Cross season 1 review: Aldis Hodge is the Alex Cross we need

As a long-time fan of James Patterson’s Alex Cross novels, I have to say that the Prime Video series Cross has truly knocked it out of the park. I’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to adaptations, and let me tell you, Aldis Hodge‘s portrayal of Alex Cross is nothing short of brilliant.

Upon learning that there would be another adaptation of the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson, some of us expressed concern. After all, no one seemed to embody the character we envisioned from the books quite like Cross. However, Aldis Hodge has successfully brought him to life in the Prime Video series titled “Cross.

Caution: There are some SPOILERS for Cross season 1 in this post.

Eight episodes from the first season have been released, which made me excited as Amazon renewed the show even before its debut. This suggested that the anticipation was strong and the executives were impressed by the series quality, making me feel similar to how I felt about shows like Jack Ryan and Reacher.

Amazon has truly delivered with this series. It’s packed with a compelling narrative that keeps us guessing at every turn. Regardless of our knowledge about who Alex and the police are chasing in connection to the season’s main case, the storyline remains grippingly intense.

I worried Cross would have a problem with dragging out the case

In most crime series, the main antagonist would typically kill their penultimate or final victim early on, creating a trail of bodies for the police to investigate. However, this wasn’t the pattern in the show “Cross“. Instead, Ramsey killed his last known victim at the beginning of the first episode, while the second to last victim was already found dead. This came as a surprise to the police, as they were unaware that there were so many victims involved!

Throughout the ordeal, keeping the police off-balance proved effective. I was constantly worried for Shannon’s safety until the very end. I believed Ramsey might have to take her life to maintain suspense if the series intended to keep viewers on tenterhooks. It seemed almost impossible to prolong the situation, particularly after Alex and the rest of the law enforcement had identified (presumably) the main culprit.

It didn’t drag, though. We got to see the mind of a serial killer at work. We saw what money and power bring, and we saw just how easy it was to manipulate people. That scene at the party as everyone sees the video of Alex beating on a suspect was intense and raw, and it made it clear that it didn’t matter what other people knew or saw. Once you paint someone as a bad guy, they’re not listened to anymore.

Interspersing with Alex’s personal grief was powerful

In addition, there was a character deeply mourning his loss, a common plot device seen often in many shows. However, the death of the wife is a tired trope that could use retirement. Yet, in the series Cross, it served its purpose effectively.

Alex was more than a man merely mourning; he had a keen understanding of his psychological state. Recognizing his need for assistance, he struggled to find the appropriate support. Yet, he wasn’t yet prepared to embrace it. Occasionally, he would defy convention, showing glimpses of vulnerability that were not typical of the lead character.

Afterward, his sorrow served as a driving force. He was resolute in locating Shannon, and part of this determination stemmed from his desire to spare her family the same pain he endured.

I pondered over who orchestrated everything, and it’s remarkable how the show avoided prolonged scenes solely dedicated to Alex investigating his wife’s murder. Setting the story a year after her death seemed to have played a role in this. We witnessed the raw anger subside, allowing us to observe Alex attempting (and ultimately struggling) to progress with his life.

By examining Alex’s situation, we gained insight into how his grief was affecting his family, and we find it crucial to remember this. These children have tragically lost their mother, and Alex, in his own way, wasn’t able to provide them with the support they needed. They had to tread carefully around him due to his emotional state. Maintaining a balance is essential in dealing with grief, but Alex’s grieving process is raw and unabashed. He required time to work through it, and only by finding answers could he achieve the closure he sought.

The unexpected turn at the end caught me off guard. I thought for sure it would be Elle who was behind everything, but when the truth was revealed, it became clear why Karen Robinson’s role had been so minimal until the final episode. I should have anticipated that twist. Robinson is simply captivating on screen, whether she’s portraying a character on either side of the law. She truly stole the show during the finale. Kudos to the writing team and everyone else who shared scenes with her. Every word she spoke felt genuine, and I found myself genuinely worried that something terrible might happen to someone close to Alex.

Let’s talk the supporting cast in Cross season 1

In essence, Isaiah Mustafa perfectly filled the role of John Sampson, providing support for Alex but ultimately having to distance himself for his own wellbeing. However, I find it questionable how quickly Sampson and Kayla got involved romantically. A more gradual development between these two characters would have made their relationship seem more authentic. Despite some harsh words exchanged, I am optimistic about the potential recovery of Alex and John’s friendship—true friendships often overcome challenges, so there is reason to be hopeful.

Regarding Kayla, there’s something about her that makes me uneasy. I’ve been a fan of Alona Tal since her days on Supernatural, and it’s great to see her taking on more significant roles. Given my familiarity with Kyle Craig from the novels, I can’t help but wonder if Kayla is connected or a gender-swapped version of that character. If it’s a gender swap, it might explain the trust issues I’m experiencing with the character. Nonetheless, Tal delivers her role convincingly. She portrays a mix of cockiness and intelligence, and she knows how to accumulate favors effectively.

Apart from expressing my appreciation to Eloise Mumford for her exceptional portrayal of Shannon, I’d like to highlight that she managed to convey a multitude of feelings through subtle expressions rather than dialogue. Notably, much of the show was filmed with her character gagged, yet her eyes told compelling stories of fear, anger, and frustration, among other emotions. Mumford truly embodied Shannon’s fierce spirit in every scene, making me root for Alex to discover where she was being held captive and ultimately see her safely escape. Her performance left a lasting impression on me.

In summary, the initial season served as a robust foundation for this transformation. With news that there will be a second season of Cross, I eagerly anticipate witnessing more of Hodge in his central role. I hope that future episodes will delve deeper into his personal life, particularly his relationships with family and pursuit of happiness. Additionally, it would be intriguing to see him strive towards becoming a better police officer after such a powerful debut. This seems like the next logical step following this impressive opening act.

Cross is available to stream on Prime Video.

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2024-11-14 18:28