One disclaimer, this series isn't a note-for-note book adaptation. That isn't necessarily bad. But it ain't all good either. Characters who were criminals in the books have morphed into teammates, story arcs that were developed in individual books are mashed together in this series. And Harry, prominent in the books as a prickly partner to Ballard, is only a minor, infrequent presence.
Maggie Q stars as Renee Ballard, a Robbery Homicide Division detective who's been pushed out of the limelight into a poorly funded Cold Case division that's off the beaten path and staffed by volunteers, career Enders and castoffs.
Maggie Q does okay, with more dialogue and backstory than she typically gets in her well known action flicks. But truly, just okay. She's not a great actress and given a starring role in this series requires a lot from her that she has trouble delivering. I believe a great actor is like a tide that lifts all boats. You'll notice that when Titus Welliver is on screen, Q's performance improves dramatically, as do other performers. Q does not provide the same "lift" to her costars. If you listen to her line delivery, every sentence is spoken in one breath. No pauses, no emphasis on key words. Just flat. Her costars struggle playing off of her performance.
The rest of the cast are not well known and their performances are a mixed bag. Amy Hill as Tutu (Hawaiian for grandma) is tonally very different from the rest of the series' scenes, almost like a sitcom.
Ballard's crew varies from believable (her grizzled, almost retired gay partner) to corny (the new age hippie who gets "vibes" from everything) to terrible (Michael Mosley as Ted Rawls the greasy brown noser).
The early plot development is a bit chaotic and confusing. There are too many layered cases stacked on top of each other.
By episode four things settle down, after more character's back stories (and forced diversity) are thrown in. The casual relationship with a local lifeguard fizzles out late in the season which is a blessing. The actor portraying her "no strings attached" romantic partner is one of the less talented performers in the series.
The sub plot of Ballard's sexual assault by a fellow officer and her getting screwed over by the entire department is by turns upsetting, and head scratching. Then we have the new recruit, ex-officer Parker played by Courtney Taylor who is not happy with all the bad white cops. Her dad, a retired black officer, tells her "someone has to watch the watchers". Her arc is further complicated as we learn she was abused by the same cop who abused Ballard.
The councilman, terribly overplayed by Noah Bean, and his executive aide are laughable.
Ricardo Chivera as would-be-rapist and signature creep Robert Olivas is spot on. His smug, everyday monster is believable.
The big "twist" near the end of the series is surprising, but a bit of a cheat because there's virtually nothing to indicate this possibility until it's revealed.
The massive cliffhanger is (while similar to Bosch season finales) irritating, and a guarantee for a second season.
Many performers in the original Bosch improved in the second season.
Let's hope that holds true for Ballard season 2. Maybe Maggie Q will develop a more natural performance as she becomes more comfortable in the role.
