From the pages of Michael Connelly’s novels, Maggie Q is Ballard, a determined detective leading the LAPD’s newly formed cold case division. The first episode introduces us to the main characters, the overarching narrative, and how the past influences our lead’s motives.
Fresh from the Bosch: Legacy series finale, Renée Ballard shares the dusty basement of forgotten files with an assortment of volunteers: her former partner, retiree Thomas Laffont, legal intern Martina Castro, try-hard officer Ted Rawls, and soccer mom Colleen Hatteras. Strapped for resources, Ballard and her team face added pressure from the department’s benefactor, Councilman Jake Pearlman. Pearlman has initiated the task force to solve a case dear to him: the 2001 murder of his sister, Sarah.
While Sarah remains a priority, Renée finds herself caught up in another “John Doe” case involving a murdered man and a missing infant from 2020. Seeking a lead guides her to another recruit, former LAPD officer Samira Parker. Renée has Parker visit the office to reexamine the case that ended Parker’s career early.
Parker alleges that as she worked the case, she discovered a possible cover-up. The moral ambiguity left her unsettled, driving her to leave the force. Her interest in the case is reignited when a visit to the victim’s last known whereabouts results in a young woman’s murder. Someone doesn’t want any of them revisiting this crime.
While this development makes the “John Doe” case a new priority, the discovery of DNA at the Pearlman scene links the suspect to another unsolved murder from 2008. Ballard may have uncovered a serial killer. The officer listed on the case — none other than retired LAPD Detective Harry Bosch.
The premiere episode is strong, showcasing the elements that make it a worthy successor in the Bosch franchise. In addition to suitable action when necessary, it also has a tremendous amount of heart. The performances are strong, even if a few characters’ archetypes are louder than others. They should develop an even tone as the story progresses.
The show’s B-plot is nicely teased in Ballard’s past as a woman on the police force. We know her current position is the result of boys’ club behavior, similar to what was witnessed in Prime’s On Call. Both Ballard and Parker’s experiences as women of color on the job should make for some nuanced discussions of being tied to these historically oppressive systems.
Rating: 7.5/10