Bosch
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Bosch
Bosch is an American police procedural crime drama series based on the novels by Michael Connelly, starring Titus Welliver as LAPD Homicide Detective Harry Bosch. The show follows Bosch as he navigates the complex and often corrupt landscape of the Los Angeles Police Department, investigating gruesome murders and dealing with the aftermath of his own past traumas. Known for its gritty, hardboiled noir style, the series delves into the darker aspects of the human condition, exploring themes of justice, morality, and systemic corruption. The show is intended for mature audiences due to its explicit content, including graphic violence, strong language, sexual content, and mature themes.
Things to Consider
Violence
The series is characterized by significant and graphic violence typical of a police procedural drama, including depictions of murder, gun violence, and physical altercations. The violence often involves bloodshed and focuses on the darker aspects of crime investigations.
The episode "Two Kinds of Truth" (Season 5, Episode 1) is rated TV-MA for "graphic violence," indicative of the show's content. The series often depicts 'bloodshed and a callous disregard for life,' with officer-involved shootings and 'mainly head shots' being mentioned as graphic forms of violence. In 'Bosch: Legacy,' a spin-off, a brutal opening scene depicts a worker being violently punished for tardiness, highlighting the consistent intensity of violence across the franchise.
Romance and Sexual Content
The show contains strong sexual content, including nudity and explicit references. While not always gratuitous, these scenes are present and contribute to the mature rating of the series, often involving implied or depicted sexual acts and mature relationships.
Profanity
The series features frequent and strong coarse language. Profanity, including the use of strong expletives, is regularly used in dialogue, reflecting the gritty and realistic portrayal of police work and criminal environments.
Substance Use
The series regularly depicts characters engaging in substance use, including alcohol consumption and illegal drug use. This content is integral to the criminal investigations and character portrayals, showcasing the presence of drug addiction and dealing.
Scary & Intense Content
As a dark, gritty crime drama, 'Bosch' features consistently scary and intense content, including gruesome murder investigations, psychological tension, and unsettling thematic elements. The show's portrayal of the criminal underworld and human depravity creates a persistently mature and often disturbing atmosphere.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
TV-MA. The series features consistent graphic violence, strong sexual content including nudity, pervasive strong language, and mature adult themes such as drug use and police corruption. These elements make it unsuitable for viewers under the age of 17, and parental guidance is strongly advised for any young adults due to the intense and explicit nature of the content.
Good to Know
The spin-off series, 'Bosch: Legacy,' continues the narrative with Harry Bosch and his daughter Maddie, who becomes a rookie cop. Early indications suggest 'Bosch: Legacy' maintains a similar level of intensity and mature themes, particularly concerning violence and criminal elements. Parents should anticipate that the content will remain consistent with the original series' TV-MA rating.
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