Alex Cross is one of the most famous characters in crime fiction. He was created by James Patterson and has been on bookshelves since 1993. Many people have tried to bring him to life on screen and do justice to the character. There were movies before, but the Cross series on Prime Video gave the story room to breathe and reach audiences in a different way. In the first season, Cross and his partner John Sampson chase a killer called the Fanboy, uncover the truth behind who really killed Alex’s wife Maria, and face a threat that puts his family in danger. Season 1 ends with Cross stopping the threat and finally finding some closure, though not all questions are answered. Now that Cross (Season 2) is here, viewers can expect new killers, new mysteries, and more personal tests for Cross and his team as they take on fresh threats and dig deeper into the world of crime.
In this article, we break down the first three episodes of season 2 and unpack what actually happens in the premiere chapters, with major spoilers throughout, so it is best to watch the episodes first if you want to avoid any surprises.
Cross (Season 2) Episode 1 ‘Harrow’ Recap:
Who are Rebecca and Donnie?
The first episode opens on a private island where Rebecca and Donnie arrive posing as guests. The island is filled with wealthy men, including Richard Helvieg. He is their real target. Rebecca pulls a gun on him while the others round up the guests. This is not just about freeing the women trapped there. They are also after money. Helvieg is forced to transfer 11 million dollars. Rebecca makes it clear this is personal. She blames him for her mother’s death and kills him. Before leaving, she cuts off his fingers. Donnie sets the place on fire and they escape to the mainland. In Washington, Alex Cross receives the Medal of Valor. During his speech, he admits his mistakes and thanks John Sampson for keeping him grounded.
At home, things feel calm. Cross believes he and Elle may still have a chance. They give in to that feeling later, but Elle pulls back. She cannot return to the anger that consumed him last year. Their relationship ends again. Agent Kayla Craig is assigned to protect Lance Durand, the head of Crestbrook Industries, after a threat on his life. She must work with Cross, though she is not pleased about it. At Durand’s house, they find Helvieg’s severed fingers and a message saying he is next. Cross studies footage from a past event where a man accused Durand of murder. The man keeps one hand hidden, likely missing fingers. Cross believes this is revenge. Meanwhile, Kayla learns someone is digging into her past operation called Bad Religion. As the hour ends, Rebecca and Donnie prepare to strike again, choosing their next target.
Cross (Season 2) Episode 2 ‘Scatter’ Recap:
Who is the Mastermind?
Episode 2 begins with Donnie visiting a woman named Beverly at her home. He acts friendly with her children, but he is there to pressure her. Beverly works at a bank and once had close ties to Richard Helvieg. Under threat, she helps Rebecca, who arrives posing as a client, access a safety deposit box. Inside are classified files. When Beverly tries to hide the box, Rebecca makes it clear she knows everything. Beverly’s name appears on flight logs linked to Helvieg’s trafficking network. Rebecca kills her and leaves. At the station, John confronts Alex after learning his mother is alive. Alex admits he has known for years. John feels betrayed and pulls away from him. Meanwhile, Kayla reports that they have little progress on the suspect from the conference, the man who kept one hand hidden. They suspect he has help.
News of Helvieg’s death reaches the team. The severed fingers sent to Lance Durand are confirmed to be his. Cross and Kayla question Lance, who admits he once worked with Helvieg to move labor during the pandemic. He claims he cut ties after learning the truth. They identify a possible link to a psychiatric worker, Mackenzie Zhukov. She recognizes the suspect as John Ramos, a former patient, but holds back details. The team feeds her false information to track her movements. Kayla is then blackmailed over a past mission. During a video call, a colleague named Margaret takes her own life and warns Kayla about someone called Mastermind. Mackenzie meets Ramos in Chicago. A chase leads police into a subway tunnel rigged with explosives. Ramos escapes. Evidence points to a new name, Lincoln Esteban, and coordinates tied to Texas. With no federal support, Kayla turns to an inmate, Bobby Trey, for help.
Cross (Season 2) Episode 3 ‘Feed’ Recap:
Episode 3 opens with tension between John and Alex still hanging in the air. John is upset about the truth regarding his mother, LaDonna. Alex tries to explain that when they were kids, LaDonna once came by asking for money. Nana wanted to adopt John, but LaDonna refused to give up her rights, so John stayed in foster care. John believes Alex should have told him years ago. The team heads to Harlingen, Texas, following a lead on Lincoln Esteban. During a stakeout at a gas station, they spot a truck switching drivers and notice Esteban nearby taking photos. When Cross moves in, gunfire breaks out. They manage to grab Esteban and chase the truck, which is carrying refugees. One man takes a child hostage, but Agent Larsen shoots him before Cross can talk him down. Kayla, dealing with her own issues tied to a past case, contacts Bobby Trey for information.
Cross (Season 2) Episode 3 Ending Explained:
Is Esteban telling the truth?
Meanwhile, Rebecca and Donnie travel to Mexico, where Rebecca reconnects with her mother’s hometown and a man named Frankie Herrera. Donnie carries out their next hit, killing Paul Hartsfield during a morning run. Back in Texas, Esteban claims he was documenting abused refugee children and blames powerful men like Lance Durand. He refuses to speak without a translator. John asks Cross to help a boy named Berto, and Cross considers stepping in. Later, Cross and Kayla share drinks that turn into a brief affair, though Kayla downplays it the next morning. John visits LaDonna in jail, unsure if she is guilty. Soon after, Kayla learns Larsen took Esteban into the desert and ended up dead. Esteban vanishes. In Florida, Rebecca and Donnie regroup. A knock at the door reveals Esteban, saying he has finally found her.
