When FBI agent Alice Black investigates the suspicious overdose of a powerful man's son, she considers a connection to another case from her time with the NYPD. Meanwhile, fresh off the heels of her latest kill, Catherine disappears into the shelter network of New York City, plotting her next move.
Violence changes people. The world doesn't care what happens to women after they've been victimized. At best, the story focuses on the people who committed the violent acts. Sometimes they are held accountable for their crimes. It's hard to trust the system to protect those who need it the most. The powerful are allowed to exploit their connections to escape punishment. The people charged with investigating these crimes aren't given the resources or respect to actually matter. As a result, they change too. They become cynical people who just want to forget. The past can't be erased though. It's always there lingering over every action. That's at the heart of this drama. Alice and Catherine obviously changed as a result of violence. Alice was abused by her boyfriend who worked alongside her for the NYPD. Catherine was a victim of human trafficking. They've become more cold and violent as a result of these traumas. Their stories operate in parallel. Alice hunts the female serial killer. Catherine eyes her next victim. Alice wants to make a difference now that she's working for the FBI. No one takes her seriously. She's a masochist for wanting to work sex crimes. She's insubordinate for not staying to answer calls. She aims to treat everyone with respect. She's up against colleagues who take everything as a joke. When it gets to something real, that's when the violence not only becomes more prominent but sought out to actually feel something.
Alice's hunch is right. Adrian and Caleb's deaths are connected. The only piece of Catherine's identity that has remained consistent is a flower tattoo. That's the link Alice needs to advance her investigation. All it takes is someone listening to her. Even then, Nora only sees Alice as inviting more pain into her life. That's the plight of the mission. She's haunted by millions of photos of child sex exploitation. She can't even celebrate upon closing a murder investigation. Far too many cases go unsolved. The victims are criminalized. If not, they aren't trusted. No one is given the respect to be seen and heard. Nora plays into the system as well. She will threaten victims to get them to cooperate. She can't protect them either. Alice only sees a fraction of that pain. The cycle is constantly repeating. Alice is the newcomer. This is the world she pursued. It's difficult for her to return to where she once worked. She must meet with her former partner in the dead of night to avoid the scrutiny. She's blamed despite being the victim of violence. That's now a badge she carries with her everywhere she goes. She must disclose that information. Others uncover it and think it explains her current behavior. She doesn't fit anywhere. Yet she's the protagonist advancing this plot as she's convinced she has the determination to make a difference.
Meanwhile, it's not even a struggle for Catherine to get what she wants. She tells people to do things for her and they comply. Part of it is exploiting her sexuality. When someone wants to enforce rules, she seduces her target. Everyone is drawn to her. That makes them vulnerable to her attack. It's not clear why she targets these particular men. Some are obviously powerful and influential. With Adrian, it just felt like a personal vendetta. That's the mystery. She changes her identity to lure her victims in. Nora even proclaims that the women who have been victimized by violence are ultimately the most dangerous. It's uncomfortable to have a female serial killer. It goes against the natural order of things. It's not how the world is suppose to operate. It's freeing to go against the grain. The show strives for something different. It highlights the dysfunction of the world and the struggle for women to survive through the many horrors. They are forever being changed due to the consequences of the men around them. Now, it's time for them to grab ahold of power. It's dangerous and unpredictable. Catherine kills. Alice seeks a thrill. Their actions only make a small dent in shattering norms. And so, even their patterns can be predictable. That's the sad irony of this piece. It's ultimately a familiar story of a detective hunting a killer. That format has produced many quality pieces of art before. This show strives to add more meaning behind the motivations. Only time will reveal whether that investment is warranted.
