Homeland – If it is good vs. evil, what are the sides?

When Saul said, early on in this second episode if Homeland, that the first thing that an “evil” version of Nicholas Brody would do is get in front of cameras, you had to know how things were going to end. It makes sense though, from both perspectives. If you are the CIA, tasked with protecting the national security at home and abroad, what you would expect to see from recently returned double agent is taking advantage of your position. But, as far as Brody’s actions go, we are still not sure what to expect, are we?

I’m not exactly sure what to make of Sergeant Brody. Last week, Carla, who will regularly be covering Homeland for CliqueClack, talked about how she’s not entirely sure how “evil” Brody is. At this point, I’m not sure how you can you can spin his actions any way but that. The funny thing is … it is not exactly like what he has done, even in private, has been that damning; it is more that he has kept certain things secret from his family and from his military command structure. I would be the last person on the planet ever to judge the actions of prisoners of war in captivity … I’m just a simple guy that could never compare himself with anyone with the bravery to wear a uniform.

As such, I could also never begin to judge someone who has been through the hell that Brody has. If faced with a choice between my life and the life of my teammate, I’d like to think I know how I’d respond, but it is a joke to think that I could even begin to imagine how I’d respond. If I were Nick Brody, I can only imagine what my state of mind would be during captivity, nor what it would be once I’d returned to the States. What I do know, though, is that if I’d converted to Islam, I’d likely keep it secret from my family, and from my commanders. But, as the audience, I’m not sure that I can justify like his new found religion, or his experience in captivity with his partner, as the actions of a just man.

It’s odd, though, in comparison, I can’t exactly justify anything that Carrie Mathison has done either … but I sure do like her a whole lot more than I like Brody. Mathison is about as broken as we can accept a fictional hero can be these days. She’s a mental patient (The only reason that I can’t say “literally” is because she hasn’t actually sought out treatment, instead relies on her sister to provide her with samples of the medication she has — apparently — self prescribed). Her father might be stricken with the same illness, but that doesn’t mean that she can just create her own treatment plan just because she is good at her job, and the CIA likely wouldn’t approve of her affliction in someone working in her position.

In the end, however, I’m so much more trusting in Mathison than Brody. I’m not sure why … She might have her warrant now, but she did personally ignore the civil liberties of the Brody family on her own volition. Plus she’s involved elements outside of the Agency … and there’s the whole offering sex to her mentor in exchange for his silence. She is majorly screwed up. Despite that, though, I have faith in what she is doing. Call me crazy … or call me a boy that has had a crush on Claire Danes since just after My So-Called Life. Either way, I’m placing any bets that I have on the world of Homeland on her … even though I know she’s bound to disappoint before we see the final credits roll this season.

(In the spirit of Homeland‘s mission, I can neither confirm nor deny that I had my picture inserted with the cast at a cool booth on the floor at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, but if I had, the results might look like the picture at the top of the post).

Clacked by Ivey West
on Oct 09, 2011 @ 23:00 EST5EDT