Homeland

This show started out so well and then we had the season finale and it was so bad on so many levels - I will not watch this show again!!! I think the writers hate women - Carrie is the most interesting character and they basically turn her into a sniveling victim - for what - so that they can keep Brody as a character. I don't need to watch him succeed, I am not interested in the character psychologically torturing Carrie and I certainly don't need to see her at the last second remember an important detail and then ooops electroshock therapy with short term memory loss - how convenient

This show has turned into a parody of itself. And it never was very credible to start with. The weeping, twitching, flip-flopping Claire Danes-as-Carrie was intolerable anyway. But what I absolutely cannot forgive is the way they have turned the amazing Damian Lewis into an annoying pain in the ass. I did not think that was humanly possible.

Just finished watching two seasons of the Israeli version Prisoners of War, and the American version comes off quite a second rate imitation. The characters in Homeland are becoming quite ridiculous and unbelievable.

Homeland started off good with the first season but it's starting to be way over the I find myself already knowing what is going to happen before the episode is anyone really think Abu Nazir was going to be captured at the end of episode let it go when Brodie was walking around in his uniform and in some episodes in season 1 and he was an E5 Sergeant then in other episodes he was an E7 Gunnery Sergeant, figured ok maybe he was promoted in absentia as MIAs usually do , but then he was back to E5 Sgt, a couple episodes later. Then they started giving his annoying daughter more screen time, I promply fast forward now when she comes on the screen. Then there was a female major wearing a US Army Combat Infantryman Badge which is a badge only awarded to men since there are no women in the infantry of 18 series. Then some a freaking news reporter knows the combination to the assistant CIA director's personal safe in his office. Give me a break! And who didn't see the one girl killing herself with her glasses. this last episode takes the cake though, really death by wifi. I think the show is running out of ideas, and just pulling random stuff out to try and keep the plot going. It's starting to turn the case officers into bumbling baffons with no clue about what they are doing. I have a pretty good idea on how the season ends and I'm only watching now to see if I'm right, since I won't be watching next season.

You had better let good prevail once in awhile, nobody likes to see evil constantly win. Hope next season is better or I will quit watching for sure!!!!!

Let's see if I could summarize:

1. Quinn morphs into Jack Bauer;

2. Carrie breaks Brody's spirit by rambling on about their love; &

3. Dana gets a ride from Linday Lohan's brother.

Next episode, Arthur Fonzarelli goes water skiing.

those rating the finale more than 6 are just sponsors or working on the show......really?how do you end a show like that

I really love this show and find it amazing, but I was very much disappointed when they showed Cyprus the way they did in the season premiere! First of all, Nicosia is nowhere near the beach and second of all we are not as backward as they presented us! Please do more research on countries you visit during the series next time!!

Having just seen the Beirut episode, season 2's storyline is getting more ridiculous by the moment,. The foolishness starts with Brodie's flimsy reversal by cell phone in the bunker, Carrie's on-again off-again at a moment's notice illness, Brodie's unbelievable political rise, and ends tonight with his all-too-convenient inclusion in tonight's operation and the repetitious savior by cell at the last possible moment. Homeland is looking like the most incredulous episodes of 24. Now that I know that Howard Gordon is behind both shows, it all makes sense. It also means that if the writing remains the same, I'll stop watching. After a glorious first season, I didn't see how the series could credibly continue the storyline with all the main characters. It does continue, but only for those who didn't tire of 24.

Loved the first 11 episodes, but the writers took the easy way out in the finale. This feels like a total reset. I see viewers jumping ship midway through season 2. I know they have to extend the series, but why not take some chances? Very disappointed.

Homeland is the latest chapter in the endless list of CIA vs Terrorist shows/movies that pour it in dozens from USA. A truly talented CIA agent with a mental disorder, is the chief protagonist, who suspects a returning POW of being a terrorist. The show takes the viewers into the workings of CIA and terrorist group based out in Middle East. Based on the first 3 episode, here's the result:

3 Episode Test:

Plot-ology:

There's absolutely nothing new about the plot. It's the much used and abused terrorist theme show. Of course CIA is shown to the be the savior of the world and Muslims are portrayed as terrorist. It might be hard for the ill-informed average American to grasp the idea that it could be the other way around as well. It would have been interesting to see the roles reversed for once. Now I don't know maybe later in the show, we get insight into why and how these terrorist function. But, based on the first 3 episodes, it was text book Pro-American drama. People behind the show are from a mixed background; some of the writers have worked in the previous big name terrorist drama a.k.a. 24. While some others have Dexter experience on their C.Vs. Together, they bring a little bit extra when compared to 24, but, not enough to get the Emmy.

I didn't particularly enjoy how easily and obviously the story rolled in the first 3 episodes. They could've taken more time to connect the dots. Carrie and Saul would have a lot of hunches and viewers would be taken right to that story. Surprisingly none of those hunches have been wrong so far. A little farfetched. I would like to believe that there's a lot of human error and error in judgment involved in the workings of even the best intelligence agencies in the world. The first scene was a bit implausible as well. That prisoner in Iraq would so easily believe and tell Carrie such a big secret about an American POW turning? I mean really? And Carrie would so easily walk in and out of the facilities.

I believe they need to pay a LOT of attention to detail if Homeland has to become a great show rather than being just a good show, which it is right now.



Cast-ography:

The cast is generally above average. None of them is a household name, to be honest but almost all of them of have delivered very decent portrayals of their respective characters. The front runner is Claire Danes, who is playing a bi-polar CIA agent, Carrie, also the protagonist for much of the show. She's done a fine job so far. But she needs to add a new range of emotions to her character. It's a caffeine overdosed hyper active right now. We need to see a lot more of that bi-polar disorder that she has. Also, when she was sitting at home spying, I found it hard to believe she needed to be so dressed up for it. Attention to detail.

Damian Lewis plays the returning prisoner of war, Nicholas Brody. He's also given us a composed and concealed character so far. Although his speech right after landing in USA was questionable. Again one would think that coming home after a decade of torture, he would find it extremely difficult to communicate with anyone, let alone a large crowd. Attention to detail.

Rest of the cast is reasonably solid so far. No stand out performers per say, but, most of them have just about pulled their characters' weight. Morena Baccarin, David Harewood, Diego Klattenhoff and Mandy Patinkin are other major characters on the show.



Generality: (Soundtrack, Music, overall look and feel):

The opening theme/sequence is pretty good. It gives us a nice military-ish feel to it. Soundtrack, background music and cinematography have all been generally good. A few of The Wire alumni are involved in the backroom, so it's the least we can expect from them.



Final Grade:

All in all, it's a good show to watch. It's nothing extra ordinary so far. It seems like the elder sister of 24 who is a little more mature and a lot more into revealing skin. Some of the nudity/sexual content seemed vital to the story, unlike some other Showtime series (Yes, you House of lies). The relation between Nicholas Brody and his wife was handled with detail and seemed real. Watch this show, but, I would be really surprised if it gets the Emmy with shows like Breaking Bad, Boardwalk and Game of Thrones in the running. A nomination even would be a remarkable achievement.

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Of course I did not expect to blow up the bomb, but the way he changed his mind just because he heard his daughter....is stupid!!!!

Having powered through nearly 2 season recently I find this show incredibly uneven. Everything between Claire Danes and Damian Lewis is amazing. Mandy Patinkin is a force, though he's basically Jason Gideon just a bit more slick. David Marciano and Maury Sterling just work so well. They are the perfect mixture of comic relief, sincerity and cloak and daggers. Rupert Friend's character is also pretty fun to watch.



However, everyone else just seem uneven. Ironically Morena Baccarin's character come off a bit manic and is there because everyone needs a love triangle (square). David Harewood bounces between moron, douche, hard nose, competent depending on what the show needs. Morgan Saylor is even worse. Her character is basically just there to drive the plot in one direction or another. Diego Klattenhoff's character is there for the same reason, but he pulls it off better. The other characters are kind of just there. I mean I literally forgot Jackson Pace was in the show for a bit.



Still, the show isn't bad. I like how it's more cloaks and less daggers. But thankfully the cast is good, because honestly, if the acting was bad this show probably would not be as popular as it is.

The show is entertaining, however being a Marine myself, the obvious lack of military familiarity (marine corps in particular) is disheartening. To save myself from writing too much, one thing that makes my skin crawl... If I called a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps "Sarg" or "Sergeant", I would be prepared to have a boot up my rear side. To hear him call himself a Sergeant is just madness. The director chose for the main character to be a Marine Scout Sniper over any other services' sniper for a reason. So uphold the standard ya lazy bum. ANY research would have made this series more watchable.

Don't mind the Series... Its fictional and it hits home... What irritates me is when you Show Beirut as a rundown City with no Chic ro grand restaurants or even a Nightlife... I suggest to the producers to study a bit more about Beirut before giving the wrong Picture... We do have a night life... we do have clubs, Condos, Beautiful beaches and most of the people are very nice and friendly... That is offensive when we are always the "Bad Guys" When there is a lot Lebanese that just want to LIVE!!! So Please Producers just type in Google... Beirut Nightlife... or even send one scout there and you would be suprised what he will report... How about if a movie came out and showed that all Americans are Red Necks... Don't think you would like that now would you!!! Sorry had to say it...

Claire Danes is just over acting since she has not had a big feature title for so long. Damien (Brody) is the worse actor I have seen. Somebody should take him out of the show before he kills the Show.

I am not sure why the writers didn't end season 1 with episode 11. What's the point of writing a final episode without the real culmination? I get it they wanted to set the stage for season 2, but shouldn't they have ended season 1 first? And, what season 2 will do without Carrie, who was the driving force of the whole season, and the reason we watched it so religiously in the first place? And if she stays, in what capacity? I'd rather see her killed than being brain-washed like that. Seriously.

I am still in shock that the ending was so weak - it's almost as if the writers didn't really know in which direction the show should go. The show was extremely believable right until episode 12, and then it was episode 12, where everything felt so wrong - to a point that I started wondering if it was the same show. The writers couldn't decide upon anything - should they blow up the highest level of government, or should they let them live; should Carrie be allowed to finish her work or should they get rid of her; should Brody's daughter find out her dad is a terrorist, or should she stay just a naive teenager. In the end - nothing has happened. The show was not allowed to culminate simply because the writers didn't know how it should culminate. One thing they knew for sure - season 2 should happen. But, with Carrie's brain being dead and out of the way, I am not sure I want to watch it. With episode 12, this show lost any credibility in my eyes, plus without Carrie being Carrie, I don't really want to watch it.

I have seen a bunch of episodes of "Homeland" and was immediately drawn to its complexity, amazing actors and beautifully written script. The show is always fast-paced and heart-warming at the same time, a combination which makes for perfect television.



But being an American LEBANESE (and currently living in Lebanon), I do have a HUGE problem with how the show portray Lebanon in general, and Beirut in specific. In a recent episode, there were scenes "supposedly" portraying Hamra Street as a deserted, "war-zone"-like street while in fact if you actually go there (any time of the day, any day of the year), it is one of the most crowded and life-like places to visit in Lebanon. It is currently "THE" place to be.



I'm sorry, but this insanely huge, awful mistake that ALL Americans do (portraying the Arab world--and this time specifically Lebanon) as a war-zone makes this show a HUGE turn-off for me.



Will NOT watch this show again.

The new Showtime drama Homeland delivers a high quality and provocative series that exemplifies what serial television can do. The series starts out a bit gratuitous and formulaic, but it quickly evolves into a complex and compelling thriller. The casting is exceptional; Claire Danes and Damian Lewis are incredibly good and give really dynamic performances. And the supporting cast members, such as Mandy Patinkin and Morena Baccarin, are equally as strong. The material is especially rich as it interweavers the story of a returning POW with a CIA investigation of a high level al-Qaeda terrorist. The ending is a rather weak, but overall season 1 of Homeland is well structured and is able to stay fresh and intense.

I loved how homeland started. A marine returning to his country, his life, his family after 8 years of being captured and tortured by terrorists. I loved how how they showed his troubles with returning to his life and how his family had to adjust to him being there again. But after the first half of season one he suddenly seemed to be over his problems and the focus of the show shifted to Carrie and here metal problems and his rise in politics. I would like to have seen his recovery process a little more instead of him suddenly being alright and ready to be the terrorist he was groomed to be.



The other thing I would like to have seen happen is Brody follow through with his plan in the bunker or at least let his daughter know for sure what he is after the phone call. It brings some of the tension back in the show that got me addicted in the fist place.



I hope season 2 brings the nail biting tension back from season 1 and more!

i like season 1, season 2 episode 1 is a little slow but things started to get excited in episodes 2 and 3. after finishing episode 3, can't wait for the next episode to find out what is going to happen, perhaps brody will turn into a double agent?

Love so much about this show, but worried it will eventually go off the rails with all the twists. In for the ride anyway.

Hi, can someone tell me when Season 2 will start or IF there is a season 2?

Great show with two fantastic leading actors and writers that are ready to shock us in a a good way. Keep on rolling!

It includes stellar performances by the two main leads as well as great supporting actors. But, for me, the show is a bit slow. The final result is superb but the journey to the end is kinda hard to be invested in as things move very slowly in this show. Take the Brody story for instance, it took him a season and a half to finally be arrested. For a person watching the show from the beginning, it may become a bit too stressful as the answers are given out very slowly. We didn't learn of Brody's true intentions until the end of season 1 and keeping in mind that each of these eps are 50 min long, it does get tiring. I'm not saying that show sucks, which it definitely does not. It's just that, you know...

It's serious. It's well written. It was captivating.

Its easier to depict only the prejudiced vision of the arabic world than the truth. Its easier to show filthy "ragheads" then to show the beautifull things Lebanon has.

One of the best series ever.

After being missing, presumed dead in Iraq for eight years, US Marine Sgt. Nicholas Brody is found alive. When he returns as a hero to the United States, his country welcomes him with open arms, but CIA Agent Carrie Anderson, who spent five years working in Iraq is not so sure. Carrie believes he is a terrorist who is working with a group of others to plan an attack on US soil. The trouble is, at first, Carrie has a hard time getting others to believe her, including Saul, a long-time agent and friend who recruited her in the first place.

An excellent program, thrilling and suspenseful, and terrific work by all the principal actors, particularly Claire Danes.

This show is a must-see.

Wow. I honestly never thought I would say this but, this show is probably the best show on television right now. Homeland surprisingly has got my full attention.



In a nutshell this show is about a CIA interrogator (Claire Danes) that suspects a marine who was a POW for eight years of being turned into a terrorist by an Alquaida leader. As the story goes on she unveils tangled webs and tries to put the puzzle together, but nobody in the CIA intelligence really believes her enough to investigate her suspicions.



Homeland is grade A entertainment. I'm not even a big fan of military espionage dramas, but I watched the first season in 2 days online that is how much I enjoyed it. It keeps you guessing because the storyline is intricate and these writers actually think outside the box for a change. The cast are not just caricatures, but they really embody the roles they're playing. I even liked how they digged deep into the loneliness of Saul and Carrie. Balancing the storyline with other problems that distract from their job. I feel I overlooked Claire Danes as an actress, but I'm dead wrong because she is brilliant and definitely shines in this show. The whole cast is top notch.



I gave it 9 stars because this show is just starting out. There is more to come and I hope that it continues being this darn good. I wish people that think Falling Skies is so great will watch this show. Homeland sets such a high standard, which is what quality entertainment should be about, instead of trying to make a quick buck with crappy remakes, reality TV, and the other junk they force feed us.