HOMELAND: A Showtime Original Series

[LoudClearVoice]

Is anyone watching this?


I heard about it kinda late in the game, right before the premiere so I figured I'd give it a try. I am totally hooked and have been basically from the beginning. I've never been a huge fan of Claire Danes but I like her in this show.

After the shocking reveal in the most recent episode, I'm a little nervous. I might start to get ridiculous but I'll reserve judgment until they explain it.

The show was recently renewed for a second season so I'm curious to see where they go with it.

 

[This Is My Name Thank You]

I will be watching the first season as soon as I can download it. It looks pretty damn good from the previews I have seen. It seems to have an interesting concept behind it, so it seems to be a good watch. I dig the whole idea of the American turn traitor. It is also good that the got renewed for a season 2 since I will have something to watch after I finishing watching the next season of True Blood.

 

[Captain Mike]

It comes on over here next year and is one of the shows I am really looking forward to seeing. The premise looks to be very thought provoking and like it will be a very twisted and suspenseful thriller of a show...

 

[bigbootydaddyV]

i have been watching it and it's a very good show. I'm not quite sure how many seasons they can pump out of it, but if they keep it short it could be a very good show. There was another show on Showtime that was similar, I can't remember the name of it now, but it stars the dude from Barbershop, it got cancelled I think, but it had a great 2 seasons (catch it on netflix). I hope this show gets a good run and a clean ending, it could go down as a great one.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Kinda surprised how little love this show is getting. It cleaned up at some awards ceremony recently (forgive me — I couldn't give less of a fuck about awards, so the exact name escapes me at the moment) — you'd think there'd be a little more support behind it on a forum like this, no?

Brody doesn't seem to have what it takes to pull off the double agent duty at all. Seems like he's already cracking under minor pressure, let alone what is likely to build as Abu Nazir's actual threat looms closer and closer.

 

[Lowdown]

Been trying to check out Homeland since last year. Can't afford the extra cost of Showtime, and gave up looking for torrents. Got the first season on my wish list on Amazon, so it's a waiting game for me.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I really like the show so far. I was unaware of it and discovered it about a month ago when I needed something new to watch. I generally would not like a show like this given what it is about, as I would normally avoid shows like this one completely; but something about it made me want to see more. It's very well done. The story is interesting, it has decent actors, and it leaves you with plenty of unanswered questions. That's enough for me to keep watching. I'm still getting caught up through the first season and then I will get into the new ones. I like what I've seen up until this point and have become a fan. We need more shows as good as this one nowadays....

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Been trying to check out Homeland since last year. Can't afford the extra cost of Showtime, and gave up looking for torrents. Got the first season on my wish list on Amazon, so it's a waiting game for me.

I believe you can probably watch old episodes on Sho.com, but don't quote me on that – I'm not entirely sure.

It's absolutely worth watching though.

I really like the show so far. I was unaware of it and discovered it about a month ago when I needed something new to watch. I generally would not like a show like this given what it is about, as I would normally avoid shows like this one completely; but something about it made me want to see more. It's very well done. The story is interesting, it has decent actors, and it leaves you with plenty of unanswered questions. That's enough for me to keep watching. I'm still getting caught up through the first season and then I will get into the new ones. I like what I've seen up until this point and have become a fan. We need more shows as good as this one nowadays....

In terms of what—the theme of the show, or the writing, acting and directing? If the answer is the latter, I could provide you with a short list of additional programming to pad out your DVR, no problem (Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, Boardwalk Empire to name a few...), but if it's the former, good luck, because truly memorable, effective and remarkable political thriller writing is few and far between because there simply isn't a large enough talent pool to pick from to write new programs. One of the biggest reasons Homeland is so successful is because Howard Gordon—the producer of 24—is helping to produce it.

 

[Dagger Dias]

In terms of what—the theme of the show, or the writing, acting and directing? If the answer is the latter, I could provide you with a short list of additional programming to pad out your DVR, no problem (Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, Boardwalk Empire to name a few...), but if it's the former, good luck, because truly memorable, effective and remarkable political thriller writing is few and far between because there simply isn't a large enough talent pool to pick from to write new programs. One of the biggest reasons Homeland is so successful is because Howard Gordon—the producer of 24—is helping to produce it.

The way it has been developed. Not the theme. I am normally not interested in shows with political themes at all. I normally lean more toward comedy shows. I do like some thrillers here and there, just not normally anything political and I did find myself enjoying this show. The way Homeland has been written and put together is so well done that the story makes up for the fact that it's about a government organization or terrorism issues, both of which often have quickly made me avoid other television programs entirely after the first episode or two. I'd certainly be up for giving those you listed and other shows that you might recommend a try. If Howard Gordon is involved then the higher quality makes sense, people still talk about 24 for a reason. I liked what I saw of 24 too, despite its theme. I never did finish that series either.... I'll have to get caught up at some point.

 

[jmt225]

As much as I hated the Season Finale to Season 1, I have to say that this past episode was easily the worst episode in the show's history.

First of all, the Dana storyline has been a complete waste of time. That kind of shit belongs on a show like One Tree Hill, not a show about Homeland Security. And I don't get how Brody not being able to take Dana to the police station is what finally makes him "snap."

And then the relationship with Carrie and Brody bugs the hell out of me. If I knew for sure knew Carrie was playing him I'd be fine with it, but all signs are pointing at her being back in love with the guy. I just... don't like it.

Hopefully the Brody/Nazir meeting gets the show back on track and leads to some fascinating stuff.

 

[Coco]

My biggest issue with this latest episode really wasn't any of the character stuff. Brody's off, a problem that's exacerbated by home problems and now being a triple agent, and Carrie's in love with him and it's been like that since day one. No real leaps there. And Dana's not a lot of fun, but it's no worse than Dexter's many egregious secondary character sins. What boils my noodle is how the fuck Quinn decided it would be a good idea to let Carrie be one of the tails for Brody at the end. When someone's proven herself to be as unpredictable as Carrie, you use her as necessary. That wasn't needed.

Jessica pissed me off last week by being shocked by the VP's wife's response to the accident. Other soldier guy has pissed me off by being alarmingly unable to take an order from a superior. But this was just flat out bending over backwards to get Carrie near the action. It was sloppy. It was amateur. It was wrong.

Almost as bad as Estes letting Brody in on the interrogation in Blind Spot. Almost.

I still like the show though.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

I agree that the shit with Dana is annoying. I'm starting to think that they're trying too hard to sell us on "other" side storylines. If it all ties back to the mainstoryline, that's fine. Maybe somehow, Nazir uses the the Dana thing as leverage or something?

I still really like this show but it seems like the momentum is waning a little.

 

[jmt225]

Tonight's episode was fantastic. Completely unpredictable and exciting.

First off, I'm so glad Dana's screen time looks to be getting cut for a Peter Quinn storyline, which looks to be very promising. Him getting so close to killing Brody tonight was absolutely shocking. I thought Quinn was simply going to end up being another love interest for Carrie down the line... but man, there's much more in store for him than that. Definitely looking forward to see where they're heading with him, and with Saul for that matter. I feel like a lot of Saul's time has gotten cut from the show due to Dana's bullshit as well, but from the looks of the previews for next week, he's definitely going to play a major role in the last three episodes. The show hinted in the past at Saul being a mole with his failed lie detractor test from season 1, and now it looks like suspicion is being raised for him again. Should be interesting to see what his deal is.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

Tonight's episode was fantastic. Completely unpredictable and exciting.

First off, I'm so glad Dana's screen time looks to be getting cut for a Peter Quinn storyline, which looks to be very promising. Him getting so close to killing Brody tonight was absolutely shocking. I thought Quinn was simply going to end up being another love interest for Carrie down the line... but man, there's much more in store for him than that. Definitely looking forward to see where they're heading with him, and with Saul for that matter. I feel like a lot of Saul's time has gotten cut from the show due to Dana's bullshit as well, but from the looks of the previews for next week, he's definitely going to play a major role in the last three episodes. The show hinted in the past at Saul being a mole with his failed lie detractor test from season 1, and now it looks like suspicion is being raised for him again. Should be interesting to see what his deal is.

I agree, great episode. It's interesting now, that the CIA conspiracy or chain of command is starting to unfold. There now appears to be that other CIA legend Dara Dahl who is pulling the strings of Estes and Quinn. My guess is that Saul and Carrie are now going to go "rogue" ala Jack Bauer and Chloe but maybe to a lesser extent.

To me, it was obvious that Nazir was setting up Brody with the whole attack on the soldier ceremony. He was suspicious of Brody and knew that this would test his loyalty. If the whole thing got busted (like it did) then he'd know that Brody turned on him. If not, he goes forward with the attack. It's going to be interesting to see what Nazir's plan really is now that his munitions guy is arrested, and Roya.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Nazir strikes me as the type of villain who is a lot smarter than most give him credit for. I actually think Roya and the munitions guy being arrested won't hinder his plan at all, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he pulls it off in the end to push the show into a third and possibly fourth season. Howard Gordon did similar things with 24 – including assassinating President Palmer, having him become a victim of a chemical attack, having a nuclear bomb go off on US soil, having Jack get taken by the Chinese, etc. etc.

 

[jmt225]

I think if Nazir was truly suspicious of Brody, he wouldn't have set-up two of his best "soldiers" to get arrested. He would have instead given a plan to Brody that actually was never going to happen, and if/when the authorities popped up to ruin everything, no evidence would have been found at the scene. Instead, he gave Brody every detail imaginable and because of it... Roya, the guy who shot up the tailor's shop, and four others of Nazir's men are all now fucked.

I too thought Nazir had to be more suspicious of Brody, or that Brody was in on the plan and his story was part of it, but I just cannot see Nazir sacrificing such loyal and valuable assets like that.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

I think if Nazir was truly suspicious of Brody, he wouldn't have set-up two of his best "soldiers" to get arrested. He would have instead given a plan to Brody that actually was never going to happen, and if/when the authorities popped up to ruin everything, no evidence would have been found at the scene. Instead, he gave Brody every detail imaginable and because of it... Roya, the guy who shot up the tailor's shop, and four others of Nazir's men are all now fucked.

I too thought Nazir had to be more suspicious of Brody, or that Brody was in on the plan and his story was part of it, but I just cannot see Nazir sacrificing such loyal and valuable assets like that.

One thing I learned from Howard Gordon in 24 is that there's always someone higher up or someone "more important." They'd spend a quarter of a season building up a particular villain only to have that villain killed off (or apprehended) and then they'd reveal that that person was just a pawn and there's a bigger fish. I think that's what's going on here.

I'm curious about this new little twist with Dar Adhal, Estes, and Quinn. Brody is going to go bananas when he finds out that elements of the CIA are trying to kill him rather than honor his deal and Nazir doesn't trust him anymore. How is Carrie going to react to all of this?


Also, Mike, Jessica, Dana are all extremely annoying.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Holy fuck does the finale look good or what?

Estes/Berenson showdown/powerplay where Saul knows about the plan to kill Brody but is now being handcuffed from saying anything is definitely the strongest take-away here.

http://tvrecaps.ew.com/recap/homeland-s2-ep11-carrie-abu-nazir-brody/

But to start this week's recap, I'd like instead to explore the possible exit of a character I would not have predicted would be on the chopping block come the end of season 2: Saul Berenson.

I don't mean that literally; I don't think Saul's gonna die. But I am still haunted by our introduction last week to the formidable Dar Adal, and his parting insult to Saul: "I'm amazed you lasted this long." And now, at the end of this week's episode, Saul's very existence within the CIA is hanging by just the wiry threads of his most awesome beard.

Of course, Estes had to take his anger with Saul even further, intoning darkly about how Saul — and I think by extension Carrie — "continually undermine" his authoritah. "I want you gone," growled Estes, brandishing his report and threatening to tie Saul up in bureaucratic purgatory if he didn't leave willingly. It was about as unequivocal as ultimatums come, but I can see it playing out in a few ways. One, Saul leaves willingly, and season 3 begins with a role reversal: Carrie officially back on the books at the CIA, and Saul living as a civilian trying to become the next Tom Clancy and failing spectacularly. Two, Saul reminds Estes that he also has a loaded gun implicating Estes in the illegal drone strike, and season 3 begins with both men locked either in a wary detente or a scorched Earth war of mutually-assured destruction. Or three, Estes dies (due to Quinn?), and Saul is saved.

This will likely (i.e. hopefully) unfold along some fourth option that hasn't occurred to me, but any way you slice it, Saul's future at the CIA has never been as tenuous as it is now. What that means for his future on the show, however, is much less clear, and for that, at least, I am grateful. While some of you can't imagine Homeland without Brody, I can't imagine it without Saul and his simultaneous grizzled wisdom and stubborn idealism.

--

Any predictions on the finale? The teaser looked jam-packed and even teased something of a "bet you never saw this coming", but I honestly haven't a clue how they'll handle this with Nazir now dead, since I just don't think the threat of killing Brody is the bigger story.

Then again, this could go the 24 route and throw a major monkey wrench into the part-time peace we're seeing right now and reveal that Nazir wasn't in fact the head of the snake? Any ideas on direction?

 

[LoudClearVoice]

There are just so many ways this thing can play out. I think it will be a little bit of everything. As far as the stuff with Saul goes, I see it as the second scenario. He's working off the books or "rogue." This will intertwine with a) a story involving him trying to expose the Quinn-Estes plot b) trying to stop a new to-be-revealed terrorist.

I think it's very risky killing off Nazir and they almost have to have someone even higher up to now chase. I'm pretty certain a new mastermind will come to the forefront or be revealed. That's the Howard Gordon way (not saying it's a bad thing).

I think the bombshell could be that Brody is hiding something big. Does he know about a plot or contingency plan, that he never revealed? Will he use this as leverage so Quinn doesn't take him out? Does he know of someone pulling Nazir's strings? Maybe Nazir gave Brody specific instructions of who to contact or what to do, if he were killed. Somehow I think the major twist or big reveal will be something that Brody is hiding. Don't forget, he's Muslim and he loved Nazir and Isa.

Or do Brody and Carrie go totally rogue when they find out that the CIA was never going to honor Brody's deal and they were going to kill him (couple that with the fact that he killed the VP and that's most certainly going to come out). One scenario I was thinking is that maybe Brody and Carrie (with Saul's help eventually) try to frame Estes for Walden's death on the grounds that Estes wanted to cover up the drone strike and Walden was the only one that could expose Estes's involvement.

Season 3 then could be all about Brody being the bad guy once again and trying to get away from the CIA. But if that's the case, there has to be something, some leverage he has or something for him to expose.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

What a finale! A little slow for my tastes, based on the pace and excitement of the previous two episodes, but somewhat expected when they killed Nazir prior to the actual finale.

The "face turn" for Quinn was intense. That line he used exiting Estes' place where he talked about how nothing bad better happen to Brody, or Estes would find him back in that chair, because "I'm a guy that kills bad guys" was fuckin' awesome. It was hard to imagine a sequence of events where Quinn would have become as high-profile as he has this season, just to throw it all away (along with his conscience and character depth) in the same basket, reverting to that "just a soldier" level anyway, so that was great to see.

Oh, and if that "You're the smartest and the dumbest fuckin' person I've ever known" doesn't perfectly define Carrie Matheson, I have no idea what does. Well done, Saul. Well fuckin' done.

Very Howard Gordon-like ending, though, with the explosion at the Langley, effectively "framing" Brody (as if the release of his pre-recorded video from the botched suicide bombing wasn't enough), who's now going to be hunted as the prime suspect. Well done! Season 3 is gonna be a fuckin' ride!

I think the one thing that's killing me now is not knowing what the fuck Saul was muttering in Arabic standing in the room with the 200+ victims. That "smile" of his as Carrie walked back in was creepy as fuck…

 

[jmt225]

I was not a fan of the last two episodes at all. I wasn't a fan of quite a few stuff after the first couple of episodes this season. I HATED the Dana nonsense, and I was just never with the idea of Carrie still loving Brody.

All that said, last night's finale was absolutely terrific and completely makes up for every complaint I had for the rest of the season. I thought the 1st season was awesome up until the finale, and this season it's pretty much the opposite (although I did also love the first 2 or 3 episodes of the season, plus the episode where Carrie brought Brody in and then the follow up to that with the interrogation).

First of all, the Quinn scene with Estes awesome. What a bad motherfucker that dude is. I hope he's still around next season.

And secondly, I was waiting for something to happen, but it was for a bullet to go through Brody's head, not a bomb to explode during the funeral. What a shock that was. Holy shit. And then for Brody's tape to be released to the press... another shocker. Unbelievably great stuff. And as much as I didn't enjoy last week's episode and the stuff leading up to it, it all makes sense now and I guess I'm forced to change my opinion on it. Like Brody said, this was Nazir's plan all along, and as awful as it was, you have to admit that it was brilliant as well.

Can't wait for next season.

I think the one thing that's killing me now is not knowing what the fuck Saul was muttering in Arabic standing in the room with the 200+ victims. That "smile" of his as Carrie walked back in was creepy as fuck…

I'm 99.9% sure he was speaking Hebrew, not Arabic. The guy is Jewish after all. I believe he was just saying a prayer for the victims, and for Carrie.

And I found the smile touching. It wasn't creepy at all... just relief and him trying to fight back the tears. Beautiful scene IMO and the perfect shot to end the season on.

 

[Coco]

Just watched the finale.

My understanding is we're meant to believe that Saul did it. Him being absent from the memorial service, him sending Nazir off, his failure to handle the lie detector in season one, him fighting to keep Brody alive long enough for his name to be attached to this massive attack... It all reeks of the writers pointing at Saul. And I'm sure as I read more of what's out there, I won't be the only one who thought so. Looks like next season, we play the "Is he or isn't he?" game with Saul. No problem there. Great character and actor. Should be fun.

I loved the finale. Some of the plot silliness of the last couple episodes and the Dana mess fades away when we get to spend quiet time with these characters followed by a twist that's actually compelling. Thumbs way up. Just when I was considering calling Homeland a one season wonder, they pulled me back in.

 

[jmt225]

If you rewatch the scene between Brody and Carrie in the office, there were also little things that hinted that Brody might be behind it. For example, that face he makes after Carrie tells him she chose him over the CIA, as if his mind was someplace else, such as that there was a fucking bomb about to go off. There also seemed to be something off with Brody during the goodbye scene as well.

I think it's entirely possible that he may have been behind the explosion. I mean, we never did see what really happened with him and Nazir when they took him on the helicopter during the middle of the season.

So yeah... I'm leaning towards that there's more suspicion working against Brody than Saul right now. To me, Saul being behind everything wouldn't make any sense whatsoever.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

Just watched the finale. I thought it was amazing.

A few thoughts:

1) As someone else mentioned, Saul was saying a prayer for the victims, in Hebrew. Hebrew and Arabic are very similar languages when spoken so that's why it sounded like Arabic.

2) Brody didn't set off the bomb. If he did, why would he release the old video and not make a new one? Brody had no reason (that we know of) to attack the CIA. They made a deal with him that as far as he knew, they were honoring. Walden was dead, he got his revenge. There would be no reason for him to do it. He was only part of Nazir's cause to avenge Isa, which he did.

3) It wasn't Saul. Why would it be? They made him go to the burial of Nazir so his character didn't die. Otherwise, he'd have been at the CIA and would have been blown up. It has to be someone who was there, outside of the CIA building in order to move Brody's car. Also, why would he want to kill Carrie?

4) Knowing what I know about Howard Gordon, I'm betting that it's Quinn who was responsible for the bomb. They led us to believe that Quinn is a good guy and that he couldn't kill Brody because Brody's not bad but I think Quinn realized he could use Brody for a bigger agenda (remember Dar Adal was pulling Quinn's strings). Quinn knew about the tape Brody made and would have access to it. He also easily could have put the bomb in Brody's car and moved the car into position. Keep in mind, if it wasn't Brody, it would have to be someone that new about the CIA memorial service for Walden, knew Brody would be there, and would be able to time it perfectly. It had to be someone that was watching, which easily could have been Quinn as he had all the requisite clearances. I believe that the reason for the CIA attack will become clear in Season 3 but Quinn was instructed to do it and frame Brody for it. Think about it, it was so easy. He assumed both Brody and Carrie would die and he probably assumed Saul would be there too... Anyone that knew anything about him being hired to kill Brody or that the suicide tape was old, would be dead. As viewers, we're not supposed to suspect Quinn since we think he's a good guy and didn't kill Brody because Brody is not bad. It's perfect.

5) It's clear that Season 3 will be about clearing Brody's name and figuring out who did the bombing. Saul will believe Carrie because he knows that the tape is old. He will know that someone else released that tape. If what I said about Quinn in #4 does not come to fruition, then I believe part of season 3 will be about Quinn tracking down and trying to kill Brody since he'll think Brody did the bombing. Look for Dar Adal to have a bigger role and look for a government conspiracy of some sort. These are staples of Howard Gordon.

 

[jmt225]

2) Brody didn't set off the bomb. If he did, why would he release the old video and not make a new one?

He wouldn't make a new one because he wanted to still be able to pronounce his innocence to Carrie and the CIA.

Brody had no reason (that we know of) to attack the CIA. They made a deal with him that as far as he knew, they were honoring. Walden was dead, he got his revenge. There would be no reason for him to do it. He was only part of Nazir's cause to avenge Isa, which he did.

Again, like I said earlier, we don't know what happened during that meeting with Brody and Nazir. They never showed it, and I have to believe there was a reason for that. All we saw from it is what Brody said to the CIA... nothing more. It is possible Nazir got through to him again and then carried out this plan, and then Brody adjusted it to where he would survive since he knew there would be no repercussion of it since Nazir is dead (or it's possible that it was planned for Brody to survive so maybe he can carry out another mission, or it was a "kind" gesture from Nazir since he probably knew Brody wouldn't go through with it if he had to die along with the bomb).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I'm POSITIVE it was Brody; I just think it's probable.

Your Quinn theory is also probable, no doubt about it. You don't hire an actor like F. Murray Abraham just for 3 minutes of screen time (he's the guy who met up with Quinn on the bus and Saul in the diner). He's definitely going to have a huge role next season, though it's hard for me to believe someone that high up in the CIA would want all those innocent Americans killed. I'm still sticking with Brody being behind it. I think he'll look innocent all next season and then in the final moments it'll be revealed just to the audience that he was the one behind it.