REVIEW: Bosch: Legacy – Season 2, Episodes 1 and 2, “The Lady Vanishes” and “Zzyzx”

Television Reviews

I’ve never talked much about Bosch: Legacy or its beloved, long-running predecessor, Bosch, much before. I never expected to get into a police drama and, in fact, didn’t know about the show until my husband got into it a year or so ago. I have a weird relationship with the series because of that; he watched it constantly and would mention it in passing, so I got curious and joined beginning around season 3. I got hooked, going back to watch it all and even listening to a couple of the audiobooks of the novels by Michael Connelly. I’m not a big reader, so that’s good coming from me. In retrospect, and having watched it all now, I find it amazing how the show improved. Season 1 of Bosch is nothing special, but by season 7, I was fully invested in Harry Bosch and several other characters. The events and choices that lead up to Bosch extricating himself from the LAPD are difficult to watch, but his choice is easy to understand. I wasn’t thrilled with Bosch: Legacy season 1. It wasn’t bad per se, but without characters like Amy Aquino’s Lt. Billets and the late, great Lance Reddick as Chief Irving, it lacked the punch and excitement of the previous show. But new cast members can grow on us, and Legacy’s first season was less dry than Bosch’s. This is the first season I’ll be watching as it releases. Let’s see how it shapes up.

*SPOILERS*

Harry discovers his daughter Maddie’s abandoned house in “The Lady Vanishes,” realizing she has likely been kidnapped. Jerry and Bennett are assigned to Maddie’s case, and Jerry promises Harry he’ll do his best to find Maddie and keep him in the loop. The coroner calls Harry to have him identify a body, but it’s not Maddie. Honey Chandler tells Bosch about a man she saw smoking outside Maddie’s place the night before she disappeared. The police close in on the city inspector, who moonlights as the Screen cutter. Honey gives the sketch artist a description, and everyone agrees that Inspector Dockweiler is the guy. Jerry gives Harry the address, and the latter races to Dockweiler’s house, unable to wait for the police to do their jobs. Dockweiler heads into the station and voluntarily turns himself in on the Thaitown rapes. He taunts Jerry with knowledge of Maddie’s location but refuses to speak without his lawyer. 

 “Zzyzx” picks up with Maddie, trapped and afraid. Dockweiler offers Maddie’s location in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Meanwhile, a camera activates in Maddie’s claustrophobic prison, providing proof of her status to the police. Vasquez joins Harry’s investigator, Mo, in analyzing the live feed. Honey questions Dockweiler’s attorney while Harry searches his hotel room. Mo finds Dockweiler’s secret former identity. Harry and Honey head towards the desert where Dockweiler was raised in a cult. Jerry talks cordially with Dockweiler and tells Harry Maddie must be underground. Harry and Honey find Maddie in the desert and rescue her in the nick of time. 

The first episode opens perfectly with a tribute to Lance Reddick and Annie Wersching, two cast members who have passed since season 1 came to a close. As I mentioned, Reddick was a titanic presence as the former show’s police chief. Wersching played Julia Brasher, a rookie cop Bosch had a torrid fling with in early seasons. I didn’t like the character, but the actor’s loss is tragic; she was only 45 when she passed away. Naturally, much of this episode involves picking up the pieces left by season 1. Titus Welliver kills a scene in which Bosch breaks down, devastated by the prospect of identifying Maddie’s body. It’s not her, and we know it can’t be; she is essentially this show’s co-lead. But he sells the emotions of a father at the end of his rope. Bosch is always characterized as someone who can’t let things go and makes conflicts and investigations personal. It only makes sense that it would be even more true when the victim is the person he loves most, his only kid. Another excellent acting moment comes when Mank (Scott Klace) uncharacteristically shouts at Bosch to leave the police station and get away from the case he can’t be involved in. In nine seasons spanning two TV shows, this character has never yelled or shown much emotion besides amusement or incredulity. This was cathartic; as much as we want Maddie to be found, Bosch’s presence can only hurt the case and cause drama.

More old favorites appear in “Zzyzx” as Crate (Troy Evans) and Barrel (Gregory Scott Cummins) scope out Dockweiler’s attorney. I always liked these two and their snide jabs. They only appear in one scene, but it is a good one and leads to bigger things when Honey finds and essentially interrogates him. Mimi Rogers’ Chandler is a character I never liked. They call her “Money” for a reason, and she frequently works for guilty clients who walk scot-free. But her concern for Maddie is one redeeming quality, and she sometimes acts like a second mother to her. Honey really comes alive in “Zzyzx,” jumping into action alongside Harry to find the girl they both adore. Now I need them to bring Billets back and confirm if she ever became a Captain! They can’t recast Irving, or at least they had better not. But Aquino is alive and starring in another show; bring her on. 

The kidnapping and containment of Maddie is handled really well in that it’s stressful, terrifying, claustrophobic, and makes the viewer want to murder Dockweiler. He’s already a disgusting piece of garbage for his previous crimes, but this time, it’s up close and personal. He taunts the cops with talk of sand in an hourglass and Maddie being alive “for now.” The initial fight and kidnapping are horrific and tense, but being in the box has to be the worst. At one point, a scorpion falls into the box, and Maddie accidentally kicks her air tube out. I hated it, which means the filmmakers and actress Madison Lintz did a great job. We learn that Dockweiler’s real name is Adam White, and he was raised in a cult. I’m beyond intrigued, and I hope we learn more this season. The show isn’t about him, but cults are fascinating, and I want more. 

“The Lady Vanishes” is scary, intense, and emotional. “Zzyzx” pivots, providing the cathartic search and rescue of Maddie. I enjoyed these episodes and look forward to the rest of the season. Who is Sam, the woman walking Bosch’s dog Coltrane? Am I forgetting something? If anyone knows or remembers her, please drop a comment!