This article, “who is Martin Queller” contains spoilers regarding Netflix’s Pieces Of Her season 1.
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You may argue that the diner shooting is the catalyst for all the chaos in this eight-part series, but there is a whole history that comes before it. Martin Queller is integral to this backstory, a mysterious character that triggers a revolution in 80s America.
Who is Martin Queller in Pieces Of Her season 1?
Through sporadic flashbacks early in the season, we are introduced to Martin Queller (played by Lost’s Terry O’Quinn). These snippets of footage capture a billionaire who is assassinated on live TV. It’s only later in the series that we get to spend any real-time with the man and learn many of Laura’s dark secrets through this perplexing character.
The owner of Quell Corp is a relentless pharmaceutical tycoon, a man who’ll stop at nothing on his path to wealth and power. He’s clearly a titan of his field and already a billionaire by the mid-eighties. His power and greed are criticized in the papers, with some comparing him to Hitler. One angered civilian called Grace Juno is furious at the egotistical CEO and joins the resistance, a group that wants to topple his empire. She blames Queller for the death of her own family. Grace’s husband killed himself and their three children whilst heavily medicated. Juno asked for the company’s help but received no response. She then joined a vigilante group led by Nick Harp and shot Martin on stage. This chilling event was secretly orchestrated by Jane Queller, Martin’s daughter.
It takes one hell of a villain to have their own child orchestrate their murder. Martin Queller is this villain. His stronghold over Jane is clearly displayed throughout these heart-breaking flashbacks. He is overbearing and downright sinister with some of his actions. The billionaire drugs his own daughter and parades her to his friends like a piano-playing puppet. Jane wishes to leave the confines of the Queller estate and live her own life with partner Nick, but Martin asks her to tour with him through Europe instead. Jane has to break her own hand to escape his controlling clutches. In the end, she manipulates Grace Juno into shooting the man, bypassing her the gun.
Martin Queller is a selfish and arrogant man, who controls his daughter and manipulates his other children. You may say he gets his comeuppance in the end, yet his actions filter through to his children too and lead to much more bloodshed. A vile man that is integral to this story and expertly portrayed by Terry O’Quinn.
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