Homeland: "Pilot" Series Premiere Review

When most people think of Showtime as a network they tend to think of Dexter or Weeds, shows that for the most part (especially Dexter) tend to stick to a strict formula and just repeat themselves every season.  Homeland, their newest foray into drama takes this notion and turns it on it’s ear.  It isn’t like any other show I have seen on Showtime and feels more in the line of half way between FX and HBO in terms of content and formula.

Led by a very good performance by Claire Danes as FBI agent Carrie Mathison, Homeland explores the story of Sergeant Nicholas Brody, a Marine who was thought to be dead after his capture 8 years ago in Iraq but has returned home after being rescued on a mission against Al-Qaeda.  He returns home to a hero's welcome, with interviews lined up with every media outlet known to man.  Mathison thinks there is something more to the story.  Why would someone that didn’t give up any valuable information to the Al-Qaeda be kept alive for 8 years while his partner was killed for the same reason?

The only problem is, the government pretty much thinks she is crazy (even though nobody knows that she has been on anti-psychotics for quite some time) and are growing suspicious of her, especially her interrogation of Brody in his return interview.  She pulls out all the stops, even tapping his phones and putting surveillance cameras in his house.  Lewis, who does a great job playing the Sergeant who is shellshocked in his return to the states and uneasy in the prospect of basic human contact.  This is obviously very understandable, as you can see the scars on his body when his wife takes his shirt off.  She looks like she isn't exactly ready to deal with a man who could potentially be this damaged, but they have kids so she will probably try to stick it out.  Who knows what will happen when the news comes out that she had been going with his best friend.

I really think this show has a future, and I've only read raving reviews of the next couple episodes so hopefully everything will set up a fantastic season of television.  Of all the new shows that have bowed this fall this is easily the best one.  It is already at the top of my TV viewing lists with every show included not just new ones so needless to say I can't wait to see what else is in store.

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