Bosch season 3 rewatch reminds of impactful characters, events and reveals.
Prime Video’s Bosch is very much rewatchable. Subsequent viewings often lead to a greater understanding of cases and an even richer appreciation for the writing.
One thing I especially enjoy about rewatching is recognizing filming locations perhaps from other shows or from personal visits to the City of Angeles. A “prime” (see what I did there?) example would be sightings of the pink chairs in Grand Park. After author Michael Connelly highlighted the pink furniture in his most recent novel Resurrection Walk, I notice Grand Park in the show’s background frequently. I was delighted to catch a glimpse of the park in person on my most recent visit to Los Angeles.
I gained a new appreciation for Bosch season 3 on my recent rewatch. The series makes you work to put the pieces together of the attempted frame of Harry Bosch. It is further complicated by the fact that Bosch does step outside the lines in the story, just not the way Andrew Holland attempts to paint the detective. Having already worked through the details of the case, a rewatch allowed me to greater appreciate the subplots and other aspects of the seasons.
Credit: Aaron Epstein
Copyright: Amazon Studios
Description: Pictured (L-R): Paul Calderón (Jimmy Robertson), Amy Aquino (Grace Billets)
Let’s take a dive into my top 10 takeaways (in no particular order) from a Bosch season 3 “rewind”.
(Spoilers ahead)
#1 Sharkey
Sharkey’s story is heartbreaking on many levels. The young hustler has a tough exterior and can hold his own in the interrogation room with Harry. Little does Sharkey (given name Thomas Niese) know at the time that Bosch sees much of himself in the young man. While Sharkey’s testimony is critical to Harry’s investigation, it is a threat to Trevor Dobbs’ heist with Woody Woodrow and Xavi Moreno.
Sharkey’s brutal murder takes the wind out of us. We are gutted when Crate and Barrel arrive to notify Sharkey’s mom Ramona of his death. Frank Morgan’s “Lullaby” playing in the background captures the heartbreak of Ramona’s realization that Sharkey is gone.
Bridger Zadina expertly portrays Sharkey showing us his tough exterior but also making us root for him to get off the streets.
#2 J. Edgar’s rescue
It is all hands on deck when Jerry is shot by Sharkey’s killer Xavi Moreno in his driveway. He manages to make a call to Mank before passing out. We see the force roll up on the lawns in riot gear to swiftly rescue Jerry. Our hearts swell with pride as his fellow officers do whatever it takes to get Jerry to safety. Acting Chief Irvin Irving arrives on site to assess the scene with Harry. Thankfully, we learn in under an episode’s time that Jerry will not succumb to his injuries.
#3 “Old school tech bullsh-t”
Harry tracks Trevor Dobbs to Alamos Cove on Santa Cruz island where Dobbs attempts to recover Woody’s share of the money. Through the entire season we see Dobbs acting cocky. Bosch lures Dobbs to a trip wire with a simple flashlight and plastic bag. Dobbs’ body and his ego take a huge hit.
Trevor later refers to Bosch’s technique as “old school tech bullsh-t”. Little does he know that Bosch sees that as a compliment.
#4 That swagger
Bosch season 3 introduces Santiago “Jimmy” Robertson who investigates Edward Gunn’s murder while training recently promoted Rondell Pierce. Detective Robertson walks and speaks with impressive swagger. Pierce seems to be a little intimidated by Jimmy and his methods, but no doubt, Robertson carries invaluable experience. So, to Pierce we advise like Jimmy, “Patience, grasshopper”.
We also meet Rudy Tafero and Jay Reason Fowwkes. Tafero, formerly with the LAPD, has moved to the private sector and is employed by accused murderer Andrew Holland. Fowwkes is Holland’s attorney. Both Tafero and Fowwkes employ their own kind of swagger, Tafero more so physically and Fowwkes with his impeccable wardrobe.
#5 Lt. Billets goes for captain
Lt. Grace Billets applies for the rank of captain in season 3. Granted, Billets made some personal choices that she must now account for by formerly dating a subordinate. But Hollywood’s Captain Lewis gives her exactly zero breaks.
Rather than encouraging Grace for her exams, Lewis chooses to make a snarky innuendo-fueled remark. To make things even more awkward we learn that Lewis is married to Grace’s ex-husband. The one that really gets my goose is Lewis’ exchange with Billets about accounting for the attempted frame of Bosch. Just when you think Lewis might be giving Grace a little credit, she caps off the conversation with a belittling reminder of Billets’ rank.
Grace does not make the cut, but she stands tall and recognizes that perhaps her goal was more about achieving the rank more than wanting that actual role. We are all rooting for you, Grace, whatever role you choose to pursue.
#6 Disappointment in Harry
Oh, how it hurts to be disappointed in Harry. Michael Connelly and his writers set up a scenario where we try our best to justify Harry’s actions related to Ed Gunn’s murder. We understand the similarities between Gunn’s crimes and the murder of Harry’s mom. We feel deeply for Harry. But the math does not work this time. As much as Harry pushes boundaries, he crossed one this time.
It is also painful watching Jerry uncover the whereabouts of Harry the night Gunn was thrown from his apartment balcony. We leave season 3 with a deep wedge between Jerry and Harry. I recall the long, arduous wait for season 4 to find out how the relationship would play out.
#7 Eleanor is back
There is mention of Eleanor being in Hong Kong, so her arrival at the end of season 3 (without Reggie) is quite a surprise. Eleanor assumes that Maddie will live with her, but Maddie chooses to stay at her dad’s house.
Mystery surrounds Eleanor’s return to L.A. First, why did she come alone without her current husband? What is the assignment for which the FBI has recruited Eleanor? She wants to be fully reinstated with the FBI, so it is concerning when Special Agent Jay Griffin does not definitively agree to her full return.
#8 Bradley Walker under suspicion
Harry continues his pursuit of the truth about his mother’s murder. For years, he has been meeting with the detective assigned to Marjorie’s murder, Det. John Caffrey, to uncover more details about her case. All along, Caffrey insists that Marjorie was murdered by a police informant Fox Mitchell, which was the alias for a man named Arno Epperson. Caffrey claims that Mitchell (Epperson) was protected from charges because of his status as an informant.
Suspicion surrounds a fire at Caffrey’s nursing home. Caffrey does not survive the incident. Surprisingly, however, Caffrey made arrangements for Harry to receive a package upon Caffrey’s death. It is a yearbook that shows a young Bradley Walker, currently President of the Police Commission, in high school with Arno Epperson.
A hotel manager identifies Bradley Walker by photo as the man who signed in to the hotel with Marjorie the night of her murder using the name “Fox Mitchell”. Bosch comes to believe that it was not Mitchell/Epperson who got away with murder but Bradley Walker instead.
Harry glares at Walker as he pins the star on the collar of Irving who has officially accepted the role of Chief of Police.
#9 Youngblood makes the arrest
It is so gratifying to see Detective Pierce (dubbed “Youngblood” by Jimmy) make the arrest of Andrew Holland. First, Holland thinks he is too clever to be caught. Well, he’s not. Also, it is rewarding to see Pierce have that moment because he has had to endure the tension between Bosch and Roberston all season long while still working the case. The man with the “murse” earned the moment.
#10 Location, location, location
Several iconic Los Angeles locations make an appearance in Bosch season 3. Echo Park is featured in the scene where Eleanor talks to Jay Griffin about her assignment for the FBI. Harry has a heated exchange with District Attorney O’Shea at El Compadre restaurant. (There is more than one El Compadre location. A different one is featured in Bosch season 7.)
Bosch and Anita shop at Amoeba Records while Walker and Irving meet at the bar in the Millenium Biltmore Hotel. Grand Park mentioned earlier can be seen when Harry and Anita are having a contentious conversation about the case. Of course, the Smog Cutter bar is also heavily featured but no longer in business.
What locations did you enjoy seeing in Bosch season 3?
A little trivia
Eagle eyes will notice DDA Amanda Scones as the prosecutor in the case against Veronica Allen. Where else have you seen her? Amanda Scones turns up as Honey Chandler’s private counsel in Bosch: Legacy seasons 1 and 2.
Did you notice who was playing Irving’s brother-in-law Craig? It is none other than Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine who plays Detective Griggs in another Michael Connelly series, The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix.
Thank you for taking this trip down memory lane with me. Bosch is so richly designed with word and aesthetic. There is so much to absorb. Rewatching is indeed a treat.
Stay tuned for our ongoing coverage of the Bosch universe on the Everybody Counts Podcast at SoManyShows.com.
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