From “Bosch” to “Ballard”: the new spin-off is attacking the cold boxes of the | TV / Streaming

The opening of “Ballard” leaves us in the action, recalling the brood In the media res This launched the successful series Idris Elba “Luther”. The detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q) is at the end of an exhausting affair, already disagreeing with his colleagues on his refusal to retreat or be reduced to silence. However, while comparison with the British procedure seems initially appropriate, “Ballard” resembles and more like the legal thrillers of the 1990s. Not that it is dated, but there is the same stylized tension, radiating a feeling of visual heat and internal volatility. The Los Angeles of the show is sunny but still on the edge.

An expansion survey of serial killer and a case of John Doe lead the action in “Ballard”, directly linking the author Michael Connelly Bosch Universe, which has itself been adapted in a series of successful videos. Fans of the books or the spin-off “Bosch: Legacy” will recognize Renée Ballard, now leading the Sub-financed Cold Case of the LAPD. Although it is its story, the twists and turns of the plot bring the bosch -verse into play, with cameos and reminders – including Harry Bosch himself (Titus Welliver) – adding the plot in conspiracy inside the LAPD.

Maggie Q is strong as a Ballard, a former detective homicide criticized, ready to fight and sacrifice for what is good, who also surfaces to empty his head and honor his late father. These details give us a deeper meaning of the character and supervise his growing friendship with the former officer Samira Parker (Courtney Taylor) – a relationship that is both professional and reinforced by a bond of trauma and mutual respect. The revolving around them in the Cold Case division is a real heterogeneous crew of current and old detectives, reserve officers and volunteers, each with their particularities and their personal impulses. There is Laffont (John Carroll Lynch), the right -wing man and police veteran; Martina Castro (Victoria Moroles), the student Brainy; Colleen Hatteras (Rebecca Field), holistic and compassionate; And Ted Rawls (Michael Mosley), the rich rafle of feathers. But it is Parker who reflects the closest to Ballard, and once they meet, they catalyze the team’s investigations.

The series also skillfully weaves in the personal life of its characters. Ballard’s family life with his tutu, her grandmother (Amy Hill), the relationship of Parker with her family and the sweet marriage of Laffont with her husband – all these slices of life outside of work – have more cases, while the unexpected connections meet. It is Parker’s grandfather (Frankie Faison), a retired cop, who advises her that corruption within the department is not a reason to turn his back, raising the lasting question: “Who looks at the supervisors?”

At first, I would have described “Ballard” as “dry”, but “without eyeshadows” corresponds better to my first thoughts. The program takes its time, with the first episodes focused on the Cold Case unit because they establish relationships and form connections for themselves and the public. In episode 5, a network of lies and deceptions is highlighted, and various stories are revealed, strange by a bit stained with blood. For fans of police dramas, this is where “Ballard” catches you: with very human characters who attack the murders of composure and other crimes which lead to victims, counterbalanced by real humor. If you are looking for a procedural thriller which is anchored by grain, authentic tracks and complex cases, “Ballard” does. Each character is fairly well sculpted, seeming to fight with a certain amount of dirt on their hands or the dark observing them. This series fits perfectly with “Bosch” and “Bosch: Legacy”: strident and true characters in life doing an emotionally overwhelming work while dealing with people and things that make life more difficult.

Of course, as for most procedures, there are hard left turns, the assembly of personal issues and an increasing anticipation of the way everything is part and when the outcome will ultimately explode. And explode, so he dives just above a cliff, letting us hang for a second season. Given the momentum of the show, we will probably not be expected for a long time.

Whole season projected for examination. First on July 9^th On Amazon Prime Video.