Homeland: Season 2 [Blu-ray]

First series gets one through the introduction naturally. The second get more involved in war games between the US and the Middle East terrorist and a couple of military captives that have apparently been turned. Shows how they avoid getting coughs. Reminded me of the Manchurian Candidate. Thanks

HOMELAND is an amazingly well-written show with a dream cast. All of the pieces fit together in keeping this political drama moving in surprising directions. The writers have kept the momentum in Season 2 as alliances and motives shift. The writing is crisp and fresh and stimulates the viewer with a story that delves deep into political, social and moral issues. Here is a show that excels in being well-written, absorbing and intriguing.Season One left CIA agent Carrie Mathison's life shattered. There could have been no better choice to play Mathison than the lovely Clair Danes. Confident Mathison with a remarkable "gut" instinct fell into the depths of dispair in Season One. Her career and confidence were gone. This hotshot agent became a shell of her former self as she began to question the truth behind rescued hostage Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) and his ties to his former captor the terrorist Abu Nazir.In Season 2, Brody is a congressman fast on his way to becoming a major force in politics. He becomes top choice as the Vice-Presidential candidate when the current VP runs for the Presidency. Brody seems to have it all as he tries to mend the rift with his wife and children. Mathison's life was destroyed in Season One when her theory that Brody had been "turned" by Abu-Nazir was "proven" wrong--though the viewer knew all along she was correct with her idea.Season Two does not disappoint in its revelations that Mathison's instincts were not wrong. She is on the road to recovery and teaches English as a Second Language when the CIA comes calling. Although it is not clear how she returns to the CIA, somehow she again becomes a major force in the agency. Let the intrigue continue.HOMELAND keeps us wondering as characters, especially Brody, seem to change alliances and beliefs. How would someone return to their former life after years in captivity? How do "good" people become twisted with hate and revenge? There are some fascinated character studies here as new players are introduced this season. Zuleikha Robinson is outstanding as the Palestinian and British-educated journalist Roya Hammad. Hammad is beautiful and thoroughly wicked and devious with contacts in high levels of government. She becomes Brody's mysterious handler and connection to Abu Nazir. Hammad's sinister nature proves that evil can come in any form. Robinson brings depth and substance to the misguided Hammad.Each episode only gets deeper and deeper into the minds of Brody and Mathison who re-ignite their volatile relationship as Brody's family life deteriorates beyond repair. There is a fascinating journey with a moral tinge. Who can be trusted and what is anyone's true intention? Even the "good" guys can be bad. Danes gives Carrie Mathison an edge that becomes more and more disturbed as she questions Brody's intentions. Her confused doe-eyed gaze that hovers between madness and sanity say more than any words could.I'm hooked and can't wait for Season 3 on DVD. One disappointing note to mention are the bland and sparse "extras" that are included in this DVD set. Damien Lewis's Super 8 Movies-yes, he apparently still has an ancient Super 8 camera-does have some fun behind-the-scenes footage featuring cast and crew. Unfortunately, the extras are limited and give very little insight into the filming and visual effects and storyline.HOMELAND is a fascinating exploration of life in the modern age of terrorism and political unrest. The writers are abreast of current events and the show has a force of reality that is rare on TV.

A lot of people are complaining that season 2 falls short of season 1; that there is too much about the relationship between Brody and Carrie which gets in the way. I assert that season 1 lays the groundwork for how their relationship develops and becomes more complicated and troubled in season 2. Also, many aspects of the events that deal with the war on terrorism that are set forth in season 1 play out in season 2. The events of season 1 and 2 are intertwined and connected.I am not going to offer any "spoiler" comments here but the events in both seasons, especially season 2, are becoming all too familiar these days. This show is, of course, fiction but in a way is not. The last episode called "The Choice" leads us to believe that there may be a happy ending with respect to the relationship between Carrie and Brody but the horrors of terrorism get in the way. The finale is a visceral, intense and disturbing experience.But, with respect to the complaints about season 2, there may be a little too many "mushy" moments between the two protagonists. But, in an interview in the season 2 extras Danes says that these moments make the tone, at least for a while, be more "human." I get that. Both seasons run through at a almost fevered pitch, somewhat like many episodes of my other favorite, "24." But "24" also allowed Bauer to have some moments of his own, even though they were few. They do not take away from the show but make the characters seem more real.The writing as in season 1 is brilliant. I am especially moved by how Danes portrays bi-polar disease. She must have looked into the issue or been around people who know what it is like to be bi-polar; to have episodes that can be manic at one time and suddenly become depressive. As someone who has dealt with this problem it is wonderful and also a little scary to witness by Danes' astonishing acting how the disease can over, even consume, one's personality. Her bi-polar moments were almost like a mirror. Maybe not that extreme but a mirror nonetheless.I have to add the the casting is brilliant. Having Mandy Patinkin as Saul who becomes Carrie's father-figure is wonderful. He is such a great actor and I am glad he took on this part. His somewhat world-weary tone is unmistakable. Also how he respects and is confused and frustrated by Carrie's behavior is great. Nobody else could have played Saul. Watch for his very moving prayer, in Jewish, at the end. You don't need to understand the words to realize what his prayer is about. Why he is praying becomes evident. I loved that brief moment in the finale.One of the actor in the show that nobody talks about is Morgan Saylor who plays Brody's 16 year old daughter. I am always amazed how film and TV shows can find really great kid actors. Saylor is excellent. She acts like a typical teenager but her character also calls for depth and sensitivity and Saylor does quite well. Check out her reactions to her father's actions in the show's finale and you will see what I mean.A TV critic for the New Yorker said that Homeland is the best show on TV. I could not agree moreSo, if you love season one 1 cannot afford to miss season 2.

I like the fact that this series consists of around 12 episodes, each episode being about 50 minutes duration. A comfortable watch when split into two or three episodes per evening which means you can complete the season in a good week and move on.Of course you've got to like the show ---- this is about extremists undermining our society, the questionable tactics used by the CIA, the flawed characters of both our brittle heroine played by Claire Danes and our suspect terrorist, Damian Lewis in another solid role in an American tv series.There is also Mandy Patinkin's role, at times dour and conservative and then all-seeing and clever in the fight to stay ahead of potentially devastating attacks by enemies of the west.The acting from the above continues to be of the highest standard, but superb support from all the key sub-players that make up each season.This is a story that is evolving all the time but the standard of innovative writing is so strong that it's a must watch.

Well, having read some of the extremely negative reviews, I can only come to the conclusion that I am easily pleased. I enjoyed it as much as series one, although as always I must complain about the actors mumbling. The storyline was understandable, the subplots added a different dimension, the music was good but unobtrusive, and as before the series left us on a cliffhanger. The extras were not that interesting, but the last one was enlightening.u Quite a few of the people involved were Brits.Hooray!I have just started series three, so if it is up to the same standard I shall not complain.In many cases the complaints are about the technical faults of the discs, so surely this is not really the place for giving such low one star ratings. If you cannot watch the programme how can you review it?

Watched Season One ... and bought the DVD ... And so it was inevitable that Season two was on my birthday list!If you enjoy tense, tight scripts, fabulous acting and excellent diverse plot lines, well produced and directed ... Damian Lewis (Nicholas Brody), gives of his usual best, as do the rest of the myriad other stars in this highly acclaimed award winning series.Claire Danes, (Carrie Mathison) is brilliant in her portrayal of an 'on the brink of lunacy' CIA agent, with Mandy Patinkin (Saul) as her Stoical colleague.I urge you to stay in for a day ... or a couple! to watch this seat of the pants four disc set!Season three has begun ... and guess what? Amazon are taking pre orders:) for it.A highly recommended DVD, in my opinion up with the best!Go fot it!

By dropping a Plot Bomb early on and using it to completely turn the series on its head, Homeland avoided the usual trick of serialised thrillers with an eye on long-term success of dragging out their central mystery well past its natural limits (as seen in The Killing), instead taking a few episodes to flip the table over and then start a fresh attack, free from the storytelling shackles of Season One and striding off in a bold, confident new direction.Damian Lewis gets to play an entirely different kind of Tom Brody once the dust settles from early revelations, still keeping the audience guessing as to his true motives, and Claire Danes continues to nail it as fragmented agent Carrie, in what must be an emotionally and physically exhausting role to play but one that finally catches the rest of the world up to what fans of her knew she was capable of as an actress almost twenty years ago.

Yes , the first season as with the next two I saw on netflix . I liked them a lot with an interest in smart , intrigue and intel stuff . The aftermath of the first with Carries investigation into whats his name ........the terrorist with the very much on screen hot brunette daughter ? Anyways terrorist or not I don`t like him . The Carrie is putting her life back after being fired from the CIA and getting back onto his case while he pursues politics where he of course does not belong .