Did Carter’s ‘Fast & Furious’ Attitude on ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ Win You Over? (POLL)
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Season 6, Episode 14 of NCIS: New Orleans, “The Man in the Red Suit.”]
Lasalle’s (Lucas Black) desk in the NOLA office couldn’t stay empty forever. And in his debut, Special Agent Quentin Carter (Charles Michael Davis) makes it clear he’s not going to — nor is he looking to — fill his shoes.
While Pride (Scott Bakula) is off undergoing a specialized treatment to uncover the identity of the man in the red suit, the rest of the team is in for a surprise when Carter arrives a week early. And in his debut, he’s exactly as Davis previewed: “a professional, good at his job, competitive, and likes to stand on his own.”
He’s arrogant, he’s standoffish, and he’s there to do his job and that’s it. From the start, it sounds like he’s prepared to do what he’s done at his previous posts (five in five years). “You’re fast and furious, make a splash, piss off the rank and file, close some high-profile case,” Pride notes his previous bosses’ comments. “The highest-profile case any of those offices ever handled,” Carter corrects him. Once he does that, he requests a transfer and moves on.
“Allow me to say how enthusiastic I am to unburden you of your toughest cases,” Carter tells the team when he meets them. “Best to keep it professional. Don’t need to know any of you beyond these four walls.” In fact, he doesn’t even seem to care about acknowledging their names — he calls Hannah (Necar Zadegan) “the other one” in a conversation with Tammy (Vanessa Ferlito) and Sebastian (Rob Kerkovich) — though he knows all of them on his first day.
(Sam Lothridge/CBS)
And throughout the case, that continues. He doesn’t seem to care how he treats his new team members, grabbing an evidence bag from Tammy’s hand and a tablet from Hannah’s (and then placing it on the table instead of her outstretched hand).
While he realizes he’s at Lasalle’s old desk, he brushes that aside and then takes it upon himself to pack up the agent’s belongings. He’s being respectful, he promises Pride, but notes that they can’t move forward if they’re staring at the past.
However, it’s clear that he knows what he’s doing on the job and his time as a Marine means something to him — as do those who wear or have worn the uniform. His first case involves a missing Marine, and he’s the one who talks her down as she holds a gun to her own head. “One Marine to another, she wants to be there for you, but you have to let her in,” Carter says. “You’re in the suck. I’ve been there, but you’re strong enough to push through it.”
So, there are moments where we see there’s more to Carter and openings for him to let someone on the team in. But for now, he’s very much against that. He won’t even call Pride Dwayne. “I’m not looking for a family,” he stresses to his new boss. “I got one of my own already.”
That’s where we get a hint about the reason for his attitude. “Anyone who knows the Navy knows about the legendary Carters,” Pride agrees. “You want to stand out, you got to break away from the pack.”
(Sam Lothridge/CBS)
Did Pride request him to fill the spot on the team left by Lasalle’s death because he’s so different from Christopher? Could Pride simply think that the team needs someone like Carter — someone who can come in, do the job, and eventually leave — before they find the right person to fill Lasalle’s spot? After all, they can’t work down a team member forever, especially with Sebastian pursuing REACT.
Or does Pride think that Carter might be able to, despite his insistence, find a family with the NOLA team? It’s not going to be easy either way.
What did you think of Quentin Carter? Vote in the poll below.
NCIS: New Orleans, Sundays, 10/9c, CBS
Conversation46 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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G
If an actor can make you hate him, that's a good actor. I think the NCIS New Orleans crew needed a shakeup. Frankly I'm fed up with Pride's angst and hallucinations!
19 4
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G
Did not care for this character, to smug, to pushy and bad ppl skills . I hope he doesn't stay. The writer's could do better.
17 2
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G
That is how he being written. He's a good actor. I hope they reveal his layers.
7 5
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P
Don't like his attitude towards the team he comes in to strong and arrogant too
15 1
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O
I would agree he came on as arrogant and too strong. It turned me off for watching on sundays . Not how I want to spent my one relaxing evening .
10
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G
But I do agree that Pride needs to move on with his dreams and BS. Enough is enough.
10
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O
Did not like the new character at all. This is supposed to be a team and he is not a team player. He should be written out as soon as possible.
11 1
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G
I agree, I don't like to him.he has to go
6
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O
Agree with everyone else did not like his debut should have been written in better.
9
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P
Bad fit. Very disappointed
9 1
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C
Did not like him or his character. Will take this NCIS version off my recorder list
9 1
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R
New character is bad but it figures coming from this group of writers. They have been driving the show in the ground for a long time. Lose the hallucination crap!
7
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G
I think the guy is a joke he has no respect for anybody and I will not watch the show if you continues to be on it
8 1
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P
Been a fan of all the NCIS shows from the start, but I am to the point where NOLA, and LA are record and watch if and when I have time. NOLA has fallen off a cliff since season 1. To many cast changes and lazy writing with stories that are boring. Hope they realize that having more characters is not always better, scale back and hire a new group of writers before they are cancelled.
8 1
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C
This idiot just made up my mind and a lot of other peoples. Will stop watching the show! Really sad use to be a great show!
7 1
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G
Hated him. Way too much. And when he took it upon himself to clear Lasalle’s desk, I went crazy.
9 3
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C
Character too brash and arrogant..personality like a fish
7 1
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G
He's a dick... nuff said!?
9 3
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R
Didn't like the new character . He's too cocky. Way to sure of himself.
8 2
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P
Writers need to get rid of the continuing Red Man story. It got old very fast.
5
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G
Don't like this new character. Hoping that the writers will find a way that humbles him. Would love to see the team teach him a lesson.
6 1
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B
It’s not the actor but how he is being written. If they don’t make him more
likable they will lose their audience
3
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C
All ncis is about being a team plus being a family that's is one of the great things these so great don't like the lone wolf character writer can do better so stand up to the plate an show us great show CBS don't let the writer take it down the drain you need all the show you can get
4 1
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P
Not a fan of Carter at all. I may not continue to watch. I was once a loyal fan.
5 2
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P
Came off too high and mighty to me but if he could soften a BIT could be better show it is my favorite but sorry moved to Sunday nights
3
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G
Worst fit for the show ever!
2
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C
I didn't like him right off the bat.and he sounds like he is like that in real life .nobody likes an attitude what were you guys thinking
3 1
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O
The faster he is written out the better!
3 1
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G
They've already lost enough viewers with his pride pass that he keeps bringing up where the story line where's the plots like they used to me
3 1
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G
Bad fit. Won't be watching. They could do much better. But is expected. Show needs new writers. Its gotten very boring.
1
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G
I do not like Carter at all. He has ruined the cast of NCIS Nola. Send him somewhere else & get someone less conceited & arrogant.
1
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O
Did not like the new character at all. Arrogant, know it all, does not fit this team
1
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C
Will no longer watch the show!
1
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B
Carter's corners will eventually get rounded off -...but While I am here ---I watch the show primarily so I can see my hometown on TV. The shows are occasionally good........but why does that genre feel like every IT person has to be an eccentric geek .... and the shows pension for walking in from off screen with just the right info to finish a thought or a sentence -- both of those issues make the show 'lack credibility'.............Sebastian Lund's character just doesn't work for me at all....
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G
People~~this is an actor being written to portray a character. Give the character (and the actor) a chance. He's a great actor. Can't wait to see the layers the writers have planned.
6 6
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P
Marcel is back in the Big Easy I see.......(Anybody???)
2 2
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B
New character rather pushy, but I like the get the job done attitude. No muss, no fuss, just get it done.
1
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C
You should have got the red head that use to come on law and order spicial fictum s she would have been the been the best to replace LaSall what were you thinking with this new guy
1
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G
I look forward to the change. Don't need another Lucas Black. I think he did a great job of acting out the role the writers gave him. It will be interesting to see how his character evolves & blends into the function of the team.
1 3
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O
I like the new guy! I’ve read some of the hate comments but I’m sure they’ll warm up to Special Agent Quentin Carter. Gregorio saw what a good job he did talking a marine down. The team & fans will soon be on the side of this new eye candy.
2 4
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G
I really liked him. He will be good for the team.
1 4
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C
Love this new character, attitude and all! And handsome to boot!!!
2 5
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G
He was rude, arrogant and full of himself. I liked him.
1 4
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R
Love this character. Never really cared for this show until now. I couldn’t hardly wait until Sunday knowing that he would join the show. Absolutely thrilled that next week there will be 2 episodes! Charles Michael Davis is the man!!!!
2 5
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R
Character is definitely different from the warm and fuzzy kind that they have had before. But, remember when Tammy first came to the team. She was a bit standoffish and brassy as well. I think it's a good opposite and the character adds spice to the storylines that were getting kind of weak. Remains to be seen what the writers do with the character.
1 4
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O
Don't know how I feel about this new change. I agree with a lot of the comment but I am going wait to see if he actually fits in before I judge him.
2 1
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