Ep 9. The Magic Castle

Detective Harry Bosch is a man on a mission, and in the ninth episode of the first season of Bosch, he deals with the aftermath of last episode's dramatic events. The episode, titled "The Magic Castle," revolves around Bosch's investigation into the case of a murdered pornographer and his associates.

The Magic Castle is a popular nightclub in Los Angeles that was owned by Tony Allen, a former vice officer. Bosch and his partner, J. Edgar, have been tracking Allen and his associates for a while. The detectives first try to question the bouncer at the club, but he insists that he doesn't know anything about the murder.

Bosch and J. Edgar then decide to go undercover to gain access to the club and perhaps obtain some information. They disguise themselves as a gay couple and manage to get into the club. Inside, they meet an exotic dancer, who is also a prostitute. Her name is Honey Chandler, and she seems to know all of the players in this case.

Meanwhile, Bosch's ex-wife Eleanor comes back into his life, causing him to re-examine his feelings for her. Eleanor wants to talk to him about their daughter, who is planning to go to school in San Francisco. While Bosch is trying to sort out his personal life, he receives a call from the coroner's office, and they have made a breakthrough in the case.

The coroner has found evidence that the murdered victim had owned a magic shop, and that it was the source of many of the tricks and illusions at the Magic Castle. Bosch and J. Edgar decide to pay a visit to the magic shop and found out that the owner of the magic shop is an eccentric magician named Rudy Tafero. Rudy is quite suspicious, and he seems to know more than he's letting on.

As Bosch and J. Edgar continue to investigate, they discover that everyone connected to the Magic Castle seems to be hiding something. Honey Chandler, the exotic dancer, turns out to be a lawyer who represents the owners of the club. Tony Allen is the former owner of the club, and he has connections with the porn industry. All of the suspects seem to be linked to each other in some way, making the case even more complicated.

Bosch and J. Edgar eventually manage to piece together the puzzle and figure out who the killer is. No spoilers, but the ending of this episode is both satisfying and surprising.

The Magic Castle is a solid episode of Bosch that keeps the momentum of the season going. The episode reveals a little more about Bosch's past and personal life, while also advancing the main storyline. The tension builds gradually, and the climax is well-executed. The guest star appearances in this episode are great, especially the performance of Mimi Rogers as Honey Chandler, who steals the show in every scene she's in.

Overall, The Magic Castle is a strong addition to the first season of Bosch, and it sets up the final episodes of the season nicely. Anyone who's been following the season so far won't want to miss this episode, which is full of suspense, intrigue, and some unexpected twists and turns.