Quantico EP Talks Choosing a Bomber, [Spoiler]'s Fatal Sacrifice, Alex/Ryan Drama 

behind the Manhattan bombings? — tighter than a NAT’s henley left too long in the clothes dryer.

As revealed last week, Liam was the driving force behind the carnage originally blamed on Agent Alex Parrish… but he wasn’t the only one. So after we watched a quick rewind of Liam’s whereabouts while pulling the whole shebang together (set to a pretty great orchestral arrangement of Peter Gabriel’s “Digging in the Dirt”), we witnessed Alex & Co. realize that their former teacher was their current nemesis — and then hunt him down before he could set off a nuclear bomb at that year’s FBI academy graduation.

Why did Liam want to destroy the FBI? To cut off the head of a corrupt organization, to spill blood so all of the lying and rewriting of history could end. (We didn’t say it was a 

motive.) Alex and Ryan eventually take him out by shooting him multiple times — once between the eyes — in a Quantico dorm.

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But the gang soon realizes that Liam’s bomb can’t be defused, and really terrible stuff is about to go down. So Simon grabs the device, jump in a car and sacrifice himself by driving the nuke off a bridge so its destruction and fallout would be contained underwater.

At Simon’s funeral, Alex has deduced that now-vice president Claire Haas was in on Liam’s insanity… and when the politician doesn’t deny it, Caleb overhears everything. Later, after Alex has been let go from the FBI for being too recognizable (?), she is recruited by a mysterious man who offers her another gig: a position at the CIA. As the episode ends, Alex is poised to give the man her answer.

So what did Alex decide? And what will Season 2 of the ABC drama look like? We went straight to showrunner Joshua Safran for some answers.

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TVLINE | I know you’ve said the terrorist always had to be Liam. But was there ever thought of him having an equal partner? Or was it always

a partner at the end of the season. So the discussion was the two of them. But no, it was always Liam. [

TVLINE | Speaking of which, is the idea to have Claire Haas to be an integral part of next season?

The hope would be that Marcia would come back and be part of our world. It’s very clear that she pays a price, which is that her son knows about her now.I’d like to say that you’ll see her moving forward. We’re just getting into those conversations now. It’s on purpose that she’s out there and it’s this thing that Caleb knows and Alex knows and other people know, but nothing can really be done about it because there’s no actual proof — again, getting into the shades of gray that have been the whole raison d’etre of the show: It’s never black and white, you’re never good or evil, going all the way back to her father.

TVLINE | You held off on telling Josh Hopkins that Liam was the ultimate culprit until about three-quarters of the way through the season. How did the rest of the cast react when they found out?

] They were really excited it wasn’t them… Josh and Jake [McLaughlin] and Graham [Rogers] are always f—king with each other, so once I told him, all he really cared about was how we could f—k with Graham before we announced it… Everyone was relieved. I will say that Tate [Ellington] knew he wasn’t the terrorist way back. I told him way back in the year, because I knew all the emotional stuff he was going to have to do, so I wanted him to know that he wasn’t the terrorist. Priyanka [Chopra] always knew it wasn’t her. I told Yasmine [Al Massri] and Johanna [Braddy] earlier than others because they had to do certain things that I wanted them to be aware of. I stepped it out. I think the last people to know were Jake, Graham, Josh and Aunjanue [Ellis].

TVLINE | Simon’s storyline this season felt as though it were always building to this final scene. Did you have his heroic death in mind right from the beginning?

Simon slipped the noose a lot throughout the year. Tate is one of the best actors I’ve ever worked with and one of my favorite people I’ve ever met in my entire life. So losing him from the show was really difficult for everybody. It still is. We still talk about it: We know it was the right thing, but it still feels terrible because you’re losing such a good part of your family. But it felt like there was no other way. In fact, we had many other people in that car, but we kept coming back to Simon because that was the only person that felt right. His was a tragic arc leading to redemption no matter what, whether it lasted one year or five years. That would always be where he would end up. Then we just couldn’t shake the fact that it had to be him in that car.

TVLINE | Who else did you think of putting in the driver’s seat of that car?

Pretty much, we cycled through everybody, everybody that wasn’t Alex or Ryan. It didn’t make sense. We had Raina in the car. But it didn’t make sense. The pitch initially was Simon in the car. It was just that none of us wanted to

] Even up until the day the script was released to the actors, it was midnight, and I was like, “Am I sure I’m gonna do this?” But I knew it was right. It’s a very complicated thing when you know it’s the right story but you personally don’t want to do it.

fan, I was psyched to see Henry Czerny in the car at the end of the episode. Do you have him for next season, as well?

We don’t have anybody for next season yet, beyond our regulars… We’re just dealing with that now. But I would love to have him back because in my mind that is, yes, a character that returns for sure. We are setting up the story for Season 2, and that character is important in that.

TVLINE | Alex and Ryan had a lot of relationship drama this season. Do you see more stability for them as a couple next season?

I would say that, in Season 2, everything slows down. The twists are still there, but… Season 1 was this you’re-on-the-run, fugitive thing, which is how it began, which is meant to be heart-pounding and fast, something that happened very quickly. We took our energy from that. Season 2 is structured a little bit slower. I’m not going to say what it is, but the nature of the event is slower and unfolding as opposed to explosive. We’re just going to take our energy from that. So all relationships will percolate and be slower. If

was our Season 1 blockbuster, Season 2 is a different movie entirely.

TVLINE | Will we see the same level of flashbacks next season?

The thing I like about this show, which I think is different than other shows that use two different time periods, is that we have two separate stories running on parallel tracks that touch upon each other, as opposed to a one and done that you’re constantly flashing back to. So Season 2 will keep the two storyline structure, because it is — I wish I could tell you what it is, but I can’t — the Season 2 event is not a huge plot like I’m on the run and I’m being framed, which meant she was constantly on the move and constantly coming into people’s stories. It was two full stories on two tracks at all times. This one is one full story, and then one slow thing. It’s a cleaner build, that’s the best I can say. It will be less confusing.

Grade the episode via the poll below, then hit the comments to back up your choice!

Sad about Simon making the ultimate sacrifice and Liam after all this time, makes him the series’ big baddie. Hope next season is a “reboot”.

I can’t wait to see what next season has in store. Alex working for the CIA should be interesting and would definitely give her the tools to take down Claire Haas. I liked that her son was there to hear her lies. I really like this show. It’s different from the rest. I want Ryan and her to be together already though.

May have to watch this show just to spot all the little UK easter eggs

At first I didn’t realize Simon had grabbed the bomb when he ran out and sped away in the car. I just thought he was like “I’m out of here” and I was actually laughing. Then I realized what was happening and I stopped laughing.

In theory, considering I’ve never had the need to do such a thing, but couldn’t Simon have tried to jump out of the car door while it was accelerating? Wouldn’t the force he created have just kept it going into the water without him actually pressing the pedal? Or couldn’t he have like jammed the pedal somehow?

I’m really just grasping at straws for ways that mean Simon didn’t have to die.

he could have but he really feels bad for how he handled the 1st bomb and how many people got killed because of him. I think the only way he thinks he can redeem himself is by dying.

It was heartbreaking to see Simon be killed off but had it been another character it wouldn’t have had the same impact. Going to miss him!

After the last several episodes, which I felt overdid it with too many red-herrings, I was pleased with the finale.

I did think the montage showing everything Liam did in his plot was a bit much, but beyond that, it was a very strong finale which resolved the sory line and gave a good setup for next season.

I loved Simon. Not happy at all. Really rethinking if I want to return for season 2.

Has anybody figured out the time-line of this show, especially the future track? In the past we saw a flashback to July 2015 when Miranda asks Liam to work with her at Quantico. We’re told later by Liam that the NATS are finishing their 20-week program. So if they started in September 2015 then they should’ve been done in January 2016, but the mid-season finale last December was already New Year’s Eve. So when did they graduate and how long was it before the Grand Central bombing? And where was Natalie who was supposed to have a relationship

with Ryan in the future before she was killed? As for the future, Alex called Claire the Vice President but she wouldn’t have that title until after inauguration in January 2017, but they were attending Simon’s funeral and he was killed sometime around Election Day in November 2016 (last week we were told it was the day before the election). Then we see the gang cleaning out Alex’s apartment two weeks later, then we see her jogging two months later with the CIA in tow. So is the future track now January or February 2017? Why do I care? So glad this season is over so I don’t have to think about all the glaring plot holes. I won’t be back next season.

Perhaps in July 2015 Miranda asks him to come to Quantico but that’s not the same month the class started?

I also don’t quite get the Natalie part…when did she graduate?

they completely dropped the Natalie storyline. It wasnt working anyway

I thought this show would be so much better than it was. Too recognizable for the FBI, but not for the CIA? I also liked Simon, so the second season will be a tough sell for me.

I’m not liking the two timelines for season 2. Season 1 was confusing enough. Perhaps if they were able to differentiate the different timelines better (color tone?); it always took me a minute or two to figure out ‘when’ they were at.

Excellent finale. Finally got some clarity in what was a confusing second half of the season. Like several other commenters, I found the time line back and forth a bit dizzying. Maybe the writers can tone that down a bit next season…would hate to see them make the mistake of some shows which keep flashbacks because of the routine (i.e., Arrow). Very good first season and a welcome addition to prime time instead of another lame reality or variety show. Oh…I appreciate the diversity of the cast and hope the Miranda character remains prominent in the story.

I binge watched this show over the last several weeks, and I felt like it was much easier to keep track of that way. I really loved it and am looking forward to season 2.

After so many twists all season, I was disappointed the finale didn’t have any (the Claire thing has been pretty obvious, especially since last week).

I’d love some answers to plot holes (or stuff I may have missed):

1. Where were Fletcher and Iris in the future timeline?

2. How did Nathalie graduate in time to become a seasoned agent in the future line (and when did she and Ryan develop their relationship)?

3. Although I said it was clear Claire was somehow involved, I still don’t understand the pill switch- what was the point? (Also, what happened with Ryan’s wife??) It seemed like everything in the Voice’s plan involved Claire – it was too much. Why run the risk of Nathalie and Alex getting caught sneaking into the FBI to get the campaign schedules etc.? Did we ever find out what was stolen from the lab near the campaign rally?

4. Also, at what point did Claire become jnvolved? I would certainly hope it was only after the second bomb, or else she was involved in the attempted murder of her son Caleb! I would assume she somehow figured it out after the second bomb, and then “blackmailed” Liam into boosting her campaign.

5. I still don’t understand the whole Charlie plotline. Also, last we saw he was in the hospital, maybe a coma – when did he die??

6. How was Liam tapped into the Quantico loudspeakers? He shouldn’t have known they were coming after him…

7. And the biggest plothole from thr finale – considering there were only a few minutes left on the detonator, how did Liam plan on getting out of there on time??? He wanted to rebuild the FBI “in his image”, can’t do that if you are dead…

Those questions have actually been answered over the weeks in the postmortem interviews with Safran at EW.com

I think this was one of their strongest episodes seeing as the last couple of eps had me almost quitting the show.I loved the finale, but was sad to see Simon go; his last scene definitely killed me. I hope they get Henry Czerny for next season!! So happy to see him back on my tv.

Sad to see Simon die, overall i enjoy the finale. With Alex in the CIA next season Claire better watch her back. Glad Season 2 will be at a slower pace. love the parallel storylines.

Stupidly disappointing finale! Enough with the Alex and Ryan merry-go-round. Besides, how can someone “too recognizable” for the FBI can be of any use to the CIA? Hello, intelligence? Or do they think that people don’t watch US news overseas? We all had our regular TV shows interrupted in 2001 to see the live coverage of the Twin towers, and by “we”, I mean, people who lived far, far, far away from the US! So if Alex Parrish were to be real, her face would have been seen around the world and she would have been easily recognizable around the world, especially with her “head and shoulders” hair. Some great CIA agent she’ll make! Give me a break!

Quantico EP Talks Choosing a Bomber, [Spoiler]\'s Fatal Sacrifice, Alex/Ryan Drama and the CIA in Season 2

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