The team hones in on a key piece of evidence in the Pearlman case as they identify a surviving victim. The case turns into a shocking revelation as the killer appears to be someone who has been in their grasp the whole time. A city-wide manhunt begins for Rawls' shooter. Ballard runs into more red tape as she requests to lead the operation. D.A. Honey Chandler and Harry Bosch reveal things went sideways on the cop conspiracy case.
"Collateral" was written by Ralph Gifford and directed by Logan Kibens
Sarah Pearlman's murder is the whole reason the cold case unit exists. The councilman exerted his political influence to force its creation. He has constantly been annoying Ballard about any progress with his sister's case. A lot has occurred over the course of this season. An answer was going to arrive at some point. The most rewarding version of the story required it to be someone familiar to the audience and the characters. That didn't necessarily have to be true. The team was constantly searching for connections amongst the victims. They still struggle to identity the victims. The serial killer has operated in silence for decades. He knows how to cover his tracks. The big reveal comes at the most inopportune time for Rawls. He happens to be at the councilman's home when Ballard delivers the news. He's in a conversation with the killer: Gary Pearlman. Casting Kevin Dunn in the role is prominent enough to indicate his importance to the overall narrative. He was the father of a victim. He was introduced in the background watching a football game. Everything of consequence was in the foreground. Ballard still recognized his name the moment it popped up in the investigation. She didn't need Laffont to look into the backgrounds of the various contractors. She immediately knew to get Gary's face in front of the woman who survived his heinous attack.
Sarah Pearlman's murder is the whole reason the cold case unit exists. The councilman exerted his political influence to force its creation. He has constantly been annoying Ballard about any progress with his sister's case. A lot has occurred over the course of this season. An answer was going to arrive at some point. The most rewarding version of the story required it to be someone familiar to the audience and the characters. That didn't necessarily have to be true. The team was constantly searching for connections amongst the victims. They still struggle to identity the victims. The serial killer has operated in silence for decades. He knows how to cover his tracks. The big reveal comes at the most inopportune time for Rawls. He happens to be at the councilman's home when Ballard delivers the news. He's in a conversation with the killer: Gary Pearlman. Casting Kevin Dunn in the role is prominent enough to indicate his importance to the overall narrative. He was the father of a victim. He was introduced in the background watching a football game. Everything of consequence was in the foreground. Ballard still recognized his name the moment it popped up in the investigation. She didn't need Laffont to look into the backgrounds of the various contractors. She immediately knew to get Gary's face in front of the woman who survived his heinous attack.
Naomi Bennett was victimized in 2000. She was left for dead. She recovered. Her life went downhill after that. She was arrested for burglary. She has struggled to survive. It's all because of the trauma inflicted on her body. She was no longer on an upward trajectory. Her life lost its meaning. She can't recall the exact details of the attack. Ballard fears traumatizing her further. She's forceful because she needs results. She has to prove the viability of her work. It comes when she is willing to accept that she loves it. She wants to stay working cold cases. She doesn't want to transition back to RHD even if the opportunity should arise. That presents as a possibility once more. Instead, she followed her instincts and has made a difference in the lives who have spent years in ambiguity. They need peace as much as every other active case. They can't be forgotten. Someone needs the passion and curiosity to look deeper. Ballard has stepped into the role. She will fight for it. She's blindsided by the reveal that Councilman Pearlman tried to replace her. He had to plan for all possibilities. She has so much to lose. A member of her team is currently in danger. Rawls stepped up to provide support and reassurance to Martina in her time of need. He came to respect Ballard's leadership. He's met with the consequences. That isn't fair. The world remains dangerous. And now, the show heads into the finale with its biggest cliffhanger to date.
Grade: B
"End of the Line" was written by Michael Alaimo & Kendall Sherwood and directed by Sarah Boyd
Ballard knew Gary wouldn't leave Los Angeles. He had unfinished business. He couldn't run away knowing one of his victims was still alive. The stakes are elevated because Rawls' injuries are ultimately fatal. The team is largely together when they hear the news. They are devastated. Councilman Pearlman is as well. He can't reckon who his father is with the man he has always known. Sarah was killed because she found his souvenirs. He kept them amongst his things at home. That was before he rented out a storage locker. He didn't need a reminder of Sarah's death. He was surrounded by them at home. That pleasure was always with him. Moreover, he targets Ballard because she had the audacity to finally catch him. She understood him better than anyone who previously caught one of these cases. And so, she is targeted once more. Powerful men enact their violence on her because she dares to stand in their way. Gary deceived a lot of people over time. This reveal destroys his son's political future. Jake hoped the truth would provide peace. Instead, it only ruined his family further. His actions weren't in vain. He provided comfort and resolution to numerous families. So many lives were touched by Gary. He is finally arrested. He confesses to all of his crimes. He's so casual in explaining what motived him to action. He needed to exert his control over the world. It's as simple as that. It's a story Ballard and Bosch have heard plenty of times. The damage was still immense.
Ballard knew Gary wouldn't leave Los Angeles. He had unfinished business. He couldn't run away knowing one of his victims was still alive. The stakes are elevated because Rawls' injuries are ultimately fatal. The team is largely together when they hear the news. They are devastated. Councilman Pearlman is as well. He can't reckon who his father is with the man he has always known. Sarah was killed because she found his souvenirs. He kept them amongst his things at home. That was before he rented out a storage locker. He didn't need a reminder of Sarah's death. He was surrounded by them at home. That pleasure was always with him. Moreover, he targets Ballard because she had the audacity to finally catch him. She understood him better than anyone who previously caught one of these cases. And so, she is targeted once more. Powerful men enact their violence on her because she dares to stand in their way. Gary deceived a lot of people over time. This reveal destroys his son's political future. Jake hoped the truth would provide peace. Instead, it only ruined his family further. His actions weren't in vain. He provided comfort and resolution to numerous families. So many lives were touched by Gary. He is finally arrested. He confesses to all of his crimes. He's so casual in explaining what motived him to action. He needed to exert his control over the world. It's as simple as that. It's a story Ballard and Bosch have heard plenty of times. The damage was still immense.
The finale features a season-ending montage where Ballard finally rides out on the board she created in memory of her father. It ties all the loose ends together. Laffont reunites Gael with his mother. Parker sends Naomi home with gratitude for all her help. Jake visits his sister's grave with newfound perspective. That wasn't the conclusion to the season though. Bosch interrupts that peace with news from Chandler's office. The District Attorney has chosen to indict six officers. Olivas was able to make a deal. Despite being in charge, he apparently traded information that protected him. He still operates with confidence. His wife confronted Ballard about what she has done. Eventually, she accepts the truth. She just needed to hear it from a male authority figure. Olivas loses his family and his badge. His freedom remains intact. That's how Ballard leaves things. And yet, the final twist features her being arrested for his murder. Parker is gracious about shouldering this burden with someone else. Ballard understands exactly what she's feeling. But officers quickly disturb their evening to completely uproot Ballard's life. It's an ending meant to create more stories for another season. Perhaps the narrative won't have to lean so hard on its connections to the Bosch universe. Ballard is in trouble. Her unit has resources to help her. She has powerful friends too. She will survive. More pain awaits her simply because some people believe she has prospered too much despite her barely hanging on throughout the season.
Grade: B+
