Fresh Meat: Homeland

Although the new fall TV season has only just begun, it seems appropriate to declare Showtime's new series Homeland, airing Sundays at 10pm, the best new drama of the season. From producers of 24, Homeland stars Claire Daines as Carrie Anderson, a CIA officer who received a tip that a recently discovered American POW has been turned by Al-Qaeda. The catch of course is that the tip was unofficial at best and without substantial evidence to gain Agency support she conducts her own investigation. Her conviction concerns her mentor Saul (Mandy Patinkin) and the fact that she is secretly taking an anti-psychotic certainly doesn't seem to help her case. Carrie's guilt over past mistakes drives her to an intense obsession with proving the POW is a terrorist and preventing his suspected mission, no matter how mundane he initially seems.

However, Homeland also focuses on the perspective of Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers) as the Marine Sergeant in question, Nicholas Brody. Although he is understandably stoic and overwhelmed in the first episode, the psychological toll that years of torture has had slowly reveals itself, particularly in the second episode. With brief flashbacks, the show complements Brody's outward actions (as seen by the general public) and his private actions (as surveilled by Carrie) with insights into his inner-psyche. Lewis is in top form here, effectively portraying the fascinating and horrifying torment of a tortured (and possibly brainwashed) soldier as he struggles to regain his composure. And if that weren't enough, Brody's wife and kids must adjust to his return after eight long years of his absence.

In addition to its position as a conspiracy thriller and psychological drama, Homeland also offers a look into the workings of the CIA, both in the office and out in the field. While running her covert surveillance on Brody, Carrie must also handle her overseas assets, one of whom surfaces with fresh information on Carrie's long-term target, Abu Nazir, who may also be connected with Brody and responsible for his imprisonment. Carrie must work to secure the undercover asset's safety, while simultaneously encouraging her to continue to gather intelligence as the asset's situation grows increasingly precarious. This balance of office dealings and abroad action also presents a fresh and realistic take on the spy genre.

Bottom Line: Homeland is an intriguing and tense thriller with excellent acting and a rich, increasingly murky plot that will keep you glued to the screen.