Quantico starts off well enough but by the third or fourth episodes, I was becoming impatient, not so much with the A-story (i.e. who the terrorist was) but instead the constant back and forth from present day to 9 months in the past; it’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine.
“Quantico”: The Complete First Season
(2015-16)
Genre(s): Drama, Crime, Suspense
Buena Vista | TV14 – 945 min. – $39.99 | September 13, 2016
Date Published: 09/25/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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THE SEASON — 2.5/5 |
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Season Synopsis (with MAJOR SPOIELRS): As one would expect, especially with a format of flashbacks and flash-forwards, made popular on Lost, is one of the more annoying aspects that I generally hate and it doesn’t get any better with Quantico. I quickly became inpatient as each episode takes us from the present post Grand Central explosion, back several months to their time at the academy where, presumably, they learn something that is apt for their situation in the present time. On paper this might’ve been fine but it became a chore to sit through. I know plenty have criticized for how this cast looks but I chalk that up to like any other series, especially those involving the FBI or CIA where the actors tend to be far too good looking versus how actual agents look, even those working undercover (see: The Blacklist or Criminal Minds). The difference, especially comparing it with The Blacklist, is the writing on Quantico is really the Achilles heel and when you add in some so-so performances, it makes for tough sledding following what was a solid enough first episode. In the end, Quantico had plenty potential going in and if it were a 10-12 episode season rather than a full-length 22 episode season, it might’ve worked cutting out the annoying and lame red herrings and just making it a tighter series. Instead, that potential is wasted and I have little faith the second season will be any better as presumably they’ll rely once again on the flash back/present day formula… |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.5/5 |
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This 5-disc release is housed in a standard DVD case and comes with a semi-glossy slip cover. Video Commentary – The pilot episode, ‘Run’, includes a split-screen video commentary with Creator/Executive Producer Joshua Safran and Actors Priyanka Chopra, Jake McLaughlin, Yasmine Al Massri, Johanna Braddy, Tate Ellington and Graham Rogers as they talk about the episode and their characters. Welcome to Quantico (18:54) – The cast and crew share stories from the set of the friendships they forged and how the show came together, from casting and taining with “twins,” bonding over board games, and other topics. Who Did It? (8:11) – The cast reflect on not knowing who the culprit was until the very end, and the various false leads, red herrings and theories they held about his or her identity throughout the season. Deleted Scenes (TRT 20:46) are available on ‘Run’, ‘America’, ‘Cover’, ‘Found’, ‘God’, ‘Go’, ‘Over’, ‘Guilty’, ‘Quantico’, ‘Alex, ‘Answer’, ‘Turn’, ‘Clue’, ‘Soon’, ‘Fast’, ‘Drive’, ‘Right’ and ‘Yes’ Bloopers (4:15) |
VIDEO – 4.0/5, AUDIO – 4.0/5
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| Quantico: The Complete First Season is presented in its originally televised, 16×9 enhanced, 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio; for the most part, it looks good with bright, natural looking colors during the daytime and a nice starkness for the darkly lit scenes.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 track provides for crisp and clear dialogue levels and does give off a little depth for the few action sequences like car chases and an explosion or two while the score makes fine usage of the front and rear channels. |
OVERALL – 3.0/5 |
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Overall, Quantico starts off well enough but by the third or fourth episodes, I was becoming impatient, not so much with the A-story (i.e. who the terrorist was) but instead the constant back and forth from present day to 9 months in the past; it’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine and having it be a plot device for 22 episodes was nearly unbearable. Personally, the series might’ve benefited being 12-13 episodes and cut out the crappy, soap opera-esque red herrings. As far as the DVD is concerned, there are some nice features and the video/audio transfers are both well done. |