Homeland (TV Series) The English Teacher (2020) User Reviews

Classic tragedy territory

[thinkMovies · 10/10 · 19 April 2020]

The structure of ancient Greek tragedies and the structure of Shakespeare's tragedies is competently and beautifully, applied to bring Homeland to its series finale. In the Greek tradition we would expect the resolution to involve a Deus ex machina but in the Shakespearean form the end may well bring about death and sorrow. Homeland was inspired by the original Israeli series "Prisoners of War" and Homeland's next episode, the Series Finale, is in fact titled "Prisoners of War".

This penultimate episode was heart wrenching, exquisitely acted, filmed and delivered. Hard to review without spoilers but suffice to say that not only battle lines are being drawn but also lines in the sand that define characters. This episode could easily have been penned by John le Carré.

CLASSIC HOMELAND

[lucasvangijtenbeek · 9/10 · 19 April 2020]

Wow, the classical Homeland is back!

One minor, tiny, tiny, tiny thing:

Why use the same, old '2020 Saul' voice for '1986 Saul'? That was a bit weird.

Other than that, I cannot wait for the last (!) episode.

Life is Ironic

[hilaryjrp · 10/10 · 19 April 2020]

From the beginning of this series, the essential religious fanaticism of both Carrie Mathison and Saul Berenson has never been detected by any character on the show. Some viewers, however, may have seen and heard it loud and clear as early as the opening episodes of Season 1, when Saul reacts with repulsion to Carrie's sexual advances. He is fundamentally and fanatically religious; and his religion is the CIA. So it should come as no surprise to any careful viewer that the penultimate episode of Season 8 is an Abraham/Isaac situation. "Karma" isn't a word used in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It might however apply here.

Genius episode.

Back to Perfect!

[globalisationana · 10/10 · 20 April 2020]

Almost as good as the first two seasons, it's good to see, but then why didn't they made better episodes before? I don't want to remember the 6th and 7th seasons, they were terrible in comparison. Acosta Ronin helps but we also understand how it works in terms of spy's craft. It really is that good. because we have seen Carrie for so long we can see how deep is that potential betrayal.

Plot holes not withstanding, this was a great episode

[rshep20 · 9/10 · 20 April 2020]

As is mentioned elsewhere there are a few minor misses and odd things in this episode/season but it has lead up to such a great cliff hanger that I had to write a review. I have enjoyed the series the all way through but I feel that this episode especially has really done justice to the whole series. I cant wait to see how it gets resolved next week - hopefully there IS a next week.

Very Old School

[ehsdavesco · 10/10 · 20 April 2020]

This episode brought to mind the old expression "Moscow Rules". I enjoyed seeing the meticulous trade craft, past and present, uncovered in this episode. I dread how it will all shake out.

"Homeland's" Best Season Since The Original

[851222 · 10/10 · 23 April 2020]

Greetings from Lithuania.

As a one who constantly followed this show religiously since the beginning, i can safely say after watching "The English Teacher" with only one episode left in a last season 8 - this is the best season of Homeland since the original. As great as the second season was, as much as i loved season 3 (but it had "Dana's issues") and loved season 4 (but it had pacing issues in a first half) - season 5 also was good but 6th and 7th weren't that great - the 8th and the last season is so far the best since the first one. Everything is here - Saul and Carrie at are their best and doing their best to save tomorrow. There is a superbly interesting story which is kinda epic if you ask me - they way story shifts its focus in this season from one thing that seemed a highlight last episode and suddenly in a very plausible way it shifts to another even more interesting thing solving last issue in a minute (like they did with Haqqani's son) is that driving force behind this season.

Overall, i was blown away by this episode. With only one left i can only say - i'm dying to see it right now. But the way thing looks right now, i might not like the things i that i will see.

BEN SAVAGE !

[cainecoyote · 8/10 · 22 April 2020]

Good to see him again He portrayed a great young saul 😄

8x11

[formotog · 9/10 · 29 April 2020]

This was truly one of the best episodes of the entire show. It was absolutely fantastic. The dialogue, acting, music, everything was brilliant. The flashbacks were also nice, and I think they melded really nicely with how the present narrative progressed. There were plenty of amazing scenes throughout, like when Carrie is being read the charges against her. Someone who has done and sacrificed so much for the US and is now being read a seemingly unending list of how she is a traitor and conspirator. So brilliantly acted. It had some amazing tension and montage in there, and overall it just felt more artistic. I wish the whole season had been directed in the manner this episode was. The writing was absolutely genius as well; the Russian gameplan has been revealed and it's just amazing how crafty and schemey they are. It's set up an ultimatum for the final episode of the series: Carrie kills Saul, her closest friend and probably the most dangerous threat to Russia, or WW3. I cannot wait to see how this ends.

Mid 9

The English Teacher

[bobcobb301 · 7/10 · 25 April 2020]

Not a bad episode, but considering we are almost at the end I wanted a bit more. It didn't feel like they are setting up for an explosive finale. Carrie vs. Saul is not the dynamic we want with the series finale.

Jump the shark

[Andrew008 · 5/10 · 20 April 2020]

I usually don't write reviews, but after seen this episode, I was compelled to do so. I have watched Homeland since day one and I have always loved the plot twists, but this season really jumped the shark ever since they killed the president.

Regarding to this episode, the second last one, there are so many plot holes. A major one is that Carrie as a criminal who was accused of plotting to kill the president, was able to run around the country freely, without house arrest or even an ankle bracelet. Also, we are supposed to believe Saul has a long time asset in Russia, who has never been mentioned in the previous seasons. And the last major plot issue, we are supposed to believe everything is going to be good and well, after they are able to obtain the flight recorder. By the way, the terrorists were not innocent, they killed whole bunch American special operatives. That reason alone would warrant the US actions against them.

Well, I hope Carrie doesn't kill Saul. That would be ruining the series for me. I don't want to see another Game of Thrones type of ending.

Wow does this make the United States look like idiots

[spanos88 · 1/10 · 2 February 2022]

There's no way in hell Carrie Mathison would have a job with the CIA being bipolar and what she has pulled off especially in the last episode getting those soldiers killed! This show is quite ridiculous she falls in love with the first terrorist Brody then she screws I don't know who else along the way and then she falls in love with the Russian guy and get screwed by him. This show should be on early afternoons so housewives can watch it like a soap opera because that's what it is ridiculous!!!!

Or maybe there is some truth to this maybe, we do have crazy people running our country!