From the pages of Michael Connelly’s novels, Maggie Q is Ballard, a determined detective leading the LAPD’s newly formed cold case division. Season one’s penultimate episode pushes Ballard and her cold case team closer to identifying their serial killer after discovering a lone survivor.

Renee follows Parker’s advice about the lone lipstick from the Pearlman crime scene. The DNA matches a Naomi Bennett. But the woman isn’t a suspect; she’s a survivor who was attacked two months before Sara’s murder. Now living in Madera, Parker and Ballard interview Naomi, who physically cannot remember her assault. The duo offers to return her to Los Angeles to help trigger her memory.

Meanwhile, as the DA’s office asks the team to construct statements regarding the Olivas corruption case, Ballard is approached by Hastings and Councilman Pearlman for a favor. To dodge his opponent’s political attacks, Jake convinces Renee to participate in a dual interview. She soon regrets the decision after learning Pearlman considered replacing her on the cold case team due to the case against Olivas.

Later, Rawls and Renee visit a possible suspect — a Casey Robbins who worked near Naomi nearly 25 years ago. While a nefarious character, his DNA does not match. With few options left, Parker and Laffont have Naomi visit her old apartment. A creak in the floor triggers her memory, and she begins to recall the events of that fateful night. Unfortunately, a face does not come back to her.

Down to the wire, Renee and Samira pivot to inviting Naomi to the old plaza where she worked at a hair salon. Naomi remembers that employees were forced to park on a side street, which opens up the scope for suspects. A building that was under construction at the time pushes Renee to search for previous subcontractors.

Renee presents Naomi with a lineup to identify her attacker. Without hesitation, she selects number 4, a brown-eyed gentleman who managed the electrical work for the new business. The man is none other than Gary Pearlman, Jake and Sara’s father.

Shocked, Renee calls Rawls, who has yet to arrive at the office. She tells him the news only to learn he’s at Jake’s house alone with Gary. Suddenly, Renee hears Ted yell Gary’s name and the sound of gunfire before the call drops.

Episode nine is arguably the season’s best, with great pacing, excellent writing, and strong performances across the board. Its theme, centering on how routinely women encounter harm, is handled with great care. Throughout the season, women from all walks of life have suffered at the hands of strangers and those they trust. The reveal of the killer’s identity signals the ultimate betrayal. In addition to the sudden twist, we also receive a stunning performance from Michole Briana White as Naomi.

The episode also pays homage to the source material with a cameo by Detective Jerry Edgar, played by Jamie Hector. Hector starred in Bosch and was set for a spinoff, but it was canceled during development.

Rating: 9/10