Abhiroop Das
Prime Video’s ‘Ballard‘ quickly makes a space of its own in the larger ‘Bosch’ universe by targeting the blind spots; cold cases that force the police to bend a knee become the bread and butter of Detective Renée Ballard. Together with her team of volunteers and reserves, she manages to pull up an impressive track record. For better or for worse, her work doesn’t go unnoticed, and when she begins to unravel the LAPD’s dark secrets, she soon finds a target on her back. One of her major allies throughout the narrative is none other than Harry Bosch, who previously teamed up with her in the third season finale of ‘Bosch: Legacy.’ As such, the possible return of the rest of the series’ regulars becomes a point of interest, with Maddie Bosch being at the top of the list.
Ballard’s Journey Follows a Different Path Than Maddie Bosch’s
While Maddie Bosch is still part of the larger ‘Bosch’ universe, she does not make an appearance in ‘Ballard.’ The fact that she is an LAPD Officer means that she is likely to be in Ballard’s vicinity at multiple points in the story, and is possibly aware of the larger secrets about the police force that the protagonist unravels over the course of the narrative. As Ballard has a very small division that is entirely comprised of volunteers, its sphere of influence is very limited. Typically, only characters who are either actively interested in the division or are connected to it show up in the show, and Maddie doesn’t fit either of the criteria. As such, it makes sense for her not to be a member of the show, given that she is likely busy dealing with her workload as a Detective.
Actor Madison Lintz has been a staple of ‘Bosch’ since the very beginning, having appeared in season one of the show as Maddie Bosch, the protagonist’s daughter. Over the course of the show, her character’s progression is marked by her tense relationship with her father. Before pursuing law enforcement, she worked at Honey Chandler’s Law Firm, where she had multiple close calls with danger, while also getting deep insight into police work. When she reveals her wish to join the LAPD, Bosch trains her personally, but deep down wishes that she didn’t pursue the field. Subsequently, in ‘Bosch: Legacy’, Maddie follows in the footsteps of her father and becomes an officer at the Hollywood Division. Her work often finds her at odds with Bosch, who became a Private Detective after quitting the LAPD.
The third season of ‘Bosch: Legacy’ leaves things on a high note, with Madison carving out her own path in the field, working closely with her partner Reina Vasquez to bring criminals to justice. She finds both personal and professional success, capturing the group of criminals called the Melrose Bandits, while also having a heartfelt conversation with her father about the nuances of their profession. However, given that Maddie is not a part of ‘Ballard,’ the character’s next steps remain uncertain. Although the show’s writing team has not outlined their basis for not including Maddie, there could be several possible reasons. It could be that the team intends to focus its attention on the new cast. On the other hand, Madison Lintz’s tight schedule might also be a factor, given that she is also a part of different projects, such as the movie ‘Self-Help.’
Maddie’s Arc Has the Potential to Find its Place in Ballard
While Maddie may not be a part of ‘Ballard’ at present, there is always the possibility of her joining the team in the future. The show’s very premise makes for the perfect grounds for the reentry of old characters. A key point about Ballard’s investigations is that it’s building on cases that the previous investigating officer couldn’t solve. As it turns out, one of the cases Ballard deals with has Harry Bosch’s signature on it. Thus, any progress made by the protagonist directly supplants the work of her predecessor, who is a titan of detective work in his own right. As such, if Maddie is to become a part of ‘Ballard,’ she can have the perfect opportunity to break free of her father’s shadow and establish herself as an independent detective. By taking on her father’s failures, she has a chance to definitively prove her mettle.
Furthermore, as the Division is entirely comprised of volunteers, it has the flexibility that allows veteran officers and curious interns alike to take part in the investigations, so long as they are deemed worthy by Ballard, the team leader. As she has a history with Bosch herself, she is one of the few who can strongly relate to the experiences and emotions of Maddie. Additionally, if Ballard tests and trains her, the young detective can sharpen her skills much faster than before, bringing her fresh and creative insights into the mix. Thus, there is potential for Ballard’s next adventures to intersect with Maddie’s. However, the narrative isn’t bound to that concept either. Therefore, Maddie Bosch’s return to the story is purely dependent on the creative decisions of the writing team working on the future of ‘Ballard.’
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