TV Review: ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3

(L to R) Madison Lintz, Titus Welliver, and Mimi Rodgers star in ‘Bosch: Legacy’. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

‘Bosch: Legacy’ received 9 out of 10 stars

Premiering March 27th on Prime Video is the third and final season of ‘Bosch: Legacy’, which is based on characters created by author Michael Connelly and is a continuation/spinoff of the groundbreaking seven season series, ‘Bosch’.

The series once again stars Titus Welliver (‘The Town’) as Harry Bosch, Madison Lintz (‘Parental Guidance’) as his daughter Maddie Bosch, and Mimi Rogers (‘The Mighty Quinn’) as Honey “Money” Chandler.

Season 3 will also see the return of original series actors Scott Klace (‘The Pursuit of Happyness’) as Sgt. John Mankiewicz, Gregory Scott Cummins (‘The Italian Job’) as Det. “Crate” Moore, Troy Evans (‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’) as Det. “Barrel” Johnson, Paul Calderón (‘King of New York’) as Det. Jimmy Robertson, and Jamie McShane (‘Wednesday’) as former Det. Francis Sheehan.

Initial Thoughts

Titus Welliver (Harry Bosch) in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3. Credit: Tyler Golden/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

As a hardcore fan of both ‘Bosch’ and ‘Bosch Legacy’, it is bittersweet to think that season 3 of ‘Legacy’ will be the end of Harry Bosch’s story and the last time we’ll get to see Titus Welliver (pound for pound the best actor working on TV today) in his signature role … at least for now (more on that later).

The third and final season of ‘Bosch Legacy’ picks up with a four-episode arc (which is all that we were allowed to see for this review), that completes the cliffhanger that season 2 ended with, as well as tying up loose ends from both this series and the original ‘Bosch’.

(L to R) Honey Chandler (Mimi Rodgers) and Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3. Credit: Tyler Golden/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

The first four episodes will lead the audience to begin to question everything they know about Harry Bosch, concluding in a redemption of sorts for the character. It also introduces another mystery, that presumably, will be the main plot in the remaining episodes.

Welliver once again gives a powerful performance as Harry Bosch, and brings the character full circle while dealing with the demons of his past. Madison Lintz, who we’ve practically watched grow up on screen as Maddie Bosch, continues to stretch the character in new directions and her relationship with her father is still the heart of the series. While Mimi Rogers’ Honey “Money” Chandler, runs for District Attorney, and fends off a threat of her own, with Bosch’s assistance.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Honey Chandler (Mimi Rodgers) and Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3. Credit: Tyler Golden/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

There are two different stories that run through the first four episodes of ‘Bosch: Legacy’ season 3. The main story involves an investigation into the death of Kurt Dockweiler (David Denman), the man who kidnapped Maddie (Lintz) at the end of ‘Legacy’ season 1. It is revealed at the end of season 2, that convicted criminal Preston Borders (Chris Browning) may have been involved, and that Harry (Welliver) may be involved too. With the current District Attorney, who is running for reelection against Honey Chandler (Rogers), eager to pin Dockweiler’s death on her friend Harry, Detective Jimmy Robertson (Calderón) and his new young partner (Miles Gaston Villanueva), are assigned to the case and begin investigating Harry.

Meanwhile, Chandler gets a threatening visit from former Detective Francis Sheehan (McShane), and asks Bosch for protection. The secondary story, involves a new case Harry is working on involving a missing family. Along with his client – Orla Brady (Siobhan Murphy), and his associate Mo Bassi (Stephen Chang), Bosch begins to unravel the conspiracy behind their disappearance, while at the same time trying to defend himself and protect Maddie from Robertson’s investigation.

Honey Chandler (Mimi Rogers) in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3. Photo Credit: Greg Gayne/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

At this point, ‘Bosch: Legacy’, and the entire franchise, is like a well-oiled machine. That’s not a criticism, but rather a fact. The tone, style, dialogue, locations, and music all fall into place perfectly and feels like an old familiar friend from the first frame of the new season. While season 3 does not start off with the same urgency that the previous season did, with the search for a missing Maddie, it is just as captivating watching past characters like Robertson and Sheehan return, and Harry have to defend his actions throughout his career.

Harry Bosch has always walked a fine line between the law and justice, but has never crossed over it. ‘Legacy’ season 3 explores that notion and allows the audience to really question the character in a way we never have before. More importantly, it allows the character of Maddie to wonder if she really knows what her father is capable of and question his tactics for herself. But this threatens her relationship with Harry, as well as her own career, and is fertile dramatic ground to explore.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Det. Perry Lopez (Miles Gaston Villanueva) and Det. Jimmy Robertson (Paul Calderon) in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3. Credit: Tyler Golden/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Make no mistakes, ‘Bosch’ and ‘Bosch: Legacy’ have always been Titus Welliver’s shows, and a brilliant showcase for the veteran actor. Welliver fits the character of Harry Bosch like a glove, and I believe is now synonymous with the role created by Connelly in his popular novels.

In my opinion, this is Welliver’s signature role, and the part he will be remembered for. I also believe that he has continually been the best actor on TV for over a decade now and it is an absolute travesty that this man has not at least been nominated once for an Emmy for playing this role. Shame on you Emmy voters!

Welliver’s performance in the first four episodes is so reserved and layered, that if that isn’t an example of great acting, then I don’t know what is. And while he is certainly comfortable in the role after all these years, season to season, he is always growing the character in new and unusual ways, and never hesitates to take a risk or explore the different aspects of Harry’s complex personality.

Maddie Bosch (Madison Lintz) in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3. Photo Credit: Tyler Golden/Prime. Copyright. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

The heart of the series is still Harry’s relationship with Maddie, who we first met as a teenager and is now a member of the Los Angeles police department, just like her dad. Madison Lintz continues to shine as Maddie Bosch, and watching her relationship grow with her father over the course of the franchise, has been one of the highlights of the series. However, that relationship is truly tested this season, and Lintz is terrific navigating those emotions as Maddie questions her father’s legacy for herself.

Mimi Rogers is given a lot to explore this season with Honey Chandler’s run for office, which I assume will carry through most of the season and resolve in the finale. Chandler was first introduced as an adversary to Harry, but part of the fun of the series has been watching them become close friends. She’s like a surrogate mother to Maddie now, and one of Harry’s closest allies. Rogers has been excellent in the role from day one, but she is given more to do this season, including introducing Chandler’s own daughter into the mix.

As a fan, its great seeing Paul Calderón and Jamie McShane return as Detective Jimmy Robertson, and former Detective Francis Sheehan, respectively. It’s kind of like a high school reunion or seeing old friends. But with this being the end of the Harry’s story, at least for now, I hope that the finale includes a few more familiar faces from the franchise like Grace Billets (Amy Aquino), and of course, Jamie Hector as Jerry Edgar. Dear Producers: You can’t end the series without J. Edgar!!!

Will we ever see Harry Bosch again?

Titus Welliver (Harry Bosch) in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3. Credit: Tyler Golden/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Which brings us to the big question: Is this really the last we’ll see of Harry Bosch? Maybe, and maybe not. Season 3 of ‘Bosch: Legacy’ also promises to introduce a new character, Detective Renée Ballard played by Maggie Q (‘Live Free or Die Hard’). She is a cold case investigator, and while the character does not appear in the first four episodes provided for review, she does appear in a scene with Harry that was included in a preview of the remainder of the season. Presumably, she and Harry will team up together before the season’s end.

Prime Video is also developing a spinoff for Q and the Ballard character, so the “Bosch Legacy” really will live on, but it is unclear if Harry himself will appear on the proposed new series. In fact, it was recently announced that Titus Welliver has signed on for a potential spinoff of CBS’ ‘The Equalizer’, which could indicate that he is not planning to return to the character anytime soon, but never say never.

Final Thoughts

Titus Welliver (Harry Bosch) in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3. Credit: Tyler Golden/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

While it is sad to think that we will never see Titus Welliver play Harry Bosch again, fans still have the new season to enjoy and will not be disappointed. After eleven years of playing the character on TV (if you count both series), Welliver’s performance is just as powerful and complex as ever, and the final season is a fitting send off to one of the best TV cops of all time.

“The sun is setting on the epic saga.”

TV-MA3 SeasonsMay 5th, 2022

What is the plot of ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3?

Season Three of ‘Bosch: Legacy’ is based on Michael Connelly’s best-selling novels ‘Desert Star’ (2022) and ‘The Black Ice’ (1993). The murder investigation of Kurt Dockweiler (David Denman) brings dangerous secrets to light and threatens to ruin the lives of our three principal characters. The disappearance of a family haunts Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) and forces him to confront the limits of justice. In a hotly contested race, Honey “Money” Chandler (Mimi Rogers) is poised to become the next District Attorney of Los Angeles, and Maddie Bosch (Madison Lintz) gets entangled in a series of violent follow-home robberies.