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| Edited By: Bryan Durham |Source: DNA |Updated: Oct 09, 2015, 05:30 PM IST
Rating : *1/2 (One and a half stars)
In what might well be the most devastating attack since 9/11, Grand Central Terminal gets reduced to rubble and amid the debris is found one survivor, recent FBI recruit Alex Parrish (Priyanka Chopra). She quickly becomes the prime suspect, receiving news that one of her colleagues could be the terrorist mastermind behind the attack, with the needling finger of suspicion quickly pointing in her direction. She pleads innocence but is quickly taken into custody. But there is more than meets the eye here, with Miranda Shaw, the former assistant director of the FBI helping her escape. What's really going on?
You are introduced to the principal cast, with flashbacks into their lives leading up to that first meeting at Quantico. With distinct personalities and each with something sinister to hide, it's a wonder the FBI (as depicted on this show) doesn't do their homework when picking recruits.
The assistant director, Shaw (Aunjanue Ellis) makes it a point to remind you that she is in charge at the base. That no woman has ever risen through the ranks as high as her -- a point she makes clear to Liam O'Connor (Josh Hopkins) the moment he makes a barb. She picks him to train the recruits even though he's a recovering drunk and is running his own 'investigation' behind the scenes with the help of his 'mole' Ryan Booth (Jake McLaughlin). And if she doesn't know that and behaves like she had no idea in coming episodes, this show is even dumber than I thought.
Everybody is a liar here. And everybody thinks they're smarter than everybody else. Save for Simon Asher (Tate Ellington) and Nimah Anwar (Yasmine Elmasri), everybody comes off as unidimensional. The writing here (can we call it that?) is non-existent with Priyanka and gang getting through lines any cast on any police procedural or investigative series would rather puke than mouth, cheesy as they all are.
At first glance, it seems like the show has potential because of the premise and an Indian (or half-Indian, we really don't care at this point) as the show's USP, but look closely and the facade falls.
Not because PC isn't trying. But because she is. And it shows. That accent -- yes, let's deal with the elephant in the room -- is there and it's jarring. And anybody picked by the FBI, weeping at being arrested and charged with terrorism -- innocent or not, woman or not -- I'm pretty sure doesn't really pass muster.
Also, it's surprising Nimah made it in with her twin without anyone noticing (maybe the next few episodes will clear that up?), that Shelby Wyatt walks in with a piece of metal into what should be a secure facility and that the base feels more like summer camp than boot camp.
At this point, I wish I could say that I found some redeeming quality on the first episode. Sure, Priyanka Chopra looks great on camera (until the point that she's a bundle of nerves or stares into the screen like a deer caught in the headlights), but that's that. Intrigue works on a show of this genre as do some high-octane action scenes as well as memorable lines and catchphrases or some great drama.
