Are you saying the programme maker's aren't flying that particular kite and it was an accidental rather than cynically purposeful plot device?

I have to be very careful in answering that question because I don't want to even hint at something that can be construed as a spoiler. The revelation that Brody converted to Islam at some point is legitimate character information, but it doesn't prove anything and the writers handle things in a way that makes that indisputable. Now, did the writers choose the timing for that revelation carefully -- I reject the notion that "cynically" is the right word here -- to give the audience a jolt? Absolutely. There is nothing wrong with a writer using an audience's preconceptions for a desired effect. It isn't any more crass than a writer of a murder mystery using red herrings, knowing that at least part of the audience will jump to illegitimate conclusions.

Who was the guy praying that Brodie acknowledge at the end? Do we know him yet? I'm still expecting a big twist to happen soon, I think the blonde insider girl's fate is too obvious (no spoiler just an observation!) she may be a double agent?? I just got the feeling from how she could act so confident in the interview and then turn into a wee little frightened thing in the spa?

Yes they do, frequently in a pejorative way. Being Brits, we know about these things.

Just caught up with last night's ep - brilliant stuff, I'm really enjoying this.

Same I caught up on Ep 1 on 40d , (and the repeat of Ep 2 on Ch4) . And Im liking it as well ok there are a few plot holes but so what?. You need a bit of escapeism sometimes and tbh no one wants to watch him being counselled etc (as with the amount of episodes that would start to eat into the series). Anyway cant wait for next week. I think this is now officialy my favourite show.

Really good this but I think they have nudity in it just for the sake of it, during sex scenes it's fine but the rest of the time it seems unnecessary.

Has anyone else been confused by the fact that the start of a commercial break is clearly signalled, but at the end it just drifts back into the programme?

Especially when it cut directly to the "interview" for the Saudi (or whatever) prince - I didn't realize for a while that the ads had finished and I was watching part of the same programme, since it was totally unrelated to what had gone before.

(I am not the only one - someone else I spoke to had exactly the same problem.)

Well, different strokes for different folks, agneepath! If you get pleasure from his dreadful warbling, who am I to complain!

If he does suddenly start singing in Homeland I dare say you will turn the volume up loud, while I shall have some ear-muffs at the ready!

Same here. But it is confusing that Mrs Undercover-Pimp looks so much like Mrs Nutjob-Agent. I then thought it was the same bint.

You think she looks like Carrie? Hmmm. I can't see the resemblance myself.

I would have liked to seen or heard Brody get some form of psychological assessment though - a couple of lines of dialogue would have sufficed.

But it's already got me hooked in - I can't wait to see ep3.

Thank you for putting it so well and carefully More Tears

I agree with you about the 2 plot holes but they're minor detractions from a superb opening two eps. I'm enjoying Claire Danes performance, this early in, us watching her watching Brody is well done.

At least the garage not being bugged has been covered - though I wonder how long it'll be before that is also under surveillance - especially now Carrie has semi-official permission to study Brody.

Damian Lewis' performance is superb - between the two of them they're setting firm foundations for this drama.

Definately the best thing on at the moment, so far.

I fast-forwarded through the adverts and up until when it showed the topless interviewee because I thought it was an extra long advert , realising I'd missed about 5 minutes!

I found it somewhat unrealistic that Carrie and her colleague were eating pretzels while listening in to Brody. That just wouldn't work. You can't hear anything when you're crunching on pretzels

Apart from that, I really enjoyed the episode. Haven't seen Ep. 1 and I only watched this one by chance. Can't wait for next week's!

yep, same here!

I'm still enjoying this programme. I find it intriguing.

I think Brody prays (on the mat) because he can't break the habit. Perhaps that's what kept him alive...by pretending to his captors that he was a convert, but now he's stuck with it.

Haven't decided whether he's friend or foe, yet.

That made me laugh!

Finally caught up on episode 2 and I think the series is great. I love Claire Danes and I think she is playing the part really well. I have heard the opinion you have of different characters each week and I can see they were trying to play the Carrie is a bit crazy as she was on anti depressants but then she was found to be correct. Then this week Brody might have been making up his terrorist connection because of his post traumatic stress disorder but it seems he might be playing with the bad boys. It's good it's only 12 episodes as things should move quite fast and I can't wait to see what happens.

RE nudity - was watching this earlier and my parents were like have we accidentally changed channel when the virtually naked girl was on screen lol. I know why they did it but it wasn't necessarily needed. Other than that it was great

My personal opinion of that scene is that after 8 years of being a POW, he has somehow found a new belief, a new religion. Does that mean he has been turned. Not necessarily.

There were two scenes in episode 2 that were quite poignant....The first being his son wishing to say grace. Brody could have objected to that as his chosen faith now lies elsewhere. And the second scene where he was having a flashback watching the muslims pray in mosque. That to me anyway, could have been the potential start of his beliefs in converting to Islam..Hense to me why they have called this Homeland ...His homeland may be not Islamic, but he has learnt to now identify with Muslims.

Until Carrie Mathison showed up, I was wondering what
the hell this bit about the randy Saudi and his assistant
had to do with the plot.
Oh well, that's just the mandatory Showtime/ HBO/ Starz
nudity....

Yeah I can't decide if he's converted to Islam or if his praying to Allah is some behaviour, like him hiding in the corner of the room, that's so ingrained in him from his incarceration he can't break with it.

Like you say, it's an intriguing watch.

I know we were thinking ok why is there a semi naked girl being interviewed for a job with an Arab prince? Then also why is the interviewer asking whether she likes girls lol. It was obvious that the asset was sending a coded message by what she said but obviously I didn't understand the code but noon must have meant red alert.

I agree about the praying etc they may be just what he does now doesn't necessarily make him a terrorist. Slightly surprised the American writers want the public to make this automatic assumption considering the trouble it brings

Just caught with the first two episodes... great stuff.. tense ...friend or foe? Damien Lewis is giving a great performance.. like his expression when he was looking at the Capitol...will def continue watching...