Two seasons of rip-roaring quality wasn't reflected in Quantico's ratings, but it managed to grab a third season renewal, albeit with the caveat of a shortened episode order (down from 22 to 13). Given the likelihood that season 2 was to be the last, Quantico has a chance to tell another top-notch 13-episode story with the expectation that an 11th hour renewal for a fourth season would probably be as rare as lightning striking twice.
So what are some of the things it needs to consider and resolve in season 3?
Firstly, what might the story be?
I think this one seems fairly simple, personally. Owen Hall became CIA Deputy Director in the season 2 finale, whilst Alex and Ryan went into hiding after breaking the law bringing down Roarke. Connecting the dots from these two would be easy: another massive conspiracy is stumbled upon by Owen Hall (hell, Quantico at this point could even start the dominoes tumbling with his death, although I'd rather they didn't), and that would give impetus to Alex and Ryan's return and the team's reunion.
Simples.
But aren't the cast basically all burned?
With Roarke publicly applauding our team of heroes in the penultimate episode of season 2, their identities were splashed across TVs worldwide. We had to suspend belief a little on occasion in season 2 since Alex was already in a position of public scrutiny and yet still managed to pull off a number of undercover missions, although by the by her fame was handled well.
But now the entire team is in that position.
So this is something that needs to be handled just as carefully. I think the best way to do that is to rejig the team a little: balance the exposed with the undercover or unknown by bringing some old faces back.
Harry and Sebastian's reckoning
Speaking of old faces, Harry Doyle and Sebastian Chen should show up, the former to stay.
Starting with Harry, he achieved a fairly decent resolution to his story, which was the conclusion that he not seek revenge for his boyfriend's suicide, and his expulsion from MI6. But the character of Harry had a rather poor sendoff. I understand this was due to actor Russell Tovey having other commitments, but this means there's a chance to wipe the slate clean by bringing Harry back for season 3, so he can answer to Alex for deserting the team and redeem himself for that. He's not on MI6's payroll anymore either, so he could simply be turned to if needed.
Sebastian's return would need to be contingent on Harry's, given their season 2 storylines were so closely linked. Sebastian's battle with religion versus sexuality, spurred by Harry who encouraged him to be himself, never really came to a satisfying end. Sebastian did marry a woman, but she turned out to be a baddie and he was only seen briefly after that when he forced Harry to leave the team. So what really happened with him in the end?
Whether this should end in a Harry/Sebastian relationship or just a happy ending for Sebastian, I think we need this to fuel part of the third season.
Use Will Olsen more
Another character I would want to see more of is Will Olsen. He's neurotic and jumpy and one of the most interesting side characters, but most importantly he's not been burned like the rest of the main cast. So utilising Will (and perhaps Iris too; they worked well together in the season 2 finale), would be beneficial.
Alex and Ryan's wedding
Look, no matter how many times they break up, Alex and Ryan's relationship is central to the story and destined to be. Cap off the third (and likely final) season with everyone gathering at their wedding following the takedown of some fresh national conspiracy.
My season 3 all-star cast
Alex Parrish
Ryan Booth
Shelby Wyatt
Owen Hall
Harry Doyle
Nimah and Raina Amin
Caleb Haas
I wouldn't include Miranda because, following the season 2 finale, she's in "white collar prison" for a long time. I don't want to mess with that.
My season 3
So with all this in mind, here's my dream third season.
It's obviously multiple timeline. That's Quantico's original style and it allows for much more depth and exploration. But I would flip it. Instead of trying to figure out bad guys in the past and stop them in the present, I would stop the bad guys in the past and follow the consequences in the present.
I don't want to imagine the kind of conspiracy the group may be fighting. But it starts with Owen recalling Alex and Ryan from their hideout to help him fight. Shelby, Nimah, Raina and Caleb naturally round out the rest of the initial team, while shortly after beginning they realise that Harry would be an asset, and he completes the team.
One thread I'd love to include is "what happened to Owen?" From the future, we know that Owen is missing or dead, and in the past we see events leading up to that. Then we find Owen alive, but this team needs a casualty so a few episodes later we bump him off anyway.
The season ends with Ryan and Alex getting married, Nimah and Raina friends again, Caleb and Shelby sort of friends again, Harry with some sort of happy ending regarding his personal life, and of course, Owen dead.
Final thoughts
I know I'm spitballing. The season 3 we get will be a far cry from the season 3 I'd love to see, and the return of some of my favourite characters (especially Harry) is contingent on a lot of behind-the-scenes pieces lining up at the right time. But still. Quantico is almost certainly going to be an anomaly in terms of being a broadcast show and yet having a good season 3. And I can't wait until next year to see it.
Sam
POSTSCRIPT
I wrote this roundup before news broke that Yasmine al Massri and Pearl Thusi, who play Nimah and Raina Amin and Dayana Mampasi respectively, won't be returning for season 3, so clearly my dream scenario doesn't work out. I'm not surprised by Thusi's exit - Dayana didn't have much need to return anyway - but the loss of Yasmine al Massri as the twins will be considerable, as they made up part of the original cast.
I do have to wonder how much more budget cuts the show will make in order to make season 3 cost-effective - and there may be more characters yet to be chopped - but I maintain high hopes that these two characters' exits will be enough to pave the way for returns for Harry and Owen.
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