Why Prime Video’s Cross Falls Short Of Matching Bosch’s Legacy

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I’m really enjoying Prime Video’s new detective show, it’s definitely good! But honestly, I don’t think the lead will ever quite reach the level Titus Welliver set with Bosch. That guy was just iconic in the crime thriller world.

Prime Video is known for its action and detective shows, and while shows like Reacher have become very popular, Bosch is still considered the best of the bunch. Despite a lot of similar shows being available, Bosch continues to set the standard for quality detective dramas on the platform.

One detective show on Prime Video briefly looked like it could be as popular as Bosch, and it was renewed for a second season. However, it’s doubtful the show will ever reach the same level of success as Bosch. Only time will tell if the new season improves things, but it faces an uphill battle.

Prime Video’s Cross Is Great, But It Lacks One Quality That Makes Bosch A Far Better Detective Show

Harry Bosch and Alex Cross share common ground as both navigate the legal world, deal with complicated family lives, and grapple with the difference between what’s legally right and what feels personally right. However, what truly sets Bosch apart, according to Michael Connelly, is Titus Welliver’s incredible ability to express emotion simply through his facial expressions, particularly his eyes.

Welliver expertly portrays internal struggles without relying on outward displays, making his version of Bosch deeply relatable despite a reserved demeanor. Aldis Hodge is also a very skilled actor and delivers a fantastic performance as Alex Cross in the Prime Video series Cross.

It’s difficult to ignore the fact that the original story doesn’t give Cross much opportunity to explore his inner struggles, resulting in a character who feels similar to many other troubled detectives. Even in the Prime Video series, he mostly shows his pain and anger rather than letting us see what he’s feeling inside, making him appear more like he’s putting on a show than genuinely reflecting on his problems.

Given how much Cross and Bosch had in common – both in how they solved crimes and their personal struggles – Cross could have become as well-known as Bosch. The show even tried to follow a similar approach to adaptation by drawing from multiple James Patterson books instead of just one.

While the show is impressively large in scope and ambition, putting it in the same league as Prime Video’s top action thrillers, it still needs to refine its approach to match the sophisticated tone and careful artistry of Bosch.

Cross Is Still A Great Addition To Prime Video’s Dad Show Catalog

Prime Video has been releasing a lot of action-focused shows that appeal to a broad audience. While not all of these shows have been hits, two major additions in 2025, Countdown and Butterfly, unfortunately didn’t attract enough viewers to warrant a second season and were cancelled. On the other hand, Cross was successful enough to earn a renewal for season two.

While Cross hasn’t received the same universal praise as shows like Reacher and Bosch, it still scored a respectable 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and has potential for improvement in future seasons. Though it doesn’t quite break new ground or have the same distinctive quality as Bosch, Cross is a solid addition to Prime Video’s collection.

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2025-11-10 05:38