Quantico Episodes 6-9 Reviews: Is Anyone Else Losing Interest?

We're nine episodes into "Quantico". I initially enjoyed the mystery of who blew up the train station (if it wasnt Alex) Trying to figure out which FBI trainee/trainees were working with the enemy was fun. Each person had their sorted secrets. No one was what they seemed. At this point though it's getting a bit boring. Im not sure the suspense can be maintained over 22 episodes. I know I sound like a broken record but this type of show would greatly benefit from a shorter season.

And since I've said my peace, here's the highlights of episodes 6 through 9.  In "God" Alex is still on the run but now has the help of Shelby as well as Ryan and Simon. Their prime suspect is Caleb (whom Shelby says she hasnt spoken to since Quantico). 

The weekly class exercise is to use surveillance to spy on suspects. Shaw reminds everyone that they are "never alone".  Why is she allowing them to spy on her son?  And was he framed by Miranda or Liam or did he really threaten to blow up a school? Simon finds out the twins' secret. Simon and Raina share an intimate moment. 
Ryan and Natalie are an item after Quantico.  

Simon inserts tracking software onto Caleb's laptop so Alex can see everything he's looking at. Caleb later finds surveillance video of  Shelby kissing his father at the terminal station before it blew up. What's up with that? I still dont trust Shelby.  

In episode 7 "Go" Miranda gives each NAT a blank sheet of paper and leaves the room. They have to figure out what to do next. New guy Brandon finally confesses that he didnt get a piece. of paper. They interrogate Natalie (still donning her fake scar) who is sleeping with him. Then the fire alarm goes off. They are trapped inside the training room. They see on surveillance that Brandon hid a bomb in the classroom. Uh oh, there's only 22 minutes to go before it blows up. They (well really Simon) try to defuse the bomb but are unsuccessful. Good thing it's a fake. A bunch of the recruits (including Elias) run for the door. They are all flunked out of class. This was the final exam for the analysts and they graduate. Caleb is asked to stay on as a trainee (apparently because of what Shelby said to his father). 

In present day, Alex and Simon sneak up on Raina right after prayers. They saw her on the surveillance tape at the bombing site. She says it was not her and Nimah instead. It may have something to do with the terrorist cell the twins infiltrated. The terrorists plan to blow up a landmark but they must determine which.  

The FBI arrives to arrest Alex but the terrorists (thinking they are under attack) come out with guns blazing. Ryan is shot again (how many bullets holes does this poor guy have in him?). Natalie corners Alex and Ryan while they're trying to escape but she lets them go. The twins escape by running in a different direction. 

ln episode 8 "Over" Caleb's father wants him to erase all evidence of his affair with Shelby. Caleb also discovers Shelby's half sister and reports her for suspicious activity. Turns out Shelby is just helping her buy a house.

Elsewhere Miranda is attacked by her son (we think). She ends up the hospital. Liam has hit the bottle again. Why is Alex continually bailing him out? She goes to a bar to retrieve him. She later goes to his house and throws him the shower. I dont understand her motivation. Oh, and in case anyone forgot, there's a second bomb ready to go off... somewhere. 

In episode 9 "Guilty" the class is given an exercise by a serial killer profiler (played by Anne Heche). Each group has the case file for a real crime. Their actual victims are listed but one fake-out is included. They must determine which it is. They all pass the test and later go to a bar. Simon keeps telling Dr Langdon he thinks something is wrong with one of the crime scenes. It turns out she falsified evidence and may have sent an innocent person to jail. She is also cray cray and plans to kill him. Luckily Ryan confronts them in the parking lot and Susan leaves alone. Simon turns Dr Langdon into the authorities. The other NATs dont agree with Simon's decision. He gets upset and goes to see his old friend. Is Simon the one who set off the bomb? I found this whole story line to be a bit strange. It just didnt make sense to me.   

On the Alex front, she turns herself into the FBI. They plan to interrogate her. But a secret government task force shows up and scurries her away. They torture Ryan in front of her and she confesses to stop them. At the end of the episode she is in court and pleads "guilty". How is she going to get out of this? Oh and Elias shows back up as Alex's attorney. 

Grade: 3 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). You're losing me "Quantico". It's not the actors or the writers fault. The whole story is just taking too long to unfold. My attention is feigning. I'm not sure if I'll keep reviewing the show on a regular basis. I will however check back to see how it all ends. 

Photo Credits:
http://heavy.com/entertainment/2015/11/quantico-season-1-episode-9-spoilers-guilty-priyanka-chopra-return-schedule-abc-tv/
http://tvline.com/2015/11/29/quantico-alex-pleads-guilty-recap-season-1/
http://abc.go.com/shows/quantico
http://www.celebdirtylaundry.com/2015/quantico-recap-11115-season-1-episode-6-god/
http://www.designntrend.com/articles/63786/20151030/abcs-quantico-season-1-episode-6-spoilers-is-caleb-fbi-director-claytons-son-promo.htm

World According To GMonster
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality

December 3, 2015

7:26 PM