Showtime's flagship series continues to veer in unexpected directions during the third season, which opens in the aftermath of the devastating explosion at Langley, with Brody (Damian Lewis) being the presumed terrorist bomber. Brody ends up in Caracas, left to decay in a slum where his “protectors” get him hooked on heroin, holding him captive like the prisoner he was in Iraq. Saul (Mandy Patinkin), now acting CIA director, finally “rescues” Brody, only to send him on a suicide mission back to Iraq as an assassin. Meanwhile, Carrie (Claire Danes), pregnant with Brody's child, is left to deconstruct the elaborate plot behind the CIA bombing. With Saul still pushing her as mentor/antagonist, the pair create covert ops that evolve in often shocking, yet plausible ways—a signature ploy that has kept Homeland so consistently compelling, as Carrie goes off her meds (and off the rails), Saul's moral and marital agonies continue, and the mysterious field agent Peter Quinn (Rupert Friend) gains a foothold. With its artful writing and brilliant characterization of individuals torn and tattered by secrets and lies, Homeland has become a cultural touchstone that seriously deals with issues related to geopolitical conflict. Compiling all 12 episodes from the 2013 third season, extras include an episode commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and deleted scenes. Highly recommended. (T. Fry)
Homeland: The Complete Third Season
Fox, 616 min., not rated, DVD: 4 discs, $39.98; Blu-ray: 3 discs, $49.99 Volume 30, Issue 1
Homeland: The Complete Third Season
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