Ep 2. A Shadow Out of Time

A shadow of suspicion falls on one of the refugees as tension builds in Episode 2 of The Crossing titled “A Shadow Out of Time.” In the previous episode, we learned that a group of refugees from the future has arrived in present-day America seeking asylum, but the situation quickly gets complicated as the mysterious circumstances surrounding their arrival sow fear and mistrust amongst the locals. In this episode, we see Sheriff Jude Ellis (played by Steve Zahn) trying to get to the bottom of what’s really going on.

“A Shadow Out Of Time” sees Ellis continuing his investigation into the refugees’ strange appearance. As he delves deeper into the matter with his deputy, he finds himself uncovering evidence that only continues to deepen the mystery. As they search for answers, they stumble across a refugee who appears to have a unique ability - he is able to recall events that have not yet taken place.

As Ellis gets closer to the truth about the refugees’ arrival, he begins to suspect that there may be a conspirator working against him from within his own department. A black-ops government agency suddenly appears, further fueling his suspicions. Meanwhile, Nestor Rosario (played by Rick Gomez) ends up finding his lawyer in the middle of the night, only to discover the attack that killed his family wasn't random.

The episode ends with a sickly child from the future manifesting terrifying and deadly powers under the care of Agent Emma Ren (played by Sandrine Holt), which threatens the safety of everyone in town. This draws a new group of refugees to the town - a group of scientists who could put an end to the problems because they have built the device they need to return to their own time.

Slow and methodical, “A Shadow Out of Time” establishes the unsettling tone of The Crossing quite well, with plenty of tense moments and an ever-present sense of unease. The episode features more of the futuristic concepts that were established in the pilot, with the focus squarely on understanding what the refugees want and what they might bring with them. As the central mystery of the series develops, so do the many twists and turns that the narrative throws at the audience.

The performances from the cast are strong, with Zahn leading the way as the competent and determined Sheriff Ellis. He is a character who is easy to root for, as he has a clear sense of right and wrong, and is willing to put himself in harm’s way to protect the citizens of his town. The rest of the cast also perform well, with the new additions to the refugee group providing a bit of additional intrigue.

The production values in the episode are solid, with the cinematography providing a suitably moody and atmospheric backdrop to all the action. The visuals are polished and professional, making use of the show’s Pacific Northwest location to great effect.

Overall, “A Shadow Out of Time” is a strong second episode that builds upon the promise of the pilot. The show continues to be intriguing and engaging, with plenty of ongoing mysteries that will keep audiences invested. Anyone who enjoyed the first episode is likely to be pleased with this follow-up, and should be eager to continue watching to see how the story unfolds.