Now let’s move on to the ever-charismatic Brody. Last week, Damian Lewis took home the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, an award that was not only a surprise, but a well-deserved one. Lewis’ performance in the season finale was mesmerizing and the definition of a tearjerker if there ever was one. I was more curious about where they would take Brody’s character than anything else and to be quite frank, I’m satisfied.
His first scene with the Vice President asking Brody to be his running mate was more than perfect. It progressed his storyline enough to give me a smirk because I wasn’t expecting the offer to come so soon into the season. Speaking of smirk, it was a little silly watching Brody “act” in front of the Vice President with all smiles and phoniness. Whether this was intentional or not on Lewis’ part – the acting like he’s acting thing – it did give some character.
His scene with the new character Roya Hammad was a nice touch as well and gave me a sigh of relief as Brody immediately stopped his charade and went into panic mode – something Lewis does extremely well. It was at this point where Brody’s storyline really got going and the immediate tension with his character came back. Was he a martyr or a terrorist? As it stands, it seems like he’s trapped. He loves where his career is going, but is plagued by the source that got him there to begin with. Even though he did help Hammad get the list, he reluctantly did so. I predict Brody will slowly drift towards the American side of the war unless something terrible happens. As far as I’m concerned, the love for Issa won’t hold and isn’t nearly strong enough to keep Brody on the “savior” side because……
Dana is there. As I said in an earlier article about Homeland, Dana is the one to watch. She has the most potential in terms of Brody’s storyline and though she has an attitude for miles, it’s an attitude that will serve Homeland well. Her scene in class was cheer-worthy until she “accidentally” said her father was a Muslim. I groaned. You don’t “accidentally” say something like that even if you’re being offended. As ridiculous and cringe-worthy as that scene was, it did lead to the reveal that I feel progressed Brody’s story the most.
When he revealed to Jessica he was indeed a Muslim, man was I smiling. I wasn’t expecting that, but it made everything so much more interesting. When Jessica fled to the garage and pulled out the Quran, even though Brody didn’t say much, the pain he exhibited in the previous season finale was trickling through. Though Brody might not enjoy being a double agent, he is very passionate about his religion, something that could prove to be vital in the coming episodes.
In the final scene of the premiere, Brody buries his Quran due to it being desecrated by Jessica. He wraps it in a crystal white towel, and honors it in his own front yard. In a calming way that is unusual for this series, Dana comes to help, pushing the dirt in with her own bare hands as Brody smiles on – making a smile as the ending for each protagonist for this episode. With Carrie’s being due to success, while Brody’s being due to his family; two traits that make the perfect person.
This episode was a nice start to a promising season. It wasn’t perfect, but like Homeland does, it progressed further than I would have previously thought. I enjoyed not seeing Carrie and Brody interact, only being connected by the supporting characters, something I feel needs to continue on for at least a few more episodes as both protagonists need time to “de-intricate” themselves.
As a major fan and someone who jumped and screamed at the top of my lungs when Homeland won a bundle of major Emmys, I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the season to come. Great great episode.
