In the moments after Ballard's attack, she struggles to pick up the pieces. With help from Harry Bosch, she quietly gathers information in the John Doe case. Ballard and team dive into a new case involving gang members and an overambitious schoolteacher. The investigation gains urgency as they identity a dangerous cartel contact and several corrupt officers, whose involvement threatens to undermine the very fabric of their case.
"Fork in the Road" was written by John Coveny and directed by Jon Huertas
Ballard fought to maintain jurisdiction over the cases that have spanned across this season. Everything changed following her attack. She did great work. She was expected to rest in order to heal. RHD was better equipped to handle the caseload. The circle of trust is widened. Ballard tells the entire team about what she has been working with Parker and Laffont. She details the danger. They all remain committed to the job. She doesn't believe the investigation is done despite Luis' case being added to the "as good as done" shelves. She gave Driscoll's phone to Bosch. He and Mo are tracking down the people he called. That has already proven fruitful. In fact, it points directly back to Olivas. He is yet another corrupt cop caught up in this criminal scheme. It's unbelievable. It's also a convenient way to tie the various threads of the season together. He was already a monster for what he did to Ballard and Parker. He was protected. Driscoll operated with that same arrogance. Yet he chose death instead of the consequences from Ballard or the cartel. Now, Ballard has a new reason to exact punishment against the person who destroyed her career. She has a team just as dedicated.
Ballard fought to maintain jurisdiction over the cases that have spanned across this season. Everything changed following her attack. She did great work. She was expected to rest in order to heal. RHD was better equipped to handle the caseload. The circle of trust is widened. Ballard tells the entire team about what she has been working with Parker and Laffont. She details the danger. They all remain committed to the job. She doesn't believe the investigation is done despite Luis' case being added to the "as good as done" shelves. She gave Driscoll's phone to Bosch. He and Mo are tracking down the people he called. That has already proven fruitful. In fact, it points directly back to Olivas. He is yet another corrupt cop caught up in this criminal scheme. It's unbelievable. It's also a convenient way to tie the various threads of the season together. He was already a monster for what he did to Ballard and Parker. He was protected. Driscoll operated with that same arrogance. Yet he chose death instead of the consequences from Ballard or the cartel. Now, Ballard has a new reason to exact punishment against the person who destroyed her career. She has a team just as dedicated.
Plus, the entire team needs a distraction with work. Ballard finds a new case. They investigate and provide resolution in the span of an episode. It's fascinating how the show mixes an overarching narrative with episodic concerns. The big aspects of the narrative are given more focus and depth. The episodic cases provide more color and dimension to the world. They showcase how these cases are capable of being solved if people are motivated enough. The distrust of the police is profound because of the lack of empathy. The original investigation only wanted to see things one way. It was a gang murder. It didn't deserve the time to look deeper. Ballard uncovered a teacher who sought to protect his students from gang influence in the neighborhood. He took drastic action. He must face those consequences now. Ballard and her team are trusted to provide that justice. The victim's brother doesn't have to enact his own vigilante punishment. That only causes more strife. It's not a complex story. It serves the purpose of padding the narrative out. Yet the true appeal will remain on the cases that have stretched across multiple episodes that actually matter on a personal basis for Ballard and her team.
Grade: B-
"Last Call" was written by Galeesa Murph & Thania St. John and directed by Sarah Boyd
Olivas was at Ballard's home following Driscoll's attack. He also executed the search warrant at Driscoll's home and retrieved his phone. He's deliberately trying to cover-up this threat to their corrupt organization within the LAPD. He fails. The hour concludes with his arrest. It all stems from Martina realizing Manny is involved. He targeted her for inside information. That was the only reason he sought her out. He wasn't part of the initial batch of identities connected to specific numbers. Instead, Martina recognized Olivas' number reaching out to him. That made her immediately sick. She goes to Ballard right away. She confesses to the extent of their relationship. She's willing to be used as bait to bring him in. Manny was paid to do many heinous things. He wants to believe he was coerced. He got in too deep before realizing the extent of his actions. Yet he is responsible for everything that happened. He's offered a deal because he provides an opportunity to arrest those actually in charge. Martina doesn't want to see him. She wants to celebrate with her team. Rawls comes down hard on her. Colleen offers her complete support. This situation has to be carefully managed. The team is capable of turning the tables on those involved. Of course, plenty of complications still exist given the access Olivas has had. He remained in proximity to the cases Ballard was working on. The unit lost jurisdiction over them for a bit. No progress was seemingly made elsewhere though.
Olivas was at Ballard's home following Driscoll's attack. He also executed the search warrant at Driscoll's home and retrieved his phone. He's deliberately trying to cover-up this threat to their corrupt organization within the LAPD. He fails. The hour concludes with his arrest. It all stems from Martina realizing Manny is involved. He targeted her for inside information. That was the only reason he sought her out. He wasn't part of the initial batch of identities connected to specific numbers. Instead, Martina recognized Olivas' number reaching out to him. That made her immediately sick. She goes to Ballard right away. She confesses to the extent of their relationship. She's willing to be used as bait to bring him in. Manny was paid to do many heinous things. He wants to believe he was coerced. He got in too deep before realizing the extent of his actions. Yet he is responsible for everything that happened. He's offered a deal because he provides an opportunity to arrest those actually in charge. Martina doesn't want to see him. She wants to celebrate with her team. Rawls comes down hard on her. Colleen offers her complete support. This situation has to be carefully managed. The team is capable of turning the tables on those involved. Of course, plenty of complications still exist given the access Olivas has had. He remained in proximity to the cases Ballard was working on. The unit lost jurisdiction over them for a bit. No progress was seemingly made elsewhere though.
It frustrates Ballard that her calls go unanswered from the new detective in charge. He doesn't want to hear from her. She doesn't know if any meaningful progress has been made. She obtains the Pearlman case once more because she has a new theory. She needs to examine the evidence to see if it pans out. Once more, a crucial piece of the puzzle was stored away in these boxes. It simply required people to see how everything fit together. A lipstick didn't belong. Ballard and Parker need to know why it was there. They pursue the lead. Meanwhile, Laffont may have found Gael. He refused to give up the search. The case wasn't closed simply because Driscoll was dead. Justice was delivered. The investigation remains ongoing. Ballard loops in Berchem on what she has uncovered within the LAPD. It's a huge achievement. He hates being left in the dark about something so big. Ballard had her concerns. She needed to present a case that couldn't be denied. She can't fail again when targeting Olivas. She also has to be there when he's arrested. It's payback for the pain he caused. Ballard and Parker recognize that. That allows them to move on with their lives. They will no longer carry this burden and inner turmoil.
Grade: B+
