Prime Video is home to some of the best crime dramas out there, but there is only one show from the genre in its catalog that has become a timeless streaming staple.
Every streaming giant right now seems to have its feet in at least one major genre. For instance, while Apple TV dominates sci-fi television, HBO seems to be leaning more towards prestige fantasy shows. Similarly, Prime Video, too, reigns supreme as the best platform for dad shows like Reacher, The Terminal List, Cross, and Jack Ryan, among others.
Among these “dad show” crime dramas on Prime Video, one seems to have created an undying legacy for itself that refuses to fade even when new additions to the genre come and go.
Bosch Was The Start Of A Franchise
With seven seasons, Bosch remains one of the longest shows of the genre on Prime Video right now. What makes its long run even more impressive is that it never experienced any dips in quality and remained compelling throughout its runtime. Its near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 97% highlights why Prime Video was not willing to give on it too easily.
Therefore, the streaming service followed it up with a three-season sequel, Bosch: Legacy. This, too, proved to be a major critical hit for the streamer, boasting a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
With this, the Bosch franchise continued to expand its roots by branching into a spin-off, Ballard. Although many viewers missed having Titus Welliver as the lead in the spin-off, the new franchise extension did not disappoint. Ballard is now all set to return with another season, with Maggie Q as its titular character again.
Interestingly, though, Ballard season 2 is not the only Bosch follow-up viewers have to look forward to. Prime Video has also announced a prequel to the parent series, which will follow the story of a young Bosch.
In the upcoming show, Bosch: Start of Watch, the younger version of Harry Bosch will be portrayed by Cameron Monaghan.
The Original Bosch Remains The Best Entry In The Saga
Most franchise extensions of popular shows feel forced. Owing to this, spin-offs and sequels are often met with underwhelming receptions from viewers and critics. Considering Bosch: Legacy and Ballard‘s success, though, the Prime Video franchise is an exception. Despite this, it is hard not to deny that the Bosch franchise has not been the same after the parent series ended.
Bosch: Legacy still felt like a worthy addition to the Prime Video franchise, but without Titus Welliver as the lead in the spin-off, it feels like something in the franchise is always missing.
Ballard seemed to benefit a lot from Titus Welliver’s cameo in season 1. In the upcoming Bosch prequel, though, it almost seems impossible to replicate the same formula since it will unfold in a past timeline. It is still hard not to be hyped about the upcoming additions to the franchise and be curious about how Cameron Manoghan will capture the character on the small-screen.
But I still hope Titus Welliver will get to play the role in a major capacity again someday.
Will Bosch’s Upcoming Prequel Live Up To The Original?
Cameron Manoghan has shown incredible range with his performances in shows like Gotham and Shameless. His acting abilities establish that he is the right casting choice for the role. However, the prequel’s success will also depend on how it will depict its source material. Bosch worked incredibly well because it perfectly combined story elements from many Michael Connelly novels to bring something new to the table.
It took a massive risk by not being a direct book-to-screen adaptation, but its gamble paid off incredibly well.
Shows like Cross on Prime Video have tried to emulate its approach but have been far less successful. If Bosch: Start of Watch takes the same approach, it will have to tread carefully and ensure it strikes the right balance between original storytelling and respectful adherence to Michael Connelly’s source material.
Titus Welliver’s absence will still be felt in the Prime Video show’s next chapter, but it is still hard not to hope it will prove to be a worthy successor.
