Bosch must stop a serious threat to Chandler's run for DA. Maddie and Vasquez are drawn into a follow-home robbery case. An investigation commences into Bosch's possible involvement in Kurt Dockweiler's death. Bosch takes on the case of a missing family of four. Chandler seeks to flip a powerful campaign donor. The follow-home robbers scheme as the cops get closer. Jimmy Robertson digs deeper into the Bosch investigation.
Maddie believes her father didn't order the murder of Kurt Dockweiler. At least, that's what she tells him. She isn't exactly given a private moment in the premiere to suggest otherwise. It's just suppose to be taken at face value. The true threat to Bosch comes from Jimmy Robertson being assigned to look into the hit. The police have a recording of the phone call between Maddie and Preston Borders. Jimmy is tasked with seeing where things goes. He is meant to be positioned as the good cop. He functions within this organization where anyone can easily be corrupted. He has seen people cross lines. That includes Bosch. He has always been trusted to remain impartial. Bosch trusts him but doesn't have a close bond with him. He's seen as the best whenever it comes to trying to prove Bosch committed a crime. Bosch remains a free man. He is keeping tabs on everything. He wants to know what the rumors in the jail and at the precinct are. He reassures Maddie. She's also busy with a new case. She and Vasquez take a statement after a couple is robbed by people who followed them home. They catch a break in the case by getting a clear image of the vehicle used by the criminals. These two plots are very introductory. They are being set up for longevity. Meanwhile, the chief concern of the premiere is establishing the ongoing threats to Chandler's campaign for Los Angeles County District Attorney.
Despite a time jump, the DA campaign is still in full swing. Chandler is threatened by former detective Francis Shaheen. He was imprisoned for torturing a suspect. He blames Chandler for allowing him to become the fall guy in this story. He was guilty. He has completely lost every meaningful relationship in his life. He was suicidal before he went to jail. As such, it's no surprise when he makes that choice during his confrontation with Bosch. It's still difficult for anyone to fool the protagonist. Maddie, Vasquez and Mo serve as solid backup whenever he needs it. The police have disdain for Chandler given the number of lawsuits she has filed against them. She tries to reshape the narrative. Her campaign is based around advocacy for victims. She connects with her story of also being a victim of violence. That altered her life. Yet both Bosch and Chandler remain haunted by the actions of the past. They can never escape them. They pursue new opportunities. They continue to prosper in this world. People never forget that long history. Bosch keeps Chandler safe. He recognizes when Frank is luring them into his trap with a distraction. Bosch takes action. He doesn't hesitate. However, yet another person has died in front of him. He didn't pull the trigger. He couldn't stop it either. It's a familiar story. One of immense loss while still offering stability for the core characters. That remains unchanged even as the show prepares to say goodbye this season.
Maddie has faced her fair share of trauma. Yet it's still alarming to her when she hears stories about her father. His military friends are excited to share what he did to keep them alive. Bosch doesn't like to talk about his service. Right now, it serves as more evidence for Bosch's capacity to kill. That's not a new concept for the character. As Jimmy points, Bosch is perfectly fine standing by and letting someone die. The problem now is proving he actually ordered Dockweiler's murder. To do so, Jimmy believes he has to investigate exactly how Bosch would. That means breaking the rules in order to get results. Jimmy doesn't compromise his values. He checks in with his partner to see if he's fine with these tactics. More people become aware of the investigation. Jimmy receives the interrogation tape of Bosch threatening Dockweiler. Emotions were running high as Maddie was missing. Time was running out to save her. The show was full of energy during that moment. And now, it can potentially lead to Bosch's downfall. When Jimmy and Lopez look around Bosch's house, they discover the former detective advocated for an inmate to make parole. Curtis happened to be in the same prison as Dockweiler and Preston Borders. Jimmy has a theory. He questions others to confirm or deny it. Many want to talk around the case. They don't want to lie. They don't want to betray Bosch either. The tension builds. All of this implies Bosch's guilt. Maddie believes he's innocent. Yet she also views him in a new light. She knows he's a flawed man. She has had to accept that. She still feels honored to be his daughter. Some distance is placed between them too. Maddie is told not to tell her father about the investigation. The true test will come from seeing if she abides.
Elsewhere, Bosch receives a new case. A family of four has gone missing. The police believe the Gallaghers simply vanished to a new life in Mexico after Stephen was caught stealing from his construction company. Bosch doesn't believe it is that simple. Siobhan shows up wanting answers. Four people just don't go missing. Bosch suggests that repeatedly. At the cabin, he discovers the knitted blanket Kerry always kept with her. Something more happened. Bosch has the resources to get to the truth. Right now, it's all just being introduced. Bosch will remain busy. He's an active character in this world. He maintains his own agency as others target him. They need his help too. Chandler needs his investigative prowess to set certain things into motion. Of course, she struggles to coerce the police chief into offering an endorsement. It's difficult for people to change their preconceived opinions of her. She was the defense attorney who sued the police. She claims she only went after the bad officers. She targeted Bosch once. That history has largely been forgotten. Chandler isn't comfortable using her daughter to showcase her progressive credentials. She's just happy to have her family alongside her during the campaign. She's tasked with doing whatever it takes to win. That's the business of politics. Meanwhile, Maddie and Vasquez are on high alert for the follow-home robbers. Insight into the criminals is provided to the audience. Victoria is very cautious and knows the police are on to them. They have to change up their scheme. They can't get caught. Maddie and Vasquez already pulled her over. That's as close as she wants to get to the police right now.
