Bosch returns for its fifth season in a form of reflection. In both storytelling technique and in its characters, there’s a look back in order to go forward, where context is important and decisions mirror back to show a community mired in uncertainty.

There’s a sense of foreboding during these first five episodes, where the world these characters find themselves in is changing around them. This threat of change looms large, and it’s in simply doing the work where Harry Bosch and company find solace.

Luckily, the work continues to be as steady-handed and methodical as other seasons. There’s a comforting factor to how reliable Bosch is at, piece-by-piece, setting up the season to speak about both its leads and a larger commentary on a conversation gripping the nation.

In this case, the opioid crisis becomes the main factor, where suffering becomes transaction, and is a heavy point for Bosch to navigate into. While the show has certainly touched on topics of the world we live in, the fifth season makes it a significant through-line.

Titus Welliver’s Bosch is just as cantankerous and self-assured as ever, Welliver bringing a gruff gravitas to the role he’s been doing marvelously for five seasons now. The certainty in Harry’s work is waning a little, yet Welliver plays Bosch with a determined streak where even against insurmountable odds, he will prevail in some form.

One of the better aspects of the series continues to be the relationship between Bosch and his daughter, Maddie. The typical teenage drama that could have sidelined the show is replaced with a mutual respect and connection between the two, and Madison Lintz is one of the show’s rising star performers.

Bosch, more than ever, manages to give everyone a shot now, whereas before characters float in and out given what the show needs at that time. It’s all in service of delivering that aforementioned change, and does so with introspective looks at how the young and the old, when facing change, react to it.

Some threads work better than others, something Bosch has struggled with at times. The show can certainly take its time, but it’s no different than in previous years. And while there’s plenty of material for its characters, most find themselves on their own separate strands, rarely joined together.

The cast scattered to their various corners can lead to the concern of too much all at once, especially with a less straightforward murder case as its main thrust.

But this does allow for more in-depth, personal reflections on each character individually, however, and goes down some impressive and engaging paths. The show becomes a true ensemble this season, and at least on these five episodes, works wonderfully.

Bosch is a fantastic cop series with a knack of driving the personal with the professional, where each season ties into its characters to say something about them. The fifth season does so with the idea of the status quo no longer being essential, or perhaps even possible.

Harry Bosch is a detective of a different time, but the show itself is as current as it’s ever been. Bosch has a lot to say about justice in America, and continues to do so with excellent precision.

What did you think of this season of Bosch? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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[Total: 9 Average: 4 /5]

Bosch arrives on April 19th to Amazon’s Prime Video.

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