![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dragonheartI was blown away by Season One of Showtime's Homeland. It really is a shame that this show is not on network TV so that more people could enjoy it. If you get the opportunity to watch it, please give it a try - you will be in for a rare treat.
One word of caution: this show is NOT for the casual viewer - the twists, turns and pacing does not lend itself to hit and miss viewing - you will be lost - totally - if you don't watch every episode and pay careful attention. Which is exactly what I love about this show - you can't predict where it's going.
About the time, you think you have it figured out - another plot point opens up that discounts previous thinking. It's layer upon layer - both in terms of the plot and the character development. It's one story arc - not episode specific like we see with most weekly procedurals.
Some thoughts on Season One and the finale:
It would take many many words to do the season justice as it so complex and layered, so I will just hit on a few of the basics that stood out for me this season.
Brody and his family dynamic - when Brody first comes home he has all these emotional barriers between himself and his family. At first we think it's due to his 8 years of captivity and his assimilation back into the world. He is stilted and uncomfortable around them. Physical contact is rare and when it does occur, it looks and feels forced. The lovemaking between him and his wife Jessie on his first night home was emotionless and robotic - I wanted to cry for her. It wasn't rough, but it sure wasn't loving and tender.
A few weeks ago, I wrote that Brody's family were shadow characters and that I didn't really have feelings for them one way of the other and that they weren't instrumental to the story - they were just kinda there. In hindsight, I see that was intentional on the part of the writers because they were a shadow family for Brody too. Knowing what we know now and what Brody planned to do - it was an emotional barrier meant to protect them and him. His real family was Issa and Nazir. He couldn't afford to get close to this family, but he did. I think Carrie's "betrayal" was the catalyst for him to really see his family again. For him to realize/remember who they are to him. As Brody began to see his family as real, we as the viewer began to see them as real also. Their characters became more defined, Jessie and the children took on substance both to Brody and to the overall plot in general. They are a real family now - both to Brody and to us. I am excited to see where they take the family dynamic in Season Two and how that dynamic affects Brody and his "mission".
Carrie Mathison- After much consideration, I don't think Carrie has real feelings for Brody despite what Saul thinks. I really think those feelings are a symptom of her out of control bi-polar disorder. Carrie is a patriot first and foremost. She loves her country with all her heart, mind, soul and strength. Protecting it is not only her life's goal, but who she is at a basic level.
I don't think she can really love a man that she believes is a terrorist and a threat to the US. It goes against everything she is and she does think Brody is a terrorist working with Nazir- she has from day one. She made another connection (Issa) between Brody and Nazir just as she was going under sedation for electric shock treatment, but will she remember it? My guess is not right away, but she will make the connection again - she is darn good at connecting the dots. My big question about Carrie is how she will get back into the CIA fold. She has been pretty much black balled and when they learn of her bi-polar disorder - it's just icing on the termination cake. What will she have to do to be welcomed back? Will she be welcomed back? Or will she go all lone wolf (or at least with her trusty sidekick Virgil) to prove Brody is who she believes he is? How does Saul figure into her return?
The Mole - I had David Estes pegged as the mole. Who better to know all the details of all the operations than the boss of the terrorism unit? But after last night, I am thinking that all his hinkiness vibes were due to the fact that he was present at and knows about the Vice President's involvement with the drone strike on the Iraqi school that killed Issa and 82 other children. Which brings to mind a question - does the VP have the power to authorize a missile strike?
I have no clue who the mole is. At this point - it could be anybody or somebody we haven't even met yet.
Brody & Walker - I have to admit, I wasn't surprised that Brody killed Walker. He really didn't have a choice if he wanted to show Nazir that he was still loyal to him and his cause and Walker was a walking liability both to Brody and to the safety of the US. I don't know why - but I refuse to see Brody as still the bad guy. Part of me is thinking that he had an epiphany when the vest malfunctioned and Dana's phone call cemented it for him. Maybe he is now a marine turned terrorist turned patriot. Confused? Yeah, that is what this show does - and I love it.
The videotaped confession - Brody made a video explaining his actions and reasons for the terrorist action against the US and specifically the VP, but since he didn't follow through with the suicide bombing - that SD card is the so called smoking gun. Who has it? The mole? Nazir?
So many unanswered questions with so many possibilities for Season Two.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-12-19 04:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-19 05:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-19 11:47 pm (UTC)I'm still undecided abouth whether Carrie has feelings for Brody or not, but once again I love your take. And I also wasn't surprised when Brody shot Walker.
This show was so well written, layered and executed, that I'm still in awe.
Loved reading your review. Thanks!