Critic Reviews

Pacing is a problem for most pilots--so many characters to introduce, meaningful stakes to establish--but Quantico, from "Gossip Girl" producer Joshua Safran, does this effortlessly, with at least one deadly effective twist you won't see coming. Just don't come looking for subtlety.

If the first hour is any guide, though, there will be enough action and interplay and people to feel safe around, or suspect, to keep it constantly entertaining.... So far, paying attention to all that is exciting.

The series premiere of Quantico is never dull. Chopra is charming, and so is the rest of the well-assembled cast.

We're left with just a sense of promise. And Quantico is a hell of a promising pilot.

After its unpromising beginning, the pilot has nary a dull moment, and Chopra alone would be reason enough to watch.

Although a bit over-frenetic at times, the series seems to take inspiration from a man-on-the run Hitchcock thriller.... So far it’s one of the most-promising new shows, and Chopra is someone worth keeping an eye on.

If you're expecting Quantico to be another "Grey's Anatomy," you could be disappointed.

Sure, it’s all sort of dumb, but Quantico also doesn’t mess around.... Chopra brings a sincere, centrifugal force to this swirling story line. You leave the first episode wanting to know what happens next and where this conspiracy leads.

The plot is intricate and compelling, the characters magnetic and mysterious at the same time.

There are times when Quantico feels a shade mechanical, in moments when you can practically hear the plot gears moving. But it accomplishes what the opener of a whodunit needs to do: establish a wide range of plausible suspects and spark our interest in the mystery and the hero. Which means, so far, they got away with it.