Episode 4, Masks, conveys the concept of the covert. The episode buildings itself each actually and figuratively, with some characters donning masks to hide themselves and others donning them for cover. I’ve no quarrel with the actor’s execution of the fabric. Nonetheless, making good tv takes a village of producers, writers, administrators, editors, and others. The stark polarization between our hero, Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge), and the villain, Ed Ramsey (Ryan Eggold), typically feels pressured, leading to a reasonably lazy narrative that deprives these gifted actors of alternatives to discover nuance and subtlety. So, it appears, my considerations could lie with the village rabble, not with the present’s leads. Proceed studying to be taught extra.
The final episode led to a cemetery with a gown hung excessive within the timber close to Maria Cross’s grave, which Cross says he’d seen earlier than. The gown was worn in courtroom by somebody, Deirdre Nolan (Jessica Clement), whom he had testified in opposition to. Whereas reviewing the courtroom video, Cross cringes at his knowledgeable testimony. He mentioned that Ms. Nolan wouldn’t have the ability to reenter society as a result of “she could not be fixed.” The decide predicated Deirdre ‘s life sentence on Cross’s testimony. We additionally uncover that Deirdre was abused in jail by Correctional Officer Brenda Leeland (Kiran Friesen) who was the lady Cross was set as much as kill within the earlier episode. Deirdre presumably dedicated suicide in jail due to the abuse she suffered by the hands of Leeland.
“Mask” – CROSS, Pictured: Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross, Isaiah Mustafa as John Sampson. Picture: Keri Anderson/Prime Video © 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its associates. All Rights Reserved
At house, Cross is regularly pressured to maneuver past his grief. Mama Nana (Juanita Jennings) is anxious that her grandchildren “walk on eggshells” in order to not make their dad unhappy. To handle this concern, she decreed the return of Friday’s household karaoke. “You just want to see me break down,” Cross accuses. “No, baby, I just want to see you break through,” she reassures. Disconnected and numb, Cross outright rejects that he’ll attend. Nana Mama complains that the entire household will not be there with out him. Cross appropriately reminds her that the entire household will not be since his spouse, Maria, was murdered. When Cross retrieves the karaoke machine from the storage, he performs his spouse’s go-to tune, “Love Me Still” by Chaka Khan. His veneer of emotional stability slips, and he provides in to his unhappiness, anger, and frustration. Can I simply say how a lot I like an angsty Aldis?
In the meantime, Ed Ramsey, having retrieved Shannon Whitmore from Bobby Trey (Johnny Ray Gill), fortifies in opposition to shedding management over her once more. The scenes between Ramsey and Whitmore on this episode escalate to hair-raising or, extra precisely, teeth-shattering heights. Ramsey wears a creepy, rubber masks that fully conceals his face and distorts his speech. Nonetheless, viewers know that the caretaker of the 41 Worth Road property and Bobby Trey know him with out the masks. They know his identification, so why the artifice? Clearly, the covert madness of Ed Ramsey means he’s utilizing the masks to cover his psychological instability. Ramsey’s façade of order and normalcy slips after he commits an intense and unforgivable act in entrance of Shannon. In response to her response, Ramsey calmly explains, “I’m not a monster.” Is not he?
“Mask” – CROSS, Pictured: Ryan Eggold as Ed Ramsey. Picture: Keri Anderson/Prime Video
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Shannon continues to please and shock. She’s good in her interactions with Ramsey. He sees himself as an artist making a masterpiece. She is an artwork curator. Peanut butter. Jelly. She makes use of her data of artwork to appeal and manipulate Ramsey by complementing his work. Shannon desires to deflect suspicion and keep the façade that she’s in some way with him. Shannon employs her distinctive model of covert madness as a coping mechanism to handle her extreme anxiousness, all whereas sustaining an outward look of calm. Sadly, Shannon is not any match for Ed Ramsey, however as a viewer, it’s fascinating to look at her keep within the struggle.
Within the squad room, Cross and his workforce create an proof mural from the meticulously documented contents from the ‘Good E-book.’ Detective Shawna De Lackner (Stacie Greenwell) helps set up the hyperlink between the lacking lady, Shannon Whitmore, and the case. A number of the proof within the guide is shipped for DNA testing. John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) shushes the workforce, clarifying that Cross is “doing his thing.” From finding out the wall, Cross divines that the guide belongs to somebody who considers himself a virtuoso near finishing his masterpiece, ramping up the urgency. However the writing right here will get a bit slowed down — turning into a bit too intelligent relating to deciphering the names of the people related to the guide. Viewers virtually must have particular data about these folks for the plot to make sense. I believe the purpose was much less about content material data and extra about understanding how Cross’s thoughts works.
Cross is aware of the guide is vital to fixing the crime. Ramsey has directed Bobby Trey to get it again. Reduce to Trey singing, “You, you got what I need,” from Biz Markie’s, ‘Only a Pal.’ It is humorous as a result of Chris Wu (Jason Rogel), a minor character from the police division, has introduced him what he wants. We now know that the police division is compromised. We additionally know that Cross would not imagine that Trey, a former cop, is the mastermind behind the guide. Cross chases Trey, demanding that he says who he is working for. Yeah, that does not occur, and the police not have custody of the ‘Good E-book.’
“Mask” – CROSS, Pictured: Samantha Walkes as Elle Monteiro. Picture: Keri Anderson/Prime Video
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Cross and Elle Monteiro (Samantha Walkes) meet for lunch. She’s in full seductress mode. Cross questions whether or not her consideration is a ploy to get him to conform to attend Ramsey’s birthday celebration, to which he declined. Elle assures him that it isn’t. She did not lie. Elle’s actual ploy was to ship him to Friday’s household karaoke night time, which she does. Issues go effectively till they do not. The household’s stalker infiltrates, and as an alternative of the karaoke machine’s music, it performs Cross’s 911 name reporting his spouse’s capturing. The youngsters begin crying. Elle is remorseful, saying, “I truly thought this could be good for us.” “It was,” Cross assured. He did not lie, as he later confirmed as much as spend the night time with Elle.
After Cross’s night time with Elle, Particular Agent Kayla Craig (Alona Tal) is weirdly ready outdoors Elle’s house when he leaves. She has been following up with the DNA samples from the Good E-book, which has led to video proof that convinces Cross that he should go to Ed Ramsey’s birthday celebration.
“Mask” – CROSS, Pictured: Alona Tal as Kayla Craig. Picture: Keri Anderson/Prime Video
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General, Masks is a strong episode the place the strands of this two-pronged thriller start to knit collectively. I feel the manufacturing was slightly tropey with its foot chases, profanity-laced arguments, and dramatic shootouts. This strategy could cater to high-stakes police drama followers, nevertheless it undermines the potential for a richer, extra intricate crime story, which the manufacturing has proven it may well ship when it focuses on the Cross household. The performances stay strong, and the story is entertaining, so preserve watching. When you’re something like me, you may end up impressed to look at once more.
What did you consider Masks? How do the masks and pictures proven on this episode have an effect on your understanding of who the characters actually are and what drives them? Let me know within the feedback, and thanks for studying.
General Score:
8/10
Lynette Jones
