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Gay Girl’s Goggles: “Homeland” SnapCap (1.03)

When only four percent of scripted TV shows feature LGBT characters, what’s a gay girl to do? Why, strap on your gay goggles and watch TV along with us, of course! Our handy appraisal scale is better than any old letter grade. Other sites A+. We say, “What about our lezzy-lady feelings?”

The best shows on TV are able to advance the overall story even while focusing on other things. This week’s Homeland does exactly that, using betrayal of trust in relationships to illustrate that the dynamic isn’t all that different from betrayal of country. And to those in the relationships, the loss feels much worse. We can step back and look at political betrayal, but personal betrayal is, well, personal.

AFTERELLEN BAIT

We had a few peeks of perfection this episode via super secret secret Saudi head-of-harem Lynne Reed and suspected terrorist’s wife Jessica Brody. In the case of Lynne, she had just downloaded the Prince’s cell phone to a flash drive and was scared shirtless that he had seen her. Instead of killing her, though, he gave her a tiny token of his appreciation.

Jess still is trying to make nice with her hubby, even though so far the sex has turned ugly and Brody has attacked her in his sleep. This time, he seems to respond to her seduction, asking her to take off her top. And then he jerks off – “jerk” being exactly what we think of him. Jessica is humiliated. We are ticked off.

FEELINGS, FEELINGS, FEELINGS!

A testament to the quality of this show is our attachment to Lynne after only two episodes. We could see the anvil dangling over her head, but that didn’t temper the shock of watching her get killed. We don’t often feel that kind of tension and horror from television, especially around a secondary character. But the scene in which Lynne’s parents sit alone with her body is devastating.

Carrie now is face to face with the results of her actions: she lied to Lynne about protection even while asking her to take on increasingly risky jobs. As Prince Farid’s innocence becomes evident, Carrie realizes that Lynne sacrificed her life for nothing. And that the agency could care less about its “assets.”

THE LYING GAME

Carrie’s also facing the consequences of lying to Saul; he was her only supporter in the CIA and now he doesn’t trust her. I love the scene between Carrie and Saul when he pretty much tells her off. Yes, everybody lies, but Carrie treated Saul like he was just another one of the agency schmucks. Unacceptable.

While Prince Farid seems to have genuinely cared for Lynne, his assistant turns out to be the prince of lies. He is behind Lynne’s murder and sells the necklace to buy a house for a young couple (the man is from the Middle East) thrilled that it’s “so close to the airport.” Dun-dun-DUN.

WATCHABILITY

The Brody story was less prominent this episode, but what we did see served to keep us guessing about his motives. The family agreed to a CNN interview with Lawrence O’Donnell (nice touch), but daughter Dana didn’t want to be a part of it, mainly because she knew her mom had been sleeping with Brody’s best friend before the rescue. But Brody explains to Dana that eight years is a long time and people have moved on and changed. Nothing is the same as it was when he left. The CNN interview is just an attempt to keep the peace so everyone can move on. “I’m not gonna lie,” he says, “but I’m not gonna tell the truth, either.”

Bottom line: Carrie seems less crazy in this episode and Brody seems less sinister. We are more intrigued – and more hooked – than ever. I can’t believe this is just Episode 3.

What did you think of Homeland this week? Do you think Brody is just trying to keep the peace with his actions or is he hiding more? Will Lynne’s death affect how Carrie works?

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