"Landmines" is the fourth episode of the first season of the streaming series Ballard. It premiered on Prime Video on July 9, 2025.
Plot Summary[]
The cold case unit edges closer to exposing a ring of corrupt LAPD officers The team secretly investigates the missing bullet from the John Doe case, which tech specialist Martina digitally reconstructs. The bullet links the murder to inmate Javier Fuentes, who has ties to cartel gun running. As Ballard and Samira dig deeper, they uncover connections between the John Doe victim—Luis Ibarra, a known coyote—and a broader network of criminal activity possibly shielded by dirty cops. Ballard also grapples with the sudden death of her former partner Ken Chastain, who dies in a drunk driving crash. Though she initially resists attending the funeral, she’s persuaded by her team and Chastain’s widow, who reveals that Ken regretted failing to support Ballard after her assault by Officer Olivas. This revelation stirs new suspicions: Olivas may have harmed another woman—possibly Samira—before she abruptly left RHD. Meanwhile, Colleen continues her search for Yulia’s family, and Laffont handles a sensitive witness tied to the Laura case. The episode closes with Javier naming a ring of LAPD officers who allegedly trade weapons and secrets with cartels, confirming Ballard’s worst fears: her unit isn’t just chasing cold cases—they’re stepping into a live minefield of corruption.
Plot Narrative[]
Ballard’s cold case unit is shaken when Martina discovers that the bullet from the John Doe case—previously logged into LAPD evidence—has vanished. Using digital reconstruction, she matches the bullet’s rifling to a cartel-linked firearm. The victim, previously unidentified, is confirmed as Luis Ibarra, a known coyote. Ballard suspects the murder is tied to a ring of corrupt officers trafficking weapons and information to cartels.
Ballard and Samira Parker visit Javier Fuentes, an inmate with cartel ties. He identifies Luis and names several LAPD officers allegedly involved in gun running. Ballard warns Samira to stay quiet, knowing they’re now investigating active-duty cops. The stakes are no longer cold—they’re radioactive.
Ballard learns that her former partner Ken Chastain has died in a drunk driving crash. Though she initially refuses to attend the funeral, her team persuades her to go. There, Chastain’s widow reveals that Ken regretted failing to support Ballard after her assault by Officer Olivas, and that he suspected Olivas had harmed another woman—possibly Samira, who left RHD abruptly years earlier. Ballard confronts Samira, who admits Olivas assaulted her but never reported it. The revelation deepens Ballard’s resolve and adds urgency to their investigation. Olivas isn’t just a predator—he may be part of the cartel-linked ring Fuentes described.
Colleen continues her search for Yulia’s family in Ukraine, while Laffont handles a sensitive witness in the Laura case. Ballard’s team begins to see connections between Yulia, Luis, and Laura—victims who may have crossed paths with the same network of predators. Ballard also revisits the Pearlman case, where the acting coach’s alibi is unraveling. She pushes for exhumation to retrieve DNA, but Captain Berchem resists, fearing political fallout. Ballard’s unit is now operating in a minefield—every step forward risks triggering institutional backlash.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Maggie Q as Renée Ballard
- Courtney Taylor as Samira Parker
- Michael Mosley as Ted Rawls
- Rebecca Field as Colleen Hatteras
- Victoria Moroles as Martina Castro
- Amy Hill as Tutu
- John Carroll Lynch as Thomas Laffont
Guest-Starring[]
- Michael Cassidy as Aaron
- Noah Bean as Jake Pearlman
- Alain Uy as Nelson Hastings
- Ricardo Chavira as Robert Olivas
- Kevin Dunn as Gary Pearlman
- Brendan Sexton III as Anthony Driscoll
- Richard Cabral as Javier Fuentes
- Sharif Atkins as Damani
- Colin McCalla as Manny Santos
- Brian Letscher as Ken Chastain
- William Mark McCullough as Zander Coleman
- Dan Sanders-Joyce as Adam Lennox
- Sadie Stratton as Mrs. Chastain
- Gregory Scott Cummins as Crate
- Troy Evans as Barrel
Co-Starring[]
- Andrew Hawtrey as Firearms Freddie
- Betty Ann Ortega as Dolorés
- Guy Heilweil as Chastain's Son
- Ilia Volok as Andrei
| Ballard (TV Series) Season One episodes |
|
"Library of Lost Souls" • "Haystacks" • "BYOB" • "Landmines" • "What's Done in the Dark" • "Beneath the Surface" • "Fork in the Road" • "Last Call" • "Collateral" • "End of the Line |