Once Again, Carrie is Right. Retrospective: Homeland - "In Memoriam"

Homeland, S2 E11 – “In Memoriam”

Air Date: Sunday, December 9, 2012, 10:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

SPOILERS AHEAD—DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY SEEN THIS EPISODE!

Once Again, Carrie is Right. Retrospective: Homeland - "In Memoriam" 1

Brody takes a moment for himself after hearing the news of Nazir’s death.

As one would suspect from the title of this week’s installment of Homeland, Abu Nazir (Navid Negahban) dies. But it’s how he dies and who’s responsible for his death that makes “In Memoriam” an episode to remember.

Observations:

The majority of “In Memoriam” deals with capturing Abu Nazir, although we also see the long-awaited end of Brody (Damian Lewis) and Jess’ (Morena Baccarin) marriage, while Estes (David Harewood) fires Saul (Mandy Patinkin). Yes, you read that correctly. After being forced to undergo a polygraph, which Saul initially makes a mockery of as only he can, Saul finally realizes what Estes is up to. Unfortunately, there’s no way Estes is going to let Saul stop him. If I know Saul, and I think I do, he won’t let losing his job interfere with what needs to be done.

Once Again, Carrie is Right. Retrospective: Homeland - "In Memoriam" 2

Estes informs Saul his days at the CIA are done.

Jess uses Walden’s (Jamey Sheridan) death to open a conversation with Brody about how much things have changed but has to stop when Brody takes a call from Carrie (Claire Danes). I’m not sure I understand the tears in Jess’ eyes when she realizes who Brody’s talking to. I was sure at that point she was going to tell Brody she wanted out of the marriage. So, why is she crying?

Dana (Morgan Saylor) acts more like a brat as each day passes and I wonder why Brody doesn’t put her in her place. She doesn’t need to understand why they’re in the safe house; she only needs to accept that this is where her family needs to be. And how cruel of her to say what she does about Mike (Diego Klattenhoff) right to Brody’s face! I want to bitch slap that kid! Could she be acting like this because she knows Brody isn’t going to make it to the White House? I have to comment that in the beginning of the season, Saylor was doing a great job with her character. But now, someone needs to tell her she doesn’t need to shout to make Dana’s anger believable. She overacts every line of Dana’s dialogue.

Once Again, Carrie is Right. Retrospective: Homeland - "In Memoriam" 3

A bruised and battered Carrie is determined to get Nazir.

Last week, I wondered why the writers brought Danny Galvez (Hrach Titzian) back and this week, I finally understand. Unfortunately, Carrie is wrong with her assumption about him and once again, Galvez is shipped off to the hospital. I kind of feel sorry for him but I still don’t trust him. There hasn’t been any mention of a mole recently but someone has been feeding Nazir information all along.

The scene between Carrie and Roya (Zuleikha Robinson) during her interrogation is powerful, indeed. What starts out as an almost tender, empathetic conversation ends with Roya screaming at Carrie, and Quinn (Rupert Friend) bursting into the room as a white knight of sorts. It certainly had me glued to the screen, hoping against hope that Carrie will get through to Roya. Carrie should have known that approach wouldn’t work on Roya; she’s nothing like Brody.

All is not for naught, however, when Carrie makes a connection with something Roya tells her and heads back to the abandoned mill. But after two sweeps of the building and its tunnels, the agents are about to pack up and leave. What I don’t understand is why only one FBI agent goes with her, especially after Quinn told Carrie the agents always hunt in pairs. For that matter, why doesn’t Carrie have a gun? Does she really think she can take Nazir down without a weapon? Of course, it sets up the exciting capture of Nazir but not before he gets his hands on Carrie again.

For some unknown reason (to me), initially Carrie doesn’t look happy about Nazir’s death, nor does Brody when he sheds tears after hearing the news, though not for the reason his family thinks. I believe at this moment Brody is a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, as he deeply grieves for the man who alternately tortured and loved him.

I’m extremely pleased with the way the writers chose to end Brody and Jess’ marriage. It seems fitting for a couple who have been together since they were teenagers to recognize their individual failures without blaming each other. I’m especially glad there weren’t any shouting matches with accusations of affairs on both parts. While it’s inevitable for Jess and Brody go their separate ways, it’s sad, and a bitter statement about what our Armed Forces and their families must go through in real life.

Additional Thoughts:

I like the way Carrie pretends to be confused when Quinn asks her how she got away from Abu Nazir. In order to protect Brody and his involvement in the situation, Carrie merely tells Quinn she escaped. Why isn’t Carrie debriefed about her time with Nazir? You would think that would be an immediate priority.

***

I love when Saul emits a long sigh after the polygraph examiner asks, “Do you intend to answer truthfully here tonight?” But Saul should know better; he’s in that room because Estes wants him there.

***

How cheesy is Dana’s tantrum? I mean, the girl literally cries over spilled milk!

Memorable lines:

Estes to Saul: “You’re through here. I want you gone. What the official story is, that’s up to you. But I will use this (the pologygraph results) to tie you up in hearing after hearing for the rest of your natural life if I have to. You think about that.”

Jess to Brody: “For the longest time, all I wanted was for you to tell me the truth. I wanted to know it all. I don’t have to know anymore. I just don’t want to.”

I have only two questions this week. Is this the last we’ve seen of Saul as a CIA agent? And will Quinn go through with Estes’ order to kill Brody? As penultimate episodes go, I wasn’t as happy with “In Memoriam” as I should be. It seems more like a season finale to me than an exciting episode that puts the pieces in place for an explosive finish. Also, I would have liked more intrigue and edge-of-your-seat moments surrounding Nazir’s capture and ultimate death. And now that the entire reason for Homeland’s existence has been eliminated, what is left for the season finale, and for that matter, the series as a whole? After watching the promo for the final installment of this intense series, however, I think we’re in for a huge twist. What is that strange look on Carrie’s face when she witnesses the traditional burial at sea? Any comments?

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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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!