Quantico and Intersectionality

Abstract

Quantico aired September 2015 and has garnered a steady following of viewers, curious to see how the show will progress. The show follows Alex Parrish (Priyanka Chopra), a half Indian and half Caucasian, recruit for the FBI being framed for a terrorist attack in New York City. Along with Parrish there are about a half dozen other characters portrayed in a very intersectional way through their race, gender, or status on the show. Chopra’s character is particularly fascinating because she is the lead of the show but as a half Indian she is not portrayed as other Indians are in the media. In various scenes Parrish mentions some of the stereotypes or perceptions that she is faced with because of her identities and roles. I will explore how the concept of the mythical norm is portrayed on the show Quantico along with the idea of the traffic intersection as explained by Kimberle Crenshaw. Both are clearly visible throughout the show not just with the lead character, Alex Parrish, but also other leads. I will evaluate how the basement theory (also by Crenshaw but explained by Anna Carastathis) relates to the lead characters of Quantico, particularly Alex Parrish, and explore how the basement theory is also shown in various ways on the show. Finally I will review the benefits of having a show like Quantico that portrays more diversity and backgrounds for a greater variety and range of characters