What I’m Watching: Homeland

Homeland: Season 2, Episode 8 “I’ll Fly Away” (A-)

This show just doesn’t stop delivering. There’s nothing quite as fascinating on television right now as the relationship between Carrie and Brody. Spiriting him away after his meltdown with Roya was the ultimate gesture of protection, and just the latest thing to get Quinn and Estes furious at Carrie’s antics. Brody saying that he felt more alone now than he did in the hole seemed to indicate that there was no bringing him back, but Carrie managed to work her magic again, telling him how she’d love to imagine a future for them that would negate previous acts, prompting him to tell her that she’s crazier than people say. Roya’s midnight drive with Brody was very intense, particularly when Carrie decided to drive by to check on him and then chased his departing helicopter into a field. The not entirely surprising revelation that Abu Nazir, minus his beard, is in the United States and here to see Brody changes things considerably, and I’m so intrigued to see whether Brody will report dutifully back to Carrie or flip again. Saul helping the CIA track her down was a tough decision, and having all the agents hear Carrie and Brody having very loud sex was extremely awkward. Dana going to Mike’s gave everyone some space, though her chaperoned trip to see the woman’s daughter didn’t end well and is likely to just make her ask more questions. Most problematically, Jessica now knows that Carrie was at the police station, which means that Abu Nazir may be the least of Brody’s worries.

What I’m Watching: Treme (Season Finale)

Treme: Season 1, Episode 10 “I’ll Fly Away” (A-)

This lengthy two-parter is an appropriate way to close out the short first season of this show, which after only ten episodes feels like it’s still just getting started. Yet there’s a definitive sense of many things being wrapped up here that lend credence to the fact that this was a packed freshman year that explored many different avenues and did in fact bring many of them to closure. Starting this episode off with a shot of Toni talking to the cops led to the devastating revelation that she and Sophia weren’t yet aware that Creighton was already dead in his car. Not seeing but only hearing Sophia react to the news when Toni finally tells her was particularly powerful, in a way that few other moments this entire season have been, and having other characters like Davis, Janette, and Ladonna comment on Creighton’s death made his absence felt even more. Davis had quite an interesting day, providing Janette with a whirlwind of reasons to stay in New Orleans instead of going to New York, and it was a very sentimental farewell, complete with Janette’s comment of “Shame you didn’t reserve a room” followed by Davis dangling a key. Even though he couldn’t get her to stay in the end, he really lucked out by finding Annie, who abandoned Sonny for good after finding another woman in their bed, waiting for him on his doorstep right as he got home. His delivery of “What did I do right?” was fantastic. The attendance of Ladonna and Toni at David’s funeral was a very strong trigger for an immensely moving flashback to before the storm, where everything we know to be true isn’t yet. Sonny and Annie are happily roaming the abandoned streets together, Creighton is alive, and David is being arrested due to the warrant out on him. That ten-minute flashback serves as one of the most memorable scenes of the season, especially in its final moments when the torrential waters truly threaten to cause destruction. The musical tribute to David was a terrific way for the season to sign out, and it was only made it even more meaningful by the dedication to late writer David Mills, who died in New Orleans twelve days before the series premiered. This has been an excellent start to the series, and while season two may not arrive for quite a while, it’s sure to be just as great.

Season grade: A-
Season MVP: John Goodman