Bosch Season 1 Review

One episode of the first season of “Bosch” was provided for review purposes prior to broadcast.

Thoughtful, grimly atmospheric and strongly performed, Amazon’s first drama series Bosch is as compelling and faithful an adaptation of Michael Connelly’s popular crime series as any fan could have asked for. From the pitch-perfect casting of Titus Welliver as tough-as-nails LA homicide detective Hieronymous “Harry” Bosch to Jim McKay’s moody direction (in the pilot, the only episode made available to critics prior to broadcast), there’s much to appreciate and even more, it appears, to look forward to as the season progresses.

Connelly’s heavy involvement behind the scenes (he has creator credit and also executive produces) explains why Bosch gets so much right about its protagonist, but that it’s also a mesmerizing, noir-inspired thriller with scenes reminiscent of HBO’s True Detective is indicative of an entire team operating in perfect harmony. Eric Overmyer, who has written for Treme and Homicide: Life on the Street, lends the dialogue a grimy ring of truth, and Welliver’s success at communicating Bosch’s magnetic charm, barely contained fury, flirtatious manner, hidden misery and unmitigated dedication to his job is simply astounding. After a career of supporting roles, he delivers a gripping, grizzled and assured performance that may well prove award-worthy over the course of the season.

Certainly, Welliver will have his hands full. Bosch sets up a series of stories that will unfurl throughout its 10-episode first season, all highly promising. While Bosch stands trial in the possibly wrongful death of a suspected serial killer he shot and killed one rainy night years prior, the detective simultaneously investigates the cold case of a 13-year-old boy whose skeletal remains, bearing signs of constant abuse and a particularly violent death, were recently uncovered in the remote hills.

As Bosch tracks the killer, memories of his own troubled childhood – spent in abusive foster homes after the murder of his working-girl mother – bubble to the surface, clouding his ability to conduct an impartial investigation. And if that weren’t enough, the workaholic detective is distracted by his growing attraction to rookie cop Julia Brasher (Annie Wersching), which could bring a modicum of happiness into his depressingly solitary life.