Homeland Season 2, Episode 3 - State Of Independence

Showtime’s Homeland has continued to not only impress audiences, but also surprise them. It’s almost hard to believe that last night’s episode was only the second in Season 2, considering the rather large reveal at the end of ”Beirut is Back.” I’m not in anyway suggesting that the twist was unearned, it’s just unusual to see a serialized drama move at such an unrelenting, breakneck pace. I should know, I recap Boardwalk Empire.

The last time we saw Carrie, she was at large and alone in Beirut flashing that amazing titular “Smile,” but she soon shows up at a local mosque holding an impromptu meeting with her former asset. The writers did a terrific job of taking what seemed like a huge victory-- the wife’s information regarding Abu Nazir--and using it to make everyone once again question Carrie’s credibility. She convinces Saul to move on the info and, despite the clamouring of the so-far uninteresting new character in the control room, is vindicated when the number one threat actually shows. It turns out to be more than worth the risk.

Brody was already finding himself in increasingly tight situations before the memory card wound up in Saul’s hands. He’s got his former best friend Mike (and the rest of his Marine ‘buddies’) pushing him to look into the death of Tom Walker. This is obviously not something he really wants to further investigate. Beyond this, his wife is asking him to speak in support of the very thing he opposes. Oh, and there’s also problems with fulfilling duties as a US Congressman and terrorist operative at the same time—hey, sending text messages in the middle of a top secret meeting is not an easy thing to do. With the video in Saul’s hands was it all for nothing?

Here’s a preview for ”State of Independence,” which shows that despite being right about Nazir, Carrie shouldn’t expect to be welcomed back into the CIA fold. Also, all might not be lost for Brody, meaning, Saul’s in some serious danger. Take a look at Episode 3.

Homeland returns with Episode 3, “State of Independence,” Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime. It stars Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, Mandy Patinkin and Morena Baccarin. It was adapted for American television by Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon from the Israeli series Prisoners of War (or Hatufim) by Gideon Raff.