Pilot Review: Homeland

Homeland (Showtime)
Premiered October 2 at 10pm

There are so many shows about covert government teams that it’s hard to find a fresh pick these days. Fortunately, Showtime’s “Homeland” is just that; a tense, engaging thriller about the CIA. Claire Danes stars as Carrie Mathison, an agent with a penchant for subverting authority to ensure that she can get her job done and save lives. Like many such protagonists, Carrie has burnt her bridges but still has the support of one high-ranking superior, Saul Berenson, played by Mandy Patinkin. The focus of “Homeland” is the return of Sergeant Nicholas Brody, who was held prisoner for eight years in Iraq, and who Carrie strongly believes to have been turned by al-Qaeda and sent back to execute a terrorist attack. Without explicitly revealing that her suspicions are correct and Brody is in fact dangerous, the show provides pertinent clues and flashbacks to his time spent in captivity to detail the circumstances that led him to his current situation. What’s great about Carrie is that she’s much more than just dedicated, as she has a mood disorder which she has kept from all of her co-workers at the CIA. A mid-episode meltdown followed by a self-destructive trip to a bar displays the extent of her condition, and it’s clear that it’s going to greatly affect the success of her work if it becomes public. Her success at finding small bits of information to help her case is limited but significant, and it’s definitely going to be an uphill battle, especially since she has no one but Saul in her corner. Danes seems well-equipped to handle this part, and Patinkin is appropriately stern as her only workplace supporter. I’m pleased to see David Marciano, Billings from “The Shield,” as Virgil, her surveillance friend who proves to be the most entertaining part of the show. It’s great that Morena Baccarin found a follow-up role to “V” so quickly, and this is certainly a different kind of role. Damian Lewis is playing a part very similar to the one he had on “Life,” someone who had years taken away from him and now has to adjust to a new society that kept on going without him. The final shot of Brody pausing while jogging in front of the White House is chilling and sets up what’s sure to be a thrilling and exciting series.

How will it work as a series? I’ll admit that I broke my cardinal rule and watched the second episode of this show immediately after watching the first without reviewing the pilot, so I can say with certainty that it does work well. Brody’s involvement may be more of a season-long arc, but there’s definitely plenty of ground to be covered with what’s already been introduced.
How long will it last? Showtime has generally had success with its drama series, and given the pedigree of this show and its “24” roots, I imagine it will last as long as its fans want it to. Great premiere numbers don't hurt either. I predict a second season pick-up soon if the show produces good numbers.

Pilot grade: A-