After seven episodes of build up between Alex Cross and the elusive Luz, the season two finale misses the mark, fumbling great ideas for a rushed ending to punt a potential third season narrative. While some plot points were expected, the execution resulted in an anti-climatic finish leaving viewers wanting more.

Episode 7 established the scenario for a final showdown as two betrayals occurred. Lance Durand, in an attempt to prevent evidence of his crimes from surfacing, murdered Griffith Stoker in a fit of rage. At the same time, Donnie Hayes fell victim to Luz’s aunt, Clare, to protect her own secret. This leaves Cross, Agent Craig and the feds locked-in to protect Lance and Natalie as his Prosperity Seed launch event is underway.

The next sequence of events unceremoniously brings the Luz storyline to an immediate halt midway. The abrupt wrap on Jeanine Mason’s character is an about-face from the vibrant storytelling and performance displayed all season. Viewers fell in love with Luz because of her nuanced layers — a vigilante with a just cause regardless of the means. It’s as if the writers were told to get to the episode’s final scene as quickly as possible, or else they’d lose three fingers.

Meanwhile, John Sampson is reeling from his mother’s betrayal, as she rather take a murder charge to protect her boyfriend, T.K. John realizes her wanting to reconnect was all a ploy. Mama Nana intercedes to rectify the situation, offering John a chance to meet the father he never knew. Surprisingly, this narrative held up with room to unpack its emotional weight properly.

Elsewhere, Agent Kayla Craig is promoted to Assistant Director of the bureau, second to Roy and third to Director Hammond. With the brass ring in hand, her true colors shine through, pitting a wedge between her and Alex personally and professionally. It too, while completely plausible, seemed like a jerk transformation for the character. These scenes needed more time to breathe.

Overall, there are good nuggets laced throughout the episode — with strong performances from Mason and Jaunita Jennings. But pacing ruins what could have been an amazing through-line for a future season.

Rating: 6/10