Can we just work in reverse and talk about that ending real quick? I had a suspicion that what Saul was digging for may be the Brody video, but I also could not let myself believe the writers would play that card so soon. I wanted it to be the video, but oftentimes shows like Homeland prefer a slow burn of twists and turns. So I was expecting a fake out similar to the Abu Nazir assassination attempt five minutes earlier. But instead I got exactly what I wanted at the same precise moment I realized I wanted it. And its an example of what makes the show so good. Here is one thing I love about Homeland, the writers know exactly when to follow through. What happened at the end of this episode easily could have been the season finale of a lesser show. But instead, the writers decided to throw us this curve ball early on. And we know its going to shape the entire rest of the season. Whether for good or bad, we cannot say.
To put that ending in perspective, lets look at the whole episode. Carrie is still clearly recovering from the Brodie debacle of last season. She even says so herself whilst on the brink of a serious psychotic episode (and possible withdrawal). She's so used to following her gut and being right. And the fact that she could be so incredibly wrong about something she felt so sure about is leading her to question not only her abilities as a professional, but the very fiber of who she is. This is something we all expect Carrie to deal with for quite some time. The scene on the roof was so strong, we could easily see multiple episodes ahead of Carrie still dealing with the fallout. Instead we have her redemption handed over to us within the same hour of television. Its not only satisfying, but incredibly bold. This show has been impressing me nonstop since its debut and this is a perfect example of what made season one award worthy television.
In terms of the Abu Nazir operation, everyone expected him to get away. Once capture was no longer an option, I am pretty sure every viewer was confident in expecting Nazir to elude the ops mission. Because we all know there's more for him to bring to the show. He is what all the main characters have in common, giving each of them a separate purpose. So clearly there was going to be a near miss and a fake out. It wasn't any less satisfying when it happened, but it was definitely expected and formulaic. The Nazir appearance validated Carrie and strengthened Brody's loyalty. Having served its purpose, Nazir was quickly escorted out of the viewer's mind.
Now consider the end of the episode again. Here another fake out was sure to occur. We all think we know what is on that hidden chip. At least we all know what we were hoping for. But there's just no way that the Brody video would pop up so soon. More has to play out before a bomb like that goes off, right? Especially not after we just heard Carrie Mathison admit her self doubt and most significant professional misstep. A main character's redemption just doesn't come that easy. But instead we were given exactly what we wanted. And we were faked out of a fake out. The writers are jerking us around and its amazingly satisfying.
The tape being introduced so early is definitely going to shape most of the season. Whether its simply used as an excuse to give Carrie her job back, or if Saul chooses to sit on the tape, or if the CIA actually acknowledges this video as credible evidence worth investigating, anything that happens is going to be an interesting ride. At the very least we know Carrie will probably be back with her old swagger. She can start trusting herself again. And that is definitely something I am looking forward to.
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