Going Dutch Episode 3: Establishing Future Romance Between Two Characters That Will Annoy The Colonel

Going Dutch delves into the complex dynamics between U. S.Army Colonel Patrick Quinn, portrayed by Denis Leary, and his estranged daughter, Captain Maggie Quinn, played by Taylor Misiak. Their tumultuous reunion unfolds at Maggie’s service base in the Netherlands, where Colonel Quinn is reassigned. Accompanying him is Executive Officer Major Abraham Shah, brought to life by Danny Pudi, who is tasked with anticipating Quinn’s needs and resolving conflicts that arise. In episode 3, titled “CIA, ”tensions heighten when Quinn discovers that Maggie is dating a CIA agent, leading him to suspect that Special Agent Rick Silver, portrayed by Parker Young, has ulterior motives in pursuing her.

The plot thickens as Quinn’s distrust of the CIA comes to the forefront, compelling him to investigate Rick’s intentions. With the kind of complications typical of military dramas, Major Shah finds himself assisting Quinn in a reckless intrusion into Rick’s personal space.This urgent need to protect Maggie while also proving his superiority consumes Quinn, while Shah subtly reveals a protective disposition towards her, suggesting a budding romantic undertone that could haunt the Colonel.

Danny Pudi’s Major Shah: A Protective Figure with Jealous Undertones

Shah’s Personal Motives in Investigating Maggie’s Relationship

Quinn’s mission to confirm his suspicions about Rick’s integrity is fueled by a deep-seated skepticism common among military personnel towards the CIA. Since his breakout role in Community, Danny Pudi has faced a challenging casting landscape, yet he impressively captures the essence of Shah—a loyal subordinate who is intensely supportive while assisting in Quinn’s reckless pursuits, including a plot to commandeer an army tank and his Korfball mission. Intriguingly, as Shah helps Quinn navigate the investigation into Rick’s character, his veiled emotional investment in Maggie becomes increasingly evident.

Main Characters of Going Dutch
Character	Actor	Best Known Role
Colonel Patrick Quinn	Denis Leary	Tommy Gavin in Rescue Me
Captain Maggie Quinn	Taylor Misiak	Ally in Dave
Executive Officer Major Abraham Shah	Danny Pudi	Abed Nadir in Community
Master Sergeant Dana Conway	Laci Mosley	Jayla in Florida Girls
Corporal Elias Papadakis	Hal Cumpston	Zach Marconi in Nine Perfect Strangers
Private Anthony “BA”Chapman	Dempsey Bryk	Airk Tantalus in Willow
Dr. Katja Vanderhoff	Catherine Tate	Donna Noble in Doctor Who, Nellie Bertram in The Office

During a tense moment when spying on Maggie and Rick, Shah expresses his concern: “Maggie is too special to wind up with [Rick].” This statement is telling; it showcases that Shah’s motives might be more than just loyalty to Quinn. His desire to uncover dirt on Rick, framed as wanting to “prove to Maggie the dirtbag isn’t worth her time, ”hints at a deeper emotional stake that adds layers to his character. The minimalistic nature of Shah’s dialogue makes his subtle admissions all the more impactful.

The Colonel’s Dilemma: His Daughter and His Right-Hand Man in a Complicated Triangle

Shah’s Position: Torn Between Duty and Affection

Shah and Maggie out of uniform in Going Dutch

Quinn relies heavily on Shah, viewing him as an indispensable ally, which complicates matters when personal feelings are mixed into the equation. While Shah demonstrates unwavering loyalty to Quinn, he also finds himself in the position of developing feelings for Captain Maggie. The central theme of *Going Dutch* illustrates the dichotomy between Quinn’s desire to escape the military life in Stroopsdorf and Maggie’s pride in her unit’s accomplishments.If Quinn succeeds in his ambitions, Shah will be forced to choose between his military allegiance and his budding romance with Maggie.

Romantic subplots add a delightful twist to traditional sitcoms, yet a potential relationship between Shah and Maggie could shake the foundations of Colonel Quinn’s authority—he would likely feel a deep sense of betrayal from his second-in-command. As the father-daughter bond between Quinn and Maggie evolves after years of separation, a romance between Maggie and Shah could complicate their slow reconciliation. Shah’s role has been crucial in bridging the communication gaps caused by misunderstandings, making any romantic development particularly sensitive.

As *Going Dutch* progresses, audiences are left eagerly anticipating how Shah’s affections will unfold, especially given that the first season is still in its early stages.

Fresh episodes of *Going Dutch* are available Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. Eastern on FOX, with streaming available on Hulu the following day.

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