Those on the kill list are rushed to a military base. There, the tightly-packed billionaires turn on each other. Then, one reveals a secret that could turn this case on its head. Cross and Kayla attempt to trap Luz. Instead, she gives Cross evidence to bring billionaire Lance Durand to justice.
"Winnow" was written by Sam Ernst and directed by Tiffany K. Guillen
Cross didn't need to be the lead on the task force. That's the position he finds himself in nevertheless. It's such a random development too. It stirs up drama between him and Kayla. They are arguing with each other instead of focusing on the job. The final four targets are initially sent to a secure location. That's still not enough to keep Luz out. She has a remote way to kill. She provides these powerful people with a chance to escape her wrath. They can confess and pay her instead. She knows they will never agree to the deal. They all have to be in agreement. Lance still sees himself as indestructible. It doesn't matter how many people have died - including right in front of him. They are all connected to him. Their lives don't mean anything. He's still captured in his idea of saving the world. The goal justifies any losses along the way. Luz operates similarly. She too has recruited allies to her mission. One person isn't important enough to jeopardize the mission. Donnie is killed because Clare wants to protect Luz. It's messy. It's a twist meant to shock instead of the moment feeling earned though.
Cross didn't need to be the lead on the task force. That's the position he finds himself in nevertheless. It's such a random development too. It stirs up drama between him and Kayla. They are arguing with each other instead of focusing on the job. The final four targets are initially sent to a secure location. That's still not enough to keep Luz out. She has a remote way to kill. She provides these powerful people with a chance to escape her wrath. They can confess and pay her instead. She knows they will never agree to the deal. They all have to be in agreement. Lance still sees himself as indestructible. It doesn't matter how many people have died - including right in front of him. They are all connected to him. Their lives don't mean anything. He's still captured in his idea of saving the world. The goal justifies any losses along the way. Luz operates similarly. She too has recruited allies to her mission. One person isn't important enough to jeopardize the mission. Donnie is killed because Clare wants to protect Luz. It's messy. It's a twist meant to shock instead of the moment feeling earned though.
The forces outside of law enforcement accomplish far more in this mission. Cross and Kayla are always trying to catch up after the fact. Meanwhile, Luz knows Lance will kill to preserve his standing in the world. She understands these people better than they do. Cross and Kayla aren't anywhere close in their assessments. As such, none of the conclusions they reach can be seen as impressive. They are average people trying to obtain some noble idea of justice. It's difficult because they have their own egos that must be nurtured. It's complicated without really offering much depth. The plot matters a whole lot more than the characters. And so, a lot suffers as a result. Sampson realizing LaDonna has been playing him plays out similarly. He wanted her in his life even if she would always disappoint him. Now, she confesses to a crime she didn't commit because she loves her boyfriend more than her son. That's the fate she chooses. He's left being sidekick to Cross and Kayla. That isn't rewarding in the slightest. Kayla can't even celebrate passing Mastermind's test. She was deceived and tortured. She maintains her own agency instead of bowing to what Maggie and Roy expect of her now. That trust hasn't been earned. They've only senselessly put her through the ringer to make her more volatile.
Grade: C
"Quemar" was written by Ben Watkins & Aiyana White and directed by Edward Ornelas
The finale needed to provide a reason for Cross to regain control of the narrative. It's accomplished by making him a fugitive. He has one piece of information Luz doesn't have. He knows Clare was complicit in her sister's murder. Luz was forged as a vigilante by her aunt. She lost out on her entire life because of her. Cross exposes this information. That requires her to trust that he will honor his word. He will make Lance pay for his crimes. Cross fears he is one man against the world. The FBI refuses to bring charges because Lance is doing so much good that will help revitalize the country's image. Cross doesn't care about that. He has a strong sense of right and wrong. He can't tolerate the abuse of children. Lance is responsible. He can't escape with no consequences yet again. Moreover, Cross can't abide by a system that covered all of this up in the name of the greater good. It was entirely driven by self-preservation. These powerful individuals are only looking after their own interests. They aren't trying to do the right thing. Elle knew this moment was coming. Cross was a good man operating within a bad system. He could only produce so much change. He must fight to survive. He leans on a handful of allies with strong moral convictions. It's driven by his connection to his community. He has built relationships. He established trust worthy of taking this risk. When Cross lands in the room with Senator Ashford, he knows precisely how to convince him to change the law. It's a victory but at an extreme cost.
The finale needed to provide a reason for Cross to regain control of the narrative. It's accomplished by making him a fugitive. He has one piece of information Luz doesn't have. He knows Clare was complicit in her sister's murder. Luz was forged as a vigilante by her aunt. She lost out on her entire life because of her. Cross exposes this information. That requires her to trust that he will honor his word. He will make Lance pay for his crimes. Cross fears he is one man against the world. The FBI refuses to bring charges because Lance is doing so much good that will help revitalize the country's image. Cross doesn't care about that. He has a strong sense of right and wrong. He can't tolerate the abuse of children. Lance is responsible. He can't escape with no consequences yet again. Moreover, Cross can't abide by a system that covered all of this up in the name of the greater good. It was entirely driven by self-preservation. These powerful individuals are only looking after their own interests. They aren't trying to do the right thing. Elle knew this moment was coming. Cross was a good man operating within a bad system. He could only produce so much change. He must fight to survive. He leans on a handful of allies with strong moral convictions. It's driven by his connection to his community. He has built relationships. He established trust worthy of taking this risk. When Cross lands in the room with Senator Ashford, he knows precisely how to convince him to change the law. It's a victory but at an extreme cost.
Cross' superiors in the metro police want to celebrate him. They are willing to give whatever promotion he wants. He doesn't want to continue in this job. He has made up his mind. He's grateful for the assistance he received. The feds targeted him. His friends in the local police refused to cooperate. They knew Cross was doing the right thing. He can't trust that every officer will behave that way. Instead, deals have to be struck to ensure the worst possible outcome doesn't occur. Nana Mama hopes providing Sampson with his father's name will make up for lying about LaDonna's death. Everyone does what they feel is right in the moment. For Kayla, it's entirely about her career. She needs to continue to climb within the Bureau. As such, she doesn't make waves. She goes along with the directive. Cross becomes their top fugitive. She leads the charge. She made that switch instantly. She had no qualms about doing so. That's her perspective of the world. She becomes overzealous in the name of protecting herself. Cross operates differently. He's made out to be the best. He's what the system should be built around. Instead, he quits. This isn't a job that works for him. It's taken a toll on his soul. He's not alone. Elle makes him realize that. In that regard, the show offered enough dimension in the world to provide support when Cross needed it. That still doesn't satisfy the extraneous stories that never amounted to much. Those plagued the narrative without adding anything to these climactic moments. In fact, it's startling there isn't one last moment between Kayla and Mastermind. Instead, Bobby Trey holding Maggie at gunpoint is the resolution to that story.
Grade: B
