Secret Agent Woman

On this redemption blog post week I would like to take a shot at week 5's blog topic of characters who break ethnic stereotypes. I admit that this was tough for me to think of a character strong enough to use as an example, but I came back time and time again to the exhilirating lead actress of Quanitco: Priyanka Chopra as Alex Parrish.

I cannot wax peotic enough about just how majestic and enchanting this show really is. It begins with our main character Alex Parrish laying in the ruins of a destroyed Grand Central Station - with no recollection of how or why she is there. She is instantly picked up by a group of senior FBI agents who waste no time in pinning the blame on her. It is instantly apparent to her, and to the audience, that she is being framed. The rest of the season works its way backwards as she must recall every other agent and mentor she met and worked with in FBI boot camp to figure out who the real culprit is.

The background of the character, and the actress, is Indian. There is a heavy side-dish of tragic backstory to the character of Alex, though they do not try to change her real-life heritage. Alex's father was a top FBI agent who died suddenly during her childhood, a fact that is covered up by all parties. Alex is sent to live in India with extended family after this event, but soon returns and joins the FBI in hopes of finding out more about what he did while he was an agent.

Alex Parrish is an extremely strong, intelligent, and resilient character - a far cry from the stereotype of dumb and cheap or poor Indians owning convenience stores or the like. Though her heritage has very little to do with why the character is so enjoyable to watch, it could be said that if the character of Alex was any other race, the show might not have the same tone. There's a note of exotic wonder to Alex, because even the white characters in the show are painted as a bit boring and typical. (Caleb, who's parents are both agents and very powerful and rich, and also Shelby who comes from a rich southern family and enjoys plenty of privilege.)

Quanitco's varied cast of characters also includes many other races and backgrounds, including the character of Nimah Anwar, a woman of Arab descent who values her privacy above all. Though she on the surface appears to be a conservative muslim, more secrets are revealed about her as the show progresses. The character of Simon Asher fills both the Jewish and gay roles, though again, he is not all he appears to be. Finally, one of th emost notable presences in the show is that of Miranda Shaw, who also seeks to openly destroy the stereotype that blacks cannot have important jobs, etc. She is one of the few characters who remains static about her outlook and reason for being there, where the others may be hiding things or embellishing the truth at times.

I encourage anyone who has not seen Quantico to watch at least the first season, as I fear I cannot say much else without giving away much of the reveal. You will not be disappointed with the plot, I promise!