When Quantico first started, it had a lot of promise. From the strong female leads, to the action, to the mystery, to the badass Priyanka Chopra, I had high hopes for the ABC drama. Well, all my wishes and dreams were dashed around midseason. It went from an entertaining drama series to one that was a total letdown — for various reasons.
Surprisingly, it scored a Season 2 renewal, but I’m still debating whether or not to tune in. Thanks to the casting additions of both Blair Underwood and Russell Tovey, I will probably give the first few episodes a chance. But, if Quantico continues down the same disappointing road it traveled in the first season, then you can be sure I’ll be giving up on these federal agents.
Until then, let’s discuss Season 1 and some of it biggest mistakes.
The terrorist “reveals”
When it comes to a big reveal in a TV series, I’m going to need something that’s so mindblowing, my jaw drops to the floor and I can’t grasp what just played out in front of my eyes. Maybe that’s a lot to ask, but don’t tease some huge reveal, when in doubt, it really means nothing at all in the long run. Or, don’t turn the reveal into something that I could care less about or that I know is a total fakeout.
That’s exactly what Quantico did throughout the entire first season. Just when you thought the terrorist or his/her partner was being revealed, the curtain would open and you’d be like, “huh?” or the series would be like, “just kidding!” For example, Simon was repeatedly set up to look bad, but he seemed way too easy to be the terrorist. Quantico, you weren’t fooling anyone there.
Secondly, when Shelby was revealed as the driver who picked up Simon and Will and then took the phone from Alex? I don’t think so. Shelby teased as The Voice was blasé. No way was the show going to drop the terrorist’s name and face before the final episode. It pretty much proved that with all of its other “reveals.” And don’t even get me started on Drew. Yeah, that reveal was kind of surprising. However, once again, Drew was a pawn in the real terrorist’s game.
Like I said, it’s rare for a series to reveal something so huge right away, but when there are so many fakeouts, it becomes frustrating. There were way too many that it got old — real fast.
The flashbacks
There are plenty of shows that can pull off flashbacks. For example, Once Upon a Time has done it successfully since day one. It’s not that Quantico‘s were unsuccessful, they were just beyond confusing.
Between the past and the present, it was a lot of information to take in and remember.
At times, I found myself having difficulty keeping everything in order. Anyone else feel like they needed to create a graphic organizer or a timeline of every event? If a show makes me feel that way, then it’s not worth my time.
The other training class
This is one series where there were just some things that didn’t make sense. Specifically, let’s talk about the other training class.
Why would there be two different training classes that are only one month apart? Wouldn’t they all just be part of the same class? Maybe this was Quantico‘s way of adding new characters, but it just added more confusion to an already confusing series.
Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of everyone, especially when you’re trying to acquaint yourself with new faces.
Killing Simon
Why, Quantico? Why would you do this to your viewers? Simon was one of the few characters who was interesting.
You never knew exactly what he was up to, what he believed in or whether he could truly be trusted. Plus, his relationships with every other character were complex and captivating.
These are only a few of the things that made him intriguing. Simon, you will be missed.
The show title
So, naming the series Quantico makes sense for Season 1. However, when it comes to Season 2, not so much. The main training class has graduated, so now what?
How can it still be called ‘Quantico’? I guess that means younger recruits will be introduced and intertwined into the current story somehow.
As for Alex, if she goes to work with the CIA, shouldn’t it technically be called ‘Langley’? I mean, she is the main star, so it would make more sense.
A turtle’s pace
Talk about a series that just dragged every little component out. At first, Quantico was fast-paced and drew in viewers, but after awhile, it fell flat.
I don’t think I’ve ever watched a television show that moved so slow that made it extremely boring. Again, I know major spoilers couldn’t be unmasked immediately, but throw your viewers a bone that will keep them coming back for more. And, no, the “reveals” didn’t help.
By the time the real terrorist was identified at the end of Season 1, I didn’t even care. I just wanted everything to be over, stat.
Ryan never believing Alex
Look, I understand why some of the characters felt the way they did about Alex and her terrorist theories. However, when it came to Ryan not believing her and never giving her the benefit of the doubt, it was just irritating.
If he was so in love with her, wouldn’t he trust her completely and help her? Yes, at the beginning, they had a rocky relationship with lies and secrets, but that didn’t stop them from caring about each other wholeheartedly.
I can’t imagine what it would be like as an FBI agent, trying to overcome terrorist attacks and start investigating another one. It has to take a toll, like it did on many of the Quantico characters.
All that said, watching Ryan try to take down Alex, all while not supporting her at certain times when he should’ve been, well, it kind of makes me not want them together. Here’s hoping their relationship improves in Season 2, especially now that they are a couple — again.
Alex = “boy crazy”
One of the many things I admire about Alex is how she doesn’t apologize for who she is, especially when it comes to her sexuality. Throughout season 1, she slept with several different people, but who cares? That’s not the point.
By no means am I judging her, but when it seems like Alex is turning into a character whose life has to revolve and/or involve a man? Then, yeah, I’m going to find fault.
I like romance and relationships are a big part of who people are. Plus, they make a series entertaining. Nor does a man make a woman weak, because Alex certainly isn’t weak or any less independent and determined with a man than she is when she’s single. And, who doesn’t like to ship TV couples? I certainly do and find myself doing it a lot.
However, it was rare for Alex to stand by herself without a man by her side or thinking about a man. From Ryan, to Liam, to Drew, they were a huge part of her storyline and who Alex was. Though, it was refreshing to see Alex walk away from Ryan, but then again, that didn’t last long.
Let’s just hope this isn’t a repeating pattern in future Alex story lines.
Alex being way too trustworthy
As an FBI agent, Alex was way too trusting in season 1. What was up with her believing everyone? When you’re dealing with a terrorist, don’t you think she would’ve questioned everything?
Every time she took something to heart, it came back to haunt her. Then, she would get so upset and couldn’t think of how to handle the situation. Well, what did you expect, Alex?
I get that you’re dealing with a lot and it has to be really scary, but come on. Didn’t the FBI train you to be more observant and less trusting than that? I guess it’s a good quality of hers (that she still has faith in others), but that’s probably something she should let go of more when investigating.
If she heads to the CIA, maybe they’ll ingrain that into her even more.
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