One of the many reasons to watch Prime Video’s Cross is Ben Watkins, the man behind the series. Watkins is associated with some of my favorite shows like “Hand of God” and “Burn Notice.” In fact, “Hero Complex” combines the cheekiness and sass of Michael Westing in “Burn Notice” with the psychological distress of Judge Pernell Harris in “Hand of God.” So Watkins, a self-proclaimed crime addict, can be trusted to make a difference in all areas alongside Cross. I encourage you to check it out.
In lesser hands, Alex Cross, who plays James Patterson in his older role, might have had issues. That’s definitely not the case here. The original story line, pacing, and acting were all very good. The show goes out of its way to impress upon viewers just how deep Alex Cross’ love is for his wife. Yeah, and then she’s immediately ripped away… and murdered.
“Hero Complex”-CROSS, pictured: Aldis Hodge plays Alex Cross.
A year later, the camera zooms in on Cross’s back, where he sits alone in a dirty office. You could feel the sadness pouring off him. From the tone, you get the sense that he hasn’t fully recovered from his wife’s death. Later, we learn from the narrative that he has not yet recovered from her death. We understand that D.C. police suspended him for six months due to his involvement in vigilante operations after her death. The key is that we immediately develop this widowed father of two into a rich, complex character with whom we can sympathize. Aldis Hodge plays the role perfectly.
Despite sitting alone, Cross heard the suspect’s interrogation from his office. Other officers were questioning the man about the circumstances surrounding his pregnant wife’s death. The suspect is racist, arrogant and insufferable. He encouraged a black police officer to attack him after he requested medical attention because he suffered from “severe intermittent fevers.” Cross told his colleagues that the suspect had confessed. They didn’t hear it, so they turned the interrogation over to Cross.
The interaction between the white suspect and Cross is perhaps the funniest scene in the episode, which is probably why it was chosen for the trailer. There were some jokes about “free chicken.” Confused? Watch this episode to find out, as this scene is both informative and entertaining.
“Hero Complex”-CROSS, pictured: Aldis Hodge plays Alex Cross..
In short, Cross goads the suspect by mocking the premise that genes make whites intellectually superior and theorizing that genes make blacks superior. Ouch – that must have hurt. Cross went on to tell the suspect that he had confessed on the recording. “I didn’t say anything,” the man said, his racist bravado diminished. Cross reminds him that he admits to suffering from “the fever of life,” a line from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” that means the man is suffering from guilt-induced pain. In my mind, Cross is thinking about another line from Macbeth when he defeats this man: “Told by an idiot, with sound and fury, and meaning nothing.” This line from Macbeth sets the stage for Cross’ character. Adds dimension, highlighting his intellectual prowess while also emphasizing the futility and confusion of the suspect’s actions. This scene effectively sets the stage for his mental and physical dominance, which is crucial to the progression of the story.
Aside from Ben Watkins at the helm, you should also keep an eye on the star-studded cast. If you watch TV and movies like I do, you’ll recognize the faces even if you don’t recognize the names. Aldis Hodge stars as Assistant District Attorney DeCourcy Ward opposite Kevin Bacon on Showtime’s “City on a Hill,” and he’s everything! His portrayal of Alex Cross is simply brilliant. Hodge’s performance inspired me to read all 32 of Patterson’s novels featuring Alex Cross. Anyone want to join me?
“Hero Complex” – CROSS, pictured: Juanita Jennings plays Nana Mama.
You might also recognize the face of Cross’s grandmother, Mama Nana. She instantly triggers warm feelings, like hot cocoa at Christmas. Perhaps the most familiar face in the group is Ryan Eggold. He was Max Goodwin in “New Amsterdam” and Tom Keen in “The Blacklist” and “The Blacklist Redemption.” What’s interesting about Eggold’s casting is that even though he’s clearly a bad guy – if not the bad guy – he brings a unique sense of seductive magic to the table.
According to Eggold, Max Goodwin was a die-hard New Amsterdam fan who relied on his vulnerability to build real connections, trust, and empathy. In “Cross,” Eggold plays Ed Ramsey, a man who operates at the opposite end of the moral spectrum. He portrays a master manipulator who creates the illusion of real connection. His character is designed to control, exploit, gain power and advantage over others. For example, when Cross and Ramsey met at an event, he told Cross that he focused on his work. He also revealed that his mother was murdered while he was in college. When handing over his business card, he said he did things for others and enjoyed receiving the favors. Ramsey shared a wealth of information for forensic psychologists to use throughout the remainder of the season.
“Hero Complex” – CROSS, pictured: Ryan Eggold plays Ed Ramsey.
The only erroneous annotations in “Hero Complex” are the inclusion of “Black Lives Matter” and the defunding of the police storyline. This narrative thread feels stale. Given this backlash, or what some refer to as “white resistance,” we (the United States) are no longer in a sociopolitical climate that has even a modicum of tolerance for such social justice issues. The content lag may be due to Amazon announcing Cross back in 2022, but significant changes have occurred in just two years.
Regardless, I’ve been patiently waiting for this show with incredibly high expectations. Cross exceeds these expectations as it effectively embodies and executes all the hallmarks of a crime procedural. The show sparks viewers’ curiosity about the dark, disturbing aspects of human behavior while stoking our desire to understand the serial killer’s motivations that drive this story. The show introduces us to a shocking mystery. Who wouldn’t want to put ourselves in Cross’s shoes, decipher clues and exercise our critical thinking skills? I’m already trying to figure out the connection between his wife and the murder of activist Emil Goodspeed. What do you think?
The episode’s title, “Hero Complex,” refers to Cross’s personality flaw, which stems from his overwhelming need to help, save, and protect others. These obligations are inseparable from his roles as therapist, detective, father, and husband. The fact that he couldn’t save his wife clearly took a toll on Cross’ mental health and jeopardized his new relationship with Elle. Watkin’s exploration of these human elements adds depth to the show’s crime-solving aspects, like a stew in wine, adding layers of complex flavors and balancing them to create a harmonious and rich dish. Great, now I’m hungry – craving more Cross. Do you think Cross is a well-balanced band? Do you think his wife’s murder is connected to that of Emile Goodspeed? Let me know in the comments and thanks for reading.
Overall rating:
10/10
Lynette Jones