This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Just a short review on Homeland. The first 3 seasons were great for me. Score 9 out of 10! I liked the personal relations between the characters throughout these seasons. A lot of emotion and excitement! Now I'm in season 4 episode 9. Until now, it's very disappointing. The scenery is only Pakistan, no USA at all. The storyline is weak, just another hot shot terrorist that needs to be taken out. I miss the characters from the first 3 seasons, especially Brody of course. And not only that. Where is the tension and excitement in season 4??!!! Sometimes I almost felt asleep even. Never happened in the first 3!!! I really hope the following seasons will be like these first 3. Sorry if my English is not the best, I hope you'll forgive me, I'm from the Netherlands ;-)

I'm into the third season, so my review is based on early episodes. Much to say-edge-of-your-seat, intrigue, thriller that keeps you coming back. However, the story may leave you wondering. We have a marine returning home twisted and damaged from war. His family and friend try heartily to help him and seems things will work. Then it hits the fan - media picks him up, as do the CIA, and former foreign handlers. He is used, abused, turned assassin, wants redemption and to die, and gets his wish in a sh-- hole in Iran, apparently his body never returning home, His family and friend have disappeared, written completely out of the story, and nut-case lover/pregnant/CIA agent and her handlers go on to their next job. This is an odd, macabre story with no point. I compare this to other episodic adventures where confusion abounds. Intrigue to get you back to every episode is great, but so far, no great story. Personally I'm into story telling.

"Homeland" is the best representation of bipolar disorder up to date. It can be deeply depressing, highly exhilirating, and completely detached from reality while retaining to illusion to depict a deeper reality. If it wasn't as deluded as it is in depicting the world, I might be able to recommend it to someone that is interested into something other than thrills and fantasy. But as it is, I can't, and you should only watch it if you want a "24" that doesn't completely derail.

I watched many crime/spy movies, Carrie Mathison is too emotional, lack of professional, compares to officers, detectives, captains, agents, operates in Dexters, Covert affair, Burn notice, The mentalist. Maybe because she is sick w/o being treated -_-