Homeland Season 1 (Spoilers)

larrymcg421 · 10-06-2011, 02:23 PM

Any thoughts on this pilot? I thought it was a terrific show, with amazing performances from Damian Lewis and especially Claire Danes. Also good supporting work from Mandy Patinkin and Morena Baccarin.

I'm wondering what people think about Brody. I got into a debate with a friend on this. She thinks it's clear that he's been turned and is a terrorist. My take is that it's a bit more ambiguous. I think it's clear that he did some unseemly things while in captivity, beating his friend to death and giving information away. But I'm not so sure that he's part of a terrorist plot, or at least not consciously part of a terrorist plot. His weird activity since coming back (the nervous tick, the way he looks at the White House) could all just be him recovering and adjusting from the horrific experience. The whole point of making Danes character so unhinged seems to be so we would question whether she is paranoid or not.

flounder · 10-06-2011, 02:42 PM

I just caught the last 15 minutes of the pilot, and I'm DVRing it so I can watch the whole thing. I thought that what I saw of it looked good. I agree that it's ambiguous. They'll probably keep the question open the entire season to keep the tension going.

DaddyTorgo · 10-06-2011, 03:17 PM

I thought (as did the reviewers I saw) that it was pretty clear that he turned. Anyways, I agree, a great pilot (best of the season by far) and an eagerly looking forward to it.

flounder · 10-08-2011, 07:10 PM

Just watched the full episode. This show really has potential. I still think the ending is ambiguous. Brody is holding a lot back about his time in captivity, but I think it's unclear if he has actually turned.

Between this and The Walking Dead though, I may start to get really tired of the "I thought my husband was dead so I nailed his best friend" plot line.

larrymcg421 · 10-10-2011, 06:41 PM

I really loved the 2nd episode of the show. One thing I was worried about is how they can stretch this out for a full season (and then how to continue beyond that), but the additional subplot of the undercover harem girl seems very promising.

I'm still not convinced (even with the prayer scene at the end) that it's clear he's turned. There's nothing he's done yet that couldn't be explained by him just trying to cope with 8 years of captivity.

I think Carrie is a very compelling main character. Claire Danes has given some good performances over the years, but this is the first time that she's had a role that lives up to her amazing debut on My So-Called Life.

Toddzilla · 10-12-2011, 10:03 AM

I'm all-in on this show. They've got a fantastic cast and Mandy Patankin can do no wrong - the scene with him and the Judge (Michael McKeon) was pure understated awesomeness.

I like that they started this off from the start by having someone - esp a very flawed character - suspicious from the start about the POW coming home. That opens the whole show up to making everything the POW does equally benign and suspicious.

Fantastic writing so far, too bad this is a "one-and-done" series, as they absolutely have to wrap it up in one season or it becomes a parody of itself.

Logan · 10-12-2011, 10:26 AM

All-in is a good way to put it. I watched both episodes last night after hearing all the praised and loved it.

Put me in the camp of it not being a simple "is he/is he not a terrorist". There's clearly some weird things going on, maybe he's on both sides, who knows.

As for the one season thing...I heard that the Israeli show it's based on is just starting a second season, but I'm not sure if it's a different story with some of the main characters/overarching storyline (kind of like 24).

larrymcg421 · 10-12-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

All-in is a good way to put it. I watched both episodes last night after hearing all the praised and loved it.

Put me in the camp of it not being a simple "is he/is he not a terrorist". There's clearly some weird things going on, maybe he's on both sides, who knows.

As for the one season thing...I heard that the Israeli show it's based on is just starting a second season, but I'm not sure if it's a different story with some of the main characters/overarching storyline (kind of like 24).

The creators have said they have a 2nd season in mind. It'll be interesting to see what they come up with. Even if it doesn't involve Brody, I think Carrie is a dynamic enough character to carry the show on her own.

RainMaker · 10-14-2011, 09:15 PM

I'm really digging this show. I imagine they'll extend it beyond a single season. Although Mandy Patinkin will probably quit by then.

larrymcg421 · 10-20-2011, 12:02 PM

Loved the last episode. Knew Lynn was going to be killed. However, I don't think she was made. I believe the prince was sincere in that video. His assistant is the one dealing with the terrorist and found Lynn as an easy way to transfer the money via the necklace.

Logan · 10-20-2011, 12:06 PM

Pretty sure they presented that as the case.

stevew · 10-20-2011, 12:08 PM

It's one thing that they are going to find out that he has flipped sides. I can't imagine the backlash when they figure out he has an English accent.

larrymcg421 · 10-20-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

Pretty sure they presented that as the case.

Yeah I thought it was pretty clear too, but I've seen some people comment that she was made or that she wasn't made but the prince is still in on it.

Logan · 10-20-2011, 12:17 PM

You know what she was? Hot. And naked frequently.

She'll be missed.

DanGarion · 10-20-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flounder

Between this and The Walking Dead though, I may start to get really tired of the "I thought my husband was dead so I nailed his best friend" plot line.

But if that allows us to see the super sexy Morena Baccarin naked who cares...

DanGarion · 10-20-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

You know what she was? Hot. And naked frequently.

She'll be missed.

Ding!

larrymcg421 · 10-26-2011, 11:46 AM

Awesome news! Homeland renewed for 2nd season.

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/26/homeland-renewed-for-season-two-by-showtime/108594/

Logan · 10-26-2011, 11:48 AM

Still loving it.

I find it weird that a wife of that long of a time would call her husband by his last name. You would think that would've ended when they were dating.

larrymcg421 · 11-01-2011, 11:42 AM

Another strong episode. Lots of theories going around now that Saul could be the mole. He would've had the opportunity to slip the razor blade and warn Faisel's wife that he was being followed.

digamma · 11-01-2011, 11:56 AM

The show is great. My only complaint so far is the end of episode 3, where they shifted the POV and we became a little omniscient in seeing the prince's body guard and the terrorist professor going about their terrorist business. Little too much of a reveal and "telling" rather than showing for me.

flounder · 11-02-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Another strong episode. Lots of theories going around now that Saul could be the mole. He would've had the opportunity to slip the razor blade and warn Faisel's wife that he was being followed.

That actually never occurred to me. It would be a great way to write his character out of the show if he doesn't want to stick around for season 2.

larrymcg421 · 11-14-2011, 05:55 PM

Wow, that was an amazing episode and a shocking twist! This show continues to impress me. I really have no idea where this show is going and I love that. Danes deserves to win the Emmy.

Jas_lov · 11-14-2011, 10:37 PM

This is by far the best new show on television. Danes and Patinkin carry the show and both deserve emmys. The new twist is fairly interesting and now the Brody character becomes less relevant. Hopefully they wrap up his wife and best friend troubles and focus more on the terrorism plot.

flounder · 11-15-2011, 05:11 AM

I don't know. I think it's still possible Brody has turned. He certainly had an answer for every question Carrie asked, but who's to say he's not still keeping things back?

I could imagine that Abu Nazir gave him his cover story and then gave him a fallback story to tell if the CIA got too suspicious. From the previews, it looks like he's still going to be a big part of the show so I don't think we're done with him yet.

Toddzilla · 11-15-2011, 10:02 AM

I absolutely HATE that they reset the entire show. Yeah, shocking twist, blah blah blah, but the main show dynamic between Brody and Carrie is now gone and we need to invest in a new guy who wad dead but not dead and who we really don't give a shit about.

The show has been so frickin good so far, I'll give the writers the benefit of the doubt, but I am really really disappointed.

larrymcg421 · 11-21-2011, 01:43 PM

Wow! That's all I have to say.

BrianD · 11-21-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Wow! That's all I have to say.

Agreed. I had a similar reaction to Toddzilla before this episode...now I'm not sure what to think.

DaddyTorgo · 11-21-2011, 03:55 PM

Nicely twisted. Loving it.

Jas_lov · 11-21-2011, 06:33 PM

I thought the same. I thought they had flushed the series down the toilet by making Brody less relevant. Should have known he was part of a larger plot including Walker. Now I can't wait to see what happens next. That's just great writing to get people to go from one extreme to the other. It seems to me that maybe Brody is the one that has been using Carrie for information and not the other way around.

B & B · 12-05-2011, 10:57 AM

I thought that Sundays episode was the best of the series.

spleen1015 · 12-05-2011, 11:23 AM

I just started watching this on demand this week. I have watched the first 5 episodes and have loved every minute of it.

DaddyTorgo · 12-05-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B & B

I thought that Sundays episode was the best of the series.

Indeed. Was fucking awesome.

spleen1015 · 12-06-2011, 10:22 PM

Watched 7 & 8 tonight.

Nice twist there with Tom Walker, but I wasn't surprised by the cliffhanger at the end of episode 8.

Toddzilla · 12-07-2011, 01:35 PM

If Mandy Patinkin does not win an Emmy for this, it will be a travesty of unheard-of proportions. He has been nothing short of spectacular

"Eviscerate the motherfucker"

He is a GOD on this show.

larrymcg421 · 12-07-2011, 01:36 PM

Loved Saul's desperate reaction to the bomb going off, as he kept saying Carrie's name.

flounder · 12-07-2011, 06:05 PM

I'm wondering who the mole is. Carrie's not the mole obviously. Saul went through a lot of effort to get info from that women they captured in Mexico, so I don't think it's him. Carrie's boss seems too ambitious to want to sell out. If it's a character we've already met the only one left in the CIA is Carrie's partner, but making the Muslim CIA agent the mole would be lame.

So I think it either has to be someone we haven't met yet (possibly someone in the State Department) or

Spoiler

k0ruptr · 12-07-2011, 08:05 PM

just finished catching up, and my first thought after the episode was the spoiler above.

k0ruptr · 12-07-2011, 08:06 PM

dola, damn this show is awesome!

Jas_lov · 12-07-2011, 08:32 PM

Or there isn't a mole and the diplomat put up a warning sign. The show has had me guessing before so there could be a mole or that comment from Saul could just be something to lead us in a different direction. Looks like Carrie comes unhinged the last couple episodes which should be interesting. Best new show on television by far.

larrymcg421 · 12-07-2011, 08:40 PM

Spoiler

flounder · 12-07-2011, 09:11 PM

Spoiler

k0ruptr · 12-07-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flounder

Spoiler

spleen1015 · 12-07-2011, 10:22 PM

Some Mole thoughts

Spoiler

DaddyTorgo · 12-07-2011, 11:00 PM

Mole thoughts

Spoiler

k0ruptr · 12-07-2011, 11:27 PM

Spoiler

larrymcg421 · 12-07-2011, 11:45 PM

Why are we using spoiler tags for future speculation? Seems a little silly.

Toddzilla · 12-08-2011, 10:16 AM

The mole is

Spoiler

k0ruptr · 12-12-2011, 06:11 PM

This show is nuts.

Claire Danes is brilliant.

DaddyTorgo · 12-12-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

The mole is

Spoiler

Think this was pretty much disproven by the previews for next week, no?

DaddyTorgo · 12-12-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

This show is nuts.

Claire Danes is brilliant.

This show is re-frigging-diculous. Absolutely mind-blowingly awesome. Danes played bipolar so well last episode...wow.

10-10-2011, 06:41 PM	#5
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	I really loved the 2nd episode of the show. One thing I was worried about is how they can stretch this out for a full season (and then how to continue beyond that), but the additional subplot of the undercover harem girl seems very promising. I'm still not convinced (even with the prayer scene at the end) that it's clear he's turned. There's nothing he's done yet that couldn't be explained by him just trying to cope with 8 years of captivity. I think Carrie is a very compelling main character. Claire Danes has given some good performances over the years, but this is the first time that she's had a role that lives up to her amazing debut on My So-Called Life. __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner Last edited by larrymcg421 : 10-10-2011 at 06:43 PM.

10-20-2011, 12:02 PM	#10
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Loved the last episode. Knew Lynn was going to be killed. However, I don't think she was made. I believe the prince was sincere in that video. His assistant is the one dealing with the terrorist and found Lynn as an easy way to transfer the money via the necklace. __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

10-26-2011, 11:46 AM	#17
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Awesome news! Homeland renewed for 2nd season. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/26/homeland-renewed-for-season-two-by-showtime/108594/ __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner Last edited by larrymcg421 : 10-26-2011 at 11:48 AM.

11-01-2011, 11:42 AM	#19
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Another strong episode. Lots of theories going around now that Saul could be the mole. He would've had the opportunity to slip the razor blade and warn Faisel's wife that he was being followed. __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

11-14-2011, 05:55 PM	#22
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Wow, that was an amazing episode and a shocking twist! This show continues to impress me. I really have no idea where this show is going and I love that. Danes deserves to win the Emmy. __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

10-06-2011, 02:42 PM	#2
flounder High School Varsity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lynchburg, VA	I just caught the last 15 minutes of the pilot, and I'm DVRing it so I can watch the whole thing. I thought that what I saw of it looked good. I agree that it's ambiguous. They'll probably keep the question open the entire season to keep the tension going.

10-06-2011, 03:17 PM	#3
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	I thought (as did the reviewers I saw) that it was pretty clear that he turned. Anyways, I agree, a great pilot (best of the season by far) and an eagerly looking forward to it.

10-08-2011, 07:10 PM	#4
flounder High School Varsity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lynchburg, VA	Just watched the full episode. This show really has potential. I still think the ending is ambiguous. Brody is holding a lot back about his time in captivity, but I think it's unclear if he has actually turned. Between this and The Walking Dead though, I may start to get really tired of the "I thought my husband was dead so I nailed his best friend" plot line.

10-12-2011, 10:03 AM	#6
Toddzilla Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burke, VA	I'm all-in on this show. They've got a fantastic cast and Mandy Patankin can do no wrong - the scene with him and the Judge (Michael McKeon) was pure understated awesomeness. I like that they started this off from the start by having someone - esp a very flawed character - suspicious from the start about the POW coming home. That opens the whole show up to making everything the POW does equally benign and suspicious. Fantastic writing so far, too bad this is a "one-and-done" series, as they absolutely have to wrap it up in one season or it becomes a parody of itself.

10-12-2011, 10:26 AM	#7
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	All-in is a good way to put it. I watched both episodes last night after hearing all the praised and loved it. Put me in the camp of it not being a simple "is he/is he not a terrorist". There's clearly some weird things going on, maybe he's on both sides, who knows. As for the one season thing...I heard that the Israeli show it's based on is just starting a second season, but I'm not sure if it's a different story with some of the main characters/overarching storyline (kind of like 24).

10-14-2011, 09:15 PM	#9
RainMaker General Manager Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	I'm really digging this show. I imagine they'll extend it beyond a single season. Although Mandy Patinkin will probably quit by then.

10-20-2011, 12:06 PM	#11
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	Pretty sure they presented that as the case.

10-20-2011, 12:08 PM	#12
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	It's one thing that they are going to find out that he has flipped sides. I can't imagine the backlash when they figure out he has an English accent.

10-20-2011, 12:17 PM	#14
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	You know what she was? Hot. And naked frequently. She'll be missed.

10-26-2011, 11:48 AM	#18
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	Still loving it. I find it weird that a wife of that long of a time would call her husband by his last name. You would think that would've ended when they were dating.

11-01-2011, 11:56 AM	#20
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	The show is great. My only complaint so far is the end of episode 3, where they shifted the POV and we became a little omniscient in seeing the prince's body guard and the terrorist professor going about their terrorist business. Little too much of a reveal and "telling" rather than showing for me.

11-14-2011, 10:37 PM	#23
Jas_lov College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	This is by far the best new show on television. Danes and Patinkin carry the show and both deserve emmys. The new twist is fairly interesting and now the Brody character becomes less relevant. Hopefully they wrap up his wife and best friend troubles and focus more on the terrorism plot.

11-15-2011, 05:11 AM	#24
flounder High School Varsity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lynchburg, VA	I don't know. I think it's still possible Brody has turned. He certainly had an answer for every question Carrie asked, but who's to say he's not still keeping things back? I could imagine that Abu Nazir gave him his cover story and then gave him a fallback story to tell if the CIA got too suspicious. From the previews, it looks like he's still going to be a big part of the show so I don't think we're done with him yet.

11-15-2011, 10:02 AM	#25
Toddzilla Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burke, VA	I absolutely HATE that they reset the entire show. Yeah, shocking twist, blah blah blah, but the main show dynamic between Brody and Carrie is now gone and we need to invest in a new guy who wad dead but not dead and who we really don't give a shit about. The show has been so frickin good so far, I'll give the writers the benefit of the doubt, but I am really really disappointed.

11-21-2011, 01:43 PM	#26
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Wow! That's all I have to say. __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

11-21-2011, 03:55 PM	#28
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	Nicely twisted. Loving it.

11-21-2011, 06:33 PM	#29
Jas_lov College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	I thought the same. I thought they had flushed the series down the toilet by making Brody less relevant. Should have known he was part of a larger plot including Walker. Now I can't wait to see what happens next. That's just great writing to get people to go from one extreme to the other. It seems to me that maybe Brody is the one that has been using Carrie for information and not the other way around. Last edited by Jas_lov : 11-21-2011 at 06:39 PM.

12-05-2011, 10:57 AM	#30
B & B College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: A sports era long ago when everything didnt require a Nike logo	I thought that Sundays episode was the best of the series. __________________ Nobody cares about Kyle Orton because he's black. -PT

12-05-2011, 11:23 AM	#31
spleen1015 Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2003	I just started watching this on demand this week. I have watched the first 5 episodes and have loved every minute of it.

12-06-2011, 10:22 PM	#33
spleen1015 Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2003	Watched 7 & 8 tonight. Nice twist there with Tom Walker, but I wasn't surprised by the cliffhanger at the end of episode 8.

12-07-2011, 01:35 PM	#34
Toddzilla Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burke, VA	If Mandy Patinkin does not win an Emmy for this, it will be a travesty of unheard-of proportions. He has been nothing short of spectacular "Eviscerate the motherfucker" He is a GOD on this show.

12-07-2011, 01:36 PM	#35
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Loved Saul's desperate reaction to the bomb going off, as he kept saying Carrie's name. __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

12-07-2011, 06:05 PM	#36
flounder High School Varsity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lynchburg, VA	I'm wondering who the mole is. Carrie's not the mole obviously. Saul went through a lot of effort to get info from that women they captured in Mexico, so I don't think it's him. Carrie's boss seems too ambitious to want to sell out. If it's a character we've already met the only one left in the CIA is Carrie's partner, but making the Muslim CIA agent the mole would be lame. So I think it either has to be someone we haven't met yet (possibly someone in the State Department) or Spoiler the Vice President? He would have a lot to gain if the President was shot.

12-07-2011, 08:05 PM	#37
k0ruptr Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Las Vegas	just finished catching up, and my first thought after the episode was the spoiler above. __________________ Xbox Live Gamertag: k0ruptr My Favorite Teams : Chicago White Sox - Carolina Panthers - Orlando Magic - Phoenix Suns - Anaheim Ducks - Hawaii Warriors - Oregon Ducks

12-07-2011, 08:06 PM	#38
k0ruptr Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Las Vegas	dola, damn this show is awesome! __________________ Xbox Live Gamertag: k0ruptr My Favorite Teams : Chicago White Sox - Carolina Panthers - Orlando Magic - Phoenix Suns - Anaheim Ducks - Hawaii Warriors - Oregon Ducks

12-07-2011, 08:32 PM	#39
Jas_lov College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	Or there isn't a mole and the diplomat put up a warning sign. The show has had me guessing before so there could be a mole or that comment from Saul could just be something to lead us in a different direction. Looks like Carrie comes unhinged the last couple episodes which should be interesting. Best new show on television by far. Last edited by Jas_lov : 12-07-2011 at 08:33 PM.

12-07-2011, 08:40 PM	#40
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Spoiler The VP doesn't make sense because he's a target of the Walker plot. Why would they target someone who is a mole? __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

12-07-2011, 09:11 PM	#41
flounder High School Varsity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lynchburg, VA	Spoiler Did they ever say he was a target? The Secret Service is assuming he is, but I thought the reason the terrorists picked the house is because it overlooked the landing pad for Marine One. That made me think the President was the initial target.

12-07-2011, 10:22 PM	#43
spleen1015 Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2003	Some Mole thoughts Spoiler I think there is obviously a mole. Someone clued in the airport house couple when they were tailing the guy to the house. There has to be a mole, IMO.

12-07-2011, 11:00 PM	#44
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	Mole thoughts Spoiler I'm going to vote for Saul. The VP doesn't make sense - from what they've shown it's all a thing trying to get back at him for killing Abu Nassir's son. But Saul...it could be Saul in some desperate attempt to win back the love of his wife by getting out or something along those lines? I also think the VP doesn't make sense because it has to be someone at the CIA, on the operational-level.