Fair Game

This first episode isn't particularly enjoyable because Quinn is a beloved character and he's in a very bad place physically, mentally, and emotionally. I hope throughout the season he will improve and recover significantly more. Great acting. It's just so bleak though (and kind of slow).

Very bad comparing to previous seasons. Politically correct on expense of quality and releability.

This episode was OK at best, nothing special at all really. I was hoping to watch something with different pacing that the other seasons but what I got was a slowly paced, forgettable episode with no foreseeable direction for the future for the season. As with homeland, the acting was dry but excellent from the cast, with each member adapting to their role. I especially enjoyed Quinn's role in this episode and am looking forward to his progression throughout the season. All this episode did for me was to hint at a slow season with a direction to a more political season, however I still hope from what I saw on the trailer to have a good season, but I cannot see it going anywhere amazing like in the earlier seasons. Hardcore homeland fans will enjoy it but see a decline in quality, but it was worth the watch, I suppose. I truly hope there is a good conclusion this year with this season, or if not a cliffhanger because I am tired on Homeland ending their seasons at the same standard as the rest of the season. 3.5/5

"Fair Game," the premiere of Homeland's sixth season, finds Carrie Mathison in a new setting: New York City. Having left behind her life in Berlin, Carrie is now working for a foundation that provides aid to Muslims in the United States. The episode opens with Carrie adjusting to her new role while still grappling with the psychological scars of her past. As the U. S. prepares for a presidential transition, tensions rise within the intelligence community. Saul Berenson and Dar Adal are embroiled in the political machinations surrounding the incoming president-elect, Elizabeth Keane. Meanwhile, Peter Quinn, who survived his ordeal in Berlin, is now struggling with severe physical and psychological trauma, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative.

The most memorable scene in this episode is Carrie's heartfelt interaction with Quinn, who is living in a state of disarray and grappling with his PTSD. The depth of their bond is palpable, showcasing the series' commitment to character-driven storytelling. Another significant moment is Saul and Dar Adal's confrontation about the new administration's direction, which sets the stage for the season's political intrigue. Themes of trust, recovery, and the shifting nature of political power are central to this episode, providing a rich foundation for the unfolding story.

Directed by Keith Gordon, "Fair Game" effectively re-establishes the series' tone and stakes. The script, penned by Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon, is sharp and introspective, delving into the personal and political landscapes that will shape the season. The cinematography captures the bustling, tense atmosphere of New York, contrasting sharply with the characters' internal struggles. Editing is seamless, particularly in scenes that juxtapose the calm exterior of Carrie's new life with the chaotic undertones of Quinn's condition and the political drama. The pacing is deliberate, allowing viewers to reacquaint themselves with the characters while setting up the season's major conflicts. While the episode is somewhat slow in terms of action, its strength lies in its character development and thematic depth.

In American movies and series there are overused recurring tropes, one of which is the "ungrateful character standing as a lone hero". Few tropes are as annoying as the beaten, weak, feeble, powerless character who doesn't accept anybody's help.

In this lacklustre opening of what feels like a useless series there are two main characters who play that trope: Carrie, who's kinda boring in her atoning mode of single mum saving innocent Muslims and dumping billionaire Otto because she's an empowered, heroic woman and Quinn, who survived all the terrible injuries of the past season to turn into the über annoying PTSD sufferer who hates everybody and himself most of all.

What about being grateful - Carrie to Otto and Quinn to Carrie - and not pretentious and a burden? Nobody- or hardly anybody- is grateful in contemporary fiction. Everybody is the new Garbo, they just want to be left alone.

Elsewhere a worn out political drama is developing around a peace-loving lady President opposite Saul and Dar... yawn.