The Top 8 Seasons of Bosch and Bosch: Legacy

The Top 8 Seasons of Bosch and Bosch: Legacy

A ranking of the best seasons of the hit shows Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, exploring the highlights and unique qualities of each season.

Season 4 of Bosch

Season 4 represents the absolute pinnacle of Bosch, as the eponymous detective is forced to confront the corruption within the LAPD after a high-profile assassination rocks the city. Bosch season 4 takes another step into the darker side of law enforcement, but it also spends plenty of time on the personal lives of Bosch and Maddie in particular. The show balances the personal and professional spheres of its main character expertly in season 4. It all builds to the explosive finale, possibly the best episode of the show overall, as Bosch pursues the primary suspect in the Elias murder.

Mimi Rodgers as Honey Chandler listens to Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch in Bosch: Legacy.

Mimi Rodgers as Honey Chandler listens to Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch in Bosch: Legacy.

Season 4 of Bosch takes the top spot in our ranking, offering a compelling exploration of corruption, personal struggles, and high-stakes detective work. This season is a testament to the show's ability to delve into the darker aspects of crime while maintaining a focus on character development and emotional depth. With its explosive finale and gripping storyline, season 4 of Bosch earns its place as a standout in the series.

Titus Welliver in Bosch Season 4

Titus Welliver in Bosch Season 4

Season 7 of Bosch

Bosch season 7 wasn't much of an ending, because Bosch: Legacy picks up on most of the same threads. Still, the big finale is that Bosch decides to quit the force. After years of struggling against a corrupt system, he realizes that he can't fix it. Aside from this one significant decision, Bosch's final season continues much like any other. Bosch continues on with his committed detective work, and Maddie gets to grips with her new responsibilities. The outstanding side character in season 7 is Lieutenant Billets, who scores a victory over the misogynistic old-boys culture of the LAPD.

Bosch The Final Season

Bosch The Final Season

Season 7 of Bosch takes a thought-provoking approach as it addresses the theme of systemic corruption and the personal toll it takes on its characters. Bosch's decision to leave the force marks a significant moment in the series, highlighting the complexities of his moral compass and the challenges he faces. With compelling character dynamics and a powerful portrayal of the struggle against injustice, season 7 of Bosch holds a prominent place in the series.

Harry Bosch at a crime scene in Bosch Season 4

Harry Bosch at a crime scene in Bosch Season 4

Season 6 of Bosch

For its first five seasons, Bosch plays things by-the-book, but season 6 took a slightly stranger approach. The main plot, about a murdered scientist who gave radioactive materials to a terrorist organization, is a big swing for the fences, but Bosch still somehow manages to make it blend in with the show's more mundane concerns. There could be a catastrophic terrorist attack, but Maddie also has a new boyfriend, and Irving is running for political office. These stories sometimes threaten to obscure the main thread, but the show juggles them well enough.

Titus Welliver and Madison Lintz in Bosch Season 6

Titus Welliver and Madison Lintz in Bosch Season 6

Season 6 of Bosch showcases the series' ability to tackle complex and high-stakes storylines while maintaining a sense of grounded realism. The inclusion of a terrorist plot adds a new dimension to the show, testing Bosch and the team in unexpected ways. With skillful storytelling and a balance of personal and professional challenges, season 6 of Bosch offers a compelling and multi-layered narrative.

Maddie and Harry Bosch talking on a rooftop

Maddie and Harry Bosch talking on a rooftop

Season 1 of Bosch: Legacy

Bosch: Legacy brought back some characters from the original series, and it continued on in much the same vein as its predecessor. Season 1 introduces a few new faces to keep things fresh, but the broad thrust of the show is largely the same. Even though Bosch is no longer working for the LAPD, he works on some cases with Money as a private investigator. Their dynamic gets a lot of focus in season 1, especially as Bosch investigates the attempted assassination against her. It brings them much closer, and the show benefits from giving them more time together.

Titus Welliver as Bosch walks down the street in a scene from Bosch.

Titus Welliver as Bosch walks down the street in a scene from Bosch.

Season 1 of Bosch: Legacy establishes a seamless transition from the original series, maintaining its core themes and character dynamics while introducing new elements to enrich the narrative. The exploration of Bosch's shift to private investigation and his dynamic with Money adds depth and intrigue to the season, offering fans a fresh perspective on familiar characters. With a compelling blend of continuity and innovation, season 1 of Bosch: Legacy sets the stage for the series' evolution.

Irving sitting in a car in Bosch

Irving sitting in a car in Bosch

Season 2 of Bosch

Bosch season 2 didn't revolutionize the show's approach, but it refined certain aspects of its formula. Season 2 takes place after Bosch serves his six-month suspension, and he begins investigating the death of Anthony Allen. Season 2 starts a little slowly, but it builds to an excellent finale. By the end of season 2, as Bosch is close to uncovering the truth about his mother's death, the show finally reaches its full potential. Bosch has multiple spinoffs in development, and it's hard to imagine it would have achieved such success without its sophomore season.

J Edgar on the phone in Bosch

J Edgar on the phone in Bosch

Season 2 of Bosch marks a pivotal moment in the series, as it delves into Bosch's personal history and the impact of his past on his present investigations. The refined storytelling and character development in season 2 contribute to the show's enduring success and the expansion of its narrative universe. With its compelling exploration of Bosch's journey and the uncovering of long-held secrets, season 2 of Bosch lays the foundation for the series' continued growth and resonance.

Jamie Hector and Titus Welliver in Bosch Season 4

Jamie Hector and Titus Welliver in Bosch Season 4

Season 5 of Bosch

Bosch season 5 introduces the show's most memorable villain, Preston Borders. Even as Bosch is undercover trying to take down an illegal opioid ring, he faces the possibility that the Borders conviction will be overturned, threatening his credibility as a detective. Season 5 is also important for Maddie's development, as she becomes more of an equal to her father, working alongside him. Her growth and Bosch's look back into his past highlight the show's handling of aging in season 5, which is underscored by fan-favorite duo Crate and Barrel having to reckon with their diminishing usefulness.

Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch in a scene from Bosch.

Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch in a scene from Bosch.

Season 5 of Bosch offers a captivating exploration of the complexities of investigative work and the personal struggles of its characters. The introduction of a formidable villain and the challenges faced by both Bosch and Maddie add depth to the season, creating a compelling narrative that balances high-stakes crime with intimate character dynamics. With its focus on growth, aging, and the evolving dynamics within the team, season 5 of Bosch stands out as a powerful and resonant chapter in the series.

Preston Borders berates his lawyers in court in Bosch

Preston Borders berates his lawyers in court in Bosch

Season 3 of Bosch

In its early days, Bosch focused too much on its main character, but the show soon gained enough confidence to explore other characters in more detail. Bosch season 3 spends some more time with J. Edgar, giving him the same amount of attention which season 2 gave to characters like Irving and Grace. In its early days, Bosch focused too much on its main character, but the show soon gained enough confidence to explore other characters in more detail. Bosch is still central to the action of the show, but the narrative doesn't suffer when he isn't on screen. Season 3 sees Bosch on another string of high-stakes cases, showing that even after solving his mother's murder, nothing has been able to placate his malaise.

Bosch walking into a room

Bosch walking into a room

Season 3 of Bosch marks a significant shift in the series' storytelling approach, expanding its focus to include compelling character arcs and high-stakes cases beyond Bosch's immediate sphere. The deepening exploration of supporting characters and their impact on the narrative enriches the season, offering a broader view of the show's universe. With its nuanced character development and gripping case dynamics, season 3 of Bosch cements its place as a pivotal chapter in the series' evolution.

Bosch standing with two men in suits in Bosch

Bosch standing with two men in suits in Bosch

Season 2 of Bosch: Legacy

Season 2 has more urgency to its central plot than other seasons of Bosch or its spinoff. The latest season of Bosch: Legacy picks up with the case of Maddie's kidnapping, and the investigation into the 'Screen Cutter'. It pays off the cliffhanger ending of season 1 gradually, building the intrigue with each episode. Season 2 has more urgency to its central plot than other seasons of Bosch or its spinoff. Even after Maddie is released, the ripple effects of the case permeate throughout the entire season, causing tension between Bosch and his daughter. Season 2 of Bosch: Legacy sets up some fascinating mysteries for the show's future.

J Edgar in uniform on Bosch

J Edgar in uniform on Bosch

Season 2 of Bosch: Legacy delivers a riveting and urgent narrative, drawing viewers into the compelling mystery of Maddie's kidnapping and the 'Screen Cutter' investigation. The season's focus on tension, intrigue, and the impact of the central plot on Bosch and his daughter adds depth and emotional resonance to the storyline. With its captivating portrayal of familial dynamics and the setup of intriguing mysteries, season 2 of Bosch: Legacy solidifies its place as a standout chapter in the series.

Lance Reddick as Irving and Titus Welliver as Bosch in a scene from Bosch.

Lance Reddick as Irving and Titus Welliver as Bosch in a scene from Bosch.