If you're looking for the next groundbreaking police drama to follow "Hill Street Blues," "The Shield," and "The Wire," this isn't it.

And it doesn't have to be. Not every show has to shatter some invisible barrier for television. Go to the art museum, and you'll see certain topics covered again and again. You can have a dozen crucifixion paintings, with just one by Caravaggio.

If you're in for a fun ride and like a strong police procedural drama with twists and turns, and an outstanding cast, this is it. The second season gains steam from the first, which largely concerned the hunt for a serial killer. The series is helmed by the underrated Titus Welliver ("Deadwood"), its supporting cast drawn from "The Wire," "The Shield," and "Generation Kill," among other cable and TV dramas. ("Marlow" is Bosch's partner.) They are the kind of solid "character actors" who aren't wedged into Hollywood blockbusters. Cinematography is particularly strong, evoking Michael Mann's bright-to-washed-out Los Angeles color palate, evoking "Heat" (1995) or "Collateral" (2004).

Bosch covers the same riffs common in the genre, with added depth: Hard-boiled, brutalized detective with a dark past and difficult relationships with his bosses; colorful supporting characters; an estranged ex-wife and daughter; diabolical criminal masterminds; confrontations with superiors and colleagues. However, it's not derivative. All of the characters bring something new, and most are multi-dimensional. Alliances run as in real life: According to situation, need and self-interest. Some of the source material has been updated; Bosch is an Army veteran of Afghanistan instead of Vietnam. The backdrop of his procedural adherence, following the LA Riots and O.J. Simpson trial, doesn't play a major role here. Interactions that could be formulaic, such as Bosch's occasionally tumultuous relationship with his ex ("Nina" from "24") and a growing relationship with his teenage daughter, aren't boring or secondary.

Season Two offers more complexity than the first. To be fair, the season one antagonist fit a more realistic sociopathic serial killer profile than the now-diluted imitations of an erudite Hannibal Lecter. That said, Season One followed a straight trajectory. Season Two offers a more complex plot, and several subplots, with a broader base of characters and subplots. We see a cross-section of Armenian mobsters, rogue police officers, and sleaze kingpins. Meanwhile, Bosch continues to deal with the circumstances of his childhood trauma. Portions of the first season tie-in neatly.

Welliver shines as the glowering, studious Bosch. Things aren't always neatly resolved. Suspects get away. Good leads turn bad, with consequences for all involved. Bosch isn't one-dimensional. He adapts his approach to the circumstances, and to the suspects or commanders he's dealing with. His tone and persona change completely, depending on whom he is dealing with. Welliver conveys Bosch's exterior of calm, which evaporates like fog under the sun. There is a constant rage and desire for justice. His only interest is getting the job done, regardless of consequences or political considerations.

All told, this is a great adaptation. Hollywood would have cut or reduced so much to hit a 2-hour mark. A series format allows for greater character development, and pacing that accommodates more events and characters.

Don't start this unless you've got some time on your hands... I binge watched BOTH seasons in 2 days!! I even forgot to eat! I LOVED this series! Excellent plot, characters, acting... Exciting episode after episode. Made it very difficult to get any sleep, lol, since I had to watch the next episode to see what happens next. Some say it's a "standard cop" show... Bosch is NOT even a little bit standard. I LOVE seeing the good guy win, but not all of them did in this story. Very suspenseful, tale that draws you in and keeps you hitting "Next Episode" even when you KNOW you need to get some sleep. I recommend this to anyone who pulls for the good guy & doesn't mind a few bad words.The cops act like cops so well that it's hard to believe they don't have job experience in law enforcement.

Don't waste your time reading the bad reviews. I did. Let me tell you what they said... Many gave it ONE STAR because of the cussing. We may not like it, but that's life in America. May not be right, but people cuss. More so when under stressful circumstances... Among the reviewers, many are avid book readers & I know from experience, book readers are ALWAYS gonna hate a show/movie based on their favorite author. So they gave Bosch ONE STAR because they said it wasn't as good as the book. Even if that's true, what if we didn't read the book series?? Should we pass this up?? NO! They don't realize that books can't equate to shows/movies. They're totally different animals. A book has the luxury of many pages, unlimited even at times. They can take their time setting up the scene, the characters, describing every nuance. A TV show can't. There are only so many minutes per episode. Only so many episodes per season... Other reviewers were amateur reviewers who clearly LOVED the series in every way, not a bad word about the series, yet they gave it ONE STAR. It's very likely that they thought it was a #1 show, so they gave it ONE STAR, lol... Also, I can't tell you how many blamed the series, giving it ONE STAR, just to tell Amazon that they hated the series because the video was buffering. That's NOT the series fault, not even Amazon's fault, but is the fault of their internet provider, or internet speed. One guy even gave it one star because it's not available on DVD and he's got limited internet availability! Very few actually disliked the series for good reasons, lol... And look at the number of GOOD reviews compared to bad ones. Even if the bad reviews were legit, it would still be a show worth watching based on percentages alone!

Bottom line?? The only thing I didn't like about it was there are only two seasons! They ended both seasons well. No loose ends. Give Bosch a shot (Seasons 1 AND 2). You be glad you did!

After season 1, I proudly proclaimed that "the best show on TV, isn't on television!" In truth, the filmmakers had crafted a show that demonstrated the unique narrative possibilities of streaming media. Neither a book, nor a TV series, nor a movie--they literally created something that was new and demonstrated the storytelling capabilities of a new form of media.

In many ways, it reminded me of the late 1980's and early 1990's when directors experimented with the music video.

Sadly, music videos became commercialized and lost their unique appeal. While there are exceptions, few of them today rise anywhere near the level of the art form obtained in those heady days of MTV and VH1.

Watching Bosch Season 2, I felt that influence of commercialization again. The show, while still very compelling, seemed more like a "cop show" and less like a seamless narrative, weaved together using the unique nature of streaming media.

The season gets much better after episode 4, and starts to take on the magic of the first season. Studying it closely, I think a number of things lead to the disappointments. Casting which was nearly flawless in the first season has some gaps this year. Brent Sexton, a capable actor, plays the heavy--ex cop Carl Nash. But he's too recognizable--and too safe of a choice.

He plays the heavy in predictable ways, and reduces a compelling character to a stereotype. The exception to that are in the scenes where his wounds are being tended to by a former-lover. A large animal vet with a big heart. In those scenes, we see his motivations more clearly, and grow to hate him more.

Jeri Ryan as the murderous wife? Again, a too-safe choice, with little surprise. And the minor parts, so carefully cast in season 1, now seem to be have made in haste. "Janitor #1" truly is just an actor to step onto the set, deliver a line, and exit. In season 1, that part would have been cast with the precision of a lead in most shows.

The writing is off at times too. And lacking the nuances that made it such a stand out in season 1.

Looking closely you can see the influence of focus groups too. We have more nudity, more assault weapons, more explosions, more action. Why? Who needs all that. Harry Bosch is an old fashioned detective who solves crimes with his mind, and shoe leather. This show isn't supposed to be a video game. If you want Call of Duty, borrow your kid's copy.

Despite the flaws, the show remains a quality piece of work. But season 2 is a TV series. Albeit, a great TV series. Sadly, it could have been what Season 1 was--a truly unique storytelling device, possibly ONLY in the realm of streaming media. Demonstrating the possibilities of a new medium.

I'm hopeful for a return to that in season 3. And, a sound track for the series. Love the music.

The best show on TV, still isn't on Television. Sadly, it's just not as good as it was.

Raymond Chandler, writing about his private hero Philip Marlowe, once said that "down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid." Michael Connelly, one of Chandler's literary descendants, created a compelling and legitimate heir to the Marlowe tradition when he began writing novels about LAPD detective Hieronymus 'Harry' Bosch back in 1992.

Last year, Bosch made his small-screen debut when Amazon began streaming a 10-episode series that, at the time, was the most-watched Amazon original series on Amazon Prime Video. I was extremely impressed by the first season's fidelity to the tone of the novels, and by Titus Welliver's tightly wound performance as the title character.

Now, "Bosch" is back on Amazon with a second 10-episode series ... and it is even better than the first go-round - more textured, with even better supporting performances and an ever stronger sense of Los Angeles' many layers. The second season is taken from the events portrayed in three Connelly novels - "Trunk Music," "The Drop," and "The Last Coyote" - which allows the series to be choosy about what it takes and leaves, while always taking the time to allow events and characters to breathe. This allows the audience to be even more invested in what it is watching, and that helps an already impressive series to get better.

Now, let's be clear. "Bosch" isn't the kind of television series that breaks new ground or transcends the genre. It is, at its core, a police procedural. But like the novels on which it is based, "Bosch" finds its individuality in the curves and shadows and the edges. And also like the novels, the show gains resonance as the main character becomes a little bit less of a lone wolf; in the second season, Bosch spends more time with his ex-wife and their teenaged daughter, and he increasingly finds meaning in their needs and, to his surprise, his own. To coin another phrase from Chandler, Connelly's novels and the TV series are " with something more than night."

There are no happily-ever-afters in "Bosch." Some cases never get resolved, some bad guys never get punished. Sort of like life. But Harry Bosch keeps going forward, resolute in his belief that everybody matters, or nobody matters ... even if that sometimes puts him at odds with the powerful, the modern, and the influential.

"Bosch" is terrific stuff. Watch it. (Start with season one, if you haven't seen it.) I suspect that like me, you'll end up hoping that there will be a season three.

Normally, I don't bother to write reviews. Simply put, my tastes may not be your (the reader's) tastes. So, I will say what is going through my head as I finish watching the second season, having watched the first through second season in a single weekend. First, the series was as hard to put down as would be a book. I HAD to click on the next episode much as I would have to turn a page on a engrossing book. I'm an avid reader, having never read any of the books by the author of this series, and came into this totally unaware of what to expect.
I LIKED it very much. I empathized way too much with Harry Bosch to the point where I can only say I felt a certain level of sadness by the end of the last episode of season 2. Nothing like a TV series on police procedurals, and if anything, EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER portrayed in the series is important. Important how? They all contribute to a sense of reality, a certain four dimensional aspect if you will - including TIME. From the supporting characters who help Harry, to those who are walking hemorrhoids - they all give you a sensation of life in the world of Harry. Need to cheer on your heroes? Need them to wear pristine white hats? Not going to happen. Each hero in this series have their flaws and their strengths, and the sum total leaves you realizing that they are human. So - my kudos to the actors, to the scriptwriters, to the directors, to the entire team that makes the product what it is - along with the writer who wrote it all, I can only say that you have made a product that shows what it is to be human. No better praise can I give than to say that the characters feel human and real. Yes, it is all fake and a movie or book or what have you, but it FEELS real. Well done. I look forward to seeing the third season, and I sincerely hope that like MASH or any other long running TV series, this series fan base only grows larger, and hungers for the next season. I know my appetite has been whetted. I may end up cursing the man who pointed me to this series, because I for one, am HOOKED.

As a fan of Michael Connelly's writing, I have read every novel concerning Bosch, Hieronymous Bosch to be exact. In Season 2 of Amazon's free Prime time series, we follow Bosch as he returns to work after his suspension for throwing a boss through a plate glass window.

A new case lands in his lap immediately, Harry Bosch, played by Titus Welliver, is a detective in the LAPD homicide division. He follows the letter of the law when it suits him, but he is not one to look elsewhere to get what he needs. His superior, Lieutenant Billet, played by Amy Aquino, assigns his old partner, Edgar, played by Jamie Hector to this new case, with Bosch. A man has been found shot up in the Hollywood Hills, and this leads him to Las Vegas and back again. The Armenian mob, money laundering, crooked cops and beautiful women. Jeri Ryan plays the wife of the murdered man, and raises suspicions all around.

Bosch's ex-wife played by Sarah Clarke, and his daughter, Maddie, are a big part of this series. We get to learn a little more about this man and his family. His glass house in the hills is seen often, and I worry when all the rains come if that house will survive.

In the midst of this series Deputy Chief, Irving has his own parallel investigation going on. This raises havoc, but it gives this series another good case to follow.

This second series has more personal stories, more relevant cases and is better written than the first. Bosch is a know it all, tough att Imes, but he knows when to step back. I liked this second series a great deal, and I would bet that a third series is in the offering.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 03-14-16

I have been in love with Harry Bosch since I picked up my first Michael Connelly book. As an avid Bosch novel reader, I have to say, the speed at which television moves is slightly unnerving. Especially to a Bosch "purist" such as myself. That said, this show is FANTASTIC!!! I loved Season 2 as much as I did Season 1. Michael Connelly writes...period. Regardless of whether he's writing a Bosch novel or the Bosch series, you KNOW it's going to be stellar entertainment! I would only wish for two things...First, a season that lasts more than 10 episodes. I understand the cost of filming in L.A. and know this to have to be a contributing factor because the production values are superb. But I feel like I've only had an appetizer and then my plate is yanked out from under me before I've begun my main course. Second, I wish the stories could be a bit more in-depth. I was left flat with the rush to finish the storyline on Bosch's Mother's murder. I thought Harry and the fans deserved a little more than what we got. I honestly thought that Bosch's Mother's murder was going to lead into Season 3. Alas, I was wrong. But I also understand time constraints. I understand everything really, it's just that I WISH I could have more...that we all, could have more...but this is the reality of bringing Harry Bosch to the small screen. So, I will stop wishing for more, and continue to feel blessed that Amazon picked up this series for not only one, but two seasons, and will sit here praying for Season 3. Titus Welliver makes a FANTASTIC Bosch, and his collaboration with Michael Connelly is nothing less than brilliant! I never thought a "human" could fill the Bosch that I have had inside my mind for years...but Titus, you are FAN-TASTIC! You went above and beyond any and all expectations I ever had for a human man, to fill Harry Bosch's shoes! So, now comes the time for me to ask Amazon to please, PLEASE renew Bosch for Season 3 and beyond...until Michael Connelly runs out of material...because there is SO much to cover! SO much. And we've only just begun to scratch the surface that is the unfathomable depth of Harry Bosch.

"Bosch" Season 2 was a brilliantly realized series. It held up to the challenges of keeping Harry Bosch compelling, interesting, and pained as his life unfolds day-by-day. At the close of some of Harry's days, especially in his relation to his ex, one wants to grab him by an ear and yell,into it, "Hey! Wake up! Open your eyes, Bosch!"

With the wealth of published "Bosch" stories by Michael Connelly, this series could continue on for many more 'films noir.' Let's hope that Amazon and TPTB will be as smart as Bosch himself, and wisely extend this series out for many more seasons.

Filmed in and around the environs of Los Angeles and Southern California (with occasional forays into Las Vegas), much of the fun we have in our family while watching "Bosch" is in trying to identify all the locales, and deciding whether we've been there. Bringing the famous filmed locations into the storylines creates a new 'character' to sit beside 'Crate' and 'Barrel' and to ride along with J Edgar & Harry.

Glittering panoramas and grimy back alleys give "Bosch" it's sense of place, and in doing so brings a stark reality to the viewer. This couldn't be better realized than in the two final gun battles of the season. Anyone who recognized the parking lot shoot-out remembers the San Fernando gun battle of decades ago. And the final melee~~between the Nash character in the mountain cabin, and J Edgar and Harry crouched behind the wood piles~~was as destructive as any war zone firefight. At least, all the males~~including the military combat veteran and the now retired LAPD SWAT commander~~ watching it in our family room said so.

Several actors gave memorable performances and deserve mention. Brent Sexton,as the Karl Nash character, was as usual, simply brilliant in his portrayal of the guard at the gated community. Lance Reddick portrayed the unyielding police commander memorably, his regal bearing as rigid as his ethics. And Jeri Ryan as the completely unethical Veronica painted a perfect portrait of jilted wife on one side, and scheming wench on the other.

Awaiting Season 3. . .