Episode 4, “The Mask,” conveys the idea of secrecy. The episode is structured both literally and figuratively, with some characters wearing masks to hide themselves and others wearing masks to protect themselves. I have no problem with the actors’ performance of the material. However, making a great television series requires the combined efforts of producers, writers, directors, editors, and others. The stark polarization between our hero Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) and villain Ed Ramsey (Ryan Eggold) feels forced at times, The result is a rather lazy narrative that robs these talented actors of the opportunity to explore nuance and subtlety. So, it seems that my concern may lie with the rabble in the village rather than the main characters of the show. Read on to learn more.
The final episode ends in a cemetery, with a dress hanging high in a tree near Maria Cross’ grave that Cross says he’s seen before. The dress was worn in court by Deirdre Nolan (Jessica Clement), who was testifying against him. Cross cringed at his expert testimony as he reviewed the court film. He said Ms Nolan would not be able to re-enter society because “she cannot be cured”. The judge sentenced Deirdre to life in prison based on Cross’s testimony. We also find out that Deirdre was abused in prison by correctional officer Brenda Leland (Kieran Friesen), the woman Cross set up to kill in the previous episode. Deirdre may have committed suicide in prison as a result of Leland’s abuse.
MASK – Cross, pictured: Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross and Isaiah Mustafa as John Sampson. Photo: Keri Anderson/Prime Video © 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. all rights reserved
At home, Cross faced constant pressure to move on from her grief. Mom Nana (Juanita Jennings) worries that her grandchildren are “walking on eggshells” to avoid upsetting their dad. To solve the problem, she ordered family karaoke to resume on Fridays. “You just want to see me break down,” Cross accused. “No, baby, I just want to see you have a breakthrough,” she soothed. Cross, insular and insensitive, flatly refused to participate. Nana’s mother complained that without him, the whole family wouldn’t be there. Cross rightly reminds her that since his wife Maria was murdered, the whole family has never been the same again. When Cross retrieved the karaoke machine from the garage, he played his wife’s hit song, Chaka Khan’s “Love Me Still.” His veneer of emotional stability evaporated and he succumbed to sadness, anger, and depression. Can I just say how much I love angsty Aldis?
Meanwhile, Ed Ramsey rescued Shannon Whitmore from Bobby Trey (Johnny Ray Gill) and tightened his grip on her before losing control of her again. The scenes between Ramsay and Whitmore in this episode escalate to gruesome, or more accurately, tooth-crushing heights. Ramsay wore a creepy rubber mask that completely covered his face and distorted his speech. However, viewers know that Bobby Trey, the caretaker of the 41 Price Street property, knows him unmasked. They all know who he is, so why do they need to play tricks? Apparently, Ed Ramsey’s hidden madness means he’s using a mask to hide his mental instability. Ramsay’s semblance of order and normalcy evaporates after he commits a violent and inexcusable act in front of Shannon. In response to her reaction, Ramsay calmly explains: “I’m not a monster.” Isn’t he?
“Mask” – CROSS, pictured here as Ryan Eggold as Ed Ramsey. Photo: Keri Anderson/Prime Video © 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. all rights reserved
Shannon continues to delight and surprise. Her interactions with Ramsay are smart. He considers himself an artist creating masterpieces. She is an art curator. Peanut butter. jelly. She uses her knowledge of art to attract and manipulate Ramsay by complementing his work. Shannon wanted to deflect suspicion and maintain the illusion that she was with him. Shannon uses her unique hidden madness as a coping mechanism to manage her severe anxiety while maintaining a semblance of calm. Unfortunately, Shannon is no match for Ed Ramsey, but it’s fun as a viewer to see her continue the fight.
Inside the classroom, Cross and his team created an evidence mural based on what was carefully documented in The Good Book. Detective Shawna De Lackner (Stacey Greenwell) helps find the connection between the missing woman Shannon Whitmore and the case. Some evidence from the book was sent for DNA testing. John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) quiets the team down, clarifying that Cross is “doing his thing.” Studying the walls, Cross speculates that the book was written by a master artist who thought he was on the verge of completing his masterpiece, which adds urgency. But the writing bogs down a bit here – getting a little too clever in deciphering the personal names associated with the book. The audience almost needs to have concrete knowledge of these people for the plot to make sense. I suspect the goal is less about content knowledge and more about understanding how Cross’s mind works.
Cross knew the book held the key to solving the case. Ramsey instructed Bobby Trey to get it back. Cut to Trey singing, “You, you got what I needed,” from Biz Markey’s “Just a Friend.” Interestingly, a small figure in the police station, Chris Wu (Jason Rogel), brought him what he needed. We now know the police department was compromised. We also know that Cross doesn’t believe that ex-cop Trey is the mastermind behind the book. Cross chases Trey and wants him to reveal who he works for. Yes, that didn’t happen, the police no longer have custody of this “good book”.
MASK – CROSS, Pictured: Samantha Walkers as Ellie Monteiro. Photo: Keri Anderson/Prime Video © 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. all rights reserved
Cross has lunch with Ellie Monteiro (Samantha Walker). She was in full seduction mode. Cross questioned whether her attention was intended to get him to agree to attend Ramsay’s birthday party, but he declined. Ellie assures him that’s not the case. She didn’t lie. Elle’s real strategy was to send him to Friday family karaoke night, which she did. Things were going well until they weren’t. The stalker infiltrates the home and plays not music from the karaoke machine but Cross’s 911 call reporting that his wife had been shot. The children started crying. “I really think it would be good for us,” Ellie said ruefully. “Yes,” Cross assured. He wasn’t lying because he later showed up and spent the night with Ellie.
After Cross spends the night with Allie, Agent Kyra Craig (Alona Tarr) is strangely waiting outside Allie’s house as he leaves. She had been tracking DNA samples in the Good Books, which produced video evidence that convinced Cross he had to go to Ed Ramsey’s birthday party.
MASK – CROSS, pictured with Alona Tarr as Kyra Craig. Photo: Keri Anderson/Prime Video © 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. all rights reserved
Overall, “The Mask” is a solid episode with this two-pronged mystery starting to come together. I thought the production was a bit over the top, with chases, foul-mouthed arguments and dramatic shootouts. This approach may appeal to fans of high-stakes cop dramas, but it diminishes the potential to create the richer, more complex crime stories that the production has shown it can deliver when it focuses on the Cross family . The acting is still solid and the story is interesting, so keep watching. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself inspired to watch it again.
When you think of masks, what comes to your mind? How do the masks and imagery shown in this episode impact your understanding of who the characters really are and what drives them? Let me know in the comments and thanks for reading.
Overall rating:
8/10
Lynette Jones