Prime Video’s Cross Season 2 Needs To Embrace A Controversial Book Change

Prime Video’s Cross season 2 needs to fully embrace a controversial book change, making it a core part of the show’s DNA. Based on the books by James Patterson, Cross is one of the most exciting crime shows that has come out in the past few years.

The show received mixed-to-positive reviews, with special praise for Aldis Hodge’s portrayal of Alex Cross and Isaiah Mustafa’s portrayal of John Sampson. However, both critics and audience members were skeptical of one creative choice.

Most TV shows based on large book series will take the easy, conventional route of adapting one book per season. However, Cross took the Bosch route, choosing to mix together storylines and characters from the books, a decision that they need to double down on with Cross season 2.

Cross Needs To Continue Mixing Stories & Characters From Different Books Every Season

Image via Prime Video

Since the first season premiered, many have suggested they backtrack, making the second season a direct adaptation of a single book. However, I think this would be a huge mistake. The mix-and-match method has set the tone and expectations. Not only would it be cowardly for them to make such a drastic format change in the second season, but it would not feel like the same show.

They should double down on their controversial methods. It will pay off in the long run, especially since there are so many great characters and storylines throughout the Alex Cross books that would be great onscreen. Given the sheer number of books in the series, the show would miss out on favorite characters if it stuck strictly to the books.

Direct Adaptations Will Make Prime Video’s Cross Boring To Watch

Aldis Hodge's Alex looking intensely in an alleyway while holding his gun in Cross season 2 — Aldis Hodge’s Alex looking intensely in an alleyway while holding his gun in Cross season 2

Another reason to stick with their method of mixing and matching is that it keeps the show interesting. If they did a direct adaptation with zero changes, it would be boring for anyone who had read the books.

None of the plot twists would have the desired effect because the readers would see everything coming. The big “oh my gosh” moments would seem lackluster. By switching around the events of the book series, fans of James Patterson can enjoy what they know while still experiencing surprises.

Alex Cross Still Needs A TV Version Of Kyle Craig, No Matter The Format

Kayla Craig talks to Alex Cross in Cross episode 6

Even though I think Cross should stick with the controversial new format, there is one thing they absolutely cannot get rid of – the biggest overarching villain of the books. No matter what case Alex Cross is working on, he’s almost always dealing with Kyle Craig.

I don’t mind them making Kyle Craig into Kayla Craig, which is what they seemed to set up at the end of Cross season 1. I just care that she’s just as menacing and calculating as her book counterpart, acting like a friend while being “The Mastermind.” She can’t be just a small one-off villain, no matter how they mix up or change the rest of the books.