Warning: Major spoilers for Cross season 1 below!The fourth episode ofCrossfeatures a scene of dental horror that is sure to give fans of a controversial Dustin Hoffman movie traumatic flashbacks.Prime Video’sCrosscastAldis Hodge as the title detective, who is chasing after a twisted serial killer dubbed “The Fanboy” (Ryan Eggold). What makesCrossinteresting is that it takes the characters from the James Patterson bestsellingAlex Crossnovels - but doesn’t actually adapt any of them (viaTVLine). This means Eggold’s villain is unique to the series, with Ed Ramsey/The Fanboy being almost on the same intellectual level as Alex Cross himself.
Many episodes follow Ramsey as he painstakingly transforms his latest kidnap victim Shannon (Eloise Mumford) intoreal-life killer Aileen Wuornos. This includes changing her hair color and skin complexion and even altering her teeth. The Fanboy believes this is a great artistic endeavor, which climaxes with recreating how these serial killers were executed. There’s even an element of body horror to these sequences, as Shannon witnesses herself gradually transform into someone else.
Cross Season 1 Mid-Credits Scene & How It Sets Up The Future Explained By Creator
Creator Ben Watkins breaks down the Cross season 1 mid-credits scene and the major implications it has for the Prime Video crime show’s future.
Cross' Dental Surgery Is Almost As Nightmarish As Marathon Man’s “Is It Safe?” Scene
Cross' most upsetting scene rivals a classic Dustin Hoffman movie
The most intense sequence ofCross' first season involves Ramsey strapping Shannon to a chair, and explaining how he’s about to recreate Wuornos' famous crooked teeth. He’s going to need a clean slate with Shannon’s mouth to make that happen and then proceeds to chisel the teeth out of her gums. It should be noted thatwhile this dental scene isn’t overly graphic or gory, it’s still one of the most harrowing moments of the show. ThisCrosssequence also feels like a callback to the great Dustin Hoffman thrillerMarathon Manfrom 1976.
This taut thriller was controversial during release for another unpleasant scene involving teeth, where Hoffman’s character is tortured by Laurence Olivier’s Nazi war criminal Szellwith dental tools. Olivier’s villain eerily repeats the phrase “Is it safe?” as he constantly escalates the levels of pain Babe is experiencing, starting with stabbing a cavity and only getting worse from there.
Crossseason 2 has already been greenlitby Amazon.
Again, it’s not that thisMarathon Manscene is all that violent, but Hoffman’s agonized reactions are what makes it so upsetting.Anybody who has ever had a toothache or cavity will relate to Babe’s plight on an almost cellular level, andCrosstapes into that exact same fear. The latter sequence might prove even more disturbing to some; Szell is coolly detached from the agony he is inflicting, but Ramsey is actively enjoying it.
Why Cross' Fanboy Killer Performs Dental Surgery On Shannon
Shannon is the final part of The Fanboy’s art project
Ramsey doesn’t so much see himself as a killer than an avant-garde artist.The Fanboy is using his victims as a “template” to recreate famous serial killers, kidnapping those who bear a passing resemblance to murderers like John Wayne Gacy and Aileen Wuornos. He spent years putting this project together, with Shannon being the final part of the puzzle. His recreations must include minute details too, which, unfortunately for Shannon, include Aileen Wuornos' teeth.
… Cross was able to destroy The Fanboy’s grab for notoriety by pinning most of his crimes on accomplice Bobby Trey.
Cross' season 1 ending leaves Ramsey alive, though the titular detective was able to destroy The Fanboy’s grab for notoriety by pinning most of his crimes on accomplice Bobby Trey (Johnny Ray Gill). For Ramsey, this is a fate worse than death, and his ego can’t accept the ideaCrossdefeated him. This also leaves the door open for a potential return, and considering the series isn’t following the Patterson books, he could become the detective’s main foe.
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.
