Cross decodes the evidence to learn the vigilante is killing people in a specific order. He rushes to save the next person on the list, before it's too late.
No one's safety can be guaranteed. Luz can get to anyone no matter how guarded they are. That's how devoted she is to getting justice for her mother. Cross realizes Luz is killing in a specific order. She's recreating a story as depicted in Lotería cards. She didn't know anything about her heritage. Yet this specific story carried on. Her mother offered this wisdom. It aligns perfectly to the situation. The villains Luz faces are similar to the plight the heroine in the story faced. She was determined to be heard. Luz demands the same recognition. As such, nothing is standing in her way. Her doubts are the only thing that can limit her. She wants to be careful given her recent exposure and Donnie's injuries. He's undeterred. They must move forward. They are committed to this path. Nothing can stop them now. Even when Cross and Kayla deduce the next target, they are too late to stop Luz. She blends in with the performance during the wedding. She strikes when everyone is distracted. She doesn't fade into the crowd undetected. Chaos reigns after she makes her move. She needs to twist the knife in deeper. She has Donnie providing backup. He covers for her as she escapes. They continue to display their dominance. Meanwhile, others want to hinder Cross and Kayla's investigation. They prove how necessary they are. Their pursuit for justice is hindered by those higher up who want to protect Lance despite his crimes. Lance's best friend realizes that his actions inspired someone to hate him so much to concoct this elaborate scheme to kill him and his various co-conspirators. Lance is unbothered by that. He feels protected. That may change given how this celebration was invaded. He's dealt a personal blow. Cross and Kayla's colleagues are targeted and harmed as well.
The main storyline this season has offered plenty of visceral images. Those have carried personal importance as Luz conducts herself. Everything happens for a reason. And yet, the balances of stories is awkward. So much tension quickly escapes when the narrative pivots to the subplots. Ellie was determined to stay in Damon and Jannie's lives because she loves them. She wouldn't let her decision to end things with Cross change how she feels about them. It's simply been too odd and confusing. She was included in the proceedings even though she doesn't have much narrative value. That's disappointing. She deserved more than being Cross' love interest. The show never presented her with a viable alternative. As such, her continued presence is lackluster. Meanwhile, Sampson's need to exonerate LaDonna hasn't been a meaningful mystery. It's been presented as her only caring about him as her son when she needs something from him. Yet she's also purposefully being deceitful about what happened. He identifies the suspect who likely committed the crime. She doesn't recognize him. This should be a climactic moment. Instead, it doesn't reveal or add anything. It's a way to keep the character busy and distracted. That means Cross is either physically in danger more often or having to depend on Kayla as his loyal partner.
Kayla has her own story keeping her distracted. She's determined to keep her name from being exposed for a past covert operation. She captures the woman beneath the deepfake video. She's looking to place the blame on someone else for torturing soldiers. The story highlights how far Kayla is willing to go to maintain her ascent in the Bureau. She's derided as a pick me. She then inflicts psychological torture that mirrors the horror of the past. It's effective in getting what she wants. However, it remains a story that threatens her standing without being truly upfront with the stakes involved. It's not a mystery in pursuit of uncovering Mastermind. Kayla only aims to protect herself. She's been pushed to see how she will respond. Cross can't abide by her choices. She freed Bobby Trey. He remains an unpredictable and rogue figure. He could kill her at any moment given her involvement in this scheme against veterans. He has morals. There are some lines he won't cross. He's open to potential deals that will work out to his benefit. Right now though, this story requires a satisfying payoff. If that doesn't occur, then the amount of time spent on it would be an annoying disaster. The show is already at risk of not being focused enough. The various plots need to work to make that aimless direction worth it in the end.
