some time together outside work.
Rachel's increasing emotional detachment convinced her that the decision had already been made. Eddie saw the split as more personal than professional; Rachel's career paths unexpectedly changed following the disappearance.
After Rachel left, fans wondered who Eddie’s next partner would be and if her character would face new challenges, like trying to pass the NYPD Sergeant’s Exam—a story idea suggested in later episodes.
Also read: Who did Nick Cordero play on the show?
Lauren Patten’s career beyond Blue Bloods
While Rachel Witten's stint on Blue Bloods has come to an end, Lauren Patten's career is booming. With her Tony Award-winning performance in Jagged Little Pill, Patten balanced her Broadway success with her role on the show.
She decided to leave Blue Bloods when she got a role in Hulu's pilot Death and Other Details, which stars Mandy Patinkin. Patten is versatile, so this has helped her stick in the entertainment industry. Fans still hope that Rachel might return to the NYPD as Commissioner Reagan hinted.
Rachel Witten's leaving Blue Bloods reminded us of the hard work and difficulties that police officers go through. Although her exit created an empty space, it also allowed for new opportunities for Eddie and the show overall.
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You can watch Blue Bloods on CBS or stream it on Paramount+.
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