The first episode ofCrosshas already ruled out re-adapting one of the James Patterson books by repeating a coolReachertrick.TheCrossshow cast Aldis Hodgein the title role, inheriting the character from Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry. Surprisingly, Prime Video’s show isn’t adapting any of the novels and instead picks elements from the source material mixed with an original storyline. Even showrunner Ben Watkins confessed toTVLinethat this was a “risky” approach, considering how many fans the books have.
Regardless,Crossis currently rated “Fresh” onRotten Tomatoeswith a 70% rating, with Hodge being singled out for praise. Another element receiving positive feedback is Ryan Eggold asserial killer Ed Ramsey/The Fanboy, who recreates famous killers using his victims as a “template” before killing them. This makes him a perfect villain for Cross, as he’s a “fan” of Alex’s past cases and even namechecks his most famous case from the books.
Cross Season 1 Finale’s Mid-Credits Scene Explained: What Kayla’s Meeting Means For Season 2
Cross season 1’s mid-credits scene features a meeting between Kayla and Bobby, making it hard not to wonder how it sets up the Amazon show’s season 2.
Ed Ramsey Cites The Events Of Along Came A Spider During Cross' First Episode
Cross references the very first book in the series
The first encounter between Cross and Ramsey comes in the debut episode “Hero Complex” and feels fairly benign, with the latter being a friend of Alex’s girlfriend Elle (Samantha Walkes). Upon meeting, Ramsey claims to be a fan of the detective and particularly followed “the Gary Soneji case” that made Cross a celebrity.This is a callback to the 1993 novelAlong Came a Spider, the very first entry in theAlex Crossseriesby James Patterson.
In the book, Gary Soneji was a killer with a split personality who kidnapped two children and later murdered one of them before being brought to justice.Along Came a Spiderwas later adapted into a movie, which marked Morgan Freeman’s second and final time playing Alex Cross. While the 2001 sequel received largely mixed reviews, it was still a hit, grossing over $105 million worldwide (viaThe Numbers).
The Along Came a Spider reference is a nice easter egg for longtime readers while ruling out any possible re-adaptation of the book…
It makes sense forCrossto establish that its titular detective is something of a known entity himself because of this case. It’s also a nice easter egg for longtime readers while ruling out any possible re-adaptation of the book ina potentialCrossseason 2or beyond.
Cross Season 1’s Novel Reference Pulls The Same Trick As Reacher Season 2
Now Aldis Hodge doesn’t have to be compared to Morgan Freeman
ReferencingAlong Came a Spideris ultimately a smart move, since it once again establishes key backstory while letting viewers know the show is charting a new course. That’s not to say Freeman’sAlong Came a Spideris any kind of unsung classic, but it would be a big ask for any actor to step into his shoes too.This way, Hodge gets to form his own distinct take on Alex Cross without having to get compared directly to Freemanin the part.
Alona Tal
Kayla Craig
ThisCrosscallback repeats the same trick Amazon’sReacherseries used during season 2, where Alan Ritchson’s titular avenger namechecked a previous adventure This saw Reacher reference the events ofOne Shot, the ninth novel in the Lee Child series that was used for the first Tom Cruise movie,Jack Reacher. Given how controversial Cruise’s casting was (and remains), it was best to avoid any comparisons with Ritchson’s performance.
By claiming the events ofOne Shothappenedbetweenseasons,Reacherbeautifully dodged the Cruise readaptation issuewith a throwaway line.Crosshas opted for a similar approach - even though there are readers who would probably have enjoyed a more faithful take on Patterson’s source material.
Aldis Hodge played the role of Captain Anthony Espin in 2016’sJack Reacher: Never Go Back, Cruise’s second and last time playing the character.
Why Cross Didn’t Adapt Any Of The Books For Season 1
Prime Video’s adaptation wanted a more modern take on Alex Cross
During his conversation withTVLine,Crossshowrunner Ben Watkins admits his approach to the books is unusual. He claims that after trying to figure out whichAlex Crossnovel would work as a launching point for the series, he felt the better option would be to take James Patterson’s world and find a way to make it more contemporary.
But then I started thinking that I really want to be able to take these characters and the world that’s been created and tell a story that fits our day and time, and the topics and the themes that are prominent right now. I also was thinking, optimistically, that if this series goes for a while, that’s going to be changing all the time and I would love the flexibility of being able to craft my mystery around what’s happening at the time.
It’s a bold approach, but at least forCross' debut season, it’s a successful one. The show gets to take fleshed-out characters like Cross or his partner/BBF Detective Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) while adding unique elements like The Fanboy. The series even comments on Black Lives Matter and police brutality, examining Cross' feelings about being both a Black man and a detective.One of the strongest dramatic aspects is its examination of Cross' grief over his wife’s murder, and his struggle to move on with his life in the face of immense guilt.
AssumingCrossseason 2 happens, it will be intriguing to see if it continues to craft its own narrative or is a more direct adaptation of the Patterson tales. After all, there are a lot of great stories in the series, so it would be a pity if the show opted to largely ignore them.
Cross
Cast
Cross follows the life of Alex Cross, a skilled yet troubled homicide detective balancing his role as a devoted father and relentless crime investigator. Haunted by his wife’s murder, he navigates personal turmoil while persistently pursuing justice in the face of dangerous adversaries.
Marathon Man
Marathon Man follows a graduate student in New York, who becomes entangled in a mysterious conspiracy involving his brother, part of a covert organization. As he navigates danger and intrigue, the narrative delves into themes of trust and betrayal.
