GOTHAM - The Complete Third Season

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Gotham - The Complete Third Season' on Blogcritics.

Despite the failures of the big screen DC efforts of the past decade, there are some really good shows representing that comic company on the small screen. Gotham is a DC show that sometimes baffles me because it has some really cool elements and can be quite gripping at times, while other arcs are lackluster and plodding. Three years in, it seems like the series is pulling itself together, as I would argue that Gotham – The Complete Third Season has many of the best episodes of the show, and certainly the strongest run when taken all together due to its complexity, the cast becoming more comfortable in their roles, and writers’ ability to still surprise.

Gotham‘s third season begins with two major developments: Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) is no longer an officer with the Gotham City Police Department, and Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) and Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) are best friends. The first of those is important because Gordon’s role with the GCPD is a vital part of his identity, and dictates the daily activities of the most central character of the ensemble. The latter makes a difference because those are two very formidable villains, Nygma more so as the season goes on and he becomes The Riddler, so they are in a position to cause much trouble indeed when their forces are combined.

These elements also echo a greater trend. The subtitle for the first past of the season is Mad City, and Gotham certainly falls under that descriptor. Penguin is elected mayor early on. The mysterious Court of Owls is seen to be pulling the strings of both sides of the law for their own purposes. Law enforcement is in chaos, unable to contend with the bad guys who seem to keep multiplying. With the metropolitan area under such pressure and conflict, what can be done to right the ship?

Well, while the villains are gaining the upper hand, there are a number of signs that things will come around, starting with the subtitle for the end of the season, Heroes Rise. Gordon, as we know he must, does go back to the GCPD. Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) inches ever closer to becoming Batman, something that seems poised to happen in season four. Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk) plays a larger role in these episodes. That tells me that, as bad as things are, there is help on its way.

Gotham is a show with an extremely large cast and a lot of subplots intertwining at once, so it would be impossible to get into everything that happens in season three in this review, even just looking at the lead characters. However, there are a few things worth mentioning about The Complete Third Season. Barbara’s (Erin Richards) growth, furthering her independence, is quite pleasing. This season brings the return of Jerome (Cameron Monaghan), Hugo Strange (BD Wong), and Carmine Falcone (John Doman), who all seem to have plenty of potential left in them. Villain Jervis Tetch (Benedict Samuel, The Walking Dead) would work better as a guest character, rather than artificially keeping him around all year. New, grown-up Ivy (Maggie Geha, Ted 2) is pretty cool, once they started to develop her character in the back half of the season. Chelsea Spack’s reprise is interesting, until she is wasted without resolution. The way Gordon and Lee (Morena Baccarin) are kept apart feels forced. Alexander Siddig (Game of Thrones, Star Trek: Deep Space 9) is pretty awesome, so I’m glad to see him show up in a neat way. It’s a mixed bag, but I’d say it’s more good than bad.

Gotham – The Complete Third Season has a pretty good batch of bonus features. There’s a featurette on the Court of Owls, and another on the new villains. Star Ben McKenzie makes his directorial debut this season, so there’s material on that. Deleted scenes are scattered across the four-disc set. The 2016 Comic Con panel is pretty useless after the season has been viewed, and given it’s on the last disc, that’s likely to be when people see it. (This is not a complaint specific to Gotham, as other recent releases have done the same thing, which does not make it better.) In summary, a decent lineup.

Gotham – The Complete Third Season is available now on blu-ray, DVD, and digital download.

"Scarification" of GOTHAM

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review "Scarification" on Seat42F.

Last night’s GOTHAM revealed the “Scarification” that rocked the city nearly two centuries ago. This gives insight into the motives of the Big Bad this season, as well as provides a clue as to what his goals might be. Whether or not that will help him be stopped remains anyone’s guess, but at least not every character is still in the dark about him. Oh, and a new villain is introduced.

“Scarification” basically halts its action for a bit as Edwige (Mary Joy, Secretary) tells Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) the tale of the Waynes and the Galavans. Apparently, a very long time ago, a Wayne badly wronged Galavan’s family, then going by a different name. Theo Galavan (James Frain) has now returned to the city to exact revenge, supported by a coming army and a shadowy cult leader (Ron Rifkin, Alias, Brothers & Sisters).

I admit, my knowledge of Batman is mostly limited to the movies, not being much of a comic book reader, so I do not know if this plot arc is based on something in the written lore or not. What I can say is that it feels off for GOTHAM. GOTHAM has dealt in a grounded here-and-now. To have such an extended flashback to such a long time ago seems weird for this particular program, and it paints an odd picture of the Waynes, who are supposedly a force for good in the current age. I’m not saying the show can’t make this story work, but it doesn’t seem to quite fit in tonally with what’s been seen so far.

Much more enjoyable is the struggle between Penguin and Theo. Penguin works very hard in the first season to defeat his enemies and rise to the top. Granted, a victory that can be achieved in less than a year isn’t all that monumental, but Penguin is on top at the start of the season after struggling to get there To have Theo come in and threaten that position now is killing Penguin, and Taylor does an excellent job of showing that desperation and frustration mixed with lunacy.

As this battle between bad guys shapes up, Captain Barnes’ (Michael Chiklis) strike force is merely squabbling with henchmen and minor foes. They encounter new baddie Firefly (Michelle Veintimilla, Not Cool), but her story is more tragic than sinister, so even aftershe kills a police officer, viewers are likely to not blame Selina (Camren Bicondova) for helping her escape.

GOTHAM doesn’t have just one kind of villain, and those shown in “Scarification” represent a wide swath of baddies. From the idiot fire-starting brothers, to Firefly, forced into service, to the Penguin, a man with a chip on his shoulder, to Theo, a well-organized gangster, to Selina, who is only sort of a villain, there are a wide variety of personalities. The way they all interact makes for very interesting television, and it’s easy to see that Barnes, Gordon (Ben McKenzie), and the rest of the force have their work cut out for them, the city allowing all of these types of people to thrive for so long.

There’s another antagonist, though, who hasn’t yet become an antagonist, and I find his story just as fascinating as those others. Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) has killed, but no one knows it. Instead, he fakes a normal, happy life, even double dating with Gordon and Lee (Morena Baccarin). Obvious to anyone who regularly watches GOTHAM, his craziness is bubbling just below the surface, ready to erupt. Every scene he’s in has the potential to get insane quickly, which makes his presence very welcome.

“Scarification” is a great episode because of the Penguin’s madness and the threat of Nygma losing it. The bits with Theo and the backstory are far less interesting, and while Theo’s plan has much more to play out, I’m not really into that arc this year. He’s not as complex or unique as other villains on the show, so I hope Penguin or someone else disrupts Theo’s activities before he gets too far. Since Theo is already planning to kill Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz), and we know that can’t happen, he likely can’t go on for an entire season. The sooner he is taken out, the better.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

GOTHAM Now a "Force"

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review "Strike Force" on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: (L-R) Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) and Bullock (Donal Logue) in the “Rise of the Villains: Strike Force” episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, Oct. 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: FOX.

 

On this week’s GOTHAM, the new police captain, Nathaniel Barnes (Michael Chiklis, American Horror Story: Freak Show), forms a “Strike Force.” He is intent to weed out corruption within the force, and while Harvey (Donal Logue) has his doubts that Barnes will be effective, Barnes is speaking Gordon’s (Ben McKenzie) language. Who will be right?

Barnes is doing what Gordon has been trying to do for two years, and that’s clean things up. But by the time Barnes arrives, Gordon has already made compromises in order to further his goals. Namely, Gordon has done favors for Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), meaning Gordon is the type of cop Barnes is looking to get rid of. Is this a sign that Barnes is doomed to fail, as even a man as noble as Gordon eventually has to give in to the grime of GOTHAM? Or does this just mean Gordon should be careful what he wishes for?

For now, Barnes believes the persona that Gordon shows. Sure, the new captain is quick to mention that everyone knows Gordon is banging Dr. Thompkins (Morena Baccarin). But Gordon is a soldier, and Barnes puts Gordon in charge of the “Strike Force.” That the force will now be going against the Penguin directly presents a conflict for Gordon, but until they have that showdown, he’s doing all right.

Speaking of the Penguin, he’s a little too busy to give much thought to the police, thinking he has Gordon to watch his back on that front. Instead, he’s concerned about Theo (James Frain) capturing his mother (Carol Kane). The Penguin doesn’t see an immediate way to rescue her and has to play along with Theo for now, as frustrating as that is for the villain. But as the Penguin points out, other bosses have underestimated him in the past and he’s come out on top. Did Theo tick off the wrong guy, or has the Penguin met his match? (My guess is the former.)

While Theo gets Penguin in line, Theo is also running for mayor of GOTHAM. His methods of doing so, having goons kill the competition, are far from noble, which I’m certain tells us what kind of mayor he’s going to be. The question is, what will he do when he’s in power? And will he make it that far?

One thing Theo does is make inroads with Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) by setting the boy up with a girl his own age, Silver (Natalie Alyn Lind, The Goldbergs). I’d hope that Silver isn’t as wicked as Theo, but one never knows. She’s certainly playing along with Bruce well. One may wonder why Theo wants to endear himself to a kid, but given Bruce’s fortune and family influence, it’s easy to see why Theo would want to get in early with the billionaire.

The one scene in “Strike Force” that doesn’t ring true to me is when Alfred (Sean Pertwee) decks Selina (Camren Bicondova). I get why Alfred hates Selina and thinks she’s a bad influence on Bruce, what with Selina killing Alfred’s friend and all, but is that an excuse to slug a child? Especially a female child? I don’t believe it is, and I don’t see why Alfred would do this. Were his or Bruce’s lives in danger, maybe, but not during an encounter on the street. It is weird.

The budding relationship between Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) and Kristen Kringle (Chelsea Spack) is also a little weird. Sure, she’s attracted to him when he acts tough, but she then reassures him when he shows vulnerability? That feels a little off to me, but I’m still enjoying Nygma’s descent enough to overlook this unevenness, or even wonder if it’s just happening in his head.

Still, for the most part, GOTHAM maintains its web of various heroes and villains struggling for control of a crumbling city in top form. The metropolis has further to fall before it can be saved, but the journey of the fall is fascinating in of itself.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

No "Laugh" For GOTHAM

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review "The Last Laugh" on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) in “Rise of the Villains: The Last Laugh” episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, Oct. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Nicole Rivelli/FOX.

On this week’s GOTHAM, who has “The Last Laugh?” Well, no one yet, though we can say for certain a few people that do not. With the city getting darker and more dangerous by the minute, a hero steps up to save the day, but it’s not the person that the public thinks it is.

The hero is Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz). Still just a kid, he shows remarkable bravery when Alfred’s (Sean Pertwee) life is on the line. In past installments, Bruce cowers while Alfred protects him. In “The Laugh Laugh,” Bruce does allow Alfred to be the one to act, but he puts himself in the line of fire in order to give Alfred the opportunity to save everyone else. It may still be awhile before he’s Batman, but Bruce is strongly heading in that direction.

The citizens of Gotham, however, are likely to believe that Theo Galavan (James Frain) is the hero they’ve been waiting for, with Bruce overlooked as he almost always will be. That’s because no one knows that Theo sets himself up to rescue the hostages, and is pulling the strings of the villain, too. I’m not sure what Theo’s game is yet, but he’s playing it beautifully, fooling everyone that matters.

Barbara (Erin Richards) has certainly noticed. I do not know if she’s telling Lee (Morena Baccarin) the truth when she says she’ll soon be back with Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), but Barbara has to extract herself from a love triangle before she’s free for anyone else. At the start of “The Last Laugh,” she seems to be with Tabitha (Jessica Lucas), but after Theo’s big play, she switches which sibling she’s cozying up to. Is Barbara attracted to evil power? Or is she just enjoying herself and caught up in the moment?

Speaking of attraction, there is a great scene this week in which Alfred hits on Lee. I expected her to speak up and warn him off, but instead, she seems to enjoy the attention, at least to a point. But the fact that this flirtation gets Jim to mark his territory and results in a fun interchange where Alfred accuses Bruce of knowing Lee was taken makes the moment well worth it.

The only scene better than that is the one in which Harvey (Donal Logue) threatens Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor). Harvey is Jim’s friend, we know that, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen him act quite as selfless as he does here. Clearly, Jim has rubbed off on Harvey even more than appears obvious. That might be because Jim has been blurring the lines between good and bad himself, tossing people out windows to find Jerome, giving Harvey the clue that Jim might be tough enough to win after all. Whatever the reason, though, it’s nice to see the loyalty of the veteran detective.

The biggest thing to happen this week, though, is the death of Jerome (Cameron Monaghan). Both in the moment and upon reflection after, this seems a mistake. Sure, it allows for some fun puns and references in the dialogue of several players, but Jerome was such a great potential joker, it’s a shame to lose him! He resembles the legendary Batman villain enough that I’d taken to calling him The Joker in past reviews. To see him snuffed out so quickly is sad. The explanation the episode gives, that his behavior will spawn copycats, one of whom will actually be The Joker, feels cheap. I usually applaud the twists GOTHAM brings to the Batman legacy, but GOTHAM will be hard pressed to find a Joker as good as Monaghan. And if the one they do bring in ends up being inferior, it won’t be acceptable.

Still, even with the death of Jerome, “The Laugh Laugh” is a great, action-packed, enjoyable hour of television. There are plenty of things to keep fans engaged, and the performances continue to only get better. I look forward very much to what the series has in store next.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Don't "Knock" GOTHAM

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review Knock, Knock on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: (L-R) Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) and Captain Essen (Zabryna Guevara) in the Rise of the Villains: “Knock, Knock” episode of GOTHAM ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Nicole Rivelli/FOX.

 

As good as GOTHAM’s sophomore premiere is, the second installment, “Knock, Knock,” is even better. Gordon (Ben McKenzie) attempts to get Bullock (Donal Logue) to come back to work, but his former partner resists the force, happy at home with his fiancé, Scottie (Maria Thayer). Meanwhile, Bruce (David Mazouz) and Alfred (Sean Pertwee) clash in a big way, and Galavan (James Frain) coaches his crew, though will he be able to control them for long?

“Knock, Knock” is the episode in which The Joker breaks out in a big, big way. While it’s true that the moniker has yet to be uttered, there is no mistaking whom Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monaghan, Shameless) is as he gives a chilling, insane performance. Jerome is the villain who surprises, and the one who is hard to predict and understand. His slaughter at the police headquarters is maybe the darkest thing GOTHAM has done thus far, and it sets him up to be the most dangerous personality in a city choked with dangerous personalities, the first to truly give The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) a run for his money. I think if Galavan tries to continue to control Jerome, Galavan will not be long for GOTHAM.

I am disappointed to see so many officers get up off the floor at the end of “Knock, Knock.” It is plenty clear that Jerome and his men are not taking prisoners, and while I’ll forgive them for missing Leslie (Morena Baccarin), who hid, and Nygma (Cory Michael Smith), who heroically saved Ms. Kringle (Chelsea Spack), it doesn’t seem like they are leaving many alive at the time of the assault. I can’t help but wonder if the network required the shot of officers standing up to make the whole thing seem less violent for a broadcast network airing. It takes away from the brutality of the attack a bit. But that’s really the only weak spot in an otherwise outstanding episode.

Of course, Jerome’s actions prompt Bullock to return to work, which is super necessary. Essen’s (Zabryna Guevara) death is tragic, but it is also meaningful. We know Gordon and the police force have to be losing the struggle before Batman eventually shows up on scene, and “Knock, Knock” is the first big victory we see for the baddies. By losing Essen, the good side will galvanize and the war should begin to become all-out in the near future.

Speaking of Batman, I still can’t believe GOTHAM won’t show the caped crusader. It is true that Bruce is very young, but he already has Alfred training him and Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk) helping him set up the Batcave. We are in early stages of a superhero here, and I think we need a teenage Batman to enter and join the fight by season three or four. He can train with Ra’s over summer hiatus, no?

I am incredibly surprised at how far Barbara (Erin Richards) has fallen. Hanging around with villains is one thing, but “Knock, Knock” finds her taking an active, willing role in their nefarious deeds. She lures Gordon out of the precinct, allows him to be beaten up, then jumps on his chest and kisses him. She’s not only evil, she also seems crazy. This means that when she claims to ‘not be sick,’ she could very be wrong, and there’s still a chance that, with proper counseling, she could come back to him. But right now, that seems a far-off prospect.

GOTHAM has a lot of personalities to juggle, and the more they add, the less time the others get. Yet, the way “Knock, Knock” manages to serve Essen, Gordon, Bullock, Nygma, Bruce, Alfred, Barbara, and Jerome all so well proves how the writers have become quite adept at balancing everyone. With so much packed into a single episode, the possibilities open in the twenty episodes left this year are many, not to mention the multiple years this show should get in the future. With smart pacing and expertly woven complex webs, GOTHAM has the potential to be around for a long time, and deserves to be if it can keep up what it’s already doing.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

"Down" in the HOMELAND

Article first published as HOMELAND Review Season 3 on Seat42F.

Showtime’s HOMELAND returns with the season three premiere “Tin Man Is Down.” It’s not just the Tin Man, whoever he may be, that is down, though. Two months after the events of last spring’s shocking finale, all of our main characters are struggling. Let’s just hope they can rise back up again before too long.

I am going to write in vague generalizations to avoid spoilers. Still, if you’d rather not know anything, bookmark this article and check back after the episode airs.

The CIA is facing a serious inquiry, with Congress hauling Carrie (Claire Danes), Saul (Mandy Patinkin), and others before them. This is something easy enough to see coming, as someone must answer for such a glaring gap in national security that allowed an attack to kill over two hundred people, including agents and leadership. Let’s just say that those running the panel, especially Senator Andrew Lockhart (Tracy Letts, Killer Joe), will not be stopping with their investigation until they get restitution for the American people.

What would make up for the attack to the public? Finding out who is to blame for not stopping it and seeing their lives ruined? The CIA suffered the worst of the blows, losing men, property, and face. It’s not quite understood why Lockhart and his colleague want to make someone else pay more, but they definitely are angry and are letting that anger out.

The question is, how will this showdown between Congress and the clandestine agency end? Can Saul protect the organization he is now running, as we saw in last year’s season finale? Can he shield the individuals who bear some of the responsibility? Will he be able to control the flow of information so that he has influence over the end result?

Saul is a great character, with a strong moral compass and oodles of intelligence. But “Tin Man Is Down” does not make things easy for him, as information gets to Congress that he’d rather keep from them. I won’t tell you what the information is or if Saul manages to figure out where the leak is coming from, but this is definitely some great drama for him to deal with, while also trying to find the terrorists responsible for the mess in the first place. Plus, we get to see him interact with both Dar Adal (F. Murray Abraham) and Mira (Sarita Choudhury), two relationships that are intriguing.

Not that “Tin Man Is Down” is all conversations and slow burn. There is some movement on the action front, too, especially involving Peter Quinn (Rupert Friend, now a series regular).  But that’s all I can say at this time, not wanting to give anything away, since Quinn’s is such a gripping subplot. I think we’re going to get some terrific stuff for him this season.

Carrie also has her own issues, both from the hearing and on another front. Let’s just say that she thinks she has it together, but does she ever really? It’s not exactly clear what Carrie is up to these days right away, however she still has some hanging threads left from the Brody (Damian Lewis) incident, and that will surely get resolution sooner rather than later.

As the discerning viewer may have predicted, the Brody family bears a horrendous fall out from their patriarch’s actions. We’re talking dark trouble on a couple of different fronts. It’s got to be incredibly hard to cope with learning one’s husband or father is a terrorist, or at least the media is reporting that he is one. Each member of the clan reacts in a different way.

“Tin Man Is Down” gives most of its Brody family focus to Dana (Morgan Saylor). Considering the conversation she has with her father last year, not too long before the bomb goes off, she feels particularly betrayed, and perhaps goes to the most extreme measures. I don’t know that the path she’s going down will be an improvement over her story arc last year, which fans either loved or hated, mostly the latter, but HOMELAND is definitely resolved to keep giving the young girl screen time, for better or for worse.

Jessica (Morena Baccarin) is perhaps less affected because she already has a rocky relationship with Brody throughout seasons one and two. She doesn’t view him through the hero googles that her children do or did. She’s also a strong survivor, though, having gotten through believing Brody was dead prior to the show’s start, and she’ll overcome the challenges she faces now. Perhaps her season three plot will center on her being the single mother who can support her family, stepping up even more when she must.

There are multiple main characters who do not appear in “Tin Man Is Down,” though I won’t get into which ones. This is a set up episode that does not give us everything we’ve been waiting for, but does get a lot of things going again.

Suffice it to say, HOMELAND remains a big-picture show, continuing the stories of last year while also telling new ones, but never at a quick pace. When season two began, I wondered if the show had lost something, not seeing right away how it could continue past the amazing stuff from the first year. I feel the same this fall, not sold on where the writing is going yet, but if last year is any indication, that will probably change relatively early in the run. There are some interesting things in this installment, but there is also a lot left unexplained and not going well. Whether it can take off and soar remains to be seen, but my guess is that it probably will.

HOMELAND returns Sunday, September 29^th on Showtime.

Homeland makes "The Choice"

Homeland -"The Choice"
Grade: 99%

Showtime's Homeland handled their second season finale, "The Choice," which aired last Sunday, in a very unexpected way. The action of the season completes in the penultimate installment, giving lots of time for characters-driven moments in the final episode. Until the big shocker rocks everything, and reignites the intensity.

Homeland is about terrorism, yes, but it's even more about the characters, and their relationships with one another. Obviously, a driving dynamic of the show is the one between Carrie (Claire Danes) and Brody (Damian Lewis). They have flitted around each other since day one, alternating between enemy and lover. As season two draws to a close, though, they are ready to admit their love and commit to a long-term relationship, with Carrie even willing to give up a promotion to be with him.

Is this professionally inappropriate? Absolutely. Is their relationships dysfunction? That's an understatement. But they have seen each other at their worst, or at least are aware of the flaws, and they still want to be together. Carrie understands that the reason Brody almost becomes a terrorist. Brody knows about Carrie's mental illness. Neither is perfect, but both want to be happy. And they can be themselves together, which is a huge check in the plus column.

Do they have a chance of making it work? I think so. Brody's marriage to Jessica (Morena Baccarin) is over because he came home a different man, and the bond between them has been broken. Trust is gone, and he can no longer relate to her as he once did. The same issues won't arise with Carrie, so barring anything completely unexpected and soul-altering (again), Brody's next gal may be the one for him for the foreseeable future.

Except, Carrie doesn't realize that Brody murdered Vice President Walden (Jamey Sheridan). It isn't an act likely to come to light, and most viewers will probably find Brody's actions forgivable and understandable, given Walden's sleazy nature. But should this ever be known to the public, it could pose a major stumbling block between Carrie and Brody, if Carrie thinks he has crossed a line.

It's interesting that Brody goes to Mike (Diego Klattenhoff) in "The Choice" and basically tells Mike that he can have Brody's family. There are a lot of reasons that go into this, but I think it isn't just a selfish out so that Brody can be with Carrie. In fact, it's a bit selfless. Brody has demonstrated that he cares about his kids very deeply, and by sending them Mike, who was already taking care of the clan before Brody comes home, he knows that Jessica and their children will be in good hands.

Of course, one assumes that Brody still expects to be involved where the kids are concerned, and the events at the end of "The Choice" make that pretty difficult. But we'll get to that in a minute.

Brody has a different and unique relationship with each of his kids. He seems more open about his affection for Chris (Jackson Pace), but he does want to stay good with Dana (Morgan Saylor), too. I think Dana scares Brody just a bit because she challenges him, she's intelligent, and she doesn't take things at face value. She is the one that learns some of Brody's secrets.

I hope that, even at the conclusion of "The Choice," Dana can continue to see her father for who he is, and put the pieces together. She could definitely be his window back to the world. Which could complicate things with Carrie, dividing Brody's attention.

Continuing to speak of relationships, while Brody has a family, the closest person in Carrie's life to her is Saul (Mandy Patinkin). Yes, her dad and sister are around, but we don't see them much. Saul is a father figure, but like Brody's love ones, doesn't quite know Carrie as well as he thinks he is. Saul is very upset with her when he learns she plans to put Brody ahead of her career. But this is a typical parent reaction; Carrie and Saul aren't equals, and his concerns come from a place of love. Which means, no matter how much he may disagree with the choices Carrie makes, they probably still have a good connection, and he will continue to watch out for her.

So a little over two-thirds of the way through "The Choice," everyone is on the right path, and a happy ending is in sight. We even see Abu Nazir's (Navid Negahban) body thrown into the ocean, leaving no doubt that the terrorist is dead.

The thing is, though, terrorism is not about one person. Sure, there is a face to many organizations, but the mission of the group is driven by a passion and surety of belief. Nazir recruits others who feel as he does, and just because Nazir is taken out doesn't mean that one of his followers isn't prepared to step in and take his place. Which is why Brody's car is used as a bomb to kill hundreds at Walden's funeral.

The difference between Brody's car bomb and the rest of Homeland's action thus far i,s there is little doubt this time that Brody is innocent. He already got his revenge on Walden, and while most of those killed are CIA, and so not "innocent civilians" in his eyes, it seems pretty clear that Brody is well past the point of attempting something like this. Maybe this is naive, taking his surprise at face value, and trusting Carrie's judgment of him (she is usually right), but I don't think so. I really don't think Brody did this. Though I concede that I, like most people, are almost always one twist away from being proven wrong.

The genius of the "The Choice" is that is fairly neatly ties up a number of arcs, but also sets up the action to continue threads already begun. The characters have theorized about a CIA mole before. Now, it looks like there definitely is one, and the mole's choice to use Brody as a scapegoat keeps all of the main characters involved in the drama.

I love 24 dearly, but Homeland is the next step in the evolution of that show's story and themes, making it a more intelligent version. 24 rebooted constantly; Homeland realized a full reboot isn't quite so necessary.

Carrie's decision not to run away with Brody is a sad one. She has good reason, intent on clearing his name, something she can do much more effectively working on the inside. It may be hard to convince Saul believe her this time, but he's a lot more sympathetic to Carrie that David Estes (David Harewood), who died in the blast, would be. Plus, Saul knows he doesn't listen to Carrie at his own risk, because her instincts are sharp. The seeds are sown for a very interesting plot here.

One last musing about "The Choice:" I absolutely loved the scene where Quinn (Rupert Friend) threatens David Estes. Quinn has been a fascinating character this season, and I really, really hope he returns full-time next year. Whether he goes on the hunt for Brody, or the mole, or both, he lends a driving force to the series that works incredibly well. Plus, he has issues himself that have not been explored. He seems like a character who should be there to stay, enriching the world, giving Carrie a friend and peer, and possibly even a second love interest, should Brody stay away too long, or be painted too dark for Carrie's taste.

So many good moments, and nary a single complaint that I can think of. "The Choice" is an amazing piece of television, and a real shining example of what a smart series can be, and can do. Awesome work.

Homeland has been renewed for a third season and will return to Showtime next fall.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

Homeland hooks you with "The Smile"

Grade: 85%

Showtime’s HOMELAND begins its sophomore season with “The Smile.” Saul (Mandy Patinkin) is in Beirut trying to make contact with an important woman who can give the U.S. information about an impending attack. Unfortunately, she doesn’t want to talk to Saul. The only American this lady trusts is Carrie (Claire Danes), who is in no shape mentally to return to spy work. But Carrie does anyway.

HOMELAND stunned viewers in its first season, presenting an intricate, complex mystery. Carrie is a bi-polar woman straddling the edge of insanity and genius. She could see things others could not see, but her dogged efforts came at a price. She did save the world, but it left her strung out and wasted. After hospitalization and some meds, she is finally finding peace. Is she really ready to go back to this world?

No, she is not. That is the frustrating part of “The Smile.” Here we see a familiar, beloved character finally getting a bit of happiness, and she willingly and knowingly puts herself in a position to destroy that. Worse is Saul, who knows full well what bringing Carrie back into the field will do, and yet he asks for her anyway. This is a disaster waiting to happen, one that is totally preventable, and will hurt main characters that we don’t want to see hurt. Which means the series already starts off the second season on the wrong foot.

The thing is, Saul and Carrie’s decisions are completely rational. Saul has to weigh the mental health of a woman he cares deeply about against the lives at stake. He doesn’t want to cause Carrie more harm, but if it stops a terrorist plot, he has to. HOMELAND doesn’t let the weight of this decision play heavily enough in the episode for Saul, but it does provide a justifiable motivation for anyone who stops and thinks about it.

Carrie can’t help herself, so her choice to go to the Middle East is even more understandable. She has a personality that cannot just walk away when she senses a crisis. She will probably go down swinging one day, refusing to give up, even as she knows it is destroying her. It’s a bad recipe, and one that I am not anxious to see play out.

Which is why I didn’t love “The Smile.” It left me with a feeling on intense displeasure. How can Saul and Carrie do this? Surely, there are other ways to get the information for the CIA. Why set up something so bad for the characters?

Brody’s (Damian Lewis) story is a little less annoying. He is being offered the chance to run for Vice President. Though he tells his wife, Jessica (Morena Baccarin), that he doesn’t stand a chance, it’s easy to see that Brody himself doesn’t believe such nonsense. Whether he is a bit drunk on power, or the prospect of power, or if he is just foolhardy, isn’t clear. What is obvious in the episode is that Brody plans to get into higher office.

What will Brody do with his position? Will he help the American people, or will be betray his country for Abu Nazir (Navid Negahban)? The terrorist leader sends someone to remind Brody of his commitments. These are promises Brody did not make lightly, even if he seems to be regretting them now that he is back in the comfort of home. What will Nazir do if Brody refuses to follow through? One thing is certain. Nazir will not let Brody maintain his comfortable life.

Even though Brody is in just as precarious a position as Carrie, one in which his satisfaction with life won’t last, it’s harder to feel sorry for him. He may have a mental illness, too, having sympathy for his captors. However, he seems to have the chance to break away, and he’s continued to make bad decisions. He can fight to save people over there by scaling back the drone strikes and still be patriotic, but this isn’t the way he is portrayed. Brody carries a bit more responsibility than Carrie for the position he is in.

Lastly, there is a subplot about Brody’s daughter, Dana (Morgan Saylor), telling her classmates that Brody is a Muslim. This could be the seed of a neat plot where a war hero openly runs for president as a member of an alternate religion, and tolerance is battled for. However, because Brody is one of those bad Muslims who might kill innocents, it kind of falls a little flat. Instead, it’s a bit about continuing to trick his family, rather than an uplifting, inspiring turn of events.

HOMELAND’s first season was good for a lot of reasons. It kept you guessing who the characters were, what their purposes and beliefs were, and what would happen next. These elements do not feel as blatantly present in “The Smile.” Maybe it will just take time to get back into the world. Or maybe HOMELAND would have worked better as a miniseries, with a defined beginning and ending, rather than trying to drag something out that becomes a bit staler the longer it is continued. Either way, while still entertaining, “The Smile” did not live up to the greatness of season one. Only time will tell if this is a trend for the season, or just a fluke.

The Good Wife takes the 'Long Way Home'

In last night's installment of CBS's The Good Wife, "Long Way Home," Alicia (Julianna Margulies) must once again represent Colin Sweeney (Dylan Baker), this time as he faces the outcome of a sexual harassment suit. Unfortunately, Colin is keeping her guessing as to whether he is committing perjury or not, making her job more difficult. And, of course, she has plenty else going on, too, learning that she will soon need to find a new place to live, and also having difficulty with her mentee, Caitlin (Anna Camp).

Baker's Sweeney is always a pleasure. He's a manipulative, borderline psychotic troublemaker, so it's not like he's a nice character. But Baker plays hm with such talent and grace, constantly keeping viewers guessing what Sweeney's real motivations are. It's a prime part for the actor, and one that he excels at. "Long Way Home" is no exception to that recurring performance.

In "Long Way Home," Sweeney is trying to wrest control of his company back from his rival. This power play is interrupted when a young woman named Isobel (Morena Baccarin, V, Homeland, Firefly) steps forward with a child that she says is Sweeney's, and accuses him of improper conduct. He denies it all. The rush for Alicia, Caitlin, and the firm is on to prove that Sweeney's competition is behind the stunt. Except, Sweeney begins lying under oath. Then so does Isobel, to the dismay of her own attorney, Victoria Adler (Kate Burton). And then Sweeney and Isobel come to an amiable agreement, raising the child, who is, indeed, his, together. What's going on?

Well, it's pretty clear that Sweeney has once more gamed the system. If a connection between Isobel and Sweeney's foe can be established, which is what appears to happen during the machinations, then Judge Friend (Bebe Neuwirth, Cheers) must rule in Sweeney's favor, removing the competition from the game. So there is plenty of motivation for Sweeney here to stage such a connection for his own benefit. Add to that, Isobel is a softcore porn actress, meaning, she can fake things decently, and how comfortable Sweeney is with his son, it looks like Sweeney used Lockhart / Gardner all over again.

Which is fine. After all, Lockhart / Gardner gets a big payday. Being oblivious to Sweeney's plans, they are not culpable in the illegal activities. And other than a suspicion, the lawyers can prove nothing. Nor do they have any desire to do so, as it would simply lose them money and get them into trouble. Not to mention, if they turn on him, Sweeney would go to someone else next time, costing them even more. And with a devious, intelligent mind like his, there is sure to be a next time.

All told, "Long Way Home" is a fantastic return for one of The Good Wife's best recurring characters.

Too bad Caitlin won't stick around to enjoy the spoils of the victory. She chooses to give up the legal life to be a stay-at-home mom, a decision that baffles Alicia, perhaps because Alicia sort of regrets having done so herself. Alicia tries to convince Caitlin to stay, to no avail. It might be a good thing for Alicia that Caitlin is leaving, considering a rivalry seems to be building between them. But The Good Wife fans will definitely miss Camp's terrific presence.

Hopefully Caitlin's uncle, David Lee (Zach Grenier), won't continue to blame Alicia for running Caitlin off, as he begins to this week, as it is very clear that Alicia has nothing to do with the resignation.

Adding to the office chaos, Will (Josh Charles) is treading carefully, now that he's back at work. He still cannot have any involvement in the legal proceedings of the firm, and Lionel Deerfield (Edward Herrmann, Gilmore Girls, The Practice) is on hand to make sure that Will doesn't cross a line. Will's return calms the power vacuum, but will he be able to keep his nose clean for six whole months, resisting the career that is his calling?

In "Long Way Home," Alicia learns that she must find somewhere else to live, as her rental unit will soon be sold. She can't really afford to buy the place herself. Peter (Chris Noth) suggests impropriety is afoot, in that they are not giving her enough notice. This is something Alicia may end up fighting in court, but she is still likely to have to move eventually, and so, not wasting any time, she begins looking.

One possibility is buying back her old house. Grace (Makenzie Vega) and Zach (Graham Phillips) are all for this plan, as it is back on the market, but Alicia isn't so enthusiastic. She claims it would be a financial hardship for her, which may be partially true. But then Alicia asks Diane (Christine Baranski) for a raise, so the money thing might not be an issue, long-term. No, there's more to it than that.

Alicia' visit to the house reveals a vulnerability, as she is overcome emotionally with memories of her time there. At first, those memories are happy, as she recalls her children. But when Peter's image is evoked, they turn upsetting. It may very well be that Alicia doesn't want to remember her marriage any more than she has to, now that it has fallen apart. This is reason enough not to return to the home. Alicia has moved on and built a new life for herself, and getting back her old dwelling is a step backwards, not forwards.

While no reconciliation seems imminent, Peter has his own troubles in "Long Way Home." He orders Cary (Matt Czuchry) to investigate reports that two co-workers had relations on Peter's office couch. When Cary comes forward with the guilty party, Peter fires them. But then Cary confesses his own indiscretion. Peter wants to slip it under the rug, but Cary tells him this is not possible, especially because others in the office know. What to do now?

Would Cary have come forward if Geneva (Renee Goldsberry, One Life to Live) hadn't pressured him to? It's hard to know. Geneva wasn't going to turn him in, so Cary could have escaped consequences, other than the damage to his reputation. But Cary is a stand up guy, and so one would like to think that he eventually would have confessed anyway. Cary understands that one must admit their mistakes and suffer the consequences, and that's what he does. Now he can move forward proudly, rather than hide this shame.

Peter has the tougher choice, and that's deciding what to do with Cary. Peter can't stand to loose his right-hand man, but neither can he let Cary continue on, unpunished. How much discipline is needed to satisfy the rest of the staff, but not damage Cary's standing too much? It's a fine balance, to be sure.


Next week's episode features the return of Tammy (Elizabeth Reaser), and so , like most installments, it's one not to miss! Catch The Good Wife Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy The Good Wife DVDs, please click here. Article first published as TV Review: The Good Wife - "Long Way Home" on Blogcritics.

"Marine One" threatens Homeland

     Turns out "Marine One" can refer to a person as well as a helicopter. In the hour and a half long first season finale of Showtime's Homeland, Brody (Damian Lewis) and Tom (Chris Chalk) carry out Abu Nazir's (Navid Negahban) plan. But there's a hitch. Brody's suicide vest malfunctions. And Carrie (Claire Danes), despite being drummed out of the CIA while off her meds, figures out what is really going on. Carrie gets Brody's daughter, Dana (Morgan Saylor) to call her dad, talking him out of blowing up a number of high ranking government officials. Except, neither Dana nor Carrie ever learn for sure if Brody is a terrorist, and he lives on to plot another day.

     With all of the twists and turns in Homeland's freshman year, expectations are high for "Marine One." The writers make the bold decision to reveal to the viewers that Brody is, in fact, working for the enemy. But they also let Lewis play the character close enough to the vest, with real signs of affection for his family, to keep everyone guessing what he might do. Sure, Brody swears to Nazir that he is loyal, and kills crazy Tom to do it. But Brody could easily justify Tom's murder as protecting himself and his family. And considering how he backs down before blowing up everyone, perhaps he won't stand tall for Nazir in the future, either. So while much is now known about Brody, what he will do remains as murky as ever.

     Which is pretty unfortunate for the CIA and the US of A, as only Carrie has the knowledge to put everything together. Right as she is about to undergo shock therapy, a side effect of which is short term memory loss, though it's usually temporary, she realizes why Brody might be motivated to act on Nazir's behalf. That knowledge is probably lost, for now. How long before she can remember it? And how can she stop Brody without any government resources and still maintaining the promise she made to stay away from Brody and his family, which, if she breaks it, will likely result in Brody having her arrested, blowing any slim credibility she has left? Not to mention, her consent to mess with her brain could damage her greatest weapon. Only Carrie's sister, Maggie (Amy Hargreaves), overhears Carrie's mumbling (and assorted medical staff, who don't count), but does Maggie have the knowledge of foresight to attribute anything legitimate to the words?

      Carrie's best bet will continue to be Saul (Mandy Patinkin). A genius in his own right, he stands by Carrie as a personal friend, even as she undergoes "treatment" for her condition. He also knows Carrie is right on a lot of things, including Nazir, so despite doubting her before, he may be inclined to look more closely at Brody if Carrie insists on it. The real question is, will he be in a position to do so? He now knows about the cover up perpetrated by David (David Harewood) and Vice President Walden (Jamey Sheridan), but can he use that information to make a change in leadership? David is correct in asserting that Saul isn't willing to hurt his country by leaking what he knows to the press. So what can Saul do now? Before David and Walden ruin Saul first, that is.

     Of course, if Dana comes forward, that might be a big help. It doesn't seem like she would intentionally betray her father, ever if she knew the entire truth.She loves him dearly. She certainly suspects something, being scared to discover Brody's conversion to Islam, and knowing that something isn't right during the phone conversation. And sixteen is old enough to look past family connections. But will she be motivated to do so, or just take her dad at face value because to learn anything sinister would be too hard on her emotionally? Dana could also accidentally let something slip to her mother, Jessica (Morena Baccarin), or even Mike (Diego Klattenhoff), who also care for Brody, but could be persuaded to tell Saul under the right conditions.

     Homeland leaves viewers with many, many more questions after "Marine One," and a lot of possibilities remain. Which solidifies it as one of the season's best new shows. Homeland will return to Showtime next year for a second season.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Homeland questions "The Good Soldier"

     In the latest episode of Showtime's Homeland, "The Good Solider," Carrie (Claire Danes) secures polygraphs for everyone who has contact with the dead insurgent. Saul (Mandy Patinkin), upset about losing his wife, Mira (Sarita Choudhury, Kings), flubs the test. But he aces a retake the next day. Brody (Damian Lewis), on the other hand, the real target of Carrie's scheme, passes, too, but proves to her that he can lie without detection. The problem is, for Carrie to expose him, she has to admit to the drunken sex she has with Brody in her car, which she cannot do without risking her own job.

     The delicate dance between Carrie and Brody is certainly the heart of Homeland. However, even with all of the tension between them, their sexual encounter in "The Good Soldier" is unexpected. After all, Carrie is completely convinced that Brody is an enemy of the state. Why would she sleep with him under those circumstances? Is this the attraction of sexy evil? Or is it something more? Perhaps all of the time that she spends studying him has resulted in her seeing Brody as being damaged, as she is, forging an unlikely bond. For whatever reason, it is clear that the attraction is mutual, and the physical expression of it will likely continue.

     Brody's reasons for the encounter are much simpler than Carrie's still murky ones. Carrie is hot. Brody doesn't know about her suspicions. He is furious at his wife, Jessica (Morena Baccarin), after it is confirmed that she slept with his best friend, Mike (Diego Klattenhoff), when he was a prisoner of war. Brody may be looking for a little revenge. Carrie is flirty and willing and very hot, so why not? In this manner, perhaps Brody can even justify to himself that he isn't being unfaithful. If so, perhaps he isn't fooling the polygraph after all, but telling the truth as he sees it. Morality is a subjective concept.

     Jessica and Mike's relationship is exposed at a wake for Brody's fallen comrade. It's something Brody probably thinks he knows anyway, but when a fellow soldier blurts the truth out, Brody is finally justified in punching Mike in the face. It's a complicated situation, because Brody had been missing so long, that few can blame Jessica and Mike for finding comfort in each other's arms. However, it's also understandable why Brody would be angry, feeling betrayed that, while he suffered as a tortured enemy combatant, his wife was fooling around with Mike.

     Daughter Dana (Morgan Saylor) understands this, and sides with Mom. Dana may give Jessica lots of crap, as teenage daughters are wont to do. But when Brody obviously behaves immaturely, and cannot see past Jessica's indiscretion, Dana gives him the cold shoulder. This is not an argument that Brody is destined to win in his daughter's eyes. Too bad, because Dana and Brody actually have quite a nice relationship, prior to this scene.

     But whatever is going on between Brody and Carrie, the result of all this drama, remains ambiguous. Which is why Homeland is one of the most intriguing series on television. It's impossible to pin down these two leads, or prove which shade of gray is the correct one.

     Another big reveal with the polygraph experience in Homeland is that the CIA now knows that Carrie is taking illegal drugs while in their employ, and lies about it. What will the consequences of this be? Might she be fired? Suspended? If she thinks she is having trouble getting support for her theories now, wait until her drug abuse comes to light! This will be catnip to David (David Harewood), who still blames Carrie for ruining his marriage, at least partly, and is also mad because the way thatCarrie gets the polygraph approved embarrasses him.

     Saul's own story in "The Good Soldier" is heartbreaking. He is swamped with a national emergency, hunting down a terrorist on the run, but also has to deal with a crumbling marriage. Saul is willing to give up his life in the States and follow Mira to India, but that's not what she wants. She feels they have grown apart, and are now closer to friends than lovers. She wants to move on. Even worse, they both see the facts of their current living situation the same, but while Saul thinks it's heaven, Mira sees it as a failure. This is a case of two different people no longer wanting the same things.

     And then there's the nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, as unlikely as it seems, Saul is working with the terrorists, too. This could be horrible, but the seed is planted in his polygraph, and it's impossible to shake it until proven otherwise.

     A review of "The Good Soldier" is not complete without touching on the funeral scene. Brody tries to speak a eulogy, but finds himself at a loss for words. Whether that is because of guilt in the role he plays in his friend's torture, or because he is just really choked up with grief, is inconsequential. Brody breaks the silence with a roll call, highlighting the missing man. It's an extremely moving moment, one on par with the saddest scenes ever in film. This is brilliant, and kudos are much deserved to whoever came up with, and executed, this idea.

     The final story in this week's Homeland involves two terrorists on the run. For some reason, it is very hard to find the actors who play these two online in the usual sources, but their plot is almost directly ripped from 24, a beloved, much missed show. The guy keeps urging the girl to turn themselves in to the government. He argues it will save their lives, but she is insistent that they stay on the run. Of course, he is the one that is actually gunned down, while she escapes through the bathroom window. Will seeing him lying in a pool of his own blood finally convince her to take his advice? And what is their connection to the larger arcs?

     Plus, the polygraph guy is played by Dr. Venture (The Venture Brothers) himself, James Urbaniak! Awesome!


     Do not miss Homeland, airing Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published as TV Review: Homeland - "The Good Soldier" on Blogcritics.

Homeland finds a home on my TiVo

     The "Pilot" of Showtime's new drama Homeland premiered two days ago. The premise is this: Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis, Life, Band of Brothers), a U.S. Marine missing for eight years, is found in Iraq. Returning home, he is hailed as a hero, and his family, including wife Jessica (Morena Baccarin, V, Firefly), who has been trying to move on, rally around him. But a CIA analyst named Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes, Temple Grandin, My So-Called Life) thinks that newly-minted hero Brody might be a hidden terrorist, based on a snippet of information she gets from an imprisoned terrorist about to be executed. So it becomes her obsession to prove it. Oh, and Carrie might just be crazy. 

     Homeland is a fascinating character study. But of which character? Jessica, ready to move in with Nicholas's best friend, Mike (Diego Klattenhoff, Mercy, Men in Trees), before she finds out that her husband is still alive, drops everything to support him and pretend he never left? Nicholas, who has spent years being tortured, even forced to kill his partner (Chris Chalk) with his bare hands, but then lies about it, either because he's a bad guy, or because he just wants to forget the terrible experience? Or Carrie, who is on antipsychotics, and is illegally bugging Nicholas because of one piece of intel that may or may not be true. And even if it is, it may or may not be about him, risking her entire career and that of her mentor, Saul (Mandy Patinkin, Criminal Minds, Dead Like Me), on a hunch? All are pretty much equally intriguing.

     The big question of the series?  "Is Carrie right?" In the Homeland pilot episode, it appears that she is. Nicholas acts a bit funny, and she catches him in a lie. This proves nothing, and some things turn out to be coincidences. But then she discovers Nicholas's hand ticks in a repeating pattern every time he's on camera, as if sending a secret message. It's enough of a straw to grasp for Saul to let her pursue it, keeping her on the job, for now, and possibly saving both of their jobs, but only if she's right. However, could it just be a tick? Might it mean something entirely different than what Carrie thinks?

     Yes, and that's how Homeland seeks to keep viewers guessing. If the series made things so simple, few would be interested in watching it. Carrie is delusional and obsessive; there's no arguing that. She also operates with very narrow blinders on, not really considering other possibilities once her mind is made up, which it very quickly is. This is not the makings of an intelligent, smart operative. She must once have been one, considering that, while her job is scaled back, she is not fired, and the way that Saul, a seemingly intelligent man, has trust in her. But now she is teetering on the edge of instability, and it won't take much to push her over that cliff.

     What Nicholas has been through would be a nightmare for any sane person. He lived in a hole, cut off from everything that he knows, for eight years. Whether he remains loyal to his country and profession, or whether he is turned, one can hardly blame him. The horrors he still faces through haunting memories are unimaginable. But now, not only is he away from Iraq, but he's home. He has to readjust to family. He appears to be doing so in front of the cameras, but a tense and somewhat angry bedroom scene with Jessica shows very clearly that he does not have it all together. There are any number of reasons this could be, but, thankfully, Homeland doesn't reveal why quite yet.

     Equally jarring is Jessica's experience. True, she lives much more comfortably these eight years. There was likely a period of deep grief, but she came out the other end intact. Now she has to reopen old wounds. She is glad to see him, but she has moved on. She tries to backtrack, putting herself back in the mindset of his wife. Not only that, but she has just as little chance of understanding what Nicholas goes through as the viewers. Less, because she doesn't get to see the flashbacks. It's a complicated situation under the best of circumstances, and with Carrie sure to make their lives even more difficult, these are not the best of circumstances.

     Homeland is extremely gripping, and is off to an incredible start! It feels like an action show, but with little action. You won't want to miss it, airing Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

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Article first published as TV Review: Homeland - "Pilot" on Blogcritics.

V celebrates "Mother's Day"

     What an exciting finale ABC's V delivered! While the show is frequently uneven, and suffers from major plot holes, more so than almost any other show on television, when things work, they really work. The second season finale, entitled "Mother's Day", has few problems. In fact, it is probably one of the strongest episodes to date. Considering the steadily increasing quality, I am really holding out hope for season three, as the series may hit its stride given one more chance. Plus, with a cliffhanger like this, we just need to see more!

     The culmination for control of the V race came to a head. Lisa (Laura Vandervoort) lures Anna (Morena Baccarin) into a trap, intending to kill her. Anna sees what her daughter is about to do in a conveniently located reflective surface, and fakes emotion convincingly enough to stop Lisa. I can see why Lisa gives her mother the benefit of the doubt. Lisa has developed emotions, and so would want to think the best of her mother, no matter what past experience has taught her. Despite Erica's (Elizabeth Mitchell) anger at her, I think Lisa is justified in her actions.

     Sadly, that justification comes with steep consequences. Anna kills her mother, Diana (Jane Badler), whose friends have helped her escape, then installs Lisa in Diana's former dungeon. Anna's backup queen egg hatches, and Anna has her new daughter made to look exactly like Lisa and given her memories. Lisa 2.0 mates with, and kills, Tyler (Logan Huffman), whom Lisa is in love with, while Lisa watches helplessly on a video screen.

     This series has proved to me that Vandervoort's bad run on Smallville was either a fluke, or she has improved greatly in her acting ability. This episode gave her an even bigger chance to shine, as we got to see her as the Lisa we've grown to love AND a ruthless, cold blooded killer more chilling than even Anna. If for no other reason, V needs a third season pick up so we can watch Vandervoort work her magic in the duel role. From what we've seen so far, she is good, like Nina Dobrev in The Vampire Diaries level good.

     The really scary thing about this episode is that Anna finds the true nature of her evil. Up until now, Anna has fought against human emotions, even as they threaten to overwhelm her. The human skin the Vs cover themselves with somehow plays on them, making them more susceptible to feelings. When Anna fights against those emotions, it weakens her. Now that Anna discovers emotions can be used as a weapon, which she wields extremely effectively, she is more dangerous than easily imagined. This is the real consequence of Lisa's failure.

     Also scary? Anna now has a way to bliss mankind, effectively making us her slaves. Little Amy (multiple actresses, as she is rapidly growing), a human / V hybrid, is able to easily deliver bliss to humans, and she loves Anna. While I have viewed Amy mostly as a distraction, and have not at all liked the affect she has had on her father, Ryan (Morris Chestnut), clearly she is something more. Should the series be renewed, I would expect an adult actress to be cast to play a fully grown Amy, and stop the rotation of children. Anna and Amy together may just be unstoppable.

     Of course, humanity does have hope, however slim. Erica Evans began the series with a small cell of people she just met. Earlier this year, she found out how vast a net the Fifth Column casts, before taking over the group. Now, in the finale, she (and we) learn of Project Aries, (led by Marc Singer, like Jane Badler, a cast member in the original V) an international group determined to take out the V. It's interesting, because Erica thought she was fighting alone, and keeps finding larger and larger circles of people who already have the same goal. My question now is, given the scope of anti-V organizations, why didn't they do something before now? Why has Erica been the only one to really strike a blow against the Vs?

     As mentioned above, the body count last night was very high. We lost Tyler, who was mostly an annoying distraction to his mother. We lost Ryan, who has become annoying while being distracted by his daughter. It was only slightly surprising that Dianna died, because Anna had to overcome her somehow, and what transpired is far more exciting than Anna hiding and plotting quietly to take out Diana as she rules in peace, as next season could have been. As such, I don't see any really big losses to the cast, other than possibly Diana, but for the reasons above, I'm OK with it. If anything, the writers did a good job pruning. Time to bring in some fresh blood.

     Thankfully, Chad (Scott Wolf), who used to be annoying, but it just getting started in his usefulness, is merely captured by the Vs, not killed, though why not, I can't imagine. Unless Anna just plans on blissing him and doesn't want to bring in a new reporter to train all over again. I would also like to know where Hobbes (Charles Mesure) has gone, but I am hoping that his character will return to his roots, freed of the burden of Erica. I like the two of them together, but she did tame the beast, so to speak.

     Which just leaves Jack (Joel Gretsch). I really saw a love triangle developing between Erica, Hobbes, and Jack, now that Jack has lost his priesthood collar. It is incredibly ironic how Jack talks of looking to the sky, meaning god, for answers, and that's how Erica finds him at the end of the episode. Only instead of looking at god, he's being blissed by Amy.

     V is on the bubble, but I urge you to write and e-mail ABC asking for its renewal. There is also a facebook site set up for just such a purpose.

Article first published as TV Review: V - "Mother's Day" on Blogcritics.

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