Amazon Prime seems to be falling behind Netflix when it comes to original and exclusive TV show, not because their show are inferior, simply because of the onslaught from Netflix. While there is a constant stream of new things on Netflix, Amazon seems to be more sporadic in its releases and less consistent in its quality. But Amazon has got at least one gem of a show that can stand toe to toe with the best Netflix, Sky Atlantic and all the rest of the traditional television Networks have to offer. I am not referring to the high concept, The Man in the High Castle, although that is excellent, I am talking about Bosh.
I’m not a massive fan of police procedural’s both in print of on screen so probably wouldn’t have rushed to see the first season that appeared on Amazon Video (as it was then) in 2014. However, some of the marketing caught my attention. Based on a series of novels by Michael Connelly, Hieronymus ‘Harry’ Bosch is the half brother of Michael “Mickey” Haller, Junior aka The Lincoln Lawyer played by Matthew McConaughey in the excellent and somewhat underrated 2011 movie. I had just re-watched The Lincoln Lawyer on TV and really enjoyed it so thought I could give the Bosch a try. 
I was vaguely aware of Titus Welliver who seems to specialises in police and military types with the odd villain thrown in for good measure. His most notable role that I have seen was in the TV show Deadwood. Without having read the books, I don’t know how close Welliver is to the character, but he is perfect for the show. The casting as a whole is excellent and aided by well drawn characters is supporting roles. Although the show is very much about Bosch, It is this fantastic cast of characters that gives the show the colour and depth that set it apart from lesser shows. 
Reading up on the character biography, it appears they have done a good job of updating the character for the screen. The first book was published in 1992, over 20 years before he made it to screen. The character in the books had been in the 1st Infantry in Vietnam, the updated screen version, he is a veteran of the first Gulf War in 1991 who became a police officer after military service. He re-upped with the Army after 9/11 serving in Afghanistan, something I am led to believe many real life LAPD officers did. None of this is told through excessive exposition, it simply comes up naturally as the story progresses. After forty episodes we are still learning things about the characters. 
The LA setting is important to the story. The wealth gap and social diversity are always on the radar. The Rampart scandal and LA Riots are directly referenced. It is no accident that the Bosch lives above all this looking down from his hillside home. It is explained early on in the first series that Bosch once worked as a consultant on a Hollywood film based on him. The royalties paid for his hillside home with stunning views of LA. Presumably it also paid for his Rolex and his HiFi system that cost about as much as a small car! (McIntosh preamp and valve power amp, Ohm Walsh speakers and an old Marantz record player). The house (I understand described in the book as being on Woodrow Wilson, off Mulholland Drive) features heavily in the show, with the HiFi and a poster for the “The Black Echo” (the film Bosch worked on) both prominently displayed. 
Each season is a mere ten episodes, and takes its is inspiration from multiple books. Each season has a main overriding story arc and at least one other sub plot. The killing of Bosch’s mother when he was a child has featured in all four seasons. Bosch’s ex wife and teenage daughter become increasingly involved. There are also a couple of other stories that stench across seasons. As good as the stories are, the greatest strength of the show is the characters, Bosch in particular.
If you haven’t already, time to start binging.
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