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Homeland Season 2 Blog: Episode 2.9 Two Hats •Spoilers•

Director: Daniel Attias

Writer: Alexander Cary

Breakdown: Brody parts from Abu Nazir with his best wishes, a final goodbye, and instructions they cannot reach their goal without him. After ensuring his family are taken to a safe house – courtesy of Mike – Brody meets Carrie and returns to CIA HQ. Interviewed by Carrie, Saul, Peter, and Estes, Brody informs of a plan to murder the Vice President along with 300 returning military and their families at a homecoming. Brody is informed to insist one reporter, Roya Hammad, is present who will see the plan through.

Virgil and Max break into Peter’s apartment under Saul’s instruction. Finding a place seemingly set for a quick escape with tamper proofing rife, and a picture of a lady holding a baby. Learning the lady is Police officer Julia Diaz Saul decides to pay her a visit. A failed attempt to extract information masquerading as an IRS agent leads to Diaz calling Peter, and him making a sharp exit.

Followed by Max, Peter get’s on two buses concurrently and is photographed speaking with a man identified as Dar Adul who Saul isn’t eager to talk about.

Dana still angry with her Dad informs Mike she wishes he’d never returned, they speak of war, and how difficult it is returning. Later Jess and Mike share wine and after the kids fall asleep – in Jess’s bed – she pops off for a bit of the old in-out, in-out with him (lucky bugger).

A briefing is set up with Vice President Walden, Brody, and Estes where the threat is relayed – Brody acting surprised as Estes speaks. Brody informs Roya she has access and the plan is set.

The morning of the homecoming a followed Roya Hammad is taken to a diner to meet her film crew. Whilst eating breakfast a van appears and camera batteries are swapped for explosives from their van to the crews truck. CIA agents swoop, killing each of the individuals – including the unidentified man. Quinn leaves the room at this point awaiting confirmation of Nazir’s death, Estes, when questioned, tells an angry Saul Peter is going to aid the FBI.

Quinn in a car, takes a gun from the glove box. Brody climbs in the car and as Peter is preparing to aim news comes in from Estes that Nazir is not dead and “we still need him”. Informing Brody he is now his best friend in the world Quinn closes the partition – role credits.

Opinion On Episode: Regular readers of this blog will know I’ve become somewhat disillusioned with events since episode 2.3. Flashes of brilliance have been sullied by poor pay offs – and too many of them. Episode 2.9 reaches the heights of 2.2: perfectly paced, fantastically acted, and wonderfully edited it leads us to the final few weeks with a huge amount of questions. The Peter Quinn story strand, and in particular the final scene brilliantly freshen up the series; no longer is everything focused on Brody’s struggles, or his families drama, this is a new story to sink your teeth into. The continuation of Dana’s frustrations is another important aspect, the impression is she is the one thing drawing Brody back to the family every time.

What Will Happen Next? Smart money is on a Saul, Carrie, Virgil, and Brody attack on Quinn, leaving Estes (Saul and Carrie’s boss) in the middle. Carrie may not be silly enough to go against him again so Saul could keep his suspicions from her. Mike and Jess’s relationship will develop as Brody continues to be away – and boff Carrie. Dana will go to the Police at a cost to Brody and Walden, but when is still up in the air. Abu Nazir WILL strike, it won’t be the homecoming but his want of justice for Isa will not relent until he hits, or dies. Trouble is, if he dies there isn’t much of a show. As for Brody, who knows; faced with aggression from both sides he has one ally, Carrie.

Rating: 5/5 Just outstanding, gripping TV. It will be hard to top but there are three weeks to try to.

HOMELAND continues next week so be sure to keep it THN and share your opinions

Sam is a bloody lovely lad born and raised in Bristol (he’s still there and can’t escape). Favourite films include THE LOST BOYS, DRIVE, FIGHT CLUB and COMMANDO, well pretty much any 1980s Arnie film you can throw his way…even RED SONJA. Sam once cancelled a Total Film subscription after they slagged off Teen Wolf. He resubscribed 2 days later.

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