STILL NEGATIVE

“STILL POSITIVE”

Meter Reading: 40/100

If you’re looking to read something positive, then I recommend you click on the ‘X’ button in the top right of your browser immediately.

It’s quite ironic, the episode title this week was “Still Positive” but there was nothing positive about this week’s episode. A story which frankly jumps around from topic to topic, introducing new character after new character hoping something will stick with audiences; ruthless, unnecessarily grotesque murders of innocent people (the Muslim family in episode 3 and this week’s ex-wife and daughter in-law massacre) to prove that the villain is that heinous; Quinn being relegated to Carrie’s driver and bodyguard instead of fully utilizing his skillset; the lack of Nicholas Brody- the show’s true star and the only reason I continue to watch the show in hopes that he can save what once used to be the smartest show on television.

Homeland has gotten lazy- while other shows take the time to tell a storyline through flashbacks from a character’s past and then seize that opportunity to better develop that character, Homeland chooses to speed up storylines with the character telling every detail of the story instead of letting the show tell the story. I know this is confusing, but bear with me. Homeland did something this week it rarely chooses to do- provide the audience with a peek into Saul’s past.

Without Brody in the mix, Saul’s character shoulders the load for this season. The audience was presented with a new Saul storyline- Javadi and Iran. Instead of drawing this out with a touch of elegance we were so used to in the first season of Homeland (i.e. the slow unraveling of Brody’s POW story through flashbacks and nightmares), Saul explains to Fara in a matter of minutes what his and Javadi’s history is. I already know the full extent of the story and don’t find myself captivated, especially now that his ex-wife (who Saul helped re-locate to the west) has been brutally murdered and Javadi captured, and soon to be interrogated and turned into an asset (sound familiar?).

Homeland peaked at the end of Season 1, it will never again ascend to that level because no storyline will be as novel as Brody’s was in that first season. We are now merely left with scraps and memories of how good Homeland once was and all we can continue to do is convince ourselves that every new storyline (and there are so many sub-storylines) will lead us to that same euphoria we felt during Season 1.

All joking and hatred aside, I really believe that Brody can make this show better and it is overtly frustrating that the writers choose to ignore this. In my opinion, every other character has peaked; they no longer have dreams or ambitions or have any room for development. Carrie will never not be crazy, Saul will never not want to be power-hungry, Dana Lazerow-Brody will never not be lost, Chris Brody will never not be silent, Jess Brody will never not be a bad mother, Dar Adal will never not be boring and have dyed hair. Brody is the show’s last chance to prove it has any fight left in it.

Therein lies the problem, what possible storyline could salvage the show? I hope I’m wrong, but I fear it’s just too late..

Anyways, let’s get back to this past week’s episode and C’MON HOMELAND. I don’t have much because honestly, I don’t really care about this show but here were some of my thoughts.

C’MON HOMELAND!:

1.       When has it ever been the MO of the CIA to trust known vigilantes and criminals? Saul and Carrie set a meet with Javadi and are totally surprised when he doesn’t show up and instead goes on a killing spree? Saul, you just proved the point as to why you don’t deserve to be the Director of the CIA. C’MON HOMELAND!

2.       A bathroom drawer full of positive, Carrie Mathison pregnancy tests????! This was definitely Homeland’s way of mentioning Nicholas Brody in an episode without actually having to put him on camera. Also, if we see 30-40 positive pregnancy tests, are we supposed to think Carrie has abortions? WHAT THE HELL, HOMELAND?!

3.       Where did Dana get the $40 to pay for changing her name? I thought they were broke? I know I hate on Dana Brody a lot but I’m for her changing the name. It proves to show how slow and dim-witted Jessica Brody is for not coming up with this sooner. If anything, when you meet somebody new, they won’t immediately be like “oh your last name is Brody, you’re the f****d up family whose father is a terrorist”. C’MON HOMELAND!

4.       Having a terrorist operation in a house next to the 9^th green of a public golf course? Yeah, that was clearly thought through. C’MON HOMELAND!

Question of the Week:

Will Homeland be good next week? (Hint: no)