After discovering Alvarez has been transferred, Bosch enlists Chief Irving's help. Pierce and Vega get a lead on the hitman. Billets reaches out to a former Hollywood cop for intel on Leonard and Norris. When Bosch and Edgar meet with Carl Rogers, Edgar lets a detail of the case slip, enraging Bosch.
In 2020, the television industry aired 493 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Amazon's Bosch.
"Jury's Still Out" was written by Benjamin Pitts and directed by Alex Zakrzewski
The detectives at Hollywood station are devoted to good and honest police work. They have given themselves over to the job essentially. It's meaningful for them. It's a way for them to serve their city by responding to some of the most vicious crimes that happen within it. It's daunting and traumatizing. Patterns have emerged throughout the series of how grueling this work can be. Everything is coming into newfound perspective because the people know their time together is coming to a close. That's true both because the series itself is ending and Hollywood station is merging with another department. None of the detectives know which of them will continue to serve in their current capacities. The partnerships may be different as well. They can't spend too much time worrying about the future. They have to remain present. So many current threats exist that could disrupt their worlds. Bosch and Edgar need to get justice for Sonia and the other victims of the apartment fire. They are prevented from doing so because the FBI looms over with a case that seems to take all precedence. The arson case is personal in Los Angeles though. It's a story the citizens care about. The political leaders are being judged by what happens in this case. Bosch and Edgar have the determination to solve it. They believe Alvarez is ready to crack and share everything he knows about who ordered the hit. And then, they are hit with a wall that seems impenetrable. Bosch has to involve Chief Irving in the hopes of learning what the FBI is doing in the city this time around. It's frustrating. All progress is impeded. The threats are still very real though. That extends to Maddie now as well. This isn't the first time Bosch has worried about the safety of his daughter. It seemingly happens every season. At some point, he has to lock her down in a location to keep her safe. Here, it's because she knows what Franzen's testimony to the SEC was going to be. Moreover, Carl Rogers and his lawyer Fowkkes are aware of this dangling threat to their livelihoods. Jimmy and Bennett believe they too have hit a dead end when it comes to chasing the hired hitman who killed Franzen and left Chandler clinging to life. They believe he has disappeared into the unknown once more. Their story will simply be added to the pile once the killer slips up and some detective somewhere catches him. Instead, this killer is returning to Los Angeles. Fowkkes gives that order. The detectives are aware of the lawyer's mob connections now. It was previously just suspicion. Now, it must be confirmed because of the life-or-death stakes involved for Bosch's family. Moreover, Bosch is furious with Edgar for putting Maddie's life in jeopardy. These criminals only knew to target her because of what Edgar said. They didn't think to examine the video that was taken from the scene. Bosch has a plan to keep Maddie safe. She has to testify to a grand jury. That will ensure that her story is heard no matter what happens to her. Sharing this information is the only way to keep her safe. The clock is ticking down though. The bureaucracy of the justice system may not move as fast as is needed for all of this to work.
The detectives at Hollywood station are devoted to good and honest police work. They have given themselves over to the job essentially. It's meaningful for them. It's a way for them to serve their city by responding to some of the most vicious crimes that happen within it. It's daunting and traumatizing. Patterns have emerged throughout the series of how grueling this work can be. Everything is coming into newfound perspective because the people know their time together is coming to a close. That's true both because the series itself is ending and Hollywood station is merging with another department. None of the detectives know which of them will continue to serve in their current capacities. The partnerships may be different as well. They can't spend too much time worrying about the future. They have to remain present. So many current threats exist that could disrupt their worlds. Bosch and Edgar need to get justice for Sonia and the other victims of the apartment fire. They are prevented from doing so because the FBI looms over with a case that seems to take all precedence. The arson case is personal in Los Angeles though. It's a story the citizens care about. The political leaders are being judged by what happens in this case. Bosch and Edgar have the determination to solve it. They believe Alvarez is ready to crack and share everything he knows about who ordered the hit. And then, they are hit with a wall that seems impenetrable. Bosch has to involve Chief Irving in the hopes of learning what the FBI is doing in the city this time around. It's frustrating. All progress is impeded. The threats are still very real though. That extends to Maddie now as well. This isn't the first time Bosch has worried about the safety of his daughter. It seemingly happens every season. At some point, he has to lock her down in a location to keep her safe. Here, it's because she knows what Franzen's testimony to the SEC was going to be. Moreover, Carl Rogers and his lawyer Fowkkes are aware of this dangling threat to their livelihoods. Jimmy and Bennett believe they too have hit a dead end when it comes to chasing the hired hitman who killed Franzen and left Chandler clinging to life. They believe he has disappeared into the unknown once more. Their story will simply be added to the pile once the killer slips up and some detective somewhere catches him. Instead, this killer is returning to Los Angeles. Fowkkes gives that order. The detectives are aware of the lawyer's mob connections now. It was previously just suspicion. Now, it must be confirmed because of the life-or-death stakes involved for Bosch's family. Moreover, Bosch is furious with Edgar for putting Maddie's life in jeopardy. These criminals only knew to target her because of what Edgar said. They didn't think to examine the video that was taken from the scene. Bosch has a plan to keep Maddie safe. She has to testify to a grand jury. That will ensure that her story is heard no matter what happens to her. Sharing this information is the only way to keep her safe. The clock is ticking down though. The bureaucracy of the justice system may not move as fast as is needed for all of this to work.
All of this comes at a time when everyone is reminiscing over the past and how their perspectives have changed. Bosch runs into the doctor who helped with his case from the first season. They talked about coping with their dark jobs by needing to believe in either a better world or one capable of justice. At the moment though, they are questioning those beliefs. It seems like these threats are always coming. More darkness grows. Irving has the pragmatic sense to know progress takes time. That isn't good enough to some. And yes, people should demand better from the people in charge of their local government. Here, it all comes off as politics with no one caring about the people on the ground. That empathy is present within some characters. They are aware of the scope of the problems in the world. Sometimes they are armed with everything necessary to make a difference. Most of the time though, they are left having to cope with a compromise that everyone can accept as good enough. It's easier to transfer some misogynistic officers to a different department. Those problems take root no matter who is in command though. Billets is speaking up. She is arming herself with information. She sees the pattern that has corrupted the police work in the city. She has been personally victimized as well. People need to treat each other with dignity and respect on this job in order to survive. The detectives operate as a team. They too have had to make adjustments over the years. Billets wasn't made a captain because of how she dealt with Brasher. That experience allowed her to be better when Vega voiced her own concerns. Billets has become a better leader with the capacity for redemption and evolution. Everyone is capable of that. The problems just seem so dark and repetitive. It can consume these characters. Edgar is aware that he is doing more harm than good. He removes himself from the situation in some ways. He still looks over Bosch's house in the end though. He will still be an active player in whatever comes next. History informs so much of these actions. It's very insightful for the audience who has been on this journey every step of the way. Maddie talks about how Chandler reminds her of her mother. Both Chandler and Eleanor are determined and fearless. They may both be killed because they had the willingness to take on the corrupt systems of the world. That leaves Maddie behind consumed with grief. She looks to her father for guidance. He provides that for her. But that too is a pattern that reveals just how much this service in the name of justice wears on not only the people working the system but the loved ones they have at home too.
