Quantico season 1 introduced us to a world of complicated terrorist plots and even more complicated relationships. Catch up on all of it with our season 1 recap.
So much happened in every single episode of Quantico season 1, it was difficult to keep track of things week to week! After an entire, torturous, NAT-free summer, we’re betting there’s a few details that slipped through the cracks. Our season 1 recap is here to give you all the information you’ll need to jump right into Quantico season 2!
And the terrorist is…
After a full season of suspecting literally every character, the terrorist was finally revealed in the penultimate episode of Quantico season 1. Liam O’Connor, the man who taught the NATs everything they know about being agents, had everyone fooled. Thankfully, the NATs were able to put his training to good use, and they caught and killed him before he was able to complete his final attack.
Related: Quantico: 5 times Liam basically told us he’s the terrorist
After years of witnessing the corruption that was ubiquitous within the FBI, Liam devised a plan to destroy the bureau and to rebuild it in his own image. His plan evolved throughout the time he spent at Quantico to include using Simon’s blueprints and blackmailing Elias, but his goal was in place since before we ever met him. He even decided to frame Alex before she started her training.
While Liam met his demise at the hands of Alex and Ryan, the entire terrorist plot of Quantico season 1 isn’t completely tied up yet. In the final moments of the season 1 finale, Alex shocked everyone by accusing Claire Haas of being Liam’s accomplice. Claire didn’t exactly admit to anything, but her weak defense made it clear that she knew Liam was responsible for the attack on Grand Central, and that she used his plot to help her in the election.
From investigations to intelligence
After everything Alex went through to fulfill her dream of becoming an FBI agent, she was removed from her position at the Bureau. Her face and name had become too public during the investigation of the terrorist attacks for her to continue her work.
She took some time off to go on vacation with Ryan after all the drama, but Alex isn’t the type of girl to sit around idly for too long. Luckily, it wasn’t long before another opportunity came up. In the final scene of the Quantico season 1 finale, Alex was stopped by a white van and asked to step inside.
A man named Matthew Keyes presented her with a job opportunity with the CIA, since he had obviously heard of her prowess. She had almost no information to go on to make her decision, but it looks like she took the leap, since we’ll be watching her train for the CIA in Quantico season 2!
Even though Alex is leaving the FBI behind, we’ll probably still be seeing a lot of it. Most, if not all, of our other favorite characters will still be working for the Bureau, under the new direction of Deputy Director Miranda Shaw.
R.I.P.
Even though the death toll remained at a mere one victim until the Quantico mid-season finale, the list of major characters who died in the first season was actually quite a lengthy one. Let’s hope the deaths slow down in Quantico season 2, or there won’t be anyone left!
The first Quantico casualty was Elder Eric. He cracked under the pressure of the NATs’ very first assignment, and unfortunately, took his own life. After that, things slowed down a bit, as we got to know the characters and tried to figure out who could possibly be responsible for the Grand Central attacks.
The next round of death didn’t occur until the mid-season finale, but it was a big one. Elias, who was blackmailed into helping Liam, took his own life after he was discovered. Following that, Simon let go of the trigger that ended up setting off the second bomb, which killed many agents, including Clayton Haas.
Natalie Vasquez and Drew Perales were also collateral damage in Liam’s grand plan. Natalie was the victim of an explosion when she went with Alex to investigate a lead, and Drew was the casualty of another explosion after Liam forced him into lending his “Voice” to the cause. Of course, bodies were never discovered for these two, so it’s always possible that they’re still alive! At this point, Natalie is probably gone, but Drew’s fate is still up in the air.
Perhaps the most tragic death of the entire season was that of Simon Asher. After a season, and a lifetime, worth of guilt building up, he earned his redemption by sacrificing himself to render Liam’s final bomb useless. After a heartbreaking goodbye to his friends, he was able to save them and the graduating class of NATs who were Liam’s targets.
Related: Quoting Quantico: Simon Asher’s most enlightened remarks
Other than Liam, the only other major character death was Charlie, Miranda’s son. His death, unlike most of the others, had nothing to do with Liam’s attacks. Charlie had gotten himself involved with another terrorist group, but eventually began to second guess his choice. He was killed during a standoff that involved his mother, Raina, and other members of his terrorist group. His mother shot him, but the fatal shot came from an FBI agent who was outside the house.
Where are they now?
The exact status of many characters was left unknown after the Quantico season 1 finale. Here’s what we do know about some of our other favorite NATs.
Raina Amin
The more conservative of the twins left the FBI after the second bombing. She had a falling out with her sister at the same time, and returned to Michigan to live with her family, while her sister continued to work.
Alex called Raina in for backup when the FBI turned against her, and Raina showed up to help her friend. Raina stayed to help her friends stop the third attack and to catch Liam, but it is still unknown if she decided to return to the FBI after the events of the finale.
Will Olsen
Will made an appearance in the Quantico season 1 finale to show everyone that he was, thankfully, alive! He was forced to build a bomb for Liam, and suffered from extreme radiation poisoning as a result. We’re so glad he’s alive, but other than that, we really don’t know what Will’s up to, or if he’ll play a role in Quantico season 2.
Brandon Fletcher and Iris Chang
They graduated from Quantico, and that’s really all we know.
Caleb Haas
After Caleb’s father was killed in the second attack, his life fell apart. He ceased to work for the FBI, and he became addicted to heroine. His mother refused to get him the help he needed, lest it affect her public image prior to the election, so he was in pretty sad shape when Alex found him.
Related: Quantico: Caleb Haas needs to be in season 2
Despite the extreme issues he was having, Caleb still managed to help his friends and the FBI figure out that Liam was the culprit behind the attacks. When Quantico season 1 ended, it was unclear if Caleb ever actually rejoined the FBI. We still have no confirmation that Caleb will be in Quantico season 2, so the presumed answer is, unfortunately, no.
It is also unclear if Caleb and Shelby got back together following the events of the finale. It looked like things were heading that way, but only time, and probably the Quantico season 2 premiere, will tell. Caleb also has unresolved issues with his former cult, Systemics, and his friend who is still a member.
Now that you’ve been caught up with the season 1 recap, watch the trailer for Quantico season 2! Don’t forget to tune in on Sunday, September 25 to see what Alex will be facing next.
