Watch Bosch: Legacy

As a prequel to Amazon's popular crime drama Bosch, Bosch: Legacy chronicles the early years of LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch in 2003. The show is available exclusively on IMDbTV starting January 2022. Played once again by Titus Welliver, Bosch is a war veteran haunted by the traumas of his past, from his time as a tunnel rat in Vietnam to the death of his mother. In Legacy, we see Bosch before he became the seasoned detective we know him as, still slogging through the grueling cases of the Hollywood homicide division, where he's often met with an unsupportive commanding officer and obstructing superiors.

In the first episode, Bosch is introduced to a new partner, the colorful and flirtatious Jerry Edgar, portrayed by Anthony Gonzales. The two hit the ground running with a gruesome case involving a body found in a trash bin. Bosch is convinced it's a homicide, despite the coroner's ruling of accidental overdose. He pursues the suspects relentlessly, risking his career and personal life, while Edgar tags along worried but loyal.

As the season progresses, we see Bosch and Edgar dealing with a string of murders that revolve around a theme of art thefts. They must move quickly to stop the killer before they strike again, all while navigating the politics of the LAPD, including internal affairs investigations and the influence of powerful interests.

Several other characters from the Bosch universe make appearances in Legacy, including Bosch's ex-wife Eleanor, portrayed by Mimi Rogers. Despite being divorced, the two still have feelings for each other, which occasionally complicates their working relationship. We also see Bosch's mentor and fellow detective John Jack Thompson, played by Jamie Hector, along with other familiar faces like Chief Irvin Irving and Deputy DA Apryl Chau.

The titular legacy of the show refers to the moral and ethical lessons that Bosch tries to impart onto Jerry Edgar. The young detective is ambitious but naive, and Bosch is trying to steer him towards a more honest and incorruptible path. There are several poignant moments throughout the season when Bosch shares stories from his sordid past to illustrate his point, revealing more of the tortured psyche that we've come to know in previous seasons.

The production values of the show are top-notch, with the same sleek cinematography and soundtrack that viewers have come to associate with the Bosch universe. The tone is darker and grittier than ever before, with explicit violence and frank discussions of race, class, and power. The show delves deeper into the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, exposing the complicated relationships between gangs, cops, politicians, and the media.

Overall, Bosch: Legacy is a thrilling addition to an already excellent crime drama franchise. It honors the source material while still exploring new territory and further deepening our understanding of the enigmatic central character. Fans of the original show will not be disappointed with this prequel, and newcomers will find it a captivating entry point to the world of Harry Bosch.

Bosch: Legacy is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (20 episodes). The series first aired on May 6, 2022.