Detective Renée Ballard, newly appointed head of the LAPD's underfunded Cold Case Unit, tackles two challenging cases: the high-profile murder of a councilman's sister and a mysterious John Doe killing linked to a missing infant.
"Library of Lost Souls" was written by Michael Alaimo & Kendall Sherwood and directed by Jet Wilkinson
Detective Renée Ballard was introduced in the series finale of Bosch: Legacy. While she helped Bosch solve the case that plagued him for years, she was involved because of a new murder. She wasn't working cold cases. It was a quick introduction that showed they could work together. It wasn't necessarily setting up a new show. This premiere serves as the true start of her journey in this universe. The creative team was perhaps reluctant to start her off in a show set in the Bosch universe without previously connecting them. Moreover, the premiere concludes with Bosch's name already being brought up in connection to a case. That's potential reluctance to let this show be established as its own thing. That's a little frustrating. The world is still full of stories worth delving into. The focus is different because the narrative is framed around two women of color who have a healthy level of distrust of the job but refuse to let the assholes prevent them from obtaining justice. They are personally driven to prove everyone else wrong. That's how they create change. That's an admirable goal. The show should continue to build around that conversation instead of basic lip service to create inherent tension.
Detective Renée Ballard was introduced in the series finale of Bosch: Legacy. While she helped Bosch solve the case that plagued him for years, she was involved because of a new murder. She wasn't working cold cases. It was a quick introduction that showed they could work together. It wasn't necessarily setting up a new show. This premiere serves as the true start of her journey in this universe. The creative team was perhaps reluctant to start her off in a show set in the Bosch universe without previously connecting them. Moreover, the premiere concludes with Bosch's name already being brought up in connection to a case. That's potential reluctance to let this show be established as its own thing. That's a little frustrating. The world is still full of stories worth delving into. The focus is different because the narrative is framed around two women of color who have a healthy level of distrust of the job but refuse to let the assholes prevent them from obtaining justice. They are personally driven to prove everyone else wrong. That's how they create change. That's an admirable goal. The show should continue to build around that conversation instead of basic lip service to create inherent tension.
At first, Ballard was drawn to the John Doe case because of the baby that went missing. None of the evidence delved into that aspect of the story. That's why she reached out to Parker. She wanted a sense of what was missing from the book. She found a person reluctant to share her story. Yet Parker eventually comes to be seen by Ballard. They can work together as a team. The cold case unit is staffed by reserve officers and volunteers. They still have to abide by the same rules as police. They need to handle evidence carefully so a conviction can be secured later on. Ballard has to worry about all of that. She has to manage these personalities who have different reasons for joining the unit. The work is only funded because a councilman wants Ballard to solve his sister's murder. Fresh perspective and new technology allows progress to be made. It's not necessarily in line with the expectations of those with vested interests. Ballard is fueled by that personal animus as well. She wants to solve the case that the corrupt cop she called out couldn't. Even the initial investigation that is conducted proves to be consequential though. A young maid is killed simply because Parker started asking questions again. The stakes are very real. The focus is on the past and everyone who remains haunted by it. That's a universal theme. Hopefully, it comes with enough specificity to uplift the show and its characters.
Grade: B
"Haystacks" was written by Michael Alaimo & Kendall Sherwood and directed by Jet Wilkinson
Ballard still views herself as a detective with RHD. She identifies with the unit. That was a ploy she used to gain access to Yulia's murder. That paid off as she read the crime scene differently than the detective actually in charge. When she sits down with Bosch, she confesses to missing homicide. That's where she wants to be. She was forced out because her fellow detectives didn't have her back. The department therapist believes she is enduring secondary trauma by revisiting the past through cold cases. It stirs up emotions connected to her sexual assault. She doesn't believe she is a victim. She took a stand though. She wasn't believed. Nevertheless, she has the freedom to develop the unit exactly how she wants. She knows Rawls is a plant to keep an eye on her. Councilman Pearlman is coming down hard every single day. He wants his sister's case to be the only one investigated. Ballard follows her own instincts. It's hardly solace when she fully exonerates Brian. His life was destroyed because he spent two decades on the receiving end of vitriol. The councilman believed he murdered his sister. He couldn't see any other possibilities. Ballard follows a potential connection through acting. The evidence is rather thin. Each of these cases has a reason for why they went cold. It's not out of indifference or a lack of trying. In fact, Parker eyes a conspiracy. She believes evidence was purposefully destroyed. Meanwhile, the audience has the freedom of knowing Ballard's progress is being monitored and threatened.
The narrative follows the same overall investigative beats as the former show. That was true before Bosch appeared onscreen. Ballard was reluctant to bring him in despite being the detective in charge of Laura's murder. He doesn't have much insight. He didn't believe two witnesses as their alibis were too neatly aligned. He didn't have any evidence against them. Moreover, Ballard confides in Bosch about all her emotions with this job. That's a useful role. She needs to be able to express herself fully. She's in charge of this unit. She has to project authority. She's the one with the most skills and training in the field. Everyone has to pitch in when they can. It's simply strange that Bosch serves in that role for Ballard after she purposefully refused to call him about the case. They ended on an amicable note. They have no reason to disdain one another. Bosch's reputation precedes him. That was true long before they actually worked together. Things are slightly different now. Bosch isn't hostile to Ballard like the other detectives are. That's a low bar. She's just trying to do her job. Progress is made by recovering the gun. That only prompts more questions than answers though.
Grade: B-
