Ballard

When I first wrote this review, I had just finished episode 2. Now that I've completed all 10 episodes, I have a much better picture, and I have to say, it didn't disappoint. I actually really enjoyed it, so I'm updating my review and adding an extra star.

I'm not familiar with the source material and haven't seen the original show, so I came in with no expectations. I enjoy police dramas, but I've grown tired of the ones that follow a rigid formula with no character depth, stand-alone episodes, and barely any ongoing story.

Ballard felt different from the start. The show gradually adds layers that unfold as the story progresses, and by the end, it all comes together nicely. I also really appreciate shows that release all episodes at once, so you can choose your own pace. I ended up watching quite a few in a row and It's a solid ride.

Maggie Q is great in this role. She brings strength and presence, and the character fits her perfectly. The rest of the team also has strong potential, and you can tell there's room to grow with their stories.

One thing I really liked was how the show kept things realistic. Injuries didn't magically disappear, bruises stayed visible, and wounds actually took time to heal. It's a small detail, but it adds a lot of realism, something many shows skip, and it was refreshing to see here.

Overall, I think the story was brought together well across the season, and I really hope it gets renewed. I'll definitely be watching if there's a second season. (hopefully soon)

As a longtime Maggie Q fan, I've always felt she hasn't been given nearly enough roles that showcase her full range. Outside of Nikita and the criminally short-lived Stalker, we rarely got to see her dig deep into a role that matched her capabilities. Ballard changes that-and then some.

As Detective Renée Ballard, Maggie Q doesn't just lead the show-she owns it. Her performance is a compelling mix of grit, intelligence, empathy, and quiet resilience. It's the kind of nuanced, powerful work that reminds you just how underutilized she's been until now. This is the role she's long deserved, and she meets it with both power and grace.

Centered around a team of volunteer detectives working the LAPD's Open-Unsolved Unit, Ballard focuses on cold cases-those emotionally charged, high-stakes investigations that don't always come with easy answers. The fact that they're digging into the past makes every win harder-earned and every clue more precious. It raises the emotional stakes and the degree of difficulty.

The storytelling is tight and layered, often weaving together multiple cases per episode. This approach mirrors the chaotic, overlapping nature of real police work and adds to the show's authentic feel. The pacing stays sharp, the stakes stay high, and the suspense rarely lets up.

The ensemble cast is another strength. Each team member brings depth, personality, and a bit of emotional baggage, creating a group dynamic that feels lived-in and real. Their chemistry is effortless; their interactions laced with humor, friction, and genuine camaraderie. You don't just root for them-you care about them.

One particularly thoughtful detail is the inclusion of Ballard's former partner: a retired, gay officer who's happily partnered. His presence is handled with subtlety and respect-never feeling like tokenism, just honest, well-executed representation. It's one of many small touches that reflect the show's integrity.

If you're a fan of The Closer, Ballard will feel like coming home-with fresh energy and a sharper edge. I binged the entire season in one sitting and ended up hungry for more. A lot more. Like Bosch, this show has the foundation to go the distance-and it deserves to.

So, pour a glass of wine, round up your fellow crime procedural junkies, and dive into Ballard. It's smart, gripping, grounded television with real staying power. And once you're hooked (and you will be), join me in manifesting not just a second season-but a long-running Ballard legacy.

Update: After binging the entire season and letting the afterglow settle for a few days, one detail still lingers in my mind: I wish the show had offered a clearer explanation behind the killer's first victim. That particular murder didn't quite match the pattern he developed later-and considering she wasn't alone and he had to kill someone else just to get to her, it feels like a key moment that begged for more context. Like, did he just need a cover for his storage unit? A murder of opportunity that unleashed his inner demons and turned into a series of murders? Exploring that could've provided insight into what actually triggered his descent into serial killing.

To be fair, every other case wrapped up cleanly (cliffhanger aside!), which makes this feel like a missed opportunity rather than a flaw. It doesn't take away from how much I loved the show-at this point, I'm just nitpicking. Still, here's hoping the writers take note for future seasons.

Originally I gave this a 5 after the first few episodes but I'm taking one star off because of the dretch I had to sit through to finish the season. Everything everyone else has said is true. The writing is bad and the acting is even worse. I feel like there were at least 3-4 people miscast. Parker is horrible and I hate every scene she's in. The usual basement motley crew of diverse heroes delivering cheesy lines you've heard a million times in CSI and other shows while fulfilling every modern day trope and social justice crusade. Unfortunately it's tone deaf and about a year out of date. I love Bosch and that's the only reason this doesn't get a 1 star. Anybody giving it a 10 should have their internet privileges revoked.

The project is pitched as a spin-off of the iconic Bosch, and it shows right away: the atmosphere, narrative structure, and visual style are carefully carried over from the original. Everything works in the familiar key - restrained, dark, and refreshingly unflashy.

Casting deserves special mention. In the role of Renée Ballard is Maggie Q - an actress who masterfully combines steely resolve with emotional depth. She's magnetic, compelling, and perfectly at home in the action genre. Her character isn't just a narrative device but the emotional and dramatic core of the story. On a personal note, I've been a fan since Nikita, and she doesn't disappoint here.

Narratively, the show doesn't reinvent the wheel. It's a procedural machine: clashes with the system, cold cases, bureaucratic rot, personal demons - the playbook is well-worn. The clichés are not hidden, but rather presented openly. And that's fine - because what matters is the execution. It's solid, measured, and stylishly done.

Not a masterpiece. But far from a failure. A confident, competent crime drama made with respect for the genre and its legacy. For Bosch fans, it's a must-watch. For everyone else - a decent one-evening binge, as long as you manage your expectations.

One disclaimer, this series isn't a note-for-note book adaptation. That isn't necessarily bad. But it ain't all good either. Characters who were criminals in the books have morphed into teammates, story arcs that were developed in individual books are mashed together in this series. And Harry, prominent in the books as a prickly partner to Ballard, is only a minor, infrequent presence.

Maggie Q stars as Renee Ballard, a Robbery Homicide Division detective who's been pushed out of the limelight into a poorly funded Cold Case division that's off the beaten path and staffed by volunteers, career Enders and castoffs.

Maggie Q does okay, with more dialogue and backstory than she typically gets in her well known action flicks. But truly, just okay. She's not a great actress and given a starring role in this series requires a lot from her that she has trouble delivering. I believe a great actor is like a tide that lifts all boats. You'll notice that when Titus Welliver is on screen, Q's performance improves dramatically, as do other performers. Q does not provide the same "lift" to her costars. If you listen to her line delivery, every sentence is spoken in one breath. No pauses, no emphasis on key words. Just flat. Her costars struggle playing off of her performance.

The rest of the cast are not well known and their performances are a mixed bag. Amy Hill as Tutu (Hawaiian for grandma) is tonally very different from the rest of the series' scenes, almost like a sitcom.

Ballard's crew varies from believable (her grizzled, almost retired gay partner) to corny (the new age hippie who gets "vibes" from everything) to terrible (Michael Mosley as Ted Rawls the greasy brown noser).

The early plot development is a bit chaotic and confusing. There are too many layered cases stacked on top of each other.

By episode four things settle down, after more character's back stories (and forced diversity) are thrown in. The casual relationship with a local lifeguard fizzles out late in the season which is a blessing. The actor portraying her "no strings attached" romantic partner is one of the less talented performers in the series.

The sub plot of Ballard's sexual assault by a fellow officer and her getting screwed over by the entire department is by turns upsetting, and head scratching. Then we have the new recruit, ex-officer Parker played by Courtney Taylor who is not happy with all the bad white cops. Her dad, a retired black officer, tells her "someone has to watch the watchers". Her arc is further complicated as we learn she was abused by the same cop who abused Ballard.

The councilman, terribly overplayed by Noah Bean, and his executive aide are laughable.

Ricardo Chivera as would-be-rapist and signature creep Robert Olivas is spot on. His smug, everyday monster is believable.

The big "twist" near the end of the series is surprising, but a bit of a cheat because there's virtually nothing to indicate this possibility until it's revealed.

The massive cliffhanger is (while similar to Bosch season finales) irritating, and a guarantee for a second season.

Many performers in the original Bosch improved in the second season.

Let's hope that holds true for Ballard season 2. Maybe Maggie Q will develop a more natural performance as she becomes more comfortable in the role.