Well, we were promised a death, Quantico fans. Was it expected or unexpected?
Quantico’s 1×13, “Clear,” was built on the idea of knowing your enemy, and understanding their weakness to exploit it. This is the lesson for the NATs, of course, but as always parallels the future events as the terrorist manipulates Alex precisely where she/he wants her.
I’ll always be better then you
The episode picked up right where last week left off, with Alex and Natalie taking orders from the terrorist over the phone. She/he tells them to go to work as normal the next day and wait for further contact. They manage to do this, which highlights the shockingly bad security of the FBI as Natalie is able to walk in strapped to a bomb. Despite the tough circumstances, it’s really good to see the two working together, especially after starting as nothing more than competitors. They could have a fun sitcom, where the two of them work cases together and talk about bad dates. Maybe Natalie’s daughter could be the spunky protege. Booth couldn’t come, though. Too moody.
Alex also meets her new boss: Booth’s ex-wife. Hannah makes it clear immediately that she doesn’t intend to cut Alex any slack, in a tone of voice that just makes you feel small. She does say, however, that she leaves her opinions at the door, and work is separate from any personal vendetta. Even though she’s clearly not Alex’s friend, I believe this to be true of her; she seems like a professional and someone who weathered a divorce like a champ.
Of course, this dynamic is tested immediately because when the terrorist makes contact, they want information from a room that they need Hannah’s clearance for. Alex manages to sneakily get the print from her phone screen, but Hannah is not impressed and informs her she’s used her last free pass. But let’s be honest; it’s surprising she even got one. The two women also need Booth’s clearance to get this done, so Natalie ambushes him in a stairwell. Knowing Booth’s weakness is compassion, especially when it comes to Alex, she tells him she intends to make amends and take her former rival out to lunch. She insists he pay, and then when he holds out on cash she pulls some sleight of hand and takes his ID as well. Oh, Natalie. Alex may be our heroine, but you really are just as good.
Nat and Al (a good sitcom name) realize once they have the information what the terrorist wanted: the locations and security details of all presidential candidates for the next week. They decide to send a worm with it to trace the terrorist, and they take off for Ward’s Island.
Sourcing information
Back at Quantico, Liam and Miranda test the NATs on human intelligence by having them evaluate each other and then do an exercise off campus trying to win over informants. It seems as though Alex and Drew, forever competing, may team up; but when a mark recognizes him he tries to take advantage. This backfires, and Alex does the same thing, leaving him out in the rain as she offers the mark out of a DUI in exchange for information. Iris makes some headway bribing a busboy, but as Alex also learns, they were set up to fail. The marks were all agents, and they were being taught not to let the mark win them over in the process. These exercises are all, intentionally I’m sure, set in place to make anyone training lose all faith in humanity.
More trouble in blond paradise
We find out this week that Shelby does in fact pay the ransom for her fake sister, Haifa-not-Samar. Unfortunately, Caleb uncovers that it was still a con, and that the $5 million given didn’t save Samar from anything because she was never in danger. Infuriated, Shelby says she intends to travel to Croatia and get her money back. Caleb fixes to go with her, but when he says his father can no longer help them, Shelby gets upset. Caleb angrily let’s her know how unfairly she’s been treating him, and that it’s time he took care of himself.
Iris seems entirely too interested in this situation, but in between flirting with Caleb, she offers Shelby a contact in the Middle East. Perhaps there is a heart of gold beneath that icy exterior.
Nimah the commander
Nimah grows suspicious of her sister’s actions, especially when Miranda lets Raina out of class. She questions her first, then asks Will (who is surprisingly excellent at understanding people if not speaking to them) what type of personality Raina is. Sinister, Nimah… what could she use against her sister? She does look through her twin’s computer, and follow her to a meeting with suspects.
Whatever happens
And then, Nat’s death. While there’s no proof Natalie is dead, it makes sense. Her plot in the past concluded, with her going to fight for custody of Renata. And the terrorist is able to continue manipulating Alex by threatening Booth. It’s heartbreaking (and not just because the sitcom idea will never happen).