TV: Homeland

[Animeniax]

Season 3 does end very well and in a satisfying manner, and I thought most of the season was exciting and compelling.

***Spoilers***:

I've read the show will continue even with the ending of season 3. The show's producer hopes viewers care enough about the characters to see what happens with them. Carrie will begin her life as a station chief in Istanbul, and Saul will reappear as a private contractor doing work for the CIA. For me, the show is over and I won't watch it anymore, as it's base premise is now concluded. I don't like or care enough for the remaining characters to see what they do next.

[UChessmaster]

You have to consider they probably introduce new characters who might be as popular (if not more popular) than you know who.

[Animeniax]

You have to consider they probably introduce new characters who might be as popular (if not more popular) than you know who.

True, but the remaining core characters don't make me want to watch their further exploits. I thought the use of Carrie in a lot of the episodes was ridiculously unrealistic, particularly when she was on the ground during critical missions after her mental instability was discovered. I get that it's Hollywood and the star has to be in the middle of the action, but the show suffered for it.

If I did continue watching, I imagine they'd intro a new terrorist leader for Carrie to hunt. To be anywhere as good as the original plot, they'd need a character like Brody, but another double agent would be repetitive.

[Munsu]

Finished watching season 3, good stuff... though the season was a bit unbalanced. That said, really lament that we didn't see Brody's family during the finale at any point, I thought it would've been good to see regarding the latest events...including his tour on tv networks.

We know his family has distanced themselves from him, so not all that relevant anymore, but I thought a missed opportunity there to come for circle with this story line.

That said Animeniax, aside from the next story line sucking ass, I think you should remain watching... for all intents and purposes 75%-85% of season 3 simulated what we may see going forward as it is.

[Animeniax]

Weird, I didn't even think of Brody's family during the last 2 or 3 episodes. I thought his "goodbye" to Dana was final, so we didn't need to see her. It would have brought some closure to see his wife and son's reactions, though I think they kinda closed the chapter on them with Mike Faber's reappearance a few episodes ago.

I might continue watching, or marathon it after a few episodes. The show was good through 3 seasons, but I didn't watch it every week, eagerly anticipating new episodes. Now that the main premise is completed, that will be even more so.

for all intents and purposes 75%-85% of season 3 simulated what we may see going forward as it is.

Do you mean with Javadi installed in Iran? I wonder how far they could go with him without it seeming too contrived and impossible. Also, I think Carrie with a kid would be a mess, operationally and story-wise. Plus with her new role as a station chief, she'd play a character more like Saul in previous seasons, overseeing operations and personnel. But being Hollywood they'd most likely keep her on the streets playing an active role in field operations, which would be ridiculous (maybe moreso than psycho Carrie being allowed in the field during seasons 2 and 3).

[Munsu]

Weird, I didn't even think of Brody's family during the last 2 or 3 episodes. I thought his "goodbye" to Dana was final, so we didn't need to see her. It would have brought some closure to see his wife and son's reactions, though I think they kinda closed the chapter on them with Mike Faber's reappearance a few episodes ago.

I might continue watching, or marathon it after a few episodes. The show was good through 3 seasons, but I didn't watch it every week, eagerly anticipating new episodes. Now that the main premise is completed, that will be even more so.


Do you mean with Javadi installed in Iran? I wonder how far they could go with him without it seeming too contrived and impossible. Also, I think Carrie with a kid would be a mess, operationally and story-wise. Plus with her new role as a station chief, she'd play a character more like Saul in previous seasons, overseeing operations and personnel. But being Hollywood they'd most likely keep her on the streets playing an active role in field operations, which would be ridiculous (maybe moreso than psycho Carrie being allowed in the field during seasons 2 and 3).

No, what I meant is that season 3 was quite transitional... after the first couple of episodes we barely saw the family again, and other than a episode here and there, Brody was irrelevant in season 3. So in that regards season 3 was quite experimental on how the action was centered and the people that participated within it. For all intents and purposes, Brody was of little relevance other than Saul coming in the end with "Hey, I have this big plan and Brody is the final piece" sort of converging story lines and bring closure to his story. But you take out Brody from the equation, and season 3 would've still landed on its own to feet regardless.

That's pretty much what I meant, that from a certain angle we've already experienced a show absent of Brody and I still quite enjoyed it.

I think the plan is to have less of the family going forward, for obvious reasons, but I hope we do see them a bit in season 4 just to put the final touches... I'm very interested on the aftermath, I'm still clouded on how Brody is perceived in certain circles. In fact, I'm very much clouded on his public perception, and how much has remained classified and what hasn't.

Mike Faber is currently on The Blacklist, so I guess that's why he was a no-show last season, but it would certainly help for him to make an appearance too.

[Animeniax]

Good points, Brody was largely absent from season 3 and it was still a good season. However, I think us knowing that Brody was still out there and his story unresolved is what kept me coming back for more. With that element gone, anything they set up now would have to be from scratch with only a passing connection to the original story. The new stories could stand on their own, if done right.

I would like to see them explore more of the repercussions on Brody's family (his wife anyway, I'd prefer never to see the daughter on screen again), but Faber is the character I'd really want to see explored further. If he's busy with The Blacklist, I wonder if he'd make time for Homeland. Jessica as an outcast housewife has limited potential in a spy thriller, though threats against her from terrorists could prolong the Brody storyline. I wonder if the son learning about his father's exploits and following in his footsteps (as a marine or as a jihadist) would be a worthwhile story to explore, though he's too young so they'd have to advance the time frame.