Episode 10 of Season 1 of "Ballard" unfolds with urgent fervor as Ballard dashes to Gary Pearlman’s abode. She arrives to witness paramedics hastily loading a gravely wounded Ted into an ambulance. Her keen instincts swiftly deduce that Gary had appropriated Ted’s vehicle, prompting her to issue a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert without delay.
Moments later, Jake arrives, his expression a blend of confusion and dread. Ballard, with a heavy heart, delivers the devastating news. Understandably, Jake is incapable of grasping the reality that his father could be a serial killer; the revelation shatters his composure.
Regarding Ted’s fate, despite the swift transport to the hospital, he had already suffered extensive blood loss. The medical staff valiantly fought to save him, but ultimately, Ted succumbed to his injuries.
The pursuit of Gary Pearlman escalates as the captain swiftly assembles a task force dedicated to tracking him down. While other officers speculate that Gary is fleeing, Ballard harbors a grim suspicion that he intends to return to eliminate Naomi. Recognizing her unique insight, the captain grants Ballard the opportunity to appeal to Gary through the media.
At the press conference, Ballard, with steely resolve, attempts to persuade Gary to surrender peacefully. Jake, still grappling with the revelations, stands beside her, yet Gary remains steadfast in his refusal to give in.
As the investigation delves deeper, a startling revelation emerges: Gary is not Sara’s biological father. Speculations arise that Sara’s mother had an affair, adding another layer of complexity to the already tangled narrative. Regrettably, when Ballard’s media strategy fails to yield results, the captain reluctantly asks her to take a step back from the investigation.
Meanwhile, Gary manages to keep the police on a wild goose chase, cleverly fostering the illusion that he has crossed the border and escaped justice. The tension mounts, as every passing moment brings the threat of further violence looming closer.
A couple of days hence, Jake pays a visit to the office, bearing a batch of files pertaining to Gary for Ballard. He discloses to her that his political ambitions have taken a backseat, though her endorsement from the council remains intact. Jake is grappling with the overwhelming revelation of his father's deeds and implores Ballard to, if feasible, apprehend Gary alive.
Later that evening, the tranquility of Ballard's office is shattered by Gary's unexpected assault. A fierce struggle ensues, culminating in Ballard overpowering Gary. Subsequent to his apprehension, Gary unburdens himself of his heinous deeds, yet the investigation lingers on, with more victims surfacing.
It transpires that Gary harbored an intense disdain for women who embraced independence and autonomy. Their deaths served as his twisted form of punishment for daring to make choices for themselves. Bosch subsequently pays Ballard a visit, his demeanor shocked as he learns that Gary's motive for murdering Laura stemmed from her joy in quitting her waitress job to pursue a modeling career.
Moreover, Bosch extends his offer to assist Ballard in uncovering further insights into the Olivas case.
Regarding Laffont's quest for Gael, after exhausting every conceivable avenue to trace the boy, Laffont stumbles upon a promising lead. He tenaciously follows this clue, and through a DNA test, not only does he succeed in locating Gael but also facilitates a heartwarming reunion between the boy and his mother.
What becomes of the corrupt officers? Olivas' wife confronts Ballard, accusing her of dismantling her husband's career. Instead of engaging in a dispute, Ballard directs her to the captain, inviting her to uncover the truth firsthand. Alas, Bosch is apprised of a deal struck between the District Attorney and Olivas. Among the seven corrupt policemen, Olivas alone escapes unscathed.
Ballard, feeling betrayed, confronts the D.A. with disappointment etched across her face. She then steers her car towards Olivas' residence, where a fiery confrontation ensues. Olivas mocks her efforts, but Ballard retorts by revealing that his veneer of innocence is cracking. She informs him that she has already orchestrated a conversation between the captain and his wife, who has since left him with their children.
Ballard's journey concludes on a somber note. Upon learning of Olivas' impunity, she reaches out to Zamira, and they converge for a drink to drown their sorrows. Though they find solace in the fact that Olivas is no longer a law enforcer, they are deeply discouraged by the flawed system. As they drown their disappointment in alcohol, a police cruiser pulls up. The series concludes with Ballard being apprehended for the murder of Olivas, leaving a cliffhanger that lingers in the air.
