Quantico

By: Alex Steele

After what feels like an extended hiatus, “Quantico’s” mid-season premiere did not disappoint. We were left reeling after the last episode when Elias (Rick Cosnett) was found to be involved with the terrorist(s) responsible for framing Alex (Priyanka Chopra). And once the second bomb was thought to have been discovered and subsequently dismantled, vulnerable Simon (Tate Ellington) was able to remove his finger from the trigger. Unfortunately, though, there was a third bomb; the one they just dismantled was a decoy and the third had been triggered wreaking havoc on the FBI Command Centre. This episode, titled Alex, began 3 months following the attack on the command center and we see a withdrawn, isolated Alex drinking alone in a bar while the news plays over in the background. The Senate hearing begins tomorrow to determine whether Elias worked alone in orchestrating the bombing that killed 32 FBI agents, including Clayton Haas (Mark Pellegrino). But is that all who died? From the previous episode we know that many of the former NAT’s were inside along with the majority of the higher-powered players.

Under the instruction of Alex, the bartender switches off the television. A confident looking man approaches Alex and does his best attempt to make a move. This scene is a throwback to that first interaction between Ryan and Alex. She reads this guy, naming all the reasons why he isn’t her type and why he has no chance with her. However, we all know in Alex language that means – no relationship, just sex will happen. Sneakily though, she removes a thumb drive from his pocket in the throw of a passionate make-out session and then successful blows him off.

Cut back to Quantico where Shelby (Johanna Braddy), Natalie (Anabelle Acosta) and Alex are having some solid “girl talk” about the fact they’ve let the men in their lives dictate too much. It’s time to re-focus. Elsewhere, Charlie (J. Mallory McCree) is being questioned by an FBI agent (Miranda is watching on) over his kidnapping. He is reluctant to offer up any information, stating he can’t remember anything about anyone. Really Charlie, really? Meanwhile, the NATs assignment this week involves a class versus class battle. Alex and her peers are pitted against the NAT class that is one month above them at Quantico. Welcome new NATs, Iris Chang (Li Jun Li) and Drew Perales (Lenny Platt) – characters I’m sure after this week, may or may not come into the fold when working out future connections. The prize at the end of the battle between classes? The winning class chooses five NATs from the losing team to leave Quantico altogether. Talk about pressure. As the class wars get underway, Alex and her team soon realize that the other team already knows them so to even the playing field they do a little bit of their own research. This only adds to the tension building between the two classes and when the competition lands in a tie, Liam (Josh Hopkins) and Miranda (Aunjanue Ellis) set a tie-breaker – a hostage situation. Team versus Team.

The Senate hearing begins, with all those former allies – Simon, Shelby, Miranda and Liam – stating that they believe Elias acted alone. Tate Ellington’s performance here during Simon’s testimony is hauntingly brilliant. The subtle nature of Simon is completely obliterated in one breathe, as he recounts his experience with Elias and the following anguish as a result of the bombings. “Quantico” does a fantastic job of developing characters we love to hate; or more specifically, characters that one week we cheer for and the next we are against. This type of writing is why “Quantico” continues to make us grip the edge of our seats. Shelby and Alex share a heated encounter outside; the trust and loyalty between the two is broken and the disdain Shelby has for Alex is shockingly depicted (Bravo, Johanna Braddy).

With Alex still full-heartedly believing that the second terrorist is still out of there, Ryan (Jake McLaughlin) is sent in for one last attempt to help Alex see the truth. He has found out about her “off the books” investigation, she is treading a fine line and as much as he understand the hurt, the pain he cannot support her anymore. It may have been this talk with Ryan, or the shocking suicide of Duncan (David Alpay), that encouraged Alex to change her statement. But whatever it was, it didn’t do Alex any favors. Lying under oath, and completely changing her statement regarding the bombings, she now believes that Elias did act alone. Alex is floundering, trying to regain any trust she can from those around her. Shelby leaves, Simon doesn’t even say a word and Ryan…Well, he loses it. This is not what he meant when he said tell the truth. Jake McLaughlin is powerful in this scene, displaying such a sense of disappointment in Alex that we as an audience are bought to our knees. Natalie remains however – could she believe Alex?

Back at Quantico, Raina (Yasmine Al Massri) attempts to get through to Charlie (after attempts from Nimah and Miranda had failed) and surprisingly gets him to open up. I’m still not too sure whether I’m Team Raina or Team Nimah as they both have such different values and behavioral traits that I find myself loving them both. Either way, Raina successfully gets a name (Anthony, Noah, Jay and Derek). Using this information, we see her infiltrating the terrorism ring virtually within the closing moments. With the hostage simulation well underway, Alex’s team is on the back foot, badly. After thinking they had successfully avoided an ambush – everyone from the opposing team had been shot – they discover that they had swapped out the hostages for the team members. Smooth move older NATs, smooth move. This does not go over well at all – cheaters, liars. However, rules are rules. Three members of the current NATs are sent packing with 2 older NATs also sent home, somewhat evening the playing field (according to Liam and Miranda). With one last announcement, the two classes are now joining together and we are gifted with another layer of story and drama that can only further the future conspiracy. After the assignment is completed Caleb (Graham Rogers) and Shelby meet with the husband of Samar (the con-artist half-sister), who informs them that she has been kidnapped. After a little encouragement, both agree to help him find her. I guess finding Samar means finding more answers?

As Alex is truly a lone soldier come the end of the episode, it is made all the more worse when she receives consistent prank calls with disappointment and disdain from her supporters. When it isn’t her phone that is ringing, she discovers another one hidden within her apartment. And then we hear it; the masked voice of the actual suspect. With instructions to meet the “masked figure” alone and at a certain time, whoever it is sounds like they know Alex. They reference their time at the academy, that their relationship took time and that Alex (unbeknownst) continues to help them carry out this plan. Upon arrival to the deserted location, Alex is met with a female figure of into the distance. As the distance is closed, we see Natalie – for a moment there we think she could be the one orchestrating it all. But when she opens her jacket to expose a bomb, it is obvious she is just as unwilling as anyone else.