It is almost unfair to write reviews on seasons of "Homeland" after a first season that may be the single greatest season for a T.V show ever conceived. Even the second season, while not quite as airtight, was still a treatise on political drama. This third season, however, just lacked that "eye of the tiger" that often times is the only thing separating "good" from "great".
For a basic plot summary (and yes, some spoilers will be included here), Season Three begins with Carrie Matheson (Claire Danes) an absolute wreck after the CIA bombing at Langley. With Brody (Damien Lewis) a wanted man, only Carrie can clear her name. Of course, Saul Berensen (Mandy Patinkin) still makes all the big decisions...but for how long? And, when an opportunity comes along to change the entire landscape of US/Middle East politics, is anything sacred in the pursuit of such a goal?
(Another warning: the major spoilers will come in the next few paragraphs. If you haven't watched this season than I strongly suggest waiting to read this review until you have, as it is more "review" than "preview").
I realize that the producers of "Homeland" have always insisted that "the show is not about Brody", but the trouble is that they are wrong. For most intents/purposes, this show only is fantastic when, indeed, it DOES have Brody at the center of things. For example, the first season is so spectacular because (as a viewer) you just don't know what to make of Brody. The same theme goes for season two, though changed to "what will Brody do now?". In this third season, viewers don't even see Brody until the third episode, and then don't hear from him again until episode 9! That is too long for this show to stay "on top" without one of its shining stars.
Granted, of course, that is not to say that other characters on this show are not superbly written. Saul and Carrie are also great, and even Quinn (Rupert Friend) can be very interesting at times. I know this next comment might completely turn my review off to some people, but I very much enjoyed the plotlines this season involving Dana Brody (Morgan Saylor). Again, though, that is because I feel the show NEEDS a healthy dose of "Brody" in order to be special (instead of just "good").
Thus, this season of "Homeland" was, to me, just average. It is still better than most fare on the tube these days (and, to be more specific, I can't recall a single political show post-24 to even come close to Homeland's stature in that category), but it wasn't nearly up to the quality of the previous two efforts.
Of course, now that the "big event" at the end of the season has transpired, it almost feels (at least to a certain extent) that the show has wrapped. Are there still loose ends to be tied up? For sure. But, going forward, Homeland will never quite be the same. It will keep the same name and (hopefully) continue to produce taut political/human drama, but a significant turning point has been reached. It will never be the "good old days" of Season One again, when every single episode was a tour de force. I sincerely hope that the show creators can surprise me (and it's not like I'm "bailing out" yet), but I've seen too many shows go down this path and never recover.
For a basic plot summary (and yes, some spoilers will be included here), Season Three begins with Carrie Matheson (Claire Danes) an absolute wreck after the CIA bombing at Langley. With Brody (Damien Lewis) a wanted man, only Carrie can clear her name. Of course, Saul Berensen (Mandy Patinkin) still makes all the big decisions...but for how long? And, when an opportunity comes along to change the entire landscape of US/Middle East politics, is anything sacred in the pursuit of such a goal?
(Another warning: the major spoilers will come in the next few paragraphs. If you haven't watched this season than I strongly suggest waiting to read this review until you have, as it is more "review" than "preview").
I realize that the producers of "Homeland" have always insisted that "the show is not about Brody", but the trouble is that they are wrong. For most intents/purposes, this show only is fantastic when, indeed, it DOES have Brody at the center of things. For example, the first season is so spectacular because (as a viewer) you just don't know what to make of Brody. The same theme goes for season two, though changed to "what will Brody do now?". In this third season, viewers don't even see Brody until the third episode, and then don't hear from him again until episode 9! That is too long for this show to stay "on top" without one of its shining stars.
Granted, of course, that is not to say that other characters on this show are not superbly written. Saul and Carrie are also great, and even Quinn (Rupert Friend) can be very interesting at times. I know this next comment might completely turn my review off to some people, but I very much enjoyed the plotlines this season involving Dana Brody (Morgan Saylor). Again, though, that is because I feel the show NEEDS a healthy dose of "Brody" in order to be special (instead of just "good").
Thus, this season of "Homeland" was, to me, just average. It is still better than most fare on the tube these days (and, to be more specific, I can't recall a single political show post-24 to even come close to Homeland's stature in that category), but it wasn't nearly up to the quality of the previous two efforts.
Of course, now that the "big event" at the end of the season has transpired, it almost feels (at least to a certain extent) that the show has wrapped. Are there still loose ends to be tied up? For sure. But, going forward, Homeland will never quite be the same. It will keep the same name and (hopefully) continue to produce taut political/human drama, but a significant turning point has been reached. It will never be the "good old days" of Season One again, when every single episode was a tour de force. I sincerely hope that the show creators can surprise me (and it's not like I'm "bailing out" yet), but I've seen too many shows go down this path and never recover.