Original shows are now the name of the game for services such as Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus and Netflix with the latter about to release the second season of a House of Cards on Friday.

However this past Thursday Amazon stole something of a march on their rival when they rolled out their latest group of pilots for streaming to Amazon Prime subscribers. Unlike Netflix, that produces a complete season, Amazon commissions multiple pilots and then selects which shows to take to a full series, depending on the feedback that is received.

Bosch is based on the Michael Connelly book series, although not specifically taken from a single novel, and stars Titus Welliver as the title character, a Los Angeles Police Department homicide detective.  Welliver is a familiar face from his numerous appearances on the small screen over the years on shows such as NCIS, White Collar, CSI, The Good Wife, Lost and Law and Order. Here, given the opportunity of the lead role, he gives a credible performance as the veteran detective who has seen it all and lives for the job.

The stylish 50-minute pilot is of good quality and comparable to police procedurals that can be found on the standard television networks. In the opener, Bosch is on trial in a wrongful death suit, accused of killing an unarmed man, but wrangles his way back onto the duty rotation during a weekend break in the court proceedings. A human bone is found buried in the woods by a doctor walking his dog and Bosch gets the call to investigate leading to a murder inquiry.

Alan Rosenberg, Scott Wilson, Amy Price-Francis and Annie Wersching all stand out in a potentially excellent supporting cast and it was good to see the return of Lance Reddick, Phillip Broyles in Fringe, to the small screen as Deputy Chief Irvin Irving.

My biggest complaint is a simple one. The pilot was too short at 50 minutes and did not allow the viewer to really get into the show and Amazon may want to experiment with longer running times in future pilots. That being said I was left wanting more and that is always a good sign.

If you are an Amazon Prime member take the opportunity to watch the show and then provide feedback. Your opinion counts as to whether Amazon moves forward with the show.

 

– Wallace Poulter

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