Reverend Edwin Peters (Ernie Hudson) saved the day in Boston Blue‘s return on Friday, April 3. The episode made a bit of an action hero of the 80-year-old Ghostbusters star, and powerful scenes with onscreen daughter Gloria Reuben made it Hudson’s biggest episode of the Blue Bloods spinoff so far. Peters family secrets came to light in Boston Blue Season 1 Episode 13, “Beautiful, Broken Things.” Warning: Spoilers for Boston Blue ahead.

A visit from Mae’s (Reuben) sister, Jill (Holly Robinson Peete), inadvertently led to the truth about the nature of their mother’s death being revealed. Edwin revealed earlier this season that his wife died by suicide when their daughters were young. All this time, Mae believed that her mom had died in a car accident when she was hit by a drunk driver. Episode 13 revealed that it was suicide, and even more tragically, that it was Jill who found her.

Edwin was shot through the shoulder in a drive-by shooting outside of his church at the beginning of the episode. The culprits were aiming for someone else, and that mystery led to another standoff at gunpoint in the church at the episode’s end. With his arm in a sling, Edwin put himself in front of a young woman being threatened by the attacker. He forced Edwin to play Russian Roulette with a pistol, but Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and Edwin’s granddaughter, Lena (Sonequa Martin-Green), arrived just in time. The Reverend knocked the attacker out with a strong punch. When the dust settled, the Silvers and the Reagans welcomed Henry Reagan (Blue Bloods star Len Cariou) to dinner.

Here, Hudson breaks down the powerful episode, revealing how the reveal about Edwin’s late wife might force Mae to finally tell Lena the truth about her biological father.

Did you expect to have the secret of Edwin’s wife revealed to me so soon this season?

Ernie Hudson: No. It was a bit of a surprise the way it had to come out, the way it unfolded. As the actor, I knew we all have our family secrets, and I knew that at some point we’d get to it, but I didn’t expect it to happen the way it happened and so soon in the show.

Edwin thought that he was protecting Mae by keeping the secret from her, but then he later admits that his generation doesn’t really talk about things because they didn’t have the words. How have the younger generations in his family helped him change that, if at all?

Yeah, a lot of things that we held on to, me being of the age I am, and working with this amazing cast who are so much younger, things are different. The world has changed. A lot of things we held on to, very firmly believing that this was the right way and the only way. And every day, I’m reminded by younger people that, no, a lot of those things we held on to were not healthy. I think the Reverend, being the person that he is, the idea of keeping a secret is foreign to him. But on the other hand, this is a way it’s always been done, and some of these things we don’t question. But having kids, young people will force you to review some of your beliefs, your ideas. I find now, even on the political horizon, people are holding on to stuff that is really time to let go and move on.

Talk about filming that scene with Gloria, where he explains why he kept the secret.

It was a hard scene to do, in a way, because she’s my baby girl, and you just don’t want to admit that you were wrong. He’s hoping that, if I just speak from the heart, if I just reveal my vulnerability, that she will take it better, and she’s still struggling with it, which kind of breaks his heart, because he wants her to understand that it’s not for any other reason other than I love you, and I really try to do what I believe was best for you, even though now I realize that it was a mistake. Sometimes you hope for understanding, but you don’t always get a free pass.

Do you think that he was planning to tell the truth soon, given that her mother’s death came up in the case earlier that season?

It was always there for him. It’s a weight that he’s been carrying, and he would love to let it go. He knows that it has to be revealed, trying to find the right time. There’s a lot going on in the family, them being in law enforcement, so there’s always a reason not to. There are always things coming up. And so he’s ultimately forced into doing it. I think he planned on it, but then he’s been planning on it for a long time, and probably would not have gotten around to it, looking for the right time. And certain family secrets, there is no ideal time. And then he’s forced to deal with it.

Interestingly, Mae keeps secrets about Lena’s dad from her, despite not knowing that her dad did the same. What do you make of that connection?

People sometimes can be very judgmental, and you look at them and say, “You know, you have your issues too, and I’m hoping that you can recognize.” The Reverend is hoping that maybe she’ll see that he had made this mistake, and maybe it will allow her to recognize that she’s not that far removed, and maybe encourage her to see things differently. I also think he believes she may go a little easier on judging him, but of course, it’s personal to her, and she doesn’t take it away. He’s hoping that she will.

Christos Kalohoridis / CBS

What can you tease about when Mae will tell Lena the truth?

Lena is going through a lot, being in the position that she is, as a detective. There’s a lot of stuff happening, and at some point, you need your complete self, and she needs that. She doesn’t have that, and I think Mae will eventually recognize it from a lot of prompting from me once I let go of that weight. The Reverend feels that it’s the best thing, and so he leans on her to reveal her secrets as well.

In the church standoff, Edwin says that no one is beyond redemption. Do you think he’s forgiven himself for keeping that secret from Mae?

I think so. You know, they say, “God knows your heart,” and you hope that there will be some grace shown for your own mistakes. He believes that’s for everyone, including himself. He’s tried to be an honest and just man. And like I said, we all have our secrets that are just painful to let go. The Bible said, “The truth will set you free.” This is what it has taken for him to let go, and he’s hoping the same thing for Mae.

Do you think that he’s forgiven himself for not being able to help his wife or to protect Jill from finding her?

With the wife, it’s a hard thing to forgive, because you feel the responsibility that somehow you’re the cause. But on the other hand, he can’t identify; he can’t say if I had done this or that. He knows it’s personal, and as much as you can forgive yourself, you can’t undo what happened. You hope [you would] if there was something you could do, and I think there’s a little bit of guilt because he wasn’t able to recognize it and identify how severe it was and do that thing. There’s a part of him that also knows that this was something that was out of his hands, and then he has to move on, ask God’s forgiveness, and if God can forgive him, then perhaps he can forgive himself.

CBS

How did you like having Gloria and Holly as your daughters?

I’ve known Holly for a long time. I don’t know if we’ve worked together over the years, but I’ve known her since she was a kid. I have four sons. I don’t have any daughters, so having two daughters on the show is really very, very cute. It’s so cute. And there’s one moment when I think they say, “Love you, Daddy” together. And it’s just so, so heartwarming and charming. I love working with Holly and Gloria as well.

You get a good punch in to save the day in the church scene, and with one arm in a sling at that. How was it being an action star in this episode?

I like the fact of the Reverend being well-rounded. If the situation calls for it, he can step up and do the Lord’s work, and in that case, throw a punch. It was funny, maybe at my age, they brought in a stuntman. And I thought, “Really? You paying this guy? All I gotta do is throw the punch! I mean, I can do that.” But it was fun to see him hold on to his Bible, yet resort to other sources to resolve the situation. It was fun for me to have a chance to be involved in some kind of action. What I love about Reverend Peters is that he’s very, very much involved in the community, and he’s very protective of his community. To protect the young lady there, he’s willing to do whatever God directs him to do. So throwing the bunch was a lot of fun.

Boston Blue, Fridays, 10/9c, CBS

Boston Archbishop Richard Henning participated in a Good Friday walk through the city’s Dorchester neighborhood, emphasizing themes of sacrifice, solidarity and service.

The Good Friday walk began around 9 a.m., starting and ending at Boston College High School.

BC High students, along with faculty, alumni and community members, arrived at St. Peter’s Friday morning, joined by the archbishop.

“They’re not the ‘future’ of the church. They’re the ‘now’ of the church in Boston. So, it delights me to join with these young men as they lead us in prayer,” Henning said.

The morning began with a brief program inside the school. In addition to St. Peter’s, the Good Friday walk also included stops at two other churches in Dorchester: St. Christopher’s Church on Mount Vernon Street and St. Teresa of Calcutta Church on Columbia Road.

Organizers said the prayerful procession emphasizes themes of sacrifice, solidarity and service.

Good Friday is the solemn day on the Christian calendar marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

NO. ON THE BOSTON RESTAURANT SCENE, THERE ARE CHEFS. WATCH THIS. AND THERE ARE ICONS. SEE HOW THE SKIN IS SEPARATING A LITTLE. LYDIA SHIRE MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST WOMAN TO WIN A PRESTIGIOUS JAMES BEARD AWARD, AND HAS MENTORED GENERATIONS OF BOSTON CHEFS. AT 77, LYDIA IS STILL COOKING, STILL CREATING, AND MAKING IT LOOK OH SO EASY. GETTING A LITTLE SIZZLE ACTION THERE. ON THIS DAY, LYDIA IS TAKING ME WHERE SHE FINDS INSPIRATION. SO HOW OFTEN ARE YOU HERE IN CHINATOWN? EVERY WEEK. I’M HERE ALL THE TIME. FIRST UP, CHINATOWN’S PEACH FARM IS HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT. TRUE AUTHENTIC CHINESE FOOD THAT I’VE BEEN EATING HERE FOR 30 YEARS. 30 YEARS, 30 YEARS. WHAT DO THEY HAVE YOUR PICTURE ON THE WALL OR SOMETHING? THEY DO, DO THEY? A QUICK HELLO TO THE OWNER, TOM LYNN. HI GUYS. LYDIA HANDLED THE ORDER, OBVIOUSLY, AND I ORDER IT EXTRA FATTY. THAT’S WHY MY SKIN IS SO BEAUTIFUL. BECAUSE ALL THAT FAT I EAT. THIS DISH IS ONE OF MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES. THIS IS GAO WANG, YELLOW LEEKS. IT’S DONE WITH ROAST DUCK. REMEMBER THAT ONE WILL DO. LYDIA’S FOOD JOURNEY HAS TAKEN HER ALL OVER THE WORLD AND CONNECTED HER WITH SO MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS COOKS OF ALL TIME. YOU HAD A GOOD BUDDY THAT USED TO COME AND DINE HERE. YES, JULIA. AS IN JULIA CHILD. JULIA CHILD. YES. SHE LOVED CHINESE FOOD. WELL, ESPECIALLY. SHE LOVED DUCK. JULIA CHILD WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PUTTING LYDIA IN THE CHEF’S SEAT AT HARVEST AND CAMBRIDGE, A CAREER MAKING KITCHEN. ONE DAY I COOKED DINNER FOR HER AND I SAT DOWN NEXT TO HER AND SHE LEANED OVER TO ME AND SHE SAID, SO, LYDIA, WHAT’S THE GOSSIP? JULIA WANTING THE TEA. LOVE IT. FULL AND HAPPY. WE HEAD TO OUR NEXT STOP. JIA HOW TO GRAB GOODS FOR DINNER. THEY HAVE EVERYTHING. AND THIS IS THE FOOD THAT YOU’RE SERVING IN YOUR RESTAURANT YOU’RE BUYING HERE? ABSOLUTELY. OKAY. SIX RESTAURANTS OVER THE YEARS, TO BE EXACT, EACH LEAVING ITS OWN SPECIAL MARK. SCAMPO SHIRES RESTAURANT AT BOSTON’S LIBERTY HOTEL, HAS BEEN GOING STRONG SINCE 2008. THERE IS NO FINER SESAME OIL IN THE WORLD THAN KADOYA SESAME OIL, SO REMEMBER THAT I WILL. I’M GOING TO BUY YOU A LITTLE ONE FOR YOUR HOUSE. YEAH, YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT. WE’RE GOING TO GET SOME LEAKS BECAUSE I’M COOKING THE YELLOW CHIVES FOR YOU. OH, YUMMY. THE CHINESE ARE AMAZING. THE WAY THEY RESPECT FOOD AND HOW THEY COOK IT. AND IT HAS TO BE RIGHT. LOOK AT ALL THESE MUSHROOMS. PEOPLE COME HERE AND THEY BUY A LIVE FISH AND THEN GO HOME AND COOK IT. TO ME, THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN THIS. IT’S TRUE. MEANING OF FRESH. NOW WE COOK, NOW WE COOK. WE CHECK OUT AND ROLL OUT TO CAMBRIDGE. INSIDE THE CHARLES HOTEL IS BAR ENZA SHIRE’S LATEST PROJECT. SHE’S CHEF PARTNER AND THE MIND BEHIND EVERY MENU, SKETCHING OUT EACH DISH FOR HER TEAM BEFORE THEY HIT THE PLATE. I HAVE NEVER PUT IN A NEW MENU THAT I HAVEN’T DRAWN. PICTURES. LYDIA’S CAREER CAME FROM HUSTLE, GRIT AND SACRIFICE. YOU SOLD YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING TO GO TO CULINARY SCHOOL? YEAH. YOU KNOW, I WAS MARRIED AND HAD MY FIRST BABY AT 17. MY HUSBAND DROPPED ME FOR ANOTHER WOMAN. I NEEDED A JOB, AND THAT’S WHEN I APPLIED TO THE MAISON ROBERT AND THEY HIRED ME. SHE CREDITS HER PARENTS FOR HER FAMOUS FLAIR. MY PARENTS WERE ARTISTS. THEY WERE FASHION ILLUSTRATORS. I HAD GREAT PARENTS AS TEACHERS. I REALLY GOT MY DOGGEDNESS FROM MY MOTHER. MY MOTHER ONLY WORE RED SHOES AND THAT’S WHY I LOVE COLOR. WAS COOKING ALWAYS IN YOU? DID YOU KNOW? YES. OH, I KNEW MY FATHER WAS THE ONE WHO TAUGHT ME. I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD AND I WAS PEELING FRESH GARLIC. WHAT KEEPS YOU HUNGRY FOR IT? MY BRAIN IS 21 YEARS OLD, 100%. AS LONG AS MY BRAIN NEVER FAILS ME AND IT WON’T, I CAN TELL. I GET UP IN THE MORNING AND I RIGHT AWAY. I THINK OF PHONE NUMBERS OR WHATEVER TO KEEP MY BRAIN ACTIVE ON THIS NIGHT. IT’S CRISPY ROAST PORK BELLY. THAT’S A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF PORK BELLY WITH YELLOW CHIVES BOUGHT AT THE MARKET ALONG WITH LEMONGRASS OIL THAT I MADE YESTERDAY FOR SHAYNA AND NANTUCKET SCALLOPS. HERE, I’VE RECONSTRUCTED A CHINESE DISH, BUT NOW I’M ADDING AMERICAN INFLUENCES TO IT. THESE BEAUTIFUL SCALLOPS FROM NANTUCKET. OH, LYDIA. THANK YOU. YOUR FOOD IS ALMOST, ALMOST AS DELIGHTFUL AS YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM SO HUNGRY, SO GOOD. THAT’S UNBELIEVABLE. YOU KNOW, LYDIA TALKED A LOT ABOUT COLORS BEING IMPORTANT. OR SAYS ORANGE IS HER FAVORITE COLOR BECAUSE IT’S LIKE FIRE. I LOVE THAT. AND WHEN SHE COOKS A SPECIAL MEAL, SHE DOESN’T JUST BRING THE FOOD, SHE BRINGS THE DISHES AND THE SETTINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MEAL TRULY REFLECTS HER, AS SHE DID WITH US, WHICH WAS FANTASTIC. AND BACK TO PEACH FARM. THE OWNERS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE RETIRING. THE RESTAURANT WILL CLOSE TEMPORARILY, BUT THE NEW OWNERS