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Homeland
S5.E4
All episodesAll
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IMDbPro

Why Is This Night Different?

  • Episode aired Oct 25, 2015
  • TV-MA
  • 49m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
Mandy Patinkin in Homeland (2011)
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller

Answers elude Carrie. Laura asks Jonas for help. Saul and Allison run an operation.Answers elude Carrie. Laura asks Jonas for help. Saul and Allison run an operation.Answers elude Carrie. Laura asks Jonas for help. Saul and Allison run an operation.

  • Director
    • John David Coles
  • Writers
    • Gideon Raff
    • Howard Gordon
    • Alex Gansa
  • Stars
    • Claire Danes
    • Rupert Friend
    • Sebastian Koch
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    2.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John David Coles
    • Writers
      • Gideon Raff
      • Howard Gordon
      • Alex Gansa
    • Stars
      • Claire Danes
      • Rupert Friend
      • Sebastian Koch
    • 5User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos15

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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Claire Danes
    Claire Danes
    • Carrie Mathison
    Rupert Friend
    Rupert Friend
    • Peter Quinn
    Sebastian Koch
    Sebastian Koch
    • Otto Düring
    Miranda Otto
    Miranda Otto
    • Allison Carr
    Alexander Fehling
    Alexander Fehling
    • Jonas Hollander
    Sarah Sokolovic
    Sarah Sokolovic
    • Laura Sutton
    F. Murray Abraham
    F. Murray Abraham
    • Dar Adal
    • (credit only)
    Mandy Patinkin
    Mandy Patinkin
    • Saul Berenson
    Atheer Adel
    Atheer Adel
    • Numan
    Sven Schelker
    Sven Schelker
    • Korzenik
    Allan Corduner
    Allan Corduner
    • Etai Luskin
    Mark Ivanir
    Mark Ivanir
    • Ivan Krupin
    Igal Naor
    Igal Naor
    • General Youssef
    Janina Blohm-Sievers
    • Sabine
    • (as Janina Blohn Sievers)
    Reymonde Amsellem
    Reymonde Amsellem
    • Üter's Wife
    • (as Reymonde Amsallem)
    Darina Al Joundi
    Darina Al Joundi
    • Mrs. Youssef
    Emily Cox
    Emily Cox
    • Claudia
    Anna Herrmann
    Anna Herrmann
    • Katja
    • Director
      • John David Coles
    • Writers
      • Gideon Raff
      • Howard Gordon
      • Alex Gansa
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews5

    8.52.7K
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    Featured reviews

    6dierregi

    Some explosive thrills

    The Carrie-Quinn failed romance is played very well and a weakened Quinn, despite having previously played heartless, shows considerable feelings for Carrie when the two hug. Obviously they are made for each other much more than Carrie and Ginger.

    Elsewhere, sanctimonious journalist Laura get in touch with patronising liberal hacker Sabine, to retrieve the stolen documents, while the thief tries some dirty business with the Russians and Ginger lover boy acts bewildered by the strangeness of Carrie's life.

    Saul and Allison attempt yet another very risky manoeuvre and Allison seems to be more than a CIA spy. On a side note, Saul should know better than to dip his pen into office ink - so to speak - because affairs with colleagues are always a bad idea and even more so when both are spies.
    7fernandoschiavi

    "Why Is This Night Different?" is directed with precision by Michael Offer, who effectively balances the episode's dual focus on personal drama and high-stakes espionage

    In "Why Is This Night Different?", the focus shifts to a high-stakes espionage operation. Carrie reaches out to her former mentor, Saul, for help, but their reunion is strained by unresolved tensions and mistrust. Meanwhile, Saul and Allison coordinate a covert operation to extract a Russian asset who has crucial information about the data breach. The operation, set against the backdrop of a formal dinner event, is meticulously planned but goes awry, leading to a tense standoff. Quinn's storyline intersects with Carrie's as he is tasked with tracking her down, setting up a potential confrontation between the two.

    The episode's centerpiece is the dinner event, which is masterfully executed with a blend of elegance and underlying tension. The operation's failure and the subsequent chaos are gripping, showcasing the precarious nature of espionage. Another notable scene is the brief, yet emotionally charged interaction between Carrie and Saul, highlighting the deep personal and professional rifts between them. Themes of betrayal and trust are explored extensively, as characters navigate a world where alliances are fragile and loyalties are constantly tested.

    "Why Is This Night Different?" is directed with precision by Michael Offer, who effectively balances the episode's dual focus on personal drama and high-stakes espionage. The script is tightly woven, with sharp dialogue and intricate plotting that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The cinematography excels in creating an atmosphere of sophistication and tension during the dinner event, while the editing ensures a seamless flow between the various plotlines. The episode's pacing is brisk, maintaining a sense of urgency throughout. Despite a few contrived moments, this episode stands out for its intense drama and the nuanced portrayal of its complex characters.

    Related interests

    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      Additionally in the scenes which are set in Switzerland a German ambulance is seen. It has a paint scheme of the Berlin fire fighters. The emergency phone number on the car is 112. But in Switzerland the emergency phone number is 144.
    • Quotes

      Carrie Mathison: I-I didn't do anything. I have no idea where this is coming from. I swear, no matter what Dar Adal said, I did not...

      Peter Quinn: Not him. Saul. Saul put your name on the list.

      Carrie Mathison: Saul?

      Peter Quinn: Close your eyes.

      Carrie Mathison: I don't believe it.

      Peter Quinn: Believe it. Now play fucking dead.

    • Soundtracks
      Homeland Theme
      Written by Sean Callery

      Performed by Sean Callery Feat. Chris Tedesco

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 25, 2015 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Russian
      • Arabic
      • Hebrew
    • Filming locations
      • Studio Babelsberg, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany(Most of the interiors and several exteriors are shot at the studios.)
    • Production company
      • Studio Babelsberg
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 49m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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