Bosch: Legacy’s Disappointing Finale Threatens Franchise’s Future

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Now that “Bosch: Legacy” has concluded, the future of this franchise looks promising given its history of resilience. Previously, the original “Bosch” aired from 2014 to 2021 and was even revived after ending, so another change may not be as concerning. However, it’s uncertain how this next transition will affect the franchise. Following eight seasons of “Bosch“, the upcoming show aims to focus on another significant character from the series. Regrettably, it did not adequately prepare for Bosch (Titus Welliver) in terms of plot setup for this new series.

Although the initial Bosch series smoothly transitioned into its spin-off, the follow-up show encountered difficulties in concluding its storyline, which was released on April 17. Instead of wrapping up the series effectively, it faltered at the finish line and significantly impeded its own story development. The forthcoming Ballard spin-off may still be successful, but a significant blunder has negatively impacted its chances even before production commenced. In prioritizing a future-centric finale, Bosch: Legacy squandered an opportunity to end the series convincingly.

Bosch: Legacy Used The Finale As A Backdoor Pilot

Legacy Never Had An Opportunity To Stand Out

Instead of wrapping up “Bosch: Legacy” season 3 with a triumphant culmination of Bosch’s journey, the finale felt more like a rush. This series is known for its measured pace, allowing both characters and plot to breathe and develop. However, instead of gradually unfolding cases over the course of the show, the final episode tackled three distinct cases all on its own. The Flower Girls case alone could have filled an entire episode, but the show also tied up the loose ends for McShane (Michael Reilly Burke) and Zorrillo (Manuel Uriza).

This finale essentially sets up a potential spinoff for Detective Renee Ballard, played by Maggie Q. Although her character hasn’t been heavily featured in this series, it makes sense given that author Michael Connelly has penned series for both Bosch and Ballard. In other words, the backdoor pilot gives viewers a chance to get acquainted with Ballard before she takes center stage on her own show. Since Ballard hasn’t had much screen time in Bosch: Legacy, this opportunity to meet and appreciate the character was necessary.

Introducing Ballard midway through the season could’ve been engaging, but the finale should’ve solely revolved around Bosch. After all, it was Bosch’s series and he deserved the spotlight in its final episode. Though Bosch will feature in the upcoming Ballard spinoff, he won’t get another chance to headline a full series. Consequently, wrapping up his story with authenticity would’ve been challenging, if not impossible. Moreover, the shift in focus might make it tough for viewers to re-immerse themselves in Bosch’s character.

Ballard Will Struggle To Make Up For Bosch: Legacy’s Disappointing Ending

The Franchise Risks Losing Momentum

The only method to rectify the controversial ending of Bosch: Legacy is by continuing it through Ballard. However, this presents a significant challenge since the show is primarily designed to portray Ballard’s story. Consequently, if it were to shift its focus to Bosch, it would not provide the same depth for Ballard as the original finale did, potentially repeating the mistakes made in the previous ending rather than addressing them effectively.

Attempting to enhance the finale of Ballard will be futile, as it will happen well after Ballard’s release, making any chance of concluding Bosch’s narrative too late for the viewers. The new show aiming to conclude Bosch’s story would likely disappoint the audience due to this considerable delay. Moreover, trying to finish Bosch’s story could potentially diminish the appeal of Ballard and fail to adequately improve upon the original show. In essence, making changes to Bosch: Legacy would merely serve as a temporary fix for a deep-rooted issue.

Just like the initial “Bosch” series thrived due to its strong script and acting, the spinoff must establish its own positive image. Starting from a disadvantage, given the underwhelming ending of “Bosch: Legacy,” if viewers have negative feelings towards Detective Ballard’s character, then this new show needs to enhance its standing in any way possible. Simply continuing Bosch’s story won’t improve its reputation. The key to restoring the franchise’s image is by transforming “Ballard” into top-notch television.

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2025-05-18 19:17