Masks – The episode begins with Alex Cross and John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) reviewing ADA Susan Kowaleski’s (Shannon DeVido) harrowing testimony of the Lance Marion (Craig Warnock) and Deirdre Nolan (Jessica Clement) case. As it is later revealed, Cross also gave testimony on the case that led to Deirdre’s life sentence. While inside, Deirdre was mentally and physically abused by CO Brenda Leeland (Kiran Friesen), which led to her eventual suicide.
Cross later enjoys a brief respite, eavesdropping on Damon (Caleb Elijah) and Janelle Cross (Melody Hurd) playfully arguing over the piano. This only however goes from bad to worse when he learns that Regina ‘Nana Mama’ Cross (Juanita Jennings) is bringing back their traditional Friday night karaoke gatherings.
Ed Ramsey (Ryan Eggold) works with Lem Futa (Vieslav Krystyan) and Stan Cikola (Adrian Ptriw) to finish the soundproofing on his panic room while Cross and Sampson introduce several coworkers to their latest prey they have dubbed as Fanboy. Not only does Fanboy turn his victims into notable serial killers but he recreates their deaths right down to the finest detail. The book provides a major breakthrough upon learning that Fanboy’s next mockup will be Eileen Wuornos. This puts them on the trail of the recently disappeared, Shannon Witmer (Eloise Mumford). Sampson and Cross also visit Emir Goodspeed’s (Donovan Brown) family but the interview is equal parts unproductive and unpleasant.
Although Detectives Amielynn Vega (Mercedes De La Zeerda) and Shawna De Lackner (Stacie Greenwell) have been more than productive with the information Cross and Sampson got about Emir, the results aren’t coming fast enough, which leads to them attempting to speed things up. They attempt this by bribing reporter; Tania Hightower (Siobhan Murphy) with what they guarantee will be a front-page story, Shannon Witmer. She reluctantly takes the information and promises to use it but is far more intrigued with the Goodspeed case.
Cross nearly walks right back out the door when he returns home later that evening to find that Nana has invited Miss Nancy to attend karaoke Friday. Things only get worse from there when Nana attempts to guilt him over his decision to sit the event out. He does, however, agree to get the machine from the garage and set it up which leads to a brief flashback of Maria Cross (Chauntee Schuler Irving).
Hightower’s front-page release about Witmer sparks outrage with Malika Goodspeed (Ashley Rios) and the lackluster attention her brother’s death is getting. Being that he is partly to blame for Malika’s outrage, Sampson attempts to calm her down but that only manages to enrage her even further. At the same time, Cross has lunch with Elle Montiro (Samantha Walkes) but turns down her offer to attend Ramsey’s birthday party.
By this point, Vega and Lackner have nearly filled an entire room with evidence pertaining to the case. Cross is just as equally impressed as Sampson and seeing all the information in one place causes Cross to suspect that if they miss their opportunity to takedown Fanboy, they won’t get another chance.
After reviewing Diedre’s psych evaluation Vega and Lackner excitedly tell Cross and Sampson how they’ve linked Fanboy to a specialty cosmetic purchase at a Kugler’s Pharmacy. Akbar (Dwain Murphy) and Val Hardy (Matt Baram) are writing the warrant as they speak. The excitement dies the moment Cross realizes the purchase links to the name Harry Powers, a famous serial killer from an old Robert Mitchum film.
At the same time, Raymond and his contractor Stan are putting the finishing touches on the panic room when Shannon realizes her time is coming to an end. In hopes of saving herself, he attempts to draw attention to her presence, which works but costs Stan his life. DNA reports finally come back and pay off in a major way, causing Cross to realize that Fanboy is not only from Indiana but his ‘murder book’ is much more than an average book, it’s practically his bible.
Despite his earlier reaction to karaoke night, Cross is more than willing to play along when Elle uses their ‘special date’ to lure him to the event. As it turns out, he has a great time, until the grand finale. As the entire group gears up to participate in the final song of the evening, the karaoke machine plays the 911 call he made after Maria was shot.
Although Shannon tried to escape earlier, she appears to have graciously accepted her demise as Raymond treats her to a last meal of sorts. Little does she know, he’s used the dinner to sedate her. While that takes place, Cross and Sampson have a bit of bittersweet luck when the tracker on the book leads them to ex-cop, Bobby Trey (Johnny Ray Gill). In addition to this, Chris Wu (Jason Rogel) gets shot during the takedown and Cross ends up having to shoot Bobby. Despite taking several shots to the chest, it is later revealed that he survives. Being an ex-cop certainly doesn’t help matters and puts Chief Anderson (Jennifer Wigmore) in an especially embarrassing situation.
In light of the depressing outcome of the evening, Cross ends the night at Elle’s place, where they take their relationship to the next level, apparently all night because he isn’t shown leaving until the following morning.
Things get even better the next morning when he receives a surprise visit from Vega, with evidence clearly indicating Raymond as Fanboy. The episode ends with Cross making plans to attend Raymond’s party.
Cross Review
I can’t say the episode was horrible but it was far from great. As far as the plot goes, everything is playing out rather nicely, although things do seem a bit too easy at times. Some of the scenes were so bad that I felt embarrassed for the actors. The entire Bobby scenario was just plain awful and the scene when Lackner gets the DNA results was pretty bad.
In addition to that, things are especially weird with Shannon and Raymond. I know the majority of this is probably intentional, but the way she acquiesces to him after fighting so hard to escape doesn’t make much sense. I’d give this episode a 5 out of 10.
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