TV78: Homeland, Season 7

The main premise of Homeland’s season seven is that the Russians are using social media (among other things) to covertly influence U.S. politics. Really. I mean, how ludicrous is that?

Seriously, though, this intriguing premise, while illuminating the many ways Russians could indeed influence (and have already influenced) American politics, is neither well-developed nor well-executed. Carrie (Clare Daines) and Saul (Mandy Patinkin) are once again tasked with saving the world (or at least U.S. democracy - how to you save something that hasn’t existed in a long time?). Meanwhile, the Russians are finding it quite easy to undermine the presidency of Elizabeth Keane. Can she hold on long enough for Carrie and Saul to save the world?

Sigh. By the end, I didn't much care, because the story wasn’t well told, with serious credibility issues and a rather absurd reliance on Carrie, whose family life is being sacrificed. This is by far the weakest season of Homeland and I really wish they had ended season six very differently and then called it a day.

Oh well. It was fun, as always, to watch Patinkin and Daines. The acting is the biggest strength of Homeland and I have no complaints on that score. Season seven continues to be well-made serial television, but when the writing starts to feel desperate (despite that intriguing and realistic premise), it’s time to move on. Still, there were clearly some wise things that this season wanted to communicate to its viewers and to American politicians and I’ll give it high marks for effort.

Homeland season 7 would only be worthy of three stars on its own, but whether that’s enough to bring down the four stars I have awarded (on average) the first six seasons remains to be seen (it depends what happens in the final season, which I probably won’t get to see for another year).