As Billets posts the Hollywood homicide detectives' new assignments, Bosch puts a plan in motion to arrest Mickey Peña, leading to some severe consequences. Billets makes an impression and Maddie makes a decision about her future.
In 2020, the television industry aired 493 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the series finale of Amazon's Bosch.
"Por Sonia" was written by Michael Connelly & Eric Overmyer and directed by Patrick Cady
Bosch has devoted his entire life to the Los Angeles Police Department. He is the job. It is who he is. As such, it's fascinating that the series builds to him quitting the force. It's not some progressive journey where each season saw him grow more and more frustrated with the bureaucracy. He always saw problems within the institution. He knew people always prioritized their personal agendas instead of serving others in their times of need. He strived to offer something different. He was criticized heavily. He had the reputation of being a dirty cop who planted evidence and messed up every investigation he touched. In reality, he cleared more cases and was more trustworthy than any other detective on the force. He was surrounded by fellow officers who offered the same mentality. They each had their own moral lines they would never cross. Sometimes those created conflict with Bosch. However, they all had an underlying sense of respect. These partnerships were forged in fire. And now, it all implodes because Bosch is determined to hold Peña accountable for the murder of Sonia Hernandez. He is willing to blow up his entire career for that objective. He can no longer tolerate the corruption and tradeoffs to remain in power. That is the priority for so many. Good and honest police work got Bosch to this place in his career. He was never worried about the upcoming transition to a new station. It's the same job with a different desk. He will still operate the same way he always has. Of course, Billets maneuvers herself to a position of greater authority to ensure effective changes are carried out throughout the department. Earlier in the series, she was happy as a lieutenant and wanted to become a captain just for the rank. The title meant something. The job wasn't appealing to her. Now, it is. She has seen firsthand how systemic the problems within the department are. Everything is changing in Hollywood. The detectives are going their separate ways. Hard decisions had to be made. Billets made them. She stands by those choices. She doesn't have to explain them either. No one questions what is printed on the page. That comes after years of building up trust and respect. Bosch has worked well within this system too. He has allies in various departments he can call upon when he needs more detailed information regarding the investigation he is leading. He can call several people in the FBI to offer him all the details he needs to crash this massive operation that justified keeping Peña protected. He isn't going into this situation alone though. Edgar is right there alongside him. It's a precarious mission. It could go awry in so many different ways. And yet, Bosch is determined to arrest Peña. He is the only one who cares about getting justice for Sonia. He won't allow the truth about her death be covered up because it's convenient for other officers. Those agents have trusted Bosch in the past as well. They relied on him as an engaging and intelligent source when it suited their interests. The rest of the time though, he is an annoying disrupter who destroys everything they have built. Bosch always has a righteous cause. He is willing to give his life and career to that. That proves that he is more than just this job.
Bosch has devoted his entire life to the Los Angeles Police Department. He is the job. It is who he is. As such, it's fascinating that the series builds to him quitting the force. It's not some progressive journey where each season saw him grow more and more frustrated with the bureaucracy. He always saw problems within the institution. He knew people always prioritized their personal agendas instead of serving others in their times of need. He strived to offer something different. He was criticized heavily. He had the reputation of being a dirty cop who planted evidence and messed up every investigation he touched. In reality, he cleared more cases and was more trustworthy than any other detective on the force. He was surrounded by fellow officers who offered the same mentality. They each had their own moral lines they would never cross. Sometimes those created conflict with Bosch. However, they all had an underlying sense of respect. These partnerships were forged in fire. And now, it all implodes because Bosch is determined to hold Peña accountable for the murder of Sonia Hernandez. He is willing to blow up his entire career for that objective. He can no longer tolerate the corruption and tradeoffs to remain in power. That is the priority for so many. Good and honest police work got Bosch to this place in his career. He was never worried about the upcoming transition to a new station. It's the same job with a different desk. He will still operate the same way he always has. Of course, Billets maneuvers herself to a position of greater authority to ensure effective changes are carried out throughout the department. Earlier in the series, she was happy as a lieutenant and wanted to become a captain just for the rank. The title meant something. The job wasn't appealing to her. Now, it is. She has seen firsthand how systemic the problems within the department are. Everything is changing in Hollywood. The detectives are going their separate ways. Hard decisions had to be made. Billets made them. She stands by those choices. She doesn't have to explain them either. No one questions what is printed on the page. That comes after years of building up trust and respect. Bosch has worked well within this system too. He has allies in various departments he can call upon when he needs more detailed information regarding the investigation he is leading. He can call several people in the FBI to offer him all the details he needs to crash this massive operation that justified keeping Peña protected. He isn't going into this situation alone though. Edgar is right there alongside him. It's a precarious mission. It could go awry in so many different ways. And yet, Bosch is determined to arrest Peña. He is the only one who cares about getting justice for Sonia. He won't allow the truth about her death be covered up because it's convenient for other officers. Those agents have trusted Bosch in the past as well. They relied on him as an engaging and intelligent source when it suited their interests. The rest of the time though, he is an annoying disrupter who destroys everything they have built. Bosch always has a righteous cause. He is willing to give his life and career to that. That proves that he is more than just this job.
All of this is still perilous though. It's not until the very end that Bosch puts the pieces together about Irving crafting a deal with the FBI to protect his own position of authority. Him being in that position guarantees that progress will be made in addressing crime. He is so certain in his ability to lead the department. He previously thought his record was enough for people to elect him as mayor. And now, he has to force others to back his second term as chief. He is effective in doing so. This job is crucially important to him. He carefully balances it with his newfound responsibilities as a father once more. Juggling those demands hasn't been a problem for him so far. He and Jun stand united and willing to face the world together. Bosch can destroy all of that. He does exactly that too. He needs the press when he requires information to better understand the political landscape he is walking into. He can provide a major story to Scott Anderson as well. It's still a race against time. Bosch intercepts Peña before he can record the heads of several Mexican cartels detailing their plans in the United States. The FBI doesn't ultimately get what they want. They issue no arrests. They are frustrated by a rogue homicide detective interfering with their important work. They look down on Bosch essentially. They don't believe he understands the massive national security concerns of their operation. In reality, it's the federal government flexing its might. These agents believe their case is more important simply because of what agency they work for. It's an aura of superiority without it being earned or respected. The FBI has done solid work in the past. The bureau has destroyed so much in Bosch's life as well. That too must be noted and carefully balanced throughout all of this. It also comes at a time when Maddie is determined to become a cop. She has long been plagued by not knowing what to do with her life. Bosch is surprised by her ultimate decision. She delivers the news when he has become disillusioned about the job. He isn't devoted to it the same way he has always been. He still follows through on his actions. Maddie respects that too. She is more than willing to help her father figure out what comes next for him. The season has been building to this climatic moment. Bosch goes rogue to get justice. The FBI and Irving are more irate with him than ever before. A suspension is warranted. And then, a final twist unravels everything. Sonia's father kills Peña. He is then killed by the officers on the street meant to protect the asset until the FBI arrives. More lives are lost because of the pointless politics that demand so much and offer so little. Bosch is sick of it. He applies to become a private investigator. That tease of his future is a little unnecessary. It creates the drama of him having to deal with the FBI in order to even make this career change. He stands by everything he has done though. The people who have served alongside him know he is the best. They too support his actions. They don't follow him into the unknown. They still have hopes within the system. Bosch is out of it. That story has been resolved. Sonia's case is closed. It has a tragic ending. One that is messy and full of complications. Bosch gets the story out into the world. More people will be held accountable. It's important for institutions to protect and be loyal to their missions. Conflicting interests cause so much disruption. Bosch has the evidence to navigate it all. He hits his limit. It's natural and understandable. This no longer works for him. It's a concise ending for a man who is always trusted to be noble and just no matter what. He could do that work from within the system. Now, he should be trusted to do the same outside of it.
