Cross – What Happens at Ramsey’s – Review: Clash of the Titans

This episode, ‘What Happens at Ramsey’s,’ is just beyond the midpoint of Cross’s eight-episode run, with Cross (Aldis Hodge) and Ed Ramsey (Ryan Eggold) sharing the screen for almost the entire duration. The dialogue here is sharply written and the actors’ skill in drama creates an intense and unforgettable viewing experience, proving that words can be as powerful as actions. Let’s go through it.

The episode begins with a disturbing image: a rod piercing through a pig, being prepared for roasting in celebration of Ramsey’s 45th birthday. The show then shifts to Ed Ramsey’s preparations. He exercises, showers, shaves, and dons his creepy mask while receiving services from a woman on her knees before him. Finally dressed, Ramsey fondles the ‘Good Book’ retrieved from the police by Bobby Trey (Johnny Ray Gill). Feeling self-satisfied, Ramsey returns to his work with Shannon, who tries to resist but cannot fight the situation.

The guests arrive. Preening like a peacock, Ramsey orders drinks for his guests from memory, stating, “The key to being a good host is knowing everything about your guests.” The viewer knows that Ramsey is indeed aware of everything about the people in the room. We just must sit back and see how he uses this knowledge.

Elle Monteiro (Samantha Walkes) and Cross are among Ramsey’s guests, as is his boss, Chief Anderson (Jennifer Wigmore). When Ramsey welcomes Elle, she tells him she brought Cross as backup. Ramsey calls Cross “Metro PD’s golden boy.” The first shot is fired. Of course, Ramsey’s barb misses the mark, as Cross plans to use the party as an impromptu three-hour police interview without any lawyers present.

Meanwhile, John Sampson (Isiah Mustafa) is in Indiana interviewing an old acquaintance of Ramsey. Like Ramsey, Cross needs to know everything about his nemesis. Sampson meets a nervous man who used to be Ramsey’s neighbor when he was a boy. This man shares some disturbing details about young Ramsey’s behavior as well as secrets about Ramsey’s mother. 

Ramsey’s party guests expressed interest in Cross’s latest investigation. Chief Anderson attempts to dissuade the crowd, but Ramsey, noting the presence of the chief and the lead investigator, insists they share something. Cross takes the bait and describes the suspect’s profile: White male, mid-40s, more Ted Bundy than Jeffrey Dahmer, grew up in the South or Midwest. It is clear to Ramsey that Cross has profiled him.
Ramsey and Cross meet in a room filled with macabre art and share a generous pour of Crosse’s favorite drink, Pappy Van Winkle whiskey. 

Discussing the suspect’s profile, Cross criticizes the suspect for being a pale imitation who is masking deep insecurities. Ramsey tries to recover, describing the suspect’s actions as showing respect for legacy. Cross tells Ramsey that the police nicknamed the suspect “Fanboy.” The name wounds Ramsey in some way. He responds, “Clever,” and he leaves to go see Shannon. Cross leaves to ask Elle if she had told Ramsey about his love of Pappy Van Winkle whiskey. She says no.

Ramsey loses his cool in front of Shannon following his verbal confrontation with Cross. He sputters and curses. As he pulls pricey bottles of wine off the shelf, one crashes to the floor. Shannon sees an opportunity in Ramsey’s blunder of allowing a $10,000 bottle of wine to soak into the concrete floor.
In another part of the house, it’s time to eat. Ramsey offers a prayer that his mother recited before every meal—Proverbs 21:13: “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself but shall not be heard.” Sampson uses the verse to trigger Ramsey’s mother, who has dementia but is very much alive, to sing happy birthday to her son, which he videotapes and sends to Cross. However, Ramsey expresses his passion for philanthropy by sharing details of Cross’s tragic life. He circles the table, stopping behind a confused Elle and an angry Alex Cross. 

Elle and Cross argue. Elle finds it difficult to understand why Ramsey targeted him, which prompts Alex to voice his suspicions about him. She’s ticked off. Ramsey confronts Elle and pressures her to approach a potential donor. Ramsey and the donor toy with her dangling the promise of an annual $250,000 donation to her nonprofit. Elle is offended when they ask if she supports anti-police protests. Cross interrupts them.

Hodge and Eggold skillfully convey the characters’ simmering rage and how they use psychological methods such as gaslighting, intimidation, and mind games to outmaneuver one another. Every line in the dialogue serves as a strategic attack, aiming to destabilize the opponent. Cross explains why he thinks Ramsey killed off his mother in his mind. He theorizes that his mother experienced “pathological bereavement,” severing emotional ties with Ed following the death of his sister. Cross explains that this is a self-defense mechanism for the parent, but it can be devastating for the surviving child. Ramsey delivers a witty response, “Want to bill my insurance for that diagnosis?” “You had to murder her in your mind, so you didn’t have to think about the fact that your mother was alive but didn’t give a shit about you.” Ramsey whispers, “I would do anything to be an only child. Anything.” Cross looks at him horrified. “We all have secrets,” Ramsey states. “The difference is I’m ready to bring mine into the light.” 

Shannon unexpectedly ‘runs into’ a dinner guest, frightening the bejesus out of her. Ramsey retrieves her, but not before she makes a final attempt to thwart his plans. After taking a moment to compose himself, Ramsey returns to the party. His shaken guest, Senator Caitlin Godman (Marion Alder), is approached by Cross, who senses she knows something. ‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost,’ he remarks. Turning to Ramsey, who has showered and changed his shirt, Cross accuses him of detaining Shannon at his home. Ignoring the accusation, Ramsey simply says, ‘It’s pumpkin time.’ Cross is left wondering what that could mean.

He finds out when everyone’s cell phones buzz simultaneously with a video showing Cross beating up someone. Chief Anderson confronts Cross, saying, “This is the incident Sampson reported. You need to leave. Go home and call your union rep.” Cross spirals out of control and accuses Ramsey of sending the video. He claims Ramsey fit the profile, was his lead suspect and calls him a monster.
One woman points her phone at Cross and says, “The only monster here is you.” 

In a panic, Cross tries to regain advantage by revealing Ramsey’s mother was alive and he played a recording of her singing “Happy Birthday.” The witnesses remained unmoved. Ramsey, dismissing Cross’s erratic behavior, said, “He drank too much and what happens at Ramsey’s stays at Ramsey’s.” Security escorts Cross out of Ramsey’s house. Elle looks on, hurt and disappointed. The scene ends with a children’s choir singing “It’s a Wonderful World.” Ramsey hums softly, and from the bowels of the house, Shannon screams loudly. 4 

Ed Ramsey is a compelling villain, a master manipulator who exploits the weaknesses of our heroes, Cross and Shannon, at every turn. Despite their brief victories earlier in the evening, Ramsey ultimately triumphs. However, I’m sure their defeat in this episode sets the stage for a sweeter and more satisfying victory in the future. Shannon’s determination and Cross’s resilience will likely lead to an epic comeback that will leave viewers cheering.

Overall Rating: 

9/10