Final Showdown


"It was you or Walden, and it wasn't even close." — Brody (Damien Lewis) to Carrie (Claire Danes) during Sunday's "Homeland."

Two years and 23 episodes have been building to this. "Homeland," Showtime's excellent cable drama, has its second season finale Sunday and a lot is riding on the outcome. After sweeping the Emmy awards in September and an explosive first season, "Homeland" was something of a critical darling.

This season has stretched common sense at times, and it has certainly tested audience good will. So, hard as it might be to believe, the show is actually coming to something of a crossroads in its second season finale. The big question is, how will this arc end and what will be set up for season two?

The logical answer to both is that Brody has to go. It's nearly impossible, now, to imagine a scenario in which the character fits an ongoing narrative, despite the wonderful work from Lewis. It's time to get some resolution, make a break and set up the future for Carrie Matheson.

That quote from above was meant to be a tender moment, but it was also indicative of how lost Carrie has become due to her obsession with Brody. What did he mean it wasn't even close — how could it be since he hated Walden and wished to kill him. Wasn't the idea of saving Carrie more a convienient excuse?

And what of Carrie's country ahead of all mantra? Isn't that gone now? She not only knows what Brody did — helping a terrorist kill the nation's Vice President — she's actively helping cover it up. Her supposed patriotism has vanished as her love for Brody has grown. This is something I actually saw foreshadowed last week. Some thought it was a plot hole that Carrie didn't warn her co-horts of the danger for the Vice President. I thought it was a reflection of Carrie's changing values and priorities, and it didn't take long Sunday for that to be revealed as the truth.

So what lies ahead Sunday? Who's to say for sure. But if "Homeland" is to stay true to the course it seemed to set last season, Carrie's in for a rude awakening when it comes to Brody and her nearly absent former love of country.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju...
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co...
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve...
Read more