A Bang, Not A Whimper – As the episode opens, Detective Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) is in the shower. He recalls Ramirez explaining how the process works and suggests it take place at his house to avoid embarrassment. Cross says his kids don’t know about it and he will go to the police station alone. A protest is being held outside the police station when Cross arrives. Malika Goodspeed (Ashley Rios) stares at him in disgust. He assures her that he fulfilled his promise to Emir. She curses him and the police. Oracene Massey (Sharon Taylor) puts a Washington Telegram article about Cross beating a man on the table. Chief April Anderson (Jennifer Wigmore) orders him to surrender his gun and badge. He admits to making a mistake with Ed Ramsey (Ryan Eggold) but there was Shannon Whitmer’s (Eloise Mumford) life to consider. Massey informs him that Ramsey approved a search of his house and there was no evidence of Shannon being there. Cross says Ramsey had an entire day to move her before his house was searched. He suggests Ramsey wants to end his killing spree with Shannon and on a bag. Cross describes Ramsey as obsessed and a perfectionist. Anderson sarcastically asks if he is referring to himself. He says spoken like a “wannabe mayor.” She threatens to make his nightmares come true if he doesn’t surrender his badge and leave. Placing them on the table, he insists Ramsey is holding Shannon hostage. Detective John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) vows to now stop until Ramsey is caught. They get into a yelling match. Shawna De Lackner (Stacie Greenwell) intervenes to stop it from turning physical.

Cross finds a bouquet of flowers with a note, “You’re still my number one” on his desk. He knocks it onto the floor and shatters the vase. He discovers “abolish” spray painted on his vehicle. Later at the school, Principal Brock (Bam Hall) tells Cross that Damon Cross (Caleb Elijah) punched a classmate in the eye. Damon refuses to say what happened. Brock gives him a week’s suspension. A short time later, Cross scolds Damon for not resolving the issue without physical contact. Damon denies the boy hit him. Special Agent Kayla Craig (Alona Tal) shows Cross a video of young White Mike (Antoine Niolas) performing a mock sacrifice on stage during a 1998 performance. Young Ed Ramsey (Mathew J. Lindblom) is in attendance. She says White Mike goes by the name, Michael Grisham who resides in Philadelphia. Elsewhere, Lai Man (Philip Yang) creates a replica of Aileen Wuornos’ teeth. Pendleton Whitney (Richard Waugh) pays him.

Miss Nancy (Karen Robinson) and Regina “Nana Mama” Cross (Juanita Jennings discuss a troubled Damon. Cross tells them that he is going to Philadelphia to check out a lead in the Ramsey Case. Nana Mama insists he stay to help Damon but he refuses. At an undisclosed location, Shannon grabs Ramsey’s hand when he tries to fit her with the Wuronos replica. He forces her mouth open and places the apparatus over her top teeth. He is immediately impressed. She curses him. Elsewhere, Nana Mama forces Cross to take Damon with him to Philadelphia. At a gym, Kayla informs Sampson that Cross is going to Philadelphia before urging him to set things right with Cross. At a bank, a loan officer (Ian Busher) tells Bobby Trey (Johnny Ray Gill), who is utilizing an alias, Mr. Abellard, that his wire transfer hasn’t come through. En route to Philadelphia, Damon claims to have hit his classmate because he was showing a video of him beating a man and criticizing him. At home, Nana Mama explains how Maria’s death has impacted Cross and Damon. While Damon enjoys his milkshake, Cross admits it was wrong to beat the man who he thought knew something about Maria’s murder.

Dr. Maria Daine (Kristin Booth) repairs the scar on Shannon’s face. She applies mortician putty to prevent a scar. Elsewhere, ADA Susan Kowaleski (Shannon DeVido) visits the Cross house to find Alex gone. Nana Mama tries to convince her to tell her what she knows about the Nolan case. At a hotel, Cross compliments Damon for how well he plays the piano. White Mike tells Cross that Ramsey was drawn to his dark music and thought he was evil like him. He says it was only singing. Ramsey forced a man to dig up the knife he utilized to kill Rodney McKay (David Webb) and send it to him. He witnessed the murder but took no part in it. He plays a video of a nude Rodney (David Webb) showing up unexpectedly at young White Mike’s place for his sacrifice. They have the knife from the High Division. Young Ramsey says August 21 is the perfect day for Rodney to die. Rodney is thrilled with the idea. In a flashback, an intoxicated, nude Rodney lays on a table. White Mike covers him and helps Ramsey restrain his arms to the table. Ramsey snaps photos of White Mike pointing the knife at Rodney’s neck and accidentally cutting him. Rodney curses him. Ramsey urges him to finish the job. Rodney demands they remove the restraints. White Mike holds the knife over Rodney’s heart. Ramsey grabs it and plunges it deep into Rodney’s chest. Back to the present, Cross tells White Mike that Ramsey is holding a woman hostage and he can help stop him from killing her.

– Roger Thorn (Michael Rhoades) returns home and finds out that Tippy (Darla Biccum) has invited Regina over. Trippy says Regina is with the MPD Officers’ Family Association. Roger invites her to stay for supper. Regina thinks he knows her grandson Alex Cross. She explains she came to get the name of Deirdre Nolan’s accomplice. Roger asks Tippy to go into the other room. Regina says Roger doesn’t want her to know that he messed up. She goes on to say a prosecutor slipped one of his case files to her. Deirdre confessed to murder and two witnesses said she had an accomplice. They even gave a name, but Roger supposedly buried their statements and the name. Roger says the girl claimed she acted alone. Regina says he took the easy win and retired. Now, the lead is coming after her and her family. Regina wants the name. Chief Anderson tells Sampson that they shouldn’t grab Ed Ramsey yet. She insists they need an indictment and need to handle this perfectly.

Massey agrees it’s the right move. Next, Massey helps White Mike settle into his room. Massey tells White Mike that he has her number and patrol will check on him every hour. Mike says he always knew someone would come knocking someday. He believes he should’ve said something. Kayla speaks to Dave (Ben Sanders) about getting clearance to the actual Senate floor. Sampson interrupts and claims he is Kayla’s husband. Dave excuses himself and leaves. Sampson tells Kayla he plans on being the first to move in on Ramsey when it goes down. He thought Kayla might want to join him. He admits they wouldn’t be here without her. Alex Cross listens to his son play piano. He apologizes and says there is nothing wrong with wanting to talk about his mom. Damon asks why he doesn’t talk about her. Alex admits it makes him sad. He promises he’s there and Damon can ask him anything. They talk about their memories of her.

Cross breaks down while listening to a recording of Maria and others. Sampson wakes up Kayla and tells her it’s six. She thinks they have time for sex. Later, Kayla asks Sampson if he’s going to tell Cross if they’re ever back on speaking terms. Sampson admits that’s a big if. White Mike tells Massey that his stomach is in knots. Ed comes outside and speaks to Kayla and Sampson. Ed learns Kayla is the one who found the witness they’re going to use to bring him down. Ed asks if they’re sure they have a witness. Massey shoots White Mike in the head. Then, she begins telling herself that she’s going to be okay.

 

Cross Review

It seems a delusional seamstress weaved these ridiculous side stories together to create what has become an implausible mess. With the series already being renewed for a season two, it’s doubtful any of the cases will reach a resolution this season.

The story flow is altered by amateurish editing and overused jump cuts. The acting is hit-and-miss. The camerawork is subpar at best.

Nudity is finding its way into nearly every film and TV show created today. It does have an artistic purpose when utilized properly, in this case, it adds nothing to the story. The episode deserves 5.2 out of 10.

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