Homeland Review: “The Clearing” (Season 2, Episode 7)

All the predictions aside, as said before, this episode was by far the most experimental of the season. It touched upon anything Homeland had shown us before, namely Carrie and Brody’s romance, and Saul and Aileen’s relationship. Of course we have our usual glimpse of Mike (who is virtually irrelevant now), a peek at Estes (just for good measure), and a handful of Quinn (who provides the much needed humor to the show). Everything seemed just right without being too overbearing.

I just want to quickly brush on the whole Brody in the pool thing. I understand it was Brody “cleansing” himself or whatever, but was it really necessary? That and the whole revealing the scars on his body at the party were uncharacteristically cheesy for a show as awesome as Homeland. It didn’t break the focus too much though and will probably be completely forgotten unless it was a foreshadowing of some sort.

As I said last week, the worst thing that could happen is the rekindling of Carrie and Brody’s romance as it trivializes both of their characters, especially Carrie. Their meet and greet in the clearing was my worst nightmare as it all happened the way I feared it would. Carrie remains obsessed and Brody remains somewhat uncertain with their two minutes of feeling oh so good. As amazing as this show is, the last thing I want is a fleeting romance to distract this masterpiece of a story. What does a romance do for a show like this? Can someone please answer me? Why does Carrie need to be completely smitten with Brody?

Finally, it was great to see Aileen again in a genius decision to tie in the first season with the current. The condition she was in showed us the reality of her situation; she gave up all her information for life, but being in a cell for 23 hours a day was anything but. Viewers – me as well – thought her fate was covered in more rainbows and lollipops seeing as how Brody is getting a kingdom compared to Aileen, but the result of being deemed a terrorist by the U.S. has given her this. Other than the pleasant conversation she had with Saul – who by the way is the only character besides Carrie and Brody to have a solo story – she served to paint the U.S. in a more negative light in order to have Brody’s eventual turn more believable. Another nod at having everything come together.

In a potential hint at the future of Homeland, “The Clearing” was a solid effort at reminding us the world that Carrie and Brody live in. It by no means made any splash as previous episodes did, but in my opinion, it was a strong episode reminiscent of this season’s premiere. I can’t wait to see if I’m right.