Episode 4 of Season 2 of the Prime Video series 'Cross' delves deeply into the complex and tragic character of Luz, portrayed by Jeanine Mason, and her fleeting yet profound connection with Lincoln (Rene Moran). Despite being a vigilante on a mission of vengeance with the FBI and Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) hot on her trail, Luz shares a soulful and heartbreaking encounter with Lincoln in a casino hotel room. This pivotal episode explores not only the intense physicality and commitment Mason brought to the role but also the emotional depth of a character driven by purpose, ultimately reigniting Alex Cross's own mission.

Jeanine Mason expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to play Luz, describing it as "hitting the lottery." She appreciated how the writers, led by Ben Watkins, crafted an "atypical" and "unsettling" entry point for Season 2 with a character who is both fascinatingly complex and shockingly violent, especially for a female portrayal. Mason, a lifelong dancer and athlete, approached the role from an "outward-in" perspective, finding her entry point through extensive physical training. She embraced coachings for knife work, boxing, and dialect, using these elements, along with costumes and wigs, to embody Luz's lethal movement, strength, and the raw power of her anger and violence. This focus and commitment, which Mason relates to her own "type A" personality, mirrored Luz's headstrong approach to her self-proclaimed "activism."

The core of Episode 4 revolves around the poignant love story between Luz and Lincoln. From the moment Luz is introduced in Season 2, she sees herself as a "dead woman walking," resigned to being "a ghost here, in service of vengeance." Lincoln, however, briefly represents a chance for her to pause, to put down her heavy burden, and to remember she is also a woman and a daughter missing her mother. Their connection, though intense and soul-deep, is underscored by a "ticking clock," leading to a mutual realization that her mission must continue. Mason found portraying this brief yet impactful love story incredibly challenging, especially the scene where they mutually end Lincoln's life. She described the difficulty of repeatedly accessing the raw grief and fighting against the character's internal desire to "just be a girl" for a moment, while knowing the grim necessity of her path. Lincoln's acceptance of his fate, making it easier for her, only added to the tragedy and left Mason in awe of his "on mission" resolve, seeing them as "two crazies perfect for each other."

Beyond the emotional core, the show also utilized various aesthetic elements to define Luz. Mason enjoyed exploring Luz's complicated family dynamic, particularly with Donnie and her aunt, noting that showrunner Ben Watkins was flexible in allowing elements to be pieced together during filming. The energetic presence of Wes Chatham (Donnie) helped keep Luz from feeling "too weighted" amidst her dark mission. A significant aspect of Luz's character involved her array of disguises, which included numerous wigs, diverse wardrobe shapes, necklines, and even contact lenses. Mason highlighted the collaborative effort with makeup artist Joseph Hinds (who added freckles for one character) and hair stylist Francine Francis, who provided an "endless chest of wigs." The process involved extensive fittings and test shoots, showcasing the team's dedication to creating distinct looks for each persona Luz adopted, even humorously noting the decision to go with red hair instead of blonde after discovering "Cuban ass looks awful in a blonde wig."

Ultimately, Luz's tragic arc serves a profound purpose within the series. Jeanine Mason admitted to crying when learning how her character's story would conclude. She deeply appreciated that Luz's ending "reignites something for him and his purpose," referring to Alex Cross. Luz understands that Cross "is going to continue carrying the torch," ensuring her mission of vengeance finds a continuation. Mason felt that Luz's final moments, despite her violent actions throughout the season, represented "the first soft moment of her life," evoking deep empathy from the actress for a character who had otherwise experienced no "soft space." This powerful conclusion reinforces Luz's legacy and her crucial role in the overarching narrative of 'Cross' Season 2, available to stream on Prime Video.