The Endgame is an entertaining cross between a psychological thriller and a bank heist show. It features an intricate plot that blurs the line between heroes and villains and keeps viewers guessing with each new twist. Of course, a heist as intricate as the one Elena Federova has devised requires plenty of brainpower to pull off, and fortunately, the characters in The Endgame deliver.
There are intelligent characters on both sides of the moral com, and as the season progresses, it's still too early to call who will ultimately prevail. These characters are ranked based on their smarts in the first half of the season.
Reed Doblin
Crooked Attorney General Reed Doblin is the first of Federova's targets, and he doesn't hold up well under pressure. He's overconfident, clearly believing that he has the upper hand since Federova is in custody. This leads him to taunt Federova, which proves to be a foolish decision. It's clear from the moment Federova slips the message in Doblin's pocket that she's several steps ahead of him, but Doblin lacks the insight to try any tactic other than threats and intimidation. However, anyone with the kind of dirty secrets Doblin is hiding shouldn't get too cocky. In the end, Doblin loses the battle of wits with Federova and lacks the wisdom to avoid the exposure of his misconduct.
Joan Bradbury
As Secretary of Homeland Security, Joan Bradbury has a remarkably cool head under pressure and impressive self-control. This is highlighted when she can maintain her composure even with the shocking revelation that Federova's crew has kidnapped her son. However, she doesn't take a hint from Doblin's downfall or learn from his mistakes, and she underestimates Federova's capabilities. As a result, her corrupt actions are exposed. Although her calm demeanor doesn't crack, she's not able to talk her way out of being arrested. Bradbury learns the hard way that it's a mistake to undervalue Federova's knowledge and intelligence.
Jonathan Doak
Jonathan Doak is a capable FBI agent and is accustomed to being in charge. He may be a capable and authoritative leader, but his ego seems to get in the way of his decision-making. His desire to pull rank on Val and ignore her suggestions is the wrong move, and it puts both him and those around him in danger. This arrogance even results in his tripping the laser trap, in one of the most unrealistic moments of the heist so far. This crisis may have revealed the reason behind his harsh demeanor on the job, but unfortunately for Doak, it didn't make him any more eager to follow Val's advice.
Owen Turner
Owen Turner is a nice guy in an impossible situation. His loyalty is torn, as he's caught between his love for Val and his connection to Federova. He knows that Val is brilliant, yet he chooses to hide so much from her, which isn't an astute choice given the circumstances. Owen obviously knows much more than he's letting on, although his motive for ing Federova remains hidden.
While viewers wait for more to be revealed, they can't help feeling that Owen would be wise to take Val into his confidence. For now, whatever Federova's master plan is, Owen is in the thick of it. Time will tell how wise his decision proves to be.
Rogelio Real
FBI Director Real has shown a lot of discernment in his dealings with Federova. For one thing, he allows Val to take the lead when interrogating Federova, which demonstrates his insight. Though it may seem like he's playing into Federova's hand by doing so, in reality, it shows that he realizes that the best way to uncover Federova's plan may be to give her what she wants. Real is smart enough to recognize that he's out of his depth. Of course, given the track record of powerful law enforcement agents on this show, viewers may wonder whether Real has something to hide. If he does, he's been clever enough to avoid exposure so far, but future episodes will doubtlessly expose his true nature.
Louie
Louie is a key member of Federova's heist dream team, handling the explosives which are an integral part of the plan. He is one of Federova's top lieutenants, and under pressure, he is as composed and cunning as Snow White herself. Louie is able to stay ahead of Doak's team largely because he's willing to follow Federova's plan to the letter. In fact, he is fanatically devoted to Federova - or at least appears to be, particularly when he threatens to detonate a grenade unless she orders him to stand down. Of course, this may all be part of Federova's plan. The agents may have Louie in custody, but chances are he's clever enough to keep the details of the master plan a secret.
Anthony Flowers
Anthony hasn't had much of a chance to shine, being relegated to the ive best friend role so far, but even in these circumstances, he's proved that he's intelligent. He's caught between his desire to Val and his duty toward Doak, but somehow maintains a balance between the two. His friendly advice and concern for Val prove that he's both wise and caring.
He also doesn't let his ego blind him into thinking he knows better than Val. He recognizes that Val has more insight into Federova's plot than he does, and he gives her the intel she needs to follow up her hunches. Anthony proves that he's both a good friend and a savvy agent.
Sergey Vodianov
Anyone who likes a little romance in their crime stories will appreciate the way Sergey clearly adores his wife. Sometimes, the mark of true intelligence is recognizing someone else's brilliance. Sergey sees Elena's genius and is content to let her take the lead. He is prone to rash decisions, which is highlighted when his first instinct is to kill the prisoner who recognizes him. However, even in this instance, he's shrewd enough to yield to Owen's less violent solution to the problem. While Sergey's role in Federova's plan remains a mystery, the little viewers know about him proves that he's able to evaluate a situation and identify the smartest course of action.
Val Turner
Val Turner combines her knowledge with her intuition to perceive aspects of Federova's plan that her fellow agents miss. She knows exactly how formidable a foe she has to deal with, which makes her an equal match to Federova's brilliance. Val is the only agent who can keep up with Federova's impressive heist squad. She also doesn't allow the actions of others to distract her from her goal. Doak may instigate and belittle her and Owen may emotionally blindside her, but Val remains focused on unraveling the mystery of Federova's master plan. Thus far what Val lacks is not brains but information. As the season progresses and Val uncovers more secrets, it will be interesting to see if she's able to outsmart Federova or whether she decides to her.
Elena Federova
There is a reason she's called "the Queen". Elena Federova is always several steps ahead of the agents who pursue her. Even from the high-security prison where she is in custody, she manages to retain her power. Only a truly outstanding mind could handle the extremely intricate and perfectly timed aspects of her plan. Viewers can feel the frustration of the agents as, each time they attain a victory, they come across a new puzzle. In addition to her intelligence, Fedorova also possesses charm, which she uses to manipulate the public into seeing her as a folk hero. Federova has the brainpower to bring her plan to a successful conclusion. Fans are eager to see "Queen" Federova reveal every hidden secret of her plan.