Homeland, is an interesting mix of different genres. Although, there is no such big mystery to the plot as in the case of the crime solving series, yet the makers have made it insanely mysterious, to keep the viewers hooked on to it.
Home land starts with Carrie Mathison (Claire Daines), a CIA operative, a bipolar workaholic woman, with an amazing gut feeling mixed with her restlessness.
Working under the able hands of Saul Berenson(Mandy Patinkin), who himself is really workaholic but really calm and composed with a brain of master strategist.
Carrie has been moved to the counter terrorism unit since she was conducting unauthorized operations in Iraq. She is a master, in recruiting and training assets.
News comes in, of a certain U.S. marine Sergeant Nicolas Brody(Damian Lewis) being rescued after eight years of being a POW(prisoner of war) since 2003.
He is obviously welcomed, with immense grace and pride, since he was the only one who survived all the atrocities that was caused to him by Abu Nazir (Navin Neghaban), one of the most wanted terrorists in the U.S.
Brody, gets a heroes welcome, with the entire nation following him and his story very closely, with a sense of pride and a lot of sympathies, except Carrie.
Whilst in Iraq, one of her assets told her that a certain POW, was turned against the Americans. In the light of such a statement, comes the announcement of Brody being released.
Carrie is hell bent on proving that Brody, is not a hero, but an anti national, and keeps on convincing Saul and the other people involved with the CIA. Is her notion true? or is it just an effect of her being a biploar? a great story indeed.The amazing things about homeland is for sure, its smart writing and screenplay. Taking this plot and building a story for 3 seasons without letting the viewer feel bored is a tall ask.
But the writers and directors of the show do a great job of holding up the logic, the amazing research on Taliban, Iraqi’s and the various anti social organisations near the middle east and Pakistan, and they make sure to depict it’s not a pro american or an anti Muslim show, it’s just a well edged out script.
Also, there are several parallel stories going on a midst Carrie’s search for the truth.
The likeable ones are, Brody’s relationship with his wife and his daughter in particular. Carrie’s relationship with her sister. The meaning less or meaning full romance between Brody and Carrie! Yes, it sounds insane, that they could be involved, now how much of it is real? you need to figure it out when you watch it.
Maybe it’s true or maybe Carrie is playing or being played. In the later stages, Carrie’s professional relationship with another officer of the department, Peter Quinn (Rupert Friend).
However, their relationship ups a level in season 4. Acting wise, every single character is perfectly blended into this drama. So, every one needs a pat on their back. Most people like Carrie’s acting a lot more than Brody’s but I opt for the marine sergeant’s character.
It has so many different elements, to his role. Different emotions, they just go beyond belief. Carrie’s gets really irritating at times, but then in hindsight, that’s exactly her role.
Even people around her get bugged by her impulsiveness, stubbornness, her extreme limits to achieve anything anyhow, but if the viewer also feels the same, then its a job well done.
There were hardly a few things that someone could hate about homeland until the end of season 3. Probably, the season 3 was a bit stretched, especially with Brody’s character but the finale more than made for it.
However, I consider Homeland to be a part of 2 series, one that goes from seasons 1-3 and second one that starts from season 4.
Since, there is no Brody in season 4, cannot reveal why, though. But it’s Mathison all the way and maybe that’s why one would miss Brody.
Alot more and find it a little boring. But then again, the story is so intriguing, that you just want to know what happens next, and you let go off Mathison for a while.
Two Indian actors have been roped in season 4. Nimrat Kaur from The Lunch box fame, and Suraj Sharma from The Life of Pi. Both have performed immaculately well and excelled just like everyone else on the show. To finish it off, Home land is a must watch.
Season 4 airs the finale in a couple of days, so one could download all the series and watch it all together and would not regret one bit.
There are no other shows that it can be compared too, probably the closest to is the Kevin Spacey’s master piece, House of Cards, but that’s hardcore American political drama; but Homeland covers many other agenda’s.
Crime, mystery, drama are the perfect genres by what it could be described. This is a sure shot delight for anyone who appreciates a great logical story, with the CIA politics and strategies during wars with unbelievably superb acting, then Homeland is what you need to watch it.
It’s a Home-run all the way!