This article includes discussions of sexual assault, murder, abuse, and police corruption.
MAJOR SPOILERS for Ballard season 1 are ahead!
Prime Video’sBallardweaves together a compelling detective story, leading to a high-tension ending that finally reveals the serial killer’s identity and motive. TheBoschspinoff begins by introducing the audience toDetective Renee Ballard, tasked with solving cold cases alongside a group of volunteers. At the behest of Councilperson Jake Pearlman, they investigate the death of Sarah Pearlman.
However, they quickly find that Sarah’s case is connected to a string of other murders. Although they run up against numerous obstacles, they get a break in the case when they discover a survivor who was attacked and left for dead by the same serial killer. With her help, they solve the central mystery, uncovering the murderer’s true identity while setting upBallardseason 2.
The Identity & Motive Of The Serial Killer In Ballard Season 1
Gary Pearlman Sought Out Successful Women
Gary Pearlman is the serial killer responsible for murdering 14 different women, some of whom were also sexually assaulted. Luckily, one of the women lived, allowing her to help identify Pearlman. Although he never explicitly states his motive, it can be pieced together based on the information in the show. His modus operandi was to select women who were starting to succeed in their careers.
Before her death, Laura Wilson was cast in a national commercial, and she was excited to leave her job as a barista. Before she was attacked and left for dead, Naomi Bennett got her first apartment and a chair at a beauty salon, which was her dream job.
During his interrogation, Pearlman said that the victim wasn’t “marrying material.” He also told them that he was angry Laura wouldn’t serve him coffee anymore. Based on his statement about Laura Wilson and his other victims,he viewed his victims as leaving behind their loved ones to pursue their careers.
This thought was a pain point for him, as his mother left when he was eight years old. His dad beat him after she left, blaming him for her choice. This isn’t an excuse for his behavior, as plenty of people experience abuse without becoming serial killers. However, it does provide insight into his mindset.
Sarah, his non-biological daughter, was an exception to his pattern. She found his trophies from his murders and assumed he was cheating on her mom. He thought she was ungrateful and shouldn’t have been going through his stuff. Consequently, he killed her, left out the window, and went back into the house five minutes later to avoid getting caught.
Why Renee Ballard Gets Arrested In Ballard Season 1
Olivas Dies Shortly After Renee Ballard Threatens Him
The final moments ofBallardseason 1 are a complete shock after the seemingly satisfying resolution to her serial killer case. The DA drops charges against Olivas because he’s going to turn on his fellow conspirators. After going over to threaten Olivas, she leaves him at his home very much alive.
Unfortunately, that night, the cops show up at Renee Ballard’s house to arrest her for the murder of Robert Olivas. Samira Parker pulls up the news that he was shot at his house. The character Olivas only appears in three Renee Ballard books, and he certainly doesn’t get murdered. In fact, he barely faces any comeuppance despite being a sexually harassing dirtbag.
Dark Sacred Night(2018)
The Night Fire(2019)
Because of this deviation, there’s no answer about who killed Olivas, and it’s unclear how this will play outifBallardgets picked up for season 2. The most likely answer is that someone else involved in the LAPD conspiracy wanted to prevent him from giving more names. However, that’s just speculation.
Why Parker Takes Her Badge Back
Parker Wants To Reclaim Her Power
When Ballard first approaches Parker about joining her team, Parker has zero interest in rejoining the police force. She only agrees to look at the case they’re working on. However, she ends up taking her badge back and becoming a member of the police reserves for two big reasons.
[Parker]’s moved by [her grandfather’s] perspective that she could be the watchman to keep an eye on the broken system from the inside.
Firstly, after discussing the possibility with her grandfather, she’s moved by his perspective that she could be the watchman to keep an eye on the broken system from the inside. She believes that she can help keep the other police officers in check.
Secondarily, and more significantly, she wants to reclaim her power. Olivas sexually assaulting her left her feeling completely powerless. After all, he was her partner at work. However, she doesn’t want that to be the end of her story.
The Los Angeles Police Department Conspiracy, Explained
The Police Are Working Together With The Cartel
InBallardseason 1, Renee Ballard and her cold cases team uncover a massive Los Angeles Police Department conspiracy while investigating a John Doe murder, which functions as the secondary plot. The bullet in the case is destroyed, but Martina and her classmate can recreate it from crime scene photos, which puts them on the path to uncovering the dirty cops.
Ultimately, they discover that seven of theBallardcharactersare working together with the cartel, covering up their crimes for money. One of the higher-up officers involved in the conspiracy is Olivas. They enlist Santos to get into a relationship with Martina so that he can learn how close they are to uncovering the truth, a devastating reveal.
Luckily, with the evidence they collect, the District Attorney’s office is able to charge six of the seven officers for conspiracy and other crimes. The only officer they don’t get is Olivas, who turns on his conspirators to save his own skin.
How Prime Video’s Ballard Connects To Bosch
Bosch Is Used Sparingly In Prime Video’s Ballard
Detective Renee Ballard was introduced in thedivisiveBosch: Legacyfinale, and they even teased the idea of working together in the future. As such, his appearance inBallardseason 1 is completely unsurprising. However, they tied the shows together in a clever way that allows Bosch to appear in a guest capacity without overshadowing Renee Ballard and her team.
Harry Bosch was the investigator on the Laura Wilson murder case, which is connected to Ballard’s Sarah Pearlman murder case. The touch DNA from Pearlman’s crime scene was also found at the Wilson crime scene. When she first learns of Bosch’s involvement, she keeps him at a distance.
However, he eventually steps in to help provide her with information and lend a hand where necessary. J. Edgar from Bosch also makes an appearance, reaffirming thatBallardexists within the same police system that Harry Bosch did.
How Ballard’s Ending Sets Up Season 2
Although Renee Ballard’s getting arrested is the most obvious setup forBallardseason 2, the show also lays the foundation for other storylines. The second season will need to answer who murdered Olivas. It could be someone else in on the conspiracy.
His death also raises the question of whether the other police officers charged with conspiracy can still be found guilty without Olivas’ testimony. Although Santos was willing to talk, they didn’t think he was high enough in the conspiracy to hold weight in the trial.
Finally,Ballardseason 1 laid the foundation for Renee Ballard’s romance with Aaron. The two were having a casual relationship, but Aaron realized that he wanted more when she was attacked. She’s not ready for a commitment, so he breaks things off. However, it is very clear from the expression on Ballard’s face that she feels conflicted.Ballardseason 2 could see her grappling with her lingering feelings for Aaron or possibly moving on from him.
