So I watched to last episode of homeland last week, and I thought about what made this season so great. - Warning Spoilers ahead
- You may just want to watch the entire series first before reading this -
Well first off having not one but two great actors playing characters that were compelling, complicated, and captivating was definitely a plus. I have watched both these actors over the years and I knew that there was a chance that they would knock it out of the park. First off Claire Danes has been acting since the 1990s her most iconic role is of course as Angela in "My So-Called Life" (which I still need to watch). But I remember her from her more recent role as Temple Grandin in the HBO movie of the same name. She was great in the role. She played someone with autism realistically and without any self consciousness, in other words as a pretty actress she didn't care how she looked as she went all out for the part. I have also enjoyed Damian Lewis in multiple roles, the most iconic was as Lt Richard Winters in HBOs "Band of Brothers" (for those taking track at home, HBO seems to be the common thread here). He was also in the not-terribly liked "Dreamcatcher" which I liked, but I can see why several critics did not care for it.
Ultimately those past roles prepared each actor for the complicated characters they played during Homeland's first season. Claire Danes has truly been a first in TV, a complicated, messed up lead character who is great at their job but also happens to be a women. (for comparison see: Mad Men, Sopranos, Breaking Bad). But I would say the one thing that she brings to the table is vulnerability. I dare you not to get your heart broken as she is grows more manic (due to the recent bomb blast that prevented her from receiving her meds). The scene when she is desperately trying to convince first Saul and then David is truly heartbreaking and that is due to some damn good acting. Clarie Danes truly can play crazy convincingly. Likewise, Lewis has been a joy to watch. He's strength has been portraying the best poker face. Here is a guy that has been a POW for over 8 years and now we are wondering if he has been recently been brainwashed by the enemy (Extremist Muslim Mastermind Abu Nazir). Lewis plays it so close to the vest that the audience never knows exactly what's he's thinking. But the amazing thing is that he does it without being a cold robot. Good Stuff
Ultimately that narrative that is the most compelling is the fact that the show runners of Homeland were previous writers on "24". So the critics have mentioned that Homeland is a response to "24". Where the latter was all bombast and good vs. evil, the former is all about nuance and grays of right and wrong. I would tend to agree. The character of Carrie Mathison is clearly the polar opposite of Jack Bauer , hero of 24. She is just as determined and aggressive as Jack, but the the world she works in is more realistic and harder to figure out. This point is proven during the final episode where Carrie is not sure if Bordy, her prey all season, really was the dangerous terrorist she was sure off at the beginning. It is only as she is close to electroshock treatment that the pieces finally come together too late. Trust me, Jack never had those type of moments, he knew exactly who the bad guy was and what method a torture he was going to use to the get info he needed.
Homeland was definitely the best new Drama of the season and I look forward to next year and see how Carrie and Brody will continue their dance.
