Mikes Film Talk

Quantico: Clue features a “Star Trek” scenario, the infamous  “Kobayashi Maru” that James Kirk cheated on to win, in the form of a similar hostage situation.  However there is no option to cheat teaching  Alex that being the leader in crisis is not a fun thing.

After the events of last week’s episode (Turn) we finally learn why Miranda is relieved of duty as the head of Quantico.  The followup to the terrorist attack results in all those involved attending therapy and it appears that Perales (Lenny Platt) is unfazed at killing a man and Alex is concerned. 

As Shelby struggles to cope with the news that her parents faked their deaths, Caleb becomes distant.  Meanwhile the NATs go through training designed to see how they are dealing with the terrorist attack last week.

The training consists of the NATs trying to stop a aircraft hijack and save the passengers.  Every attempt fails. Alex and Shelby team up and almost win but are stopped with the news that another hijacker is on the plane.

Olsen points out that the test is a Kobayashi Maru, an un-winnable scenario, designed to teach the trainees that  in the  real world there are many situations that have no win;  no clear end. Alex is furious.

After the test and the investigation into the terrorist invasion of Quantico, Miranda is relieved of her duties as head of the academy.

Caleb’s alternate identity, which he says was developed to take down the religious cult that had him and now has a friend,  is taken over by Olsen who wants to help.  After Haas accepts Will’s help, he talks to his father saying that the perfect candidate has been found.

Present day has Wyland working with Alex, Simon and Nimah after initially being wary of the whole thing. Booth questions why his ex-wife is getting along with Alex and Hannah learns the Senator’s itinerary  has changed.

After annoying the vice presidential  candidate (it appears that Claire Haas does not just have a problem with Alex but all FBI agents) Wyland takes Parrish’s cell phone and learns that the terrorist can see what they are doing.

Inside the bureau.

As Alex’s  team attempt to second guess the terrorist on the other end of the phone, Haas has an address to make. Parrish  is approached by a suspicious Ryan Booth (Jake McLaughlin) who demands to know what she put under one of the seats.

The package that was put under the seat, that Booth manages to almost spot, knocks out the power.  When things go dark, Hannah fires her weapon to get Claire Haas out of the area faster.

Wyland is fired as the coordinator for Haas and with Simon’s help, Alex finds the first clue in the case.  Hannah asks that Parrish keep Ryan in the dark and the man in question tells Alex that he will bring her down. Obviously he believes she means the senator harm.

It is hard not to like a show that has a “Star Trek” reference, or indeed has a character who resembles Chekov from the verse. The series has managed to put away the catwalk problems of the first episodes. With a “big bad” that remains faceless  but apparently omnipresent it looks like Parrish and her little team have their work cut out for them.

Quantico airs Sundays on ABC.