A Most Compelling Turn of Events. My Review: Homeland, S2, E2 - "Beirut is Back"

Homeland, S2, E2 – “Beirut is Back”

Airdate: Sunday, October 7, 2012, 10:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“Beirut is Back” is filled with some interesting and intriguing story lines on many fronts, although the most compelling focuses on Carrie’s (Claire Danes) meeting with Fatima (Clara Khoury). Brody’s (Damian Lewis) friend and fellow Marine, Mike Faber (Diego Klattenhoff), asks Brody to look into the official report regarding Tom Walker’s (Chris Chalk) death and assassination attempt that resulted in the death of Elizabeth Gaines (Linda Purl) last season; and Cynthia Walden (Talia Balsam) asks Jessica (Morena Baccarin) to help with a fundraiser for a group of veterans. These story lines all have far-reaching effects on the characters, as well as the basic story line.

Observations and Thoughts:

A Most Compelling Turn of Events. My Review: Homeland, S2, E2 - "Beirut is Back" 1

Carrie tells Saul what she found out during her meeting with Fatima.

I know the writers are trying to advance the friendship between Jessica and Cynthia as a way of strengthening Brody’s relationship with Vice President Walden (Jamey Sheridan), but I think the luncheon meeting for the fundraiser is more a vehicle to set up a budding relationship between Brody’s daughter Dana (Morgan Saylor) and Finn (Timothee Chalamet), the Vice President’s son. If you remember, Finn is also one of Dana’s classmates. There’s a lot of flirting going on between the two, which is rather cute. It will be interesting to watch the relationship grow, if, indeed, it does, as well as how Dana’s parents handle it. First loves aren’t easy for teenagers, or their parents, for that matter, especially when the parents are in the public eye.

***

I’m not sure how Brody is going to handle Faber’s request, or what he’s going to report back to his Marine buddies when they get together. Despite a rather impassioned speech by the usually drunken Lauder Wakefield (Marc Menchaca), Brody has no choice but to lie. Given his assassination of Walker, Brody can’t possibly tell them the truth. However, something tells me this group isn’t going to let this die. Homeland doesn’t usually bring up topics without following through on the consequences. We shall see.

***

A Most Compelling Turn of Events. My Review: Homeland, S2, E2 - "Beirut is Back" 2

Abu Nazir on his way to a meeting with Fatima’s husband.

Once again, Carrie’s judgment is called into question when she reports to Saul (Mandy Patinkin), Estes (David Harewood), and Special Ops leader Scott Ryan (Tim Guinee) that Fatima’s husband will be meeting Abu Nazir (Navid Negahban), giving the United States the perfect opportunity to wipe Nazir off the face of the earth. I understand Carrie didn’t follow protocol when meeting Fatima, but hasn’t she already proven her ability to judge a situation despite her mental disease? Estes leaves it up to Saul whether to proceed with the attack. I suppose Estes doesn’t want to take the blame if Carrie’s intel turns out to be a trap for the special ops team on the ground in Beirut. Danes turns in a stunning performance during her panic attack after overhearing Estes questioning her abilities. Her shallow breathing, facial expressions, and body movements pull you right into the attack she’s having. Carrie explaining her reasoning to Saul is absolutely heartbreaking; I wanted to yell through my TV screen, “You were right about Brody all along, Carrie. Trust your instincts!”

***

A Most Compelling Turn of Events. My Review: Homeland, S2, E2 - "Beirut is Back" 3

Carrie explains to Saul why she believes Fatima’s intel.

Walden takes Brody into the situation room with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, telling him what’s about to go down is “either a major cluster fuck or a big honkin’ victory.” This is one of the most compelling scenes in “Beirut is Back.” As we watch the assault unfold—yes, Saul sides with Carrie—the room is filled with suspense as everyone waits for the next move, and I wonder what Brody’s going to do once he finds out Abu Nazir is the target. You could almost see the wheels turning inside Brody’s brain.

***

A Most Compelling Turn of Events. My Review: Homeland, S2, E2 - "Beirut is Back" 4

Hezbollah members try to kill Carrie.

The other scene that had me holding my breath occurs after the failed attempt on Nazir’s life. After collecting Fatima, Carrie takes it upon herself to race through Fatima’s apartment to find whatever information she can about the Iranian plans to bomb America while Hezbollah members give chase. I highly doubted they would kill her, but I thought they might capture her. I swear, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the chase, barely breathing as bullets go flying, and Carrie narrowly avoids death.

What’s remarkable is what Saul finds in the knapsack Carrie brings him. His expression is, obviously, one of disbelief and I wonder what he’s thinking, and how this information is going to play out as future episodes unfold. What do you think?

Tune in to Homeland Sundays at 10:00 pm ET/PT, only on Showtime.

Follow Homeland on Twitter @sho_homeland and cast members Damian Lewis (Brody) @Lewis_Damian; Morena Baccarin (Jessica) @MissMorenaB; David Harewood (Estes) @TheHarewood; Navid Negahban (Abu Nazir) @NavidNegahban; Jackson Pace (Chris Brody) @JacksonPace; David Marciano (Virgil) @davidmarciano; and Zuleikha Robinson (Roya Hamad) @ZuleikhaR.

LIKE the show on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/HomelandOnShowtime and don’t forget to check out Homeland’s official webpage at http://www.sho.com/site/homeland/home.sho.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!