Like many others I have been having some small irksome plausibility problems with Homeland lately. But when it comes to an amazing show like this, it is the ultimate nitpick to point out how a show written by former writers of 24 is similar to 24. Now ever since the first season I was waiting for the inevitable moment for Homeland to go over the edge and become a zany high-end 24. And I am still waiting for that moment. It hasn't happened yet. And the longer it takes the better. The small weak moments of implausibility are little scratches in a glass that's been around for two years. They are by no means cracks and the show is no where near shattering.
That all being said, I think we can agree that Homeland's second season is not as good as its first. But then again, how could it ever be? After last year's finale I knew they'd never be able to sustain themselves and do it again. So lets disregard the comparison. The first half of the second season they were still riding high. That was still incredible television. It was moving and emotional and shocking and brave. Outing Brodie, breaking him down, turning him, and ultimately fixing him was simply amazing character work and something Homeland does so well it almost looks easy. Giving Carrie her redemption and ultimately her life and swagger back was also incredibly satisfying. And Clare Danes and Damien Lewis did it flawlessly in compelling and moving turns in front of the camera. The trajectory drops off slightly in the second half of the season, but among all the kidnapping and complete disregard for national security and protocol, there were nuggets of pure gold to be found.
As for the finale itself, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved that the show returned to the cabin and what that meant to the characters. I loved that I knew SOMETHING was going to happen because Brodie and Carrie seemed too damn happy (and I'm glad it wasn't as simple as Carrie choosing the CIA over him). The cabin made their later goodbye at the border poignant and moving.
I also thought Saul and Carrie's argument was great, as well as Saul's despair after the bombing (especially regarding Carrie), and that stupid grin on his face in the final shot of the episode. Because as much as this show is about Carrie and Brodie, its also about Carrie and Saul. That relationship is also something worth exploring as its wrought with incredible performances, chemistry, and history. I'm so looking forward to that next season. These two in charge of the CIA is absolutely something I'd watch.
Speaking of which, I really like it when shows set off creative bombs like this. Just kill off everyone, fill the nation/government with terror, create a vacuum, fill it with new problems, give everyone a new role, and lets do this thing. Its brave and its ballsy and I respect it. I just always love a blank slate or when a show flips everything upside down because it makes the next season so interesting. Lost did it, Alias did it, Mad Men did it, Battlestar Galactica did it, and even Friday Night Lights did it. I can't wait to see what the writers do next. It sucks that we lost great characters and compelling subplots, but thats just a testement to how good/confident the writers are.
A couple of other little things I thought were great:
- Quinn growing a heart and threatening Estes. The threat means nothing now, but at the time Quinn's, "Because I'm the guy that kills bad guys," was a pretty badass moment of character definition. I love the enigma of Quinn and I'm definitely looking forward to his role next season.
- Dana's conversation with her father and later defending him. She can't say why she knows he didn't do it, but I like that she still remains intuitive and honest enough to speak up. Just all the subtext and implication in the scene in the bedroom and later in front of the TV was very moving. I hope she remains convinced of his innocence next season.
- The scene in Estes office, after the bomb went off, when Carrie has her gun on Brodie. Still not sure what it was about that scene that I found great, but probably the realistic tinge of paranoia and suspicion that this show has always been about. And that it addressed exactly what the audience has been thinking since Brodie's rendezvous with Nazir.
- Brodie's "Fuck me" after seeing his tape on TV.
Lastly, one thing I sort of wished happened, but realize could have never happened, was that Carrie left with Brodie. That we have a season of Catch Me If You Can between Carrie and Saul. Two characters that love and respect each other. That know how the other thinks. That just happen to be on the wrong side of the explosion as they outmaneuver each other over and over. Maybe I'm the only one who thought that could be fun. And I'm glad it didn't play out that way. But it was a thought that crossed my mind during the finale and I just wanted to mention it.
Anyway. I realize this was a long post. I'm just trying to make up for lost time. If you read it all, thank you. If not, I totally understand (but it would be cool if you read it because I spent a lot of time writing it). But Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and now that things are getting back to normal, I plan on updating more often. Thanks for sticking around.
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