DarklyDreamingFan
Joined Sep 2022
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Reviews135
DarklyDreamingFan's rating
Ballard pulled me in right from the start - not with big explosions or dramatic music, but with purpose. It's patient and razor-sharp, and Renée Ballard (played brilliantly by Maggie Q) isn't here to impress. She's here to work. And I was hooked because of that. The show isn't trying to be loud - it earns your respect scene by scene.
✅ What I Liked
1. Maggie Q feels completely at home in this role. She plays Ballard with a mix of restraint and controlled fire. I believed every decision she made.
2. The cold case angle really works. These aren't flashy crimes, they're the forgotten ones, and that gives every case extra weight.
3. The setting stands out. This is LA, but not tourist LA. It's neighborhoods, alleyways, basements, places where real stories live.
4. The emotional moments hit harder because they're earned. Nothing feels overacted. Just real people with unfinished business.
❌ What Didn't Work as Well
1. Some of the supporting characters felt thin. I wanted more from them, more backstory especially the team.
2. A few plot turns are predictable. Not in a bad way, but the genre limits surprises.
3. Pacing dips here and there, especially in the middle of the season.
✨ Favorite Quotes & Moments
"You're still getting to know me."
The opening scene drops us into a case without warning. No setup. Just instinct, action, and a detective who doesn't quit. That sold me.
The late-night crime board scene, where Ballard quietly talks to herself while reassembling a forgotten case, it's haunting and intimate.
Ballard's first confrontation with an internal affairs officer felt sharp and personal. There's a subtle push-pull of power and trauma.
And yes, that Harry Bosch cameo. It's respectful, short, and perfectly placed.
🎥 If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy:
1. Bosch: Legacy - Continuation of the Bosch world with strong character arcs
2. Mare of Easttown - A damaged detective and a tightly woven small-town mystery
3. Top of the Lake - Gritty, female-led crime drama with weight
4. Unbelievable (2019) - Quiet, devastating, and rooted in persistence
5. Sharp Objects - Psychological and investigative storytelling with depth.
✅ What I Liked
1. Maggie Q feels completely at home in this role. She plays Ballard with a mix of restraint and controlled fire. I believed every decision she made.
2. The cold case angle really works. These aren't flashy crimes, they're the forgotten ones, and that gives every case extra weight.
3. The setting stands out. This is LA, but not tourist LA. It's neighborhoods, alleyways, basements, places where real stories live.
4. The emotional moments hit harder because they're earned. Nothing feels overacted. Just real people with unfinished business.
❌ What Didn't Work as Well
1. Some of the supporting characters felt thin. I wanted more from them, more backstory especially the team.
2. A few plot turns are predictable. Not in a bad way, but the genre limits surprises.
3. Pacing dips here and there, especially in the middle of the season.
✨ Favorite Quotes & Moments
"You're still getting to know me."
The opening scene drops us into a case without warning. No setup. Just instinct, action, and a detective who doesn't quit. That sold me.
The late-night crime board scene, where Ballard quietly talks to herself while reassembling a forgotten case, it's haunting and intimate.
Ballard's first confrontation with an internal affairs officer felt sharp and personal. There's a subtle push-pull of power and trauma.
And yes, that Harry Bosch cameo. It's respectful, short, and perfectly placed.
🎥 If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy:
1. Bosch: Legacy - Continuation of the Bosch world with strong character arcs
2. Mare of Easttown - A damaged detective and a tightly woven small-town mystery
3. Top of the Lake - Gritty, female-led crime drama with weight
4. Unbelievable (2019) - Quiet, devastating, and rooted in persistence
5. Sharp Objects - Psychological and investigative storytelling with depth.
I pressed play thinking I'd get a light dog movie, but this one quietly surprised me. It's emotional without being manipulative, sweet without being too sugary. And somehow, it made me care deeply about a dog with too much energy and a man with too many closed doors. They're both underdogs. And that's what makes it work so well.
✅ What I Liked
1. Grant Gustin really brings this role to life, hopeful, flawed, and persistent. I felt his frustration and his hope.
2. Ruby is the soul of the film. Not just a cute dog, but a personality in her own right. I rooted for her like a person.
3. It's genuinely uplifting. I expected a cliché, but got something that actually made me feel good after watching.
4. Low-key but powerful emotional moments. No forced tears, just honest ones.
❌ What Didn't Work for Me
1. A few moments dip into Hallmark territory, predictable and a bit glossy.
2. The pacing at the beginning feels slow. It takes a little time to get going.
3. Side characters are mostly surface-level. I would've loved a little more depth beyond the main duo.
✨ Favorite Quotes & Moments (No Spoilers)
"She's not broken - she just needs a chance."
The first time Ruby truly listens during training, I felt that shift. That tiny win felt huge.
A moment near the end, where everything comes full circle, it hit me right in the chest. Quiet but powerful.
The closing scene is simple and earned. Not overdone. Just right.
🎥 If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy:
1. Dog (2022) - another emotionally grounded man-dog journey
2. A Dog's Purpose - emotional, sweet, and meaningful
3. Benji (2018) - scrappy rescue dog vibes with heart
4. Hachi: A Dog's Tale - pure, loyal devotion
5. The Art of Racing in the Rain - soulful and emotional.
✅ What I Liked
1. Grant Gustin really brings this role to life, hopeful, flawed, and persistent. I felt his frustration and his hope.
2. Ruby is the soul of the film. Not just a cute dog, but a personality in her own right. I rooted for her like a person.
3. It's genuinely uplifting. I expected a cliché, but got something that actually made me feel good after watching.
4. Low-key but powerful emotional moments. No forced tears, just honest ones.
❌ What Didn't Work for Me
1. A few moments dip into Hallmark territory, predictable and a bit glossy.
2. The pacing at the beginning feels slow. It takes a little time to get going.
3. Side characters are mostly surface-level. I would've loved a little more depth beyond the main duo.
✨ Favorite Quotes & Moments (No Spoilers)
"She's not broken - she just needs a chance."
The first time Ruby truly listens during training, I felt that shift. That tiny win felt huge.
A moment near the end, where everything comes full circle, it hit me right in the chest. Quiet but powerful.
The closing scene is simple and earned. Not overdone. Just right.
🎥 If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy:
1. Dog (2022) - another emotionally grounded man-dog journey
2. A Dog's Purpose - emotional, sweet, and meaningful
3. Benji (2018) - scrappy rescue dog vibes with heart
4. Hachi: A Dog's Tale - pure, loyal devotion
5. The Art of Racing in the Rain - soulful and emotional.
