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In lesser hands, taking on James Patterson’s well-worn character, Alex Cross, might be problematic. This is decidedly not the case here. The original story is well-plotted, paced, and acted. The show goes out of its way to imprint upon viewers how deeply in love Alex Cross is with his wife. Yeah, then she is immediately ripped away…murdered.

A year passes, and the camera closes in on Cross’s back as he sits alone in a dingy office. You can feel the grief dripping off him. Tonally, you get the impression that he hasn’t fully recovered from his wife’s death. Later, we learn, narratively, that he is not over her death. We understand that the Metro DC police suspended him for six months due to his involvement in vigilante actions following her death. The point is that we immediately establish this widowed father of two as a rich, complex character with whom we can empathize. Aldis Hodge channels this character perfectly.

Although seated alone, Cross hears the interrogation of a suspect from his office. Other officers are questioning the man about the death of his pregnant wife. The suspect is racist, arrogant, and overall insufferable. He goads a black officer into attacking him after he had already requested medical attention because he is suffering from “a terrible case of life’s fitful fever.” Cross tells his fellow officers that the suspect has already confessed. They didn’t hear it, so they defer the interrogation to Cross. 

The interaction between the white suspect and Cross was, perhaps, the most entertaining sequence in the episode, and probably why it was selected for the trailer. There’s some banter about ‘free chicken’. Confused? Please watch the episode for answers and because this scene is both informative and amusing.

“Hero Complex” – CROSS, Pictured: Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross. Photo: Keri Anderson/Prime Video @ 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliate. All Rights Reserved.

In short, Cross goads the suspect by mocking the premise that genetics make white men intellectually superior by reasoning that genetics make black men superiorly endowed. Ouch – that had to hurt. Cross continues, telling the suspect that he has confessed on tape. “I didn’t say anything,” the man says, his racist bravado flagging. Cross reminds him that he’d admitted to suffering from “life’s fitful fever,” a line from Shakespeare’s Macbeth meaning the man is suffering from an affliction caused by a burden of guilt. In my head, Cross is thinking about another line from Macbeth as he best this man: “Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” This quote from Macbeth adds dimension to Cross’s character, highlighting his intellectual prowess while also emphasizing the futility and chaos of the suspect’s actions. The scene effectively sets the stage for his dominance, both mentally and physically, which is crucial for the story’s progression. 

Beyond Ben Watkins being at the helm, you should watch for the stellar ensemble cast. If you watch as much TV and movies as I do, you’ll recognize the faces, if not the names. Aldis Hodge, who portrayed Assistant District Attorney DeCourcy Ward opposite Kevin Bacon in Showtime’s City on a Hill, is everything! His portrayal of Alex Cross is nothing short of brilliant. Hodge’s performance inspires me to read all 32 of Patterson’s novels featuring Alex Cross. Anyone want to join me?

You may also recognize the visage of Nana Mama, Cross’s grandmother. She immediately triggers warm feelings like hot cocoa at Christmas. Perhaps the most familiar face in this ensemble is Ryan Eggold’s. He was Max Goodwin on “New Amsterdam” and Tom Keene from “The Blacklist” and “Blacklist Redemption.” What’s intriguing about Eggold’s casting here is that, despite clearly being a bad guy—if not THE bad guy—he brings a unique alchemy for seduction.

As a diehard fan of New Amsterdam, Max Goodwin, per Eggold’s portrayal, relied on his vulnerability to build genuine connections, trust, and empathy. In Cross, Eggold, as Ed Ramsey, operates from the opposite end of the ethical spectrum. He portrays a master manipulator, creating the illusion of authentic connection. His character is a façade tailored to control, exploit, and gain power and advantage over others. For example, when Cross and Ramsey meet at an event, he tells Cross he follows his work. He also reveals that his mother was murdered when he was in college. When handing over his business card, he says he does favors for other people and enjoys collecting on those favors. Ramsey shared a wealth of information for a forensic psychologist to use throughout the rest of the season.

The only false note in “Hero Complex” was the inclusion of the Black Lives Matter, defund the police storyline. This narrative thread felt stale. Given the backlash, or ‘whitelash’ as some would call it, we (America) are no longer in a social-political climate that has a modicum of tolerance for such social justice issues. The content lag may be because Amazon announced Cross back in 2022, but significant changes have occurred in just two years.

Regardless, I have been waiting patiently for this show with impossibly high expectations. Cross surpassed these expectations because it effectively embodies and executes all the hallmarks of crime procedurals. The show titillates viewers’ curiosity about the darker, unsettling aspects of human behavior while piquing our desire to understand the motives of the serial killer driving this story. The show introduced us to a banging mystery. Who wouldn’t want to put themselves in Cross’s position, deciphering clues and exercising our critical thinking skills? I’m already attempting to puzzle out the connection between his wife’s and the activist Emir Goodspeed’s murder. What do you think?

The episode’s title, “Hero Complex,” refers to a personality flaw in Cross that arises from his overwhelming need to help, rescue, and protect others. These obligations are inseparable from his roles as a therapist, detective, father, and husband. The fact that he could not save his wife is clearly taking a toll on Cross’s mental health as well as endangering his nascent relationship with Elle. Watkin’s exploration of these human elements adds depth to the crime-solving aspects of the show, akin to simmering a dish in wine, adding layers of complex flavors and balancing them to create a harmonious and richly flavored dish. Great, now I’m hungry—hungry for more Cross.
Did you find Cross a well-balanced ensemble? Do you believe that the murder of his wife has a connection to the murder of Emir Goodspeed? Let me know in the comments, and thanks for reading. 

Overall Rating:

10/10