WISE Score
Avg. Tomatometer
The thinking man’s cop show: no flashy gadgets or DNA miracles, just a jazz-loving detective with a code that won't quit.
97%
97%View →Bosch is the antidote to 'brain rot' police procedurals. It doesn't rely on jump scares or ridiculous tech; it relies on shoe-leather detective work and a protagonist who actually has a soul.
It’s one of the best things on Prime Video, but keep it for after the kids are in bed. The themes are heavy and the pacing is deliberate. If you want a show that respects your intelligence and doesn't pander, this is the one.
This is strictly 16+ territory. It’s too slow and heavy for younger kids, and the subject matter is mature. For adults and older teens who like a smart mystery, it’s gold.
It’s a show about homicide, so 'wholesome' isn't the primary vibe. However, Harry Bosch operates with a strict moral code—'everybody counts or nobody counts'—which provides a solid ethical foundation despite the grit.
This is a grounded, realistic procedural. It doesn't reinvent the wheel with high-concept plots, but it excels at showing the meticulous, imaginative 'detective brain' required to piece together a cold case.
Not for the faint of heart or the young. Expect graphic crime scenes, autopsy details, shootings, and heavy profanity. Season 1 centers on the discovery of a child's remains, which is a major trigger for many.
A masterclass in character study and ethical persistence. It explores systemic corruption and the personal cost of seeking justice without being preachy. It's high-IQ television that respects the viewer's attention span.
If you’re tired of detectives who solve murders by "enhancing" a grainy security camera reflection or finding a convenient DNA match in thirty seconds, Bosch is the corrective. It’s a show that respects the grind. Most police procedurals are built on the "aha!" moment, but this one is built on the paperwork, the dead ends, and the political infighting that makes actual police work a headache.
The most common complaint about Bosch is that it’s slow. If you’re coming from high-octane thrillers, the first few episodes might feel like they’re stuck in second gear. Lean into that. The show isn't trying to outrun you; it’s inviting you to live in Harry’s world. You’ll spend a lot of time watching him look at crime scene photos in his cantilevered house over the Hollywood Hills, listening to jazz, and just thinking.
This deliberate pacing is why the show has such a high floor for quality. With a 97% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear that the "slow" label isn't a bug—it’s the main feature. It allows the show to build a version of Los Angeles that feels lived-in and sweaty, rather than a postcard version of the city. You get to know the geography of the precincts and the specific hierarchies of the LAPD in a way that makes the stakes feel personal rather than scripted.
While the verdict mentions the Season 1 plot involving a child’s remains, it’s worth noting how the show handles it. It avoids the "trauma porn" vibe that many modern crime shows fall into. There are no exploitative flashbacks or gratuitous gore for the sake of a shock. Instead, the show focuses on the exhaustion of the search.
If you’ve watched other prestige crime dramas, you know the trope of the "troubled cop" who drinks too much and ruins his life. Harry Bosch is different. He’s certainly world-weary, but he’s remarkably functional. He’s a professional. Watching a character who is actually good at his job—and who cares about the victims more than the accolades—is surprisingly refreshing. It’s why the audience score (94%) rivals the critics; there’s a deep satisfaction in watching a competent adult navigate a broken system.
You might see Bosch: Legacy popping up on your feed too. Think of the original 2015 series as the essential foundation. While the newer series follows Harry into a different phase of his career, the seven seasons of the original show are where the character's code is forged. You can’t fully appreciate his cynicism (or his hidden idealism) without seeing him navigate the departmental politics of the LAPD first.
This isn't a show you "watch with the family" unless your kids are older teens who genuinely enjoy complex, dialogue-heavy dramas. It’s a "quiet house" show. The dialogue is sharp, the acting is understated, and the payoff usually comes in a quiet realization rather than a massive explosion. If you want something to occupy your brain after a long day of making decisions, this is the premium choice on Prime Video. It doesn't pander, and it doesn't rush. It just does the work.
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