Editor’s Note: The following contains mild spoilers for FBI: Most Wanted Season 6 Episode 10.The “oner,” also known as a “long take” or “continuous shot,“is an ambitious and immersive camera techniquethat pulls the audience into the experience alongside the characters, never cutting away. It’s one of the most collaborative shots, requiring the cast and crew to work in perfect sync. While many shows have executed it successfully — memorable examples includeTrue Detective,Barry, andThe Haunting of Hill House— it’s a much bigger challenge on network TV, especially considering the time constraints and other limitations broadcast shows face compared to cable. That’s what makes the recentFBI: Most Wantedepisode, “Ars Moriendi,” all the more impressive. In its six-season run,FBI: Most Wanteddelivers one of its most epic openings:a nearly six-minute long take that sets the tone for a high-stakes, heart-pounding episode. It’s a mesmerizing action sequence you’ll want to witness for yourself—and one you’ll likely watch again and again.
‘FBI: Most Wanted’ Pulled Off a Nearly Six Minute Oner To Open Season 6, Episode 10 “Ars Moriendi”
Season 6, Episode 10 ofFBI: Most Wantedopens with an incredible sequence that rivals some of the best oners in TV and film. The scene is masterfully crafted by producing directorKen Girottiand Director of PhotographySteven Capitano Calitri, with a thrilling script from showrunnerDavid Hudgins. The camera begins on FBI agents Remy Scott (Dylan McDermott), Hana Gibson (Keisha Castle-Hughes), Sheryll Barnes (Roxy Sternberg) and Ray Cannon (Edwin Hodge) during a meal at a diner. The mood is light as the agents joke and lament about their personal lives,taking a breather before heading out to track down a suspect. But as they prepare to leave, the shot shifts focus to an unassuming young man, Jay Lark (Steven Maier).
As Lark exits the diner, the sounds of New York City fill the air: a man jogging by, a bus honking, chatter on the streets. Lark approaches a woman and pulls out his phone, and what seems like an annoying encounter quickly escalates into horror when he shoots her in broad daylight. Just when you wonder if the FBI agents saw what happened, the tense music picks up, followed by the familiar shout of “FBI!“The seamless shot tracks Remy and Ray as they spring into action, chasing Lark through a park. Barnes then picks them up in their SUV, turning the sequence into a thrilling car chase. The pursuit ends with the suspect getting away, leaving the agents winded — which you know is real, considering you just joined them in their adrenaline-fueled pursuit for four unbroken minutes.
While an oner is inherently challenging, the fact that this sequence spans multiple locations, includes stunts, and features intricate camera moves makes it even more epic —and theFBI: Most Wantedteam truly pulled it off. What makes the episode even better is that Hudgins and his teamdidn’t rely solely on the opening to make it great. The script follows through with an episodethat delves into real-world issues of violence, social media, and isolation.
The ‘FBI’ Universe Is Expanding With Planned ‘CIA’ Spin-Off
The buddy-cop spin-off series is set to begin filming later this year.
‘FBI: Most Wanted’ Focuses on a Frighteningly Relevant Case in “Ars Moriendi”
Through their investigation, Remy and his team uncover that Jay Lark is a killer who posts his crimes for fame and “likes” on an obscure social media platform,turning his murders into viral spectacles for his twisted followers. Things in the case take a turn when they discover that Lark is ina “Leopold and Loeb” style competitionwith another troubled individual, Jarret Bahri (Rama Vallury). The episode skillfully explores how the young men’s quest for internet notoriety escalates into even more senseless violence, including the murder of a police officer.
The FBI’s pursuit of Lark uncovers the dark underworld of online communitieswhere killers gain followers, inciting copycat crimes.This forces the Fugitive Task Force into a race against time to stop the murderersbefore they strike again. Beyond the high-stakes action, the episode offersa timely commentary on the dangers of fame-seeking behaviorin the age of social media, making it not just an intense procedural but also a thought-provoking exploration of a generation’s obsession with online validation. When the case is over, Remy makes a poignant point,suggesting that the internet has created people who have lost their sense of humanity— an all-too-relevant truth in our current world.
With skillful direction, an excellent script, and impressive performances from the cast and crew,“Ars Moriendi” stands out as one of the season’s most memorable episodes.Thanks to a talented team of collaborators,FBI: Most Wantednot only pulled off an epic action sequence but made it even more impactful by taking the risk of making it an oner. The addition of poignant social commentary elevates this episode, making it one of the series’ best and a must-watch.
FBI: Most Wantedairs Tuesday nights on CBS and the next day on Paramount Plus.
FBI: Most Wanted
