The Legacy of Jess LaCroix: Julian McMahon’s 8 Greatest Episodes, Ranked

Late actor Julian McMahon starred in several memorable episodes of FBI: Most Wanted during his two-and-a-half-year run in the procedural. McMahon’s Jess LaCroix was the original leader of the series’ Fugitive Task Force, often balancing work demands with trying to take care of an inquisitive and rebellious pre-teen daughter.

Sadly, McMahon left the procedural halfway through FBI: Most Wanted season 3. His character was killed off and was soon replaced with Dylan McDermott’s Remy Scott.

Remy remained the team leader until this year, when FBI: Most Wanted joined several other shows on CBS’ 2024-2025 season cancelation list. However, McMahon’s Jess Lacroix was never forgotten, and some of his episodes are even more poignant now that the actor has passed away.

8.Hustler

Season 2, Episode 23

In many ways, “Hustler” is a typical episode in the earliest era of FBI: Most Wanted, although its arc about Jess having to handle a federal informant demonstrates his strong investigative skills better than most other episodes. However, this episode is strong for far more reasons than the case-related aspects.

Most notably, Jess and Sarah’s (Jennifer Landon) relationship was progressing rapidly shortly before Jess’ death, and “Hustler” is one of the first episodes to show strong movement in this arc. This episode also featured a twist on the marriage story, as Jess’ relationship with his father became even more strained as Bryan got ready to get married himself.

7.Overlooked

Season 2, Episode 13

“Overlooked” is Jess’ penultimate episode, which makes it the last episode that ends with the Fugitive Task Force director still alive. This bittersweet realization is made even worse by Jess’ subplot in this story. While chasing the abusive son of a businessman who killed his entire family, Jess struggles with feeling alone after Tali goes to boarding school.

The final moments of this episode are Jess’ happiest, which makes his death in the following story even more poignant.

The final moments of this episode are Jess’ happiest, which makes his death in the following story even more poignant. Jess feels more positive about Tali’s absence after realizing it means he has more time available to spend with Sarah. The two start planning a life together, only for Jess to be gunned down in the next story.

Leaving that tragic history aside, “Overlooked” is one of the strongest episodes in FBI: Most Wanted because of the twists and turns in the case. The story includes a supposedly innocent suspect being revealed to be a serial abuser who has never been held accountable for his crimes.

The mystery and manhunt are among the franchise’s most compelling. Additionally, the number of times the perp got away with serious crimes is disturbing.

6.Deconflict

Season 2, Episode 3

In “Deconflict,” the stakes couldn’t be higher for Jess and his team. They were already dealing with a high-pressure situation in the beginning of the episode after a wife who witnessed her husband’s murder disappears.It gets even worse when Jess realizes the killer is a man named Hewitt who slipped through his fingers during one of his first cases.

Hewitt has been on the run for a long time, and Jess is equally determined to take him down, which adds to the intensity in this episode. Additionally, the witness is really a former accomplice who is in Witness Protection, so Jess has to think fast in order to protect her.

Jess also has to decide whether he wants to be compassionate after learning that the perp has come out of hiding to go on a revenge tour because he is dying of cancer. This arc adds a compelling moral dilemma to the story.

5.Dopesick

Season 1, Episode 1

“Dopesick” earns a spot in the list of Jess’ best episodes simply because it is the first full episode of FBI: Most Wanted. This story has to do a lot of heavy lifting, and while no episode is perfect, it is extraordinarily successful. The story is engaging, featuring a doctor who has ties to organized crime.

The fact that FBI: Most Wanted — and Jess himself — became popular proves how well-crafted this premiere episode was.

The doctor goes on the run after shooting his wife. Additionally, the episode introduces not only Jess, but his entire team, and sets the tone for the series. This is not easy to do, and the fact that FBI: Most Wanted — and Jess himself — became popular proves how well-crafted this premiere episode was.

4.Shattered

Season 3, Episode 14

Jess’ death at the end of “Shattered” is shocking, coming seemingly out of nowhere. While there is debate among the fandom about whether this disappointing FBI universe exit was necessary, there is no doubt that Jess’ last episode is one of his finest. Jess sacrifices his life at the end of the episode to save a victim’s life.

The scene is even harder to watch now that Julian McMahon has passed away in real life.

He takes a fatal bullet, which means that he dies a hero’s death. This is small comfort to those who loved him, and the scene is even harder to watch now that Julian McMahon has passed away in real life.

Jess’ on-air death is painful not only because he was a beloved character, but also because he and Sarah were about to leave on vacation together and they likely would have gotten even closer. Additionally, the case is one of the series’ most important, as it sheds light on the important issue of domestic violence.

3.Rampage

Season 2, Episode 1

“Rampage” is one of the first episodes of a network TV series to address the real-life impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of this episode is focused on a case in which two gunmen target people who they believe are responsible for their suffering during the public health crisis.

FBI: Most Wanted always does well with cases related to social issues, especially ones where perps are misdirecting their rage and fear after a traumatic event. However, “Rampage” is even better than most of these types of episodes because it combines this intense story with a subplot about Jess’ estranged father visiting to tell him that he is now engaged.

2.Reveille

Season 1, Episode 9

Many of the best episodes of Jess’ era revolved around his efforts to protect his daughter, Tali. In “Reveille,” Tali isn’t getting into trouble because of her rebellious nature. Tali is arrested by ICE and detained in an unknown location, supposedly by mistake, but more likely because Jess’ team is getting too close to stopping some domestic terrorists.

This story is especially timely in 2025, when ICE is again frequently in the news for seizing and deporting people, including some citizens who get caught up in raids. Additionally, Jess’ fear and determination to get his daughter back are powerful. Scenes of Tali imprisoned in a detention center are also disturbing and unforgettable.

1.Run-Fight-Hide

Season 3, Episode 9

“Run-Fight-Hide” is often at the top of lists of fan-favorite episodes, with good reason. Jess faces his most difficult challenge yet during this episode when he, Tali, and Barnes are trapped inside a mall during an active shooter event. This scenario is especially scary for Jess, as he is an FBI agent, yet powerless to protect his daughter.

Although there have been several stories involving members of the team being held hostage, this one is the most intense because Jess’ daughter is involved.

The scenario makes “Run-Fight-Hide” one of FBI: Most Wanted‘s scariest episodes. Although there have been several stories involving members of the team being held hostage, this one is the most intense because Jess’ daughter is involved. Additionally, while Jess and Tali both survive this traumatic event, it occurs only five episodes before Jess’ death, making the story more poignant.