Cross is the latest adaptation of author James Patteron’s iconic homicide detective, Alex Cross. Previous iterations of the character saw Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry don the role on film. The new series from showrunner and writer Ben Watkins casts Aldis Hodge as the expert forensic psychologist and DC Metro detective. The story follows Cross investigating the death of a revered activist in Washington D.C. while battling grief and guilt over the loss of a loved one.
The episode opens with a flashback. Alex Cross and his wife, Maria, enjoy a meal and football game with his partner, Detective John Sampson, and a friend. The women get up to use the restroom when bullets ring out. Cross follows the sounds to find Maria shot. She tragically dies in his arms. A year later, we’re reintroduced to Cross, a man unsure of his future with the police department as he attempts to complete a leave of absence form. He’s interrupted by an interrogation going nowhere. The suspect – a racist accused of killing his pregnant wife – scoffs as Cross attempts to get him to confess. Here, in Cross’s victory, we see how his mind works to explore the psyche of a criminal.
Next, we see an unknown figure reviewing newspaper clippings of infamous serial killers. In the background, a young black man is bound and gagged. Viewers learn the bound Black man is Emir Goodspeed, a well-known D.C. Black Lives Matter activist, who is later found dead in his car. Because of his public persona, many in the Black community assume his death was at the hands of the police. To sidestep a PR nightmare, Police Chief Anderson recruits Cross and Sampson to cautiously investigate what they merely believe was a suicide or drug overdose. Cross quickly discovers neither scenarios fit this case: Emir was murdered.
Later, we are introduced to a young woman, Shannon Witmer, and her mother at a food cart. Shannon’s enjoying her day swiping left on a dating app until she settles on a gentleman and swipes right. A barista randomly snaps a photo of the woman. The unknown figure returns and places Shannon’s photo next to an image of Aileen Wuornos, the convicted serial killer. Viewers discover the figure who murdered Emir has selected their next target, and memorializes each victim to resemble a famous serial killer.
Episode one is a strong introduction to this character in the modern world. Watkins does a great job of realizing a Black police officer in the post-Michael Brown era, where Black communities around the country demand massive police reform if not total defunding. Tension from fellow officers and community members paints the fine line Cross must walk in his duty as an officer and native Washingtonian. Another win is Watkins’ homage to the show’s setting, pulling in cultural mainstays like Ben’s Chili Bowl and Go-Go music to make the original Chocolate City a character of its own.
Performance-wise, all players are good with Hodge great as lead. He shared the screen with Kevin Bacon in Showtime’s City on a Hill, making Cross the perfect space to take center stage, embodying a man whose greatest character trait is also his Achilles heel. It’s also great to see Hodge’s Underground costar, Johnny Ray Gill, in an exciting and mysterious role. Ryan Eggold of New Amsterdam fame is also interesting as Ed Ramsey, a new acquaintance to Cross. Narratively, some plot points were predictable as far as crime stories go. But there’s still enough unknown that can make the series a refreshing take on the genre.
Rating: 8/10