We need more cops like Harry Bosch

[RoccoRyg]

I'm a big fan of Michael Connelly's series of crime novels starring Detective Harry Bosch. When I heard there is a Bosch show on Amazon Prime, I signed up just to watch it. It's a good show; it keeps the grittiness of the novels while immersing the audience in the environment of southern California. Great performances, the original characters are all there, and since it's not on TV, little censorship.

I like Bosch because he has a code of ethics that he never violates. He doesn't shoot unarmed suspects, he doesn't pull people over based on race, he doesn't arrest people and lie about them assaulting him so he can send them to jail on trumped-up charges, and he refuses to lie to cover for a friend or lover's corruption. Despite the horrible things he sees on the streets of LA and the betrayals his loved ones pull on him, he never violates his principals. "Everybody counts, or nobody counts," he says, and he means it.

I wish we had more cops like him in reality, instead of the ones who routinely violate the law, cover for the bad apples, use excessive force immediately and never face consequences for it. Cops who understand their roles as public servants, not an occupying force of holy crusaders keeping the peasants in line.

[randys1]

1. I just binge watched the first season, excellent...

[msanthrope]

6. Me, too. nt

[tularetom]

2. It was probably one of the best series I've watched

And easily the best screen adaptation of Connelly's books yet.

The film where lawyer Matthew McConaghey was Bosch's half brother was bad enough, but the one where Clint Eastwood lived on a boat in Catalina just stunk.

I binged watched the whole thing over two days I'll probably do it again in a few months.

[former9thward]

3. Good show

I hope they give it more seasons.

[Little Star]

4. I've read all the Bosch novels and...

loved them. I plan on watching the Amazon series too.

While reading the novels I got my own imaginative Bosch who looked something like Telly Savalas. So it's going to be a jump for me to accept Titus Welliver as Bosch but I'm going to give it a good try.

[Nye Bevan]

5. I love those books.

Whenever a new one comes out I know I won't get much done for the next two or three days.

The other detective series I love is the Alan Banks books by Peter Robinson. Another fascinating multi-layered cop, but this time based in Northern England.

http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Robinsons-Inspector-Banks-order/lm/3PKQZXBBZ4MEG

[tularetom]

8. Are you aware that there is a series of BBC episodes based on those books?

It's called DCI Banks and the actor playing Banks was the first priest in "Ballykissangel".

[Nye Bevan]

9. Thanks, yes, I did watch one some time ago,

but back then it did not seem to be available for streaming anywhere, so I used an (ahem) "alternative" source. But thanks to your reminder I took another look around and I see it's now on Amazon instant video!

[tularetom]

7. By the way, for those who watched the Bosch series

Did anyone notice that the name of the Assistant DA who was shot was "Lou Escobar"?

Same as Lieutenant Lou Escobar, Jack Nicholson's buddy who forty years ago uttered the immortal words "Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown".

[madfloridian]

10. "Everybody counts or nobody counts"

Read every book, don't like Titus Welliver in the part of Bosch.