Redux

I'm new to this series and am now on Season four and just finished "From A to B and back again. When they hung Brody the show lost a lot for me. Some part of me kept thinking that the Iranian spy guy arranged for him to have a halter on and fake the hanging because he kept his word and killed the top spy guy...that he would show up again later. Now I know he's gone for good and the show just got less engaging. Wish the writers could find a way to bring Brody back or at least let his family know that he was a hero in the end. Carrie's constant self-destruction is getting really old. Disease or not she really never learns. All the actors give it their best and are compelling, and the sense of how real this world they live in is transferred to the viewer. Makes me realize that in today's world there is no place to hide.

In "Redux", the seventh episode of Homeland's fourth season, the show delves deeper into the psychological turmoil of its protagonist, Carrie Mathison. After the traumatic events in Islamabad, Carrie finds herself struggling to cope with the aftermath, both professionally and personally.

The episode opens with Carrie experiencing a vivid bipolar dream sequence, blending memories of her time in Pakistan with surreal, hallucinatory imagery. This powerful sequence, masterfully directed and edited, sets the tone for the rest of the episode, which explores Carrie's fragile mental state in the wake of the embassy attack.

As Carrie returns to the CIA, she is faced with the daunting task of debriefing and testifying about the events in Islamabad. The script skillfully navigates the complexities of her testimony, as Carrie is forced to confront her own actions and decisions, while also grappling with the political fallout. The tension is palpable as Carrie walks a fine line, trying to protect sensitive information while also being truthful.

Parallel to Carrie's internal turmoil, the episode also delves into the larger geopolitical implications of the Islamabad attack. The introduction of new characters, such as the Pakistani intelligence officer Tasneem Qureshi, adds depth and nuance to the show's exploration of the delicate balance of power in the region. The cinematography and production design effectively convey the sense of unease and uncertainty that permeates the CIA's operations.

Overall, "Redux" is a powerful and introspective episode that showcases the show's commitment to character-driven storytelling. The performances, particularly Claire Danes' tour de force as Carrie, are exceptional, and the episode's thematic exploration of trauma, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions is both compelling and thought-provoking.

By now the audience should be well aware that Danes can play crazy (or seriously disturbed) in a convincing way. However, her descents into unhinged territory seem to be far too frequent to allow her to keep a job. Let alone a job like Carrie's got.

This season his moderately better than season three but - even without being a Brody fan - I agree that seeing Brody again, even for a short time, made me realise that his character was quite important to keep the plot in balance between him and Carrie,

HOMELAND: "Redux" (Season 4, Episode 7)

I have come to the conclusion that "Homeland" is the most inconsistent show on television. After roaring its way to the title of the best show on TV with its first two seasons, it has not been able to maintain a common ground in week-to-week quality since the beginning of season three. Yes, season four has not sunk to the lows of season three, but it has not been a fluid ride so far. After a stunning, season-best episode last week "From Point A to B and Back Again", "Redux" continues to race on "Homeland's" roll. Saul is finally being put to great use, and the writers seem to have a a firm direction in which they are taking him. His one-on-one scenes with Haqqani are very interesting and add another layer to the investigation of foreign affairs "Homeland" conducts every Sunday.

I can beat around the bush, but I won't…let's talk about Carrie's delusions. The centerpiece and selling point of the episode is Carrie's descending into a state where her bipolar syndrome is agitated by an nefarious drug. It's a sensational collection of scenes, the kind of scenes I want to see Claire Danes sink her teeth into, the kind of scenes I want to see Carrie struggle through. It reveals quite a bit of Carrie's inner thoughts. The appearance of Brody obviously can be tracked back to Aayan's death, her "grief", guilt, and how she probably should not have been sleeping with someone (even if it was without an emotional connection) so soon after Brody's inexplicably sorrowful exit from her life.

Prior to watching this episode, I literally posted an open forum to IMDb members asking if they thought Danes's spot in the lead actress category at the Emmys was in jeopardy. She was not getting the level of material she used to get in the first three seasons, material that made her the frontrunner to win 2/3 years, and because Carrie is being written as so unlikable this year. However, it's my theory that "Redux" was written directly after the Emmys this year, after Danes lost to Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife" for a much quieter performance than the one acted by Danes. The amount of craziness that happens to and around Carrie in this episode leads me to believe the writers were enraged by the loss and conspired to write the juiciest, most actor-friendly Emmy tape Danes would ever see to ensure another win. And Danes eats this episode up, it allows her to capture everyone's attention quite easily. It's her most potent episode of the entire series after "The Vest", of course.

Danes's seismic effort is brought to a close by Damian Lewis's appearance in the final scene. I love Brody; I understand why he had to leave the show, but that does not mean seeing him for two minutes in a hallucination is not thrilling and emotional for Brody fans. (A little part of me wanted to believe he was actually there, that it wasn't Carrie's imagination.) The touching scene shared between Danes and Lewis defines the greatness of "Redux".

Grade: A-

So the first three seasons were very good, this is a stretch too far. The Carrie Mathison character shouting, whingeing, acting irrational would never even get to that position, never mind keep it. The biggest factor being she is also doing four separate jobs within the agency. Hope it all gets better next season.