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 defense. I’ve no quarrel with the actor’s execution of the fabric. Nevertheless, 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 moderately lazy narrative that deprives these gifted actors of alternatives to discover nuance and subtlety. So, it appears, my issues might lie with the village rabble, not with the present’s leads. Proceed studying to be taught extra.
The final episode resulted in a cemetery with a gown hung excessive within the bushes 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 professional testimony. He stated that Ms. Nolan wouldn’t have the ability to reenter society as a result of “she couldn’t be mounted.” The choose 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 girl 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.
“Masks” – CROSS, Pictured: Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross, Isaiah Mustafa as John Sampson. Photograph: Keri Anderson/Prime Video © 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its associates. All Rights Reserved
At house, Cross is frequently pressured to maneuver past his grief. Mama Nana (Juanita Jennings) is anxious that her grandchildren “stroll on eggshells” in order to not make their dad unhappy. To handle this concern, she decreed the return of Friday’s household karaoke. “You simply need to see me break down,” Cross accuses. “No, child, I simply need to see you break by,” 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 Nonetheless” by Chaka Khan. His veneer of emotional stability slips, and he offers in to his unhappiness, anger, and frustration. Can I simply say how a lot I really 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. Nevertheless, viewers know that the caretaker of the 41 Value Road property and Bobby Trey know him with out the masks. They know his id, 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 am not a monster.” Is not he?
“Masks” – CROSS, Pictured: Ryan Eggold as Ed Ramsey. Photograph: Keri Anderson/Prime Video
© 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its associates. All Rights Reserved
Shannon continues to thrill and shock. She’s sensible 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 allure and manipulate Ramsey by complementing his work. Shannon desires to deflect suspicion and preserve the façade that she’s someway 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 isn’t any match for Ed Ramsey, however as a viewer, it’s fascinating to observe her keep within the battle.
Within the squad room, Cross and his staff 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 girl, Shannon Whitmore, and the case. Among the proof within the e-book is distributed for DNA testing. John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) shushes the staff, clarifying that Cross is “doing his factor.” From learning the wall, Cross divines that the e-book 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 in terms of deciphering the names of the people related to the e-book. Viewers virtually have to have particular data about these folks for the plot to make sense. I think the aim was much less about content material data and extra about understanding how Cross’s thoughts works.
Cross is aware of the e-book is vital to fixing the crime. Ramsey has directed Bobby Trey to get it again. Lower to Trey singing, “You, you bought what I would like,” from Biz Markie’s, ‘Only a Good friend.’ 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 e-book. 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.’
“Masks” – CROSS, Pictured: Samantha Walkes as Elle Monteiro. Photograph: Keri Anderson/Prime Video
© 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its associates. All Rights Reserved
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 celebration, to which he declined. Elle assures him that it’s not. She did not lie. Elle’s actual ploy was to ship him to Friday’s household karaoke evening, which she does. Issues go properly 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 children begin crying. Elle is remorseful, saying, “I really thought this could possibly be good for us.” “It was,” Cross assured. He did not lie, as he later confirmed as much as spend the evening with Elle.
After Cross’s evening with Elle, Particular Agent Kayla Craig (Alona Tal) is weirdly ready exterior 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 celebration.
“Masks” – CROSS, Pictured: Alona Tal as Kayla Craig. Photograph: Keri Anderson/Prime Video
© 2010-2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its associates. All Rights Reserved
Total, Masks is a stable episode the place the strands of this two-pronged thriller start to knit collectively. I believe the manufacturing was somewhat tropey with its foot chases, profanity-laced arguments, and dramatic shootouts. This method might cater to high-stakes police drama followers, however it undermines the potential for a richer, extra intricate crime story, which the manufacturing has proven it could possibly ship when it focuses on the Cross household. The performances stay stable, and the story is entertaining, so hold watching. In case you’re something like me, you may end up impressed to observe 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.
Total Ranking:
8/10
Lynette Jones