Sunday 4 November 2012

TV review: Homeland 203: 'State of Independence'

203: 'State of Independence'

Written by Alexander Cary
Directed by Lodge Kerrigan

Synopsis: Jessica (Morena Baccarin) is given a chance to impress D.C. high society with her fundraiser for veterans. In spite of an earlier argument, her husband Brody (Damian Lewis) plans to give a speech until Roya (Zuleikha Robinson) sends him to Pennsylvania. Carrie (Claire Danes) returns from Beirut and prepares to deliver her report at Langley

Review: A far quieter episode than its predecessors, 'State of Independence' is, nevertheless, another strong hour, benefiting from a taut, well-structured script and some considered, naturalistic direction (well, in places at any rate). The contrast between Carrie's crushing disappointment at not being welcomed back into the CIA with open arms and Brody's WORST. DAY. EVER could not be more pointed and it's played brilliantly. Claire Danes is simply superb in her scene with Estes and again in the horrifying suicide attempt that follows. In a shrewd move, Homeland's production crew eschew amateur dramatics during the sequence, abandoning underscore and camera trickery to present something painfully believable and, oft-times, difficult to watch. Importantly, it isn't so much Carrie's actual act of pill-popping that forces you to turn away; it's the sadness of all that has come before it, that she would dress up as if to go out on the town, hoping to find someone, something, anything to fill the void, but that she ultimately realises how fruitless it all is. That all of this can be successfully conveyed without the need for a single line of dialogue is testament to the strength of the overall production. By comparison, Brody's sequences don't quite satisfy the appetite as much, if only because of the utter implausibility of it all (and his ineptitude... seriously, offing the guy while you're on the phone to your wife? Really?!) but Monica Baccarin's speech and her scenes with Mike are first rate. And then there's that final, triumphant, moment... the pay-off to end all pay-offs, and it's magnificent. (8)

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