# Homeland--New Showtime Series (No Spoilers in OP) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 7, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863 "2011-10-07T03:27:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/1 "2011-10-07T03:27:54Z")
Did anybody watch the premiere of the new Showtime series _Homeland_ after Dexter last Sunday? I ended up finally seeing it tonight and loved it. I felt that each of the main characters were perfectly cast for their parts. I chime in later with actual thoughts on the episode later. ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/2 "2011-10-07T09:08:59Z")
I found it rather intriguing and will be tuning in again this week. Damian Lewis and Claire Danes were both fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/3 "2011-10-07T12:20:31Z")
I agree. I think this show has the potential to be fantastic, but I’m a sucker for espionage/political intrigue. ---
**Author:** ![Rattlehead02](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rattlehead02/32/3944_2.png) [@Rattlehead02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rattlehead02)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/4 "2011-10-07T15:21:05Z")
Oh c’mon, like Major Winters would ever betray his country! Sure he may not be a Quaker, but he’s no turncoat either! With that out of my system, I enjoyed it a lot. It will take some getting used to Damian Lewis as someone other than Dick Winters though. I’ve watched **Band of Brothers** many times and aside from **Dreamcatchers** (or whatever) it’s all I know him from. Also, damn them for showing us a beautifully topless Morena Baccarin early on only to make it thoroughly uncomfortable later on. ---
**Author:** ![Meltdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Meltdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meltdown)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/5 "2011-10-07T17:36:46Z")
I liked it too. I was a little surprised they gave us so much at the very end (the flashback scene). I thought they were going to string us along with the uncertainty regarding what happened to Lewis’ partner for at least a couple more weeks. Although perhaps that just means there are bigger secrets yet to be revealed. I’ll be sticking around. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/6 "2011-10-08T15:31:03Z")
I like where the psychological aspects of Claire Danes’ character will play aajor role in the story. Also its nice to see a character on tv with a possible severe psychosis, thats still a high functioning professional. A not just a bubbling mess. Not to say thats not where they will go. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/7 "2011-10-08T16:41:38Z")
After one episode Im hopeful. I enjoyed it. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/8 "2011-10-08T17:05:14Z")
I don’t know. What else is there to the story? Agent has to prove that some guy is a terrorist. The whole thing could be solved in a single episode. Sure, I guess there’s bound to be some giant conspiracy in the middle of everything, and at some point he’s going to try and kill the President, but I can’t really see such a simple premise being interesting and fresh a whole season. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/9 "2011-10-08T17:35:06Z")
Interesting first episode - but as others have mentioned, where do they go? Three things can happen: 1. Yes, he is a terrorist. 2. No, he isn’t a terrorist. 3. He is a double/triple undercover/above cover and a victim or a perpetrator. If they take option 3, they will keep us guessing for several seasons, but that too can get tiring - just when you think you know they flip back again, and again, and again. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/10 "2011-10-08T18:30:03Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Interesting first episode - but as others have mentioned, where do they go? > Three things can happen: > > 1. Yes, he is a terrorist. > 2. No, he isn’t a terrorist. > 3. He is a double/triple undercover/above cover and a victim or a perpetrator. > > If they take option 3, they will keep us guessing for several seasons, but that too can get tiring - just when you think you know they flip back again, and again, and again. That’s what I think, either it will be terribly boring because there’s not that much to do with the main plot if you keep it grounded in a passable semblance of reality or it will descend into a bunch of 24-esque ridiculous twists and turns and stupid cliffhangers. I don’t really feel like spending time with any of those two options, no matter how much I like the cast. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2011, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/11 "2011-10-09T05:52:24Z")
I liked it too, but I found Clair Dane’s character… unappealing. The rogue, somewhat out of control, and occasional psychotic who sees what no one else does? Frankly I don’t think the CIA would hesitate for a second to stick a bug right up Damien’s ass if there was the least suspicion. I think that’s the most unbelievable thing, that he’s untouchable and even beyond suspicion because he’s a hero. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/12 "2011-10-13T16:07:18Z")
I think he’s a double working for the Dharma Initiative. Claire Danes may get another Emmy out of this and Mandy Patankin does a great job too. I really hope it’s more than he’s a terrorist and Danes is out to prove it. That’s a mini-series but not full-term show. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/13 "2011-10-13T16:12:39Z")
I agree that by now, the CIA and anyone with a brain would not let this wacko go around unattended, and then simply pop up and give an interview to the press. Still, will continue to watch to see what happens. Hopefully it will get a tad bit more realistic in the coming weeks. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/14 "2011-10-13T16:35:53Z")
[Spoiler]I think that showing him using his prayer rug\* is supposed to lead us to think he has been turned - not that somebody can’t be converted without becoming a terrorist, but for the purposes of the show.[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/15 "2011-10-13T17:35:54Z")
I liked the bit in the first episode when the son shook his father’s hand. It seemed cold, but this kid doesn’t really know this guy as his father, so the relationship is going to be a little distant. And BTW, I didnt’ know this until I read the Wikipedia article on the show, but apparently it’s based on an Israeli series called Hatufim. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/16 "2011-10-13T18:15:58Z")
> [@RetroVertigo](#): > > [spoiler]I think that showing him using his prayer rug\* is supposed to lead us to think he has been turned > > [/spoiler] Ya think? I like it a bunch - very interesting. The part requiring the greatest suspension of disbelief, however, is that Danes’ character could have a “mood disorder” so severe she takes clozapine for it and the CIA didn’t discover it. Especially since she’s been a total pain in the ass. But hey, if we didn’t have to suspend disbelief, it wouldn’t be entertainment. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And BTW, I didnt’ know this until I read the Wikipedia article on the show, but apparently it’s based on an Israeli series called Hatufim. I figured it was an adaptation of a foreign show because there was something in the credits about “adapated for American television by” I sure hope they don’t screw it up like they did “The Killing” - what a horrible mess. I still can’t fathom why they buy the remake rights to a fantastic television show, then decide to completely dismantle what they bought and put crap in its place. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/17 "2011-10-14T14:54:06Z")
When the reporter came into the yard, he took care of him in just about the same way Charlie Crews took care of Roman Nevikov. Loving the series, but can do without the T & A. Would like to be able to watch the show with my wife, but she’s overly sensitive to that sort of thing. She got to be a fan of Lewis after I introduced her to [Life](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0874936/). ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/18 "2011-11-09T17:40:26Z")
Just started watching this a few weeks ago, and I’m liking it. Not much love around here for it, or are people just not talking about it the same they do with _The Walking Dead_, etc. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/19 "2011-11-10T00:01:42Z")
I’m loving it, but my SDMB participation has been spotty this tv season so I could have missed episode threads. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863/20 "2011-11-10T02:43:55Z")
We are watching and enjoying it. I thought Sunday’s episode was the best yet. Trying to figure out Sol - did he actually pass the razor? On rewatch, I found his expressions during their discussions of doing the polygraphs to be very interesting. Then, the Carrie/Brody hookup and the subsequent polygraph questions - fun times! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeland-new-showtime-series-no-spoilers-in-op/598863.md?page=2)