Homeland only has two episodes left to the season after last night's "Representative Brody," and thankfully it seems like it's right back on track. The Showtime rookie is a mostly character driven roller-coaster, propelled by the ambiguity surrounding Sergeant Brody's involvement a terrorist cell as well as CIA analyst Carrie Mathison's dogged pursuit to uncover said involvement of which she used to have no doubt. Two 'rugs pullings' later - the first, Brody's confession in the brilliant "The Weekend" and the second, Brody finally revealing his true allegiances in the not so stellar "Achilles Heel" - and I was more than a little worried since the show had thrived thus far by doing the opposite, namely telling human stories and avoiding twists for twists' sake. Last week's "Crossfire" began a return to form continued and bested with "Representative Brody." And just in time, since time is ticking.
”I'm very impressed with the way you've handled coming back to the real world.”
That's not to say problems with the show's integrity haven't been caused by having Brody reveal his intentions (however conflicted they may seem) and his half of the story suffers. At least at first. At the end of last week, Brody was released - again I suppose, and only after the American's faith in the cause was reignited by reminding/telling him/us why he turned - by Abu Nazir and instructed to accept the offer to run for congress when it comes. Apparently, some significant time has passed because all the bruises have cleared when Brody sees news of his cell's bank declaring their own little 'War on Terror,' as per Carrie's instructions, right before a bunch of tinted black SUVs start creating a perimeter around his house. I liked the shot of his hands gripping tighter on the cereal box but then it went too far by having his stretch like he's going to make a run for it. Turns out it's the Vice President asking him to run, but for congress in the upcoming special election. It's a nice tension filled moment as Brody hesitates. He accepts. He's Abu Nazir's boy after all.
When Jess returns home she isn't exactly thrilled to hear the news and forbids him to go into politics. It's great to see the show give Morena Baccarin more to do this week not only because she was spectacular in the first few episodes but since Jess is a really interesting character and, with the kids, a huge part of the Brody puzzle. Right after Jess forbids Brody to go into politics, and for good reason since she knows about (well, only a portion of) the skeletons in the family's closet that will inevitably come out under media scrutiny, he makes a call to Carrie but she's working. Instead, he invites himself to her place the next night and his intentions are seemingly clear, yet as we'll soon find out, this is merely the first step in many to securing his loose ends in order to allow him to run for office. And that means his next visit is with Mike.
The scene between the former best friends is a familiar territory for the show and it's quite fascinating because you frequently get to see how all the characters - or players - use their training in interrogation and manipulation in both their personal and professional lives (often, those two crossing over). Brody very convincingly and predictably works Mike over with apologies, thank yous and compliments until he has him wrapped around his finger. Lewis shines in the scene and as far as Brody's storyline goes, I will say, the writers have managed to salvage what I perceived as a breaking point and are cleverly working with the tension created by playing our knowledge of the Marine Sniper against the characters' knowledge. It adds the extra dimension that makes these scenes a little more electric and engaging. Mike heads over to convince Jess and although it seems like she's, well, unconvinced we soon learn that she and the kids support the move into politics. The announcement is made public right on the heels of the bombing. Oh, right. the bombing...
”As you can see, he's a naughty boy.”
While it took some (and is still taking) time for the Brody narrative to regain its footing, the Carrie thread was really fantastic this week. Claire Danes in particular was phenomenal (as always) and she had three or four major scenes in which to shine. The episode began with Carrie en route to the aforementioned bank in order to request their assistance in leveraging the Saudi diplomat while Saul is back debriefing the rest of the team on the two ways they will hit him, his debt and his sexual orientation. It turns out the Saudi Secretary Mr. Al Sahrani is both a devout Muslim and homosexual, so a little like oil and water. Even though the State Department is completely against the operation to grab and interrogate the Secretary (and the issue of why the CIA continues to be involved in a domestic case and not the FBI is addressed with a dismissive ‘because we want to, god dammit’ kind of answer) Estes decides to move ahead in a very un-Estes like move. He also assigns Carrie as lead interrogator, which has her first apologizing for stepping on Saul's territory (but of course, the calm mentor doesn't mind) and then up late cramming.
It was also great to have Virgil back on the case because the show needs some levity now and then (and both he and the Bank manager provided some this week). Not only that, he’s also one of the few people that she allows to prod her about her personal life - even if it results in her telling him to mind his business (I cleaned it up). The interrogation scene between Danes' Carrie and the Saudi Diplomat played by Ramsey Faragallah - all with Saul hovering in the background like a an odd cuddly vulture - is another stand out from the series that already produced its fair share in such a short period. The way that she breaks him down piece by piece is not only remarkable to watch but wholly believable in its execution. Sure, you could argue that the fact that he's gay is a rather convenient story point to allow leverage against his character (and it is) but it's still rather interesting and more so since that is not (nor the debt) why he ultimately breaks. Again, just like Walker (and I believe Brody eventually), the key to getting to him is his children, something that Carrie is clearly not proud that she has to use. I did love the closing line of the scene, delivered perfectly by Saul, "you work for us now, welcome to the CIA."
However, before Sahrani is put to work, Carrie has her night with Brody. We watch her carefully prepare, obviously excited about the night, only to be quickly shot down - with the show again subverting our expectations. Danes is superb as her character breaks, once again realizing how lonely her life has become. I half-expected the scene to end with her noticing something about Brody to reengage her suspicions but it was more emotionally compelling to watch the character's dreams shattered and leave it at that. She doesn't have long to wallow in grief though, as the operation to nab Walker commences shortly after (if the show fails at something, it's keeping the audience aware of passing time - we don't need the 24 ticking clock, but something) and she's running point on the ground. Carrie immediately feels something is off (I expected a gun shot through the newly turned diplomat's head) but she's the only one and too late. Homeland has its first terrorist attack and it's quite a chilling sequence. It also leaves our hero in the hospital and Saul returning to the long-forgotten plot point of the mole within the organization. I really hope it's not him. I've already hinted at my suspicions. Carrie, however, can only look on from her bed, wounded and sidelined, as Brody announces his candidacy on National television.
”Service for your country is the highest calling. Sacred and profound.”
"Representative Brody" was a pretty solid episode and hints at a promising finish for Homeland's first season. And I'm even back to being excited about the Brody thread, since the writers are not only using dramatic irony to great effect but i'ts also heading is some exciting new territory. Well, for the show that is, since it still screams Manchurian Candidate but I've learned that the second you think you have Homeland figured out is the second that they turn an unexpected corner, so I'm trying not to bank too heavily on those comparisons. Carrie also remains one of the most interesting and compelling character on television, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, even if it means burning all of her (very few) personal relationships. Except for Saul because, well, they are too similar - her home alone, turning to her work and him never leaving the office, eating crackers and peanut butter. It's those moments that make the show special, even if the odd bits of gunfire and explosions are perhaps more exciting. Okay, maybe it's finding the right mix of both, which isn't easy even if Homeand often makes it look that way.
Homeland airs on Showtime, Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT. It stars Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, Mandy Patinkin and Morena Baccarin.
