The circumstances of Daisy’s murder become clear.
Bosch season 6 episode 9: ‘Dark Sacred Night’
Written by: Daniel Pyne and Osokwe Vasquez
Directed by: Tara Nicole Weyr
photo credit: Amazon
Harry solves Daisy’s murder, but Liz’s reaction is not what she anticipated. Jacques Avril makes himself useful to the DA, but helps himself along the way.
The “Car Czar” Jack Killoran goes on the offensive with Chief Irving. Internal Affairs’ investigation of misconduct takes an interesting turn when Captain Cooper looks like the guilty one.
Maddie makes a decision about her future and learns something new about her mom. Dwight faces the consequences of his threat against Jacques Avril.
Read on for my full investigation of Bosch season 6 episode 9 ‘Dark Sacred Night’.
Media stunt
Jack Killoran enlists the media to attack the credibility of Irving’s homeless initiative. The “Car Czar” suggests that Operation Safe Sidewalks is more of a diversion than an actual solution.
Killoran brings cameras to a homeless encampment on Cahuenga that used to be located at the site of the recent drug bust on Cole Avenue. Irving’s opponent likens Operation Safe Sidewalks to a game of “whack-a-mole” with homeless communities popping up elsewhere despite the police’s efforts to reduce crime around them.
Jen and the chief discuss Killoran’s latest stunt. Jen notes that the news spot makes Killoran seem “desperate”. The chief replies, “a desperate man is a dangerous man”.
Killoran stoops even lower
Killoran does not stop with just the media stunt. The car salesman calls Irving on his private line and tells the chief that they need to meet. The chief meets Killoran in an empty area in a car garage. Killoran begins trying to schmooze the chief with talk of a spectacular deal on a car and invites him into his own car.
We learn that Scott Anderson approached Killoran with the tape he received from Melissa Rodgers. Killoran suggests that he will release news of the tape if Irving does not drop out of the race and endorse the car salesman. The predatory opponent tries to grease the wheels with an offer to keep Irving on as chief for another term.
The chief reminds Killoran that he could arrest him for extortion. Killoran says that would only make Irving look more guilty. Jack also suggests that the social media response to the tape could outlive any story on the news
Irving exits Killoran’s vehicle.
A cop must know the difference between right and wrong. A chief is no different. #BoschAmazon pic.twitter.com/FGFbVwYVla
— Bosch (@BoschAmazon) April 23, 2020
Back at home
Later Jun finds Irv sitting in the dark and asks him what is going on. He tells her that he is evaluating what is really important. He mentions getting a “reality check”.
Jun says that sounds scary. Irv describes the feeling as one of “release”.
Internal Affairs visits Hollywood Division
Sgt. Alvarez of Internal Affairs arrives at the station to speak with Lt. Billets, Pierce, Vega and Captain Cooper.
Billets is very up front about the reason she touched Vega on the shoulder. She was merely trying to use compassion as part of her leadership. Alvarez probes as to why Billets never made the rank of captain. She says it’s just a matter of being “stuck on the list”.
Alvarez brings up the fact that Cooper was reprimanded for “juking the stats” and wonders if Cooper is upset that someone in his department blew the whistle.
Pierce is nothing more than truthful about his involvement. His partner mentioned her frustration multiple times, so he felt like he needed to say something. As far as his own thoughts on the idea of there being any misconduct, he firmly believes, no, there was no misconduct.
Vega implores Sgt. Alvarez to understand that Captain Cooper made the situation out to be so much more than it really is. As to why she told her partner about her frustration, she notes that she tells Pierce all kinds of things.
Cooper plays innocent with Sgt. Alvarez citing “sloppy paperwork” when asked about “juking the stats”. We learn that he even made Lt. Thorne take the disciplinary days instead of shouldering the responsibility himself. Alvarez suggests that the filing against Billets on behalf of Vega feels “punitive”.
Again, Cooper reverts to blaming others. He asks is Billets asked her detectives to modify their statements. Alvarez asks if Cooper is accusing Billets of further misconduct. The captain says no and asks how they could prove that it if she did.
Thankfully, it appears that Alvarez sees the truth behind Cooper’s conniving narrative. Vega asks Billets if things are alright between them and Grace assures her that they are fine.
After Avril’s revelations to Jerry
Jerry lets Hovan listen to the tape he recorded of his meeting with Avril at his house. Charlie bemoans his cover being blown and learning that his confidential informant is a killer.
Hovan says they need to bring RHD into this to proceed. Jerry points out that Avril is known for “betraying people when expedient”. Strategy seems to supersede any loyalty to his “business” partners.
RHD interrogates Avril
Joan and Brad interrogate Avril about the information he revealed to Jerry at his house. Jerry looks on in the meeting while Hovan and Espinosa listen in from a conference room.
Jacques claims that Winston and Marvel bragged about killing Detectives Marcos and Arias. RHD inquires why Avril did not tell Jerry earlier when asked about Marcos and Arias. Avril claims he was not sure if he could trust Jerry, so he did not engage about it until the issue of Mariama approaching him. (We know that Avril is fully aware of Hovan’s blown cover as Mariama, but he continues to act as if he is not aware.)
With Avril giving up Winston and Marvel, the detectives ask what he wants in exchange. Again, Avril plays the “good citizen” card and says he seeks justice and maybe absolution for what he calls his “small mistakes”.
J. Edgar needs to trust his instincts to figure out where this homicide leads. #BoschAmazon pic.twitter.com/9ZynWQlCaB
— Bosch (@BoschAmazon) April 28, 2020
Decision for a wire
The detectives and Hovan meet in the conference room to discuss their next steps. They are all disgusted with Avril’s blatant lies among pieces of the truth. Jerry reminds them that “twisting truth to his advantage is an art form for him”.
They agree that a wire is the best option. They need to get Marvel and Winston on tape admitting to the Marcos and Arias murders.
Jerry visits Dwight
Jerry pays another visit to Dwight’s house. He sits down for dinner with Dwight and his wife Naomi. Jerry updates Dwight on the situation with Avril. Dwight continues to be frustrated about not actually going after Avril as the one who ordered his son Gary’s murder.
Jerry cautions Dwight to stay away from Avril. He mentions “Ti Malis” which means trickster, a spirit that can pull you to a dark place with greed. Naomi assures Jerry that Dwight will stay away, but Dwight questions if Jerry is doing the same.
Dwight recalls memories of his son’s smile and how it could make everything better no matter what was going on. Jerry assures Dwight that he is not finished pursuing Avril.
Wired and ready
Avril is wired and ready to capture murder confessions from Winston and Marvel. DDA Parker confirms with Avril the information she needs him to get.
Jacques goads the two men by questioning whether they performed the murders or paid someone else to do them. He is critical of them bringing Mariama to the operation. Feeling doubted, the two Jamaicans brag in detail about killing Marcos and Arias. They warn Avril that nothing changes about their business relationship and they walk out.
Immediately, Joan Bennett orders their arrest. Uniformed officers close in on Winston and Marvel and put them in handcuffs.
Avril walks out but instead of being arrested as well, someone named Beckleman from the State Department greets him. Beckleman offers Avril’s services again when needed and ushers him safely into an SUV.
What just happened?
Jerry asks DDA Parker why he was let go. She mentions Avril’s help to the U.S. in Haiti. Jerry points out that Avril ran death squads there. Jerry is furious.
J. Edgar asks Hovan if he knew that Avril would be protected. Hovan says no, but he figured it would happen eventually.
Just one more week until the new season of @BoschAmazon is streaming on @PrimeVideo. pic.twitter.com/pgMrMnHqLz
— Michael Connelly (@Connellybooks) April 10, 2020
Warrant credibility
DDA Hannah Blair talks to Harry and J. Edgar about the wire tap warrant being questioned by Alicia Kent’s team.
Yes, Judge Sobel signed off on the warrant, but Chandler suggests that Harry was not completely forthcoming about the evidence. Blair remarks that Jerry’s name is on the warrant as well, so it cannot completely be pinned on Harry.
She tells the detectives they have to establish clear evidence supporting the warrant.
Maddie makes a new plan
Honey Chandler runs into Bosch outside the courthouse and mentions wanting Maddie to work for her again next summer. Bosch says it is Maddie’s decision and he’s not sure what she will do.
Honey talks about the “yin” and “yang” of their two sides keeping one another in check. She speaks of it like a mathematical equation. She says she does not make her job personal. We know that Bosch is indeed the opposite. He feels a very personal connection to his victims and pursues justice for them as such.
Later, Maddie tells her dad she may forego her semester abroad in order to take extra classes so she can apply to law school. He informs her that Eleanor also wanted to attend law school before she joined the FBI. Maddie seems pleased to learn this about her mother.
Harry finds Liz off the wagon
Harry pays a visit to Liz to tell her he has a suspect he is pursuing for Daisy’s murder. It is just a matter of proving that Dillon did it.
When he arrives to Liz’s apartment, Bosch finds her off the wagon and partying with friends. He asks her to talk to her sponsor. She says they don’t understand at the meetings what she has lost and what she has done. As Bosch gets closer to the killer, we can feel Liz become increasingly guilt-ridden feeling that she is responsible for Daisy being on the streets that night.
Liz tells Harry to leave.
Weakness is there if you know where to look. #BoschAmazon pic.twitter.com/rjlFCk9fDW
— Bosch (@BoschAmazon) April 25, 2020
Almost matching prints
Harry takes fingerprints for Dillon to lab technician Wanda to compare with the partial fingerprint recovered from Daisy’s murder. Wanda tells him it may take awhile. Bosch describes the circumstances of Daisy’s murder to help her understand why he needs them quickly.
Wanda is moved by Harry’s description and works on the match as quickly as she can. It is not a conclusive match but sufficient for a search warrant of Dillon’s business.
A grisly search
Bosch brings Crate, Barrel, Officer Edgewood and his team of uniformed officers to open the Postmortem Bio Cleaners warehouse and perform a search.
The team opens the white van and finds a mattress and restraints. There is a piece of fake fingernail under a bolted piece of metal.
Barrel notes the plastic tubs with the ASP (American Storage Products) logo that was found stamped into Daisy’s skin. The tag on the van is current and Harry believes Dillon is actively seeking victims.
Harry also finds a locked box inside a faux book cover. He breaks the lock open and finds multiple student id cards for young girls. Daisy is one of them.
The arrest
Harry sets up a fake cleaning job for Roger Dillon. Dillon says he will be there soon. Upon arrival, Dillon sees Crate and Barrel. He asks if they are done processing the scene. Harry walks out and says they will be done soon. Dillon is handcuffed and taken to the station.
Harry questions Dillon. Dillon says he is not a serial killer. He says some of the girls are still alive. He sells them to a trafficker. Dillon wants to trade the location of the trafficker for a deal.
Harry tells Billets that the most Dillon will plea is manslaughter claiming self defense against Daisy. They talk about the opportunity to raid the trafficking location and prepare a team to go in.
Mank arrives and tells Harry that Liz is outside the station. She expresses disappointment that Dillon may only get an 11 year sentence and not even serve all of those. She does agree that Daisy would want Harry to try to save as many girls as he can. Liz feels strange and says she thought things would feel different when the killer was identified. She apologizes to Harry for pushing him away the other night at her apartment. He asks her to come inside for coffee, but she refuses.
Closure is complicated. #BoschAmazon pic.twitter.com/4jN3WwwaT4
— Bosch (@BoschAmazon) May 13, 2020
Finding Dwight
Remi was suspiciously missing from Avril’s office when he got the Jamaicans to confess to the murders. When they asked about Remi’s whereabouts, Avril said he was taking a “personal day”.
It turned out to be a terribly personal attack against Dwight Wise. Remi waits in the backseat of Dwight’s car and chokes him to death after he gets in the driver’s seat.
Joan Bennett has to call Jerry to the scene. Jerry feels heartbroken and very angry. Bosch tells Jerry he should step away from the case. Jerry asks Harry if that’s what he would do. Point taken.
Back soon for the investigation of the Bosch season 6 finale!
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