Bosch season 7 rewards fans and creates a turning point for Harry.
Bosch season 7 is the final season of the popular Amazon Original series. Faithful fans will be rewarded for their steadfast dedication to the show. With a Bosch-themed spin-off on IMDb TV already in production, we also know that Harry’s journey will continue one way or another.
Note: This review is not wrought with spoilers, but if you prefer no hints at all about the season, take a look at this after you watch.
Copyright: Amazon Studios
Description: Pictured (L-R): Gregory Scott Cummins (Detective Moore), Troy Evans (Detective Johnson), Amy Aquino (Lt. Grace Billets)
Perseverance
This season closes one chapter and sets us on a path to a new one. First, let’s take a quick look back.
Perseverance comes to mind when I think of all the characters at Hollywood Division.
Harry has been butting heads with all the extraneous factors in law enforcement for years now. His patience is running thin. Inter-agency conflicts, political persuasions and the disparity of value given to all victims – these things do not sit well with Harry.
Partner Jerry Edgar has experienced family changes, injuries, officer involved shootings and a partner who is known to push the boundaries. Lt. Billets has persevered as much as anyone if not more. As effective as she is in her leadership, misogyny continues to rear its ugly head.
Detectives Pierce and Vega were partnered after Rondell’s partner chose to leave. His most recent partner has higher rank but less experience in homicide. They have risen to the occasion as a team despite some differences in handling a behavioral concern last season.
Detectives Moore and Johnson (aka “Crate and Barrel”) have enjoyed a long career in law enforcement. But aging in the department is no cake walk. They have adapted to a lower profile case load while still pinch hitting for their fellow detectives.
A fork in the road
Hollywood Homicide is on the cusp of being absorbed into West Bureau. But there’s a catch. There are fewer spots open than there are detectives hoping to transfer. Inevitably, some of the detectives will be transferred to other places or positions.
Some are confident, others are eager to know what their chances are, and Harry is non-committal about what he wants. One thing is certain, there will be changes by the end of the season.
The Caseload
Harry and Jerry are investigating an arson fire at an East Hollywood apartment building. The incident results in multiple homicides including a young girl. The crime has entanglements with the neighborhood gang, the drug trade and business owners valuing profit over people. Other interferences add further to Harry’s frustration.
Bosch and J. Edgar are also assigned to a case that is connected to high-profile attorney Honey Chandler. Watch for the case to grow in complexity over the course of the season. A threat to Harry’s daughter Maddie takes things to a whole other level for Harry.
The intensity of these cases coupled with Jerry struggling with the effects of the Avril shooting pushes new boundaries for Harry. To be fair, Harry is also getting older. The reading glasses are at the ready and the cardigan sweater is making more appearances.
On a positive note, though, Harry still finds comfort in his faithful canine companion, Coltrane. Plus, a new romance seems to be brewing.
Fan appreciation
One of many amazing things about the Bosch series is the fandom from both the viewers and the production. The cast, creators and crew seem to truly love telling Harry’s story. Then you have the rabid Bosch viewers who are known for watching, re-watching, and watching again.
Bosch fans have a long memory of all the different characters over the past six years. Even when a character appears for only one story in a single season, they leave a lasting impression on fans. Seeing characters come to life on screen from the pages of Michael Connelly’s books creates an even firmer attachment.
Bosch rewards fans in season 7 by bringing back several old fan favorites and using clever callbacks throughout the script. There is a lot of nostalgia intertwined with the captivating case investigations.
A most impressive feat is the writers room’s ability to weave old characters into the current storyline in a way that feels natural. There is a special finesse employed among the Bosch writing team.
I can only imagine that the cast and crew enjoyed the cameos just as much as the viewers.
In the end
Prepare for a variety of outcomes for our favorite Bosch characters. Tune in to see where everyone lands. You can expect some victories, some disappointments, as well as some uncertainty.
You will have to watch to see how everything pans out, and I highly recommend that you do. Season 7 is very effective on multiple fronts. The authenticity of the story telling coupled with a strong sense of nostalgia creates a powerful final season of Bosch.
Season 7 is also very successful at creating a bridge to the Bosch spin-off on IMDb TV. There is a lot of emotion seeing the original series come to a close. This is offset, however, with a real sense of momentum as we anticipate what comes next for Harry. It works!
Join the Season 7 premiere watch party on Twitter by following hashtag #boschamazon as you watch episode 1 at 5 pm PT on 6/25.
You can follow ongoing coverage of Bosch television at So Many Shows and on the Everybody Counts Podcast.