by Diana Keng for Geek Girl Authority
The series premiere of Cross, “Hero Complex,” begins in the happiest period of Alex Cross’s (Aldis Hodge) life, when his world revolved around his wife Maria (Chaunteé Schuler Irving). The episode opens with the two of them enjoying a double date with his best friend, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa), and his girlfriend, Onika (Jinesea Bianca Lewis), watching the Redskins win a game on TV while relaxing on a restaurant patio.
Maria and John’s girlfriend leave to use the restroom. Gunshots are heard. They run out towards the shots and find Onika screaming and Maria lying on the ground, bleeding. Her eyes are open but she cannot move. Alex gathers her up in his arms, trying to comfort her as she dies.
Cross, Hero Complex
One year later, Cross sits at his desk and fills out paperwork for a voluntary leave of absence. He can hear an interrogation taking place where the detective accuses the suspect, Richard Miller (Jeremy Walmsley), of killing his pregnant wife. Miller calls for a doctor, saying has a “terrible case of Life’s fitful fever.” This catches Cross’s attention. Miller deliberately spews racist comments at the black detective, Detective Akbar (Dwain Murphy) in the room, inciting a violent reaction.
Akbar’s partner drags him from the interrogation room to the adjacent observation space where Lt. Massey (Sharon Taylor) reminds him that without a confession they’ve got nothing. Cross interrupts from the doorway, stating that Miller’s already confessed but they didn’t hear it.
Free Chicken
Massey invites him to take a shot at Miller. Cross enters with a coffee in hand. He explains to Miller the concept of “free chicken,” a military term for gaining something without working for it. Miller tries to provoke Cross by claiming he’s smarter because of genetics. Cross counters that genetics also determined that his penis is bigger than Miller’s which outrages Miller and disturbs Massey.
Miller tells Cross he isn’t getting a confession but Cross says he’s already confessed. When Miller stated “Life’s fitful fever” was making him sick, he quoted Shakespeare’s Macbeth‘s line referring to the burden of guilt. Cross calls that a confession, made without coercion, and on tape.
Read the rest of the recap, HERE.