Homeland Season 8 **Spoilers**

lukin

tjdaly wrote: »

or the constant stream of regurgitated bargain-basement American propaganda,

That's not actually true. They sometime show the CIA behaving just as badly as Al-Qaeda/jihadists.

so after all does not seem to be going down the guessing route where Carrie is some sort of willing sleeper agent for the Russians.... unless they have planted some sort of coding into her subconscious which will be only triggered by watching a certain scene of the Simpsons or something?!

The Russians are acting like they have her where they want her tho (Yuvgeny guy appears again and smugly freaks the feck out of her) and it was intimated last week that Carrie maybe gave away an asset during her interrogation that was subquently killed by the Taliban (the husband of the wife who had the info on the general in this episode).

a nod to Carrie's drunken shagger past near the end also "soda water, I'm not as fun as I used to be...." lol.

totally ridiculous tho to be expected to believe that a top CIA guy (Saul) would head off to a very dangerous location to meet with a mass-killer terrorist. it is only tv after all.

expectationlost

if anyone watched Turn there was similar story line about creating doubt for a spy.

ZeroThreat

expectationlost wrote: »

if anyone watched Turn there was similar story line about creating doubt for a spy.

lol Captain Simcoe was a delightfully evil villain in that series.

ZeroThreat

tjdaly wrote: »

Surprised this is still on the air. Watched the first two seasons and couldn't bear anymore. Whether it was "cry-face" Clare Danes constantly having "episodes", or the constant stream of regurgitated bargain-basement American propaganda, it really was the worst thing on television after Season I. I particularly hated the elderly Jewish character with the beard. Also, there is only so much "Cry Face" a man can handle. I'm a fan of the actor Damian Lewis however. Very unusual for a ginger to become so famous, but he earned it. He should do more theatre.

'It's like her whole face is chewing gum...'....

tjdaly

tjdaly wrote: »

Surprised this is still on the air. Watched the first two seasons and couldn't bear anymore. Whether it was "cry-face" Clare Danes constantly having "episodes", or the constant stream of regurgitated bargain-basement American propaganda, it really was the worst thing on television after Season I. I particularly hated the elderly Jewish character with the beard. Also, there is only so much "Cry Face" a man can handle. I'm a fan of the actor Damian Lewis however. Very unusual for a ginger to become so famous, but he earned it. He should do more theatre.

seasons 2 and 3 were the worst in the series. absolute muck - skip.

but season 4 was maybe the best and worth watching. still worth going back to watch now if you haven't seen it.

5, 6 and 7 were not bad at the time but not worth going back to watch now if you didn't see them at the original air dates.

I watch very few shows but after stopping watching this in season 2 or 3 and then going back to it later I have stuck with it even though it's not exactly the very best thing on tv. going to see it out now. for whatever reason (of sticking with it, maybe down to the fact that it has tried to move with the times along the way to be topical - Isis, immigration into Europe, the US presidency social media interference etc) I suspect a lot of other people are in the same boat.

Slydice

3: Good episode. I don't think Carrie is compromised. Feels more like there's another party involved. Whether that's the ISI/The Russians/Someone else I don't know.

Buddy Cop film (as a once-off spin-off)? Yes!

lukin

I liked the bit where Yevgeny told Carrie about the time she considered drowning her own child. You could see she was well rattled that he knew that and realised she had told him but didn't remember. Now she is wondering what else she told him while she was held hostage.

the weakest episode so far tbh - the whole meeting with Yevgeny was a pointless anti-climax and Haqqani has gone all Jorry Adams (except with a much bigger hooter and frankly an all-around better beard) gunning for a peace agreement.

I have a feeling that there will be a big development in the next episode or two though....

I mean this season just has to have some sort of tragic end doesn't it so that will need to be engineered.

Tasneem must have at least one more sneaky move up her skirt. total silf all the same.

lukin

Interesting (and tragic) fact: Nimrat Kaur, the Indian actress playing Tasneem; her real life father was kidnapped and killed in Kashmir by terrorists backed by ISI, and she's playing an ISI agent in Homeland.

lukin

lukin wrote: »

Interesting (and tragic) fact: Nimrat Kaur, the Indian actress playing Tasneem; her real life father was kidnapped and killed in Kashmir by terrorists backed by ISI, and she's playing an ISI agent in Homeland.

knew that she was Indian alright but didn't know that.

she is dating the Indian cricket coach who is over 20 years older than her - he's for sure "batting above his average" to pick the appropriate version of the more common "punching above his weight"

Nice to see Art Malik in the latest episode,I saw him in Sligo about 3 years ago when he was filming Halal Daddy!

lukin

glasso wrote: »

knew that she was Indian alright but didn't know that.

she is dating the Indian cricket coach who is over 20 years older than her - he's for sure "batting above his average" to pick the appropriate version of the more common "punching above his weight"

He probably has a great personality

De Bhál

good to have this back - I need to look up some recaps, bit lost in places.

That helicopter is getting a nice bit of screen time, must've cost a bit.

Homelander

Really enjoying this season. There aren't too many shows that can maintain a pretty good level of quality on an eighth season, in fact some of the later seasons are better than the earlier ones. I remember at the time thinking "how can they go on without Brody", but it's been better since then.

First season still untouchable though.

moby2101

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/02/29/politics/us-taliban-deal-signing/index.html
Carrie and co preempt another story!!!

Uncanny or incredibly sourced

Standman

moby2101 wrote: »

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/02/29/politics/us-taliban-deal-signing/index.html
Carrie and co preempt another story!!!

Uncanny or incredibly sourced

...and now this - BBC: Afghan president rejects Taliban prisoner release

Uncanny indeed!

Slydice

4: One of the BEST episodes of Homeland!

I thought they put money into the show with ONE helicopter! Well.. this episode! That airbase scene!

That

was intense! The whole episode it felt like something was up. So many times though the explained why it felt so tense: Oh the President is coming, oh the base is so dangerous, oh it's just Max staying at the base, oh it's Carrie rescueing Samira.

Beau Bridges did great with the speech as President Warner!

I

don't know what happened to the helicopter. Doesn't feel right that the Taliban would've done it after all this. Could be another element of the Russians that Yevgeny may not know about.

As the episode started with a reminder of the suspicion of Carrie.. then Warner told her his plans.. then she split off from the motercade.. I'm guessing suspicion with fall onto her.

Standman wrote: »

moby2101 wrote: »

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/02/29/politics/us-taliban-deal-signing/index.html
Carrie and co preempt another story!!!

Uncanny or incredibly sourced

...and now this - BBC: Afghan president rejects Taliban prisoner release

Uncanny indeed!

I was thinking similar back in August when they delayed airing:

Slydice wrote: »

Trying to line up with real world events maybe?

expectationlost

has a president flown to forward operating base? you think they wait till word of the ceasefire had spread through out all fighters?

Holy Fook -

I had said that they would up the ante with a turn of events but that takes the biscuit.

All "a bit" preposterous but sure it's gonna be a fun ride from here on in.

Slydice

Slydice wrote: »

As the episode started with a reminder of the suspicion of Carrie.. then Warner told her his plans.. then she split off from the motercade.. I'm guessing suspicion with fall onto her.

that doesn't make any sense.

Slydice

glasso wrote: »

that doesn't make any sense.

We'll see.

Slydice

Slydice wrote: »

We'll see.

she had another cia woman and and a driver with her they are witnesses to the fact that she was saving the woman.

expectationlost

those taliban guys will attack the cia post

MICKEYG

Why are the ISI against the ceasefire?

MICKEYG

MICKEYG wrote: »

Why are the ISI against the ceasefire?

they want someone fighting the americans and if they can control that faction then all the better.

MICKEYG

glasso wrote: »

they want someone fighting the americans and if they can control that faction then all the better.

Thanks but still confused. Why do they want someone fighting the Americans? What is in it for them?

MICKEYG

MICKEYG wrote: »

Thanks but still confused. Why do they want someone fighting the Americans? What is in it for them?

Instability in the region gives them some power by controlling the faction. They are weaker than the Americans in tech (eg drones) and military and resent the drone activity on their land but this gives them some control against them as the us military remains tied up in the region.

This is the way that it's presented in the show and going back to season 4. No idea what the reality is.

ejmaztec

I think the Mujahideen that the CIA financed and armed when the Soviets were in Afghanistan, became the Taliban after the Soviets left, and that the organisation expanded considerably thanks to being bankrolled by the Pakistanis.

I suppose Pakistan wants to control Afghanistan through the Taliban, but is having trouble controlling the Taliban first.

Hande hoche!

ejmaztec wrote: »

I think the Mujahideen that the CIA financed and armed when the Soviets were in Afghanistan, became the Taliban after the Soviets left, and that the organisation expanded considerably thanks to being bankrolled by the Pakistanis.

I suppose Pakistan wants to control Afghanistan through the Taliban, but is having trouble controlling the Taliban first.

A major concern from the Pakistani viewpoint is the role of Afghanistan in any potential conflict involving Pakistan and India. If you're bored you could burn a few hours reading about it. In particular obsession with "strategic depth".

Yes Pakistan definitely would be "interested" in a Afghanistan from that perspective for sure.

In the context of Homeland as a TV show the ISI have resented the Americans and the CIA and facilitated the slaughter at the American embassy in Pakistan at the end of season 4.

So what is the real story of what is going on now after this episode 4.... Surely the Russians have to be involved as it would be too much of a red herring to have the Yvevgeny guy have so much focus in the first few episodes?

Ceist_Beag

Really enjoyed that episode, as already said, it had great tension right to the end. I do think it was a bit preposterous

(not alone to send the POTUS to such a dangerous outpost but to then send a live stream of it to all networks while he is actually there)

but it made for a great show.
I agree that the suspicion will fall on Carrie now - who is to say they won't make out that the other woman is in on it with her.

Hande hoche!

Very good episode, setting the stage nicely. As mentioned before, amazing how contemporary it seems.

episode 5.

it's all nuts just about staying over the line where you can take it seriously.

another complete cliffhanger now with the answers to things in the balance....

at the moment you'd have to suspect the chief of staff guy at the white house of being involved - he's way too over-eager on things... maybe that is a red herring tho? and what about the Russians?

Hande hoche!

Hande hoche! wrote: »

Very good episode, setting the stage nicely. As mentioned before, amazing how contemporary it seems.

that has been the case for all seasons from season 4 on.

the writers have always tapped into current events and integrated that into the plots.

fryup

is Carrie Mathison the most stressed out character in the history of TV drama?? ya i know she has a stressful job...but does she ever smile?

fryup

fryup wrote: »

is Carrie Mathison the most stressed out character in the history of TV drama?? ya i know she has a stressful job...but does she ever smile?

ah come on there wasn't much opportunity for humour in that episode.

she did crack a smile when she was in the bar there a couple of episodes ago joking how she had reformed her ways from being a boozy floozy slapper.

those were the days huh, out on the tiles, get the ride. back home, a quick wipe of the vage and straight back into work.

she wouldn't be able for it any more as she said herself

https://imgur.com/Mov9o8C

Slydice

5: That was intense! Another top episode!

I was going mad about

how long it was taking another team to get out there and help them... and no A-10s!!! I dunno. I'd have had everything out and about for that mission!

Guessing that the rest of the season will

revolve around what happens to Max and Haqqani while suspicions fall on Carrie and her involvement with the Russians.

fryup

glasso wrote: »

ah come on there wasn't much opportunity for humour in that episode.

in every episode

glasso wrote: »

those were the days huh, out on the tiles, get the ride. back home, a quick wipe of the vage and straight back into work.
https://imgur.com/Mov9o8C

what is seen cannot be unseen (just before dinner too)

fryup

fryup wrote: »

in every episode

what is seen cannot be unseen (just before dinner too)

you can just see the episode director - "yes, I want to see a vigorous wiping motion"

The Black Oil

8.04 - You could really see the shock on Saul's face when word on the chopper came through. To borrow from 24, peace is a son of a bitch, though if this were 24, the VP would be in on it!

piplip87

Just seen the fifth episode. Really enjoy where this season is going. It's getting back to basics. I think the VP is involved in the crash somehow. He seen the press conference and knew he couldn't possibly run against the president.

fryup

it was probably some Taliban faction that didn't get word that a ceasefire was called

lukin

fryup wrote: »

it was probably some Taliban faction that didn't get word that a ceasefire was called

A safe bet that it was Haqqani's son (the one he could have whacked but didn't) was behind this. Killing off the POTUS is a bit too 24-ish for me (actually even 24 didn't go that far ever I think). I suppose the writers are thinking because it's the last season they can let their imaginations run wild.

Slydice

piplip87 wrote: »

Just seen the fifth episode. Really enjoy where this season is going. It's getting back to basics. I think the VP is involved in the crash somehow. He seen the press conference and knew he couldn't possibly run against the president.

Yeah, they are really hinting at the US side.. either through budget cuts leading to dodgy equipment or something shady with the VP. It's odd though what they are doing with him, he seems to be getting portrayed indecisive and cowardly.

fryup

catch up Q - why did President Keane resign?

I get the impression that it's the chief of staff guy, not the VP.

The chief of staff dude really pushed him (VP) to bomb the heli wreck.

Maybe I'm wrong but that seemed well dodge the way he worded it as if the VP had no choice whatsoever.

don't think that the VP was involved - not the way they are presenting it.

he was completely ineffectual and indecisive after the crash.

maybe it was just an accident - although that wouldn't fit the normal narrative of these shows.

Standman

Enjoyed that but credibility is being stretched to the limit with the president debacle.

Apart from a small team of troops, the closest help is an hour away for the US president who ran into trouble on a pre-planned route in a warzone in the year 2020...

expectationlost

Im struggling to remember but thought that chief of staff was portrayed last season as a bit dodgey, but it was red herring?... it was Keane herself who went off the rails. I was surprised to see him back either way.