Amazon.com released its newest batch of pilots into cyberspace today and one of them, Bosch – based on the Harry Bosch novels of Michael Connelly – is one of the best hours of TV you’re going to see this year.
As a fan of the Harry Bosch novels since they began in 1992 (The Black Echo), I found myself being both delighted by the excellence of the Bosch pilot and appalled by the nature of the crime that Harry stumbles upon – and cannot recommend this pilot more highly.
I would never have thought to cast Titus Welliver (Lost’s Man in Black, Deadwood’s Silas Adams) as L.A. Detective Hieronymous Bosch, but having seen him in the role, I will henceforth always picture his face when I’m reading – or re-reading – any of Michael Connelly’s Bosch novels. He brings such rage, compassion and timeworn world weariness to Bosch that in the course of one 49-minute pilot, he makes Bosch a fully realized human being with nobility and flaws in nearly equal measure.
The script, by Eric Overmyer and Connelly, makes for a superb translation from print to TV series. The pacing is just deliberate enough to allow the mood of the show to seep into our bones and to grant every revelation the impact it deserves. Director Jim McKay has a great eye for mood and a great ear for tone.
The entire cast is equally superb, with special mention going to Alan Rosenberg and Abraham Benrubi as coroner Dr. Golliher and Harry’s lawyer, Rodney Belk. Valerie Cruz (Harry’s upscale ex), Amy Aquino (Harry’s immediate superior) and Jamie Hector (Harry’s partner, Jerry Edgar) – as well as Amy Price-Francis (the lawyer for the mother and daughter who are suing Harry), are all perfection in their roles. Also, Lance Reddick!
Bosch deserves to go to series – it can’t just leave us hanging! You can check it out at Amazon Instant Video right now.
Final Grade: A+