Amazing Episode - very well proven that it has the capability to continue without the Brody arc.

Quinn is my new hero!! He is seriously superb! Probably the most balanced character in the entire show (albeit with his own flaws).

Carrie's acting was extraordinary. The episode was very tense!

The plot is building and it is actually extremely well thought out - hacker (Newman) accidentally gathers secret CIA Files, he realizes that the Germans and Americans (aka CIA) are working together illegally (but for the 'greater good' as defenced by the CIA'), Newman releases the info to a journalist which is thereafter published. Carrie is now blamed/suspected for the CIA 'leak' divulging the information re: American and German collusion; CIA now hiring Quinn to kill Carrie as she is ASSUMED to be a loose end, Quinn is too smart and is trying to figure the truth out for himself before following his Orders through to kill Carrie (given his relationship with Carrie too; he does trust her to do the right thing) all the while the hacker's friend/partner doesn't trust Newman to not divulge further CIA secrets to the journalist and accordingly Newman's friend has now corrupted Newman's file (and hence the journalist believes she has been betrayed by Newman) and the Newman's friend is now being selfish looking after his interests in selling the CIA secrets to the Russians, which could potentially start a World War.

Sorry to say, but that plot probably beats the initial plot of Homeland; the intrigue is real; the suspense is building very fast now. The story is very original and believable - extremely well thought out by the Writers!!

What I love about Homeland is the realistic portrayal of the difficulties faced by the CIA and other high level government agencies - it really is a very grey area.



People doing 'wrong' and 'immoral' actions for the 'greater good'; letting a 'bad' guy slip in order to create potential of apprehending someone much worse; protecting valuable information by sacrificing something else.



Everything is a balancing act and there is no black and white as to what is 'right' or 'wrong'.



God Forbid the people who actually have to deal with sticky situations such as those in Homeland.



I understand it is a fictional plot, but there is no question of the similarities it strikes with the reality we live in - but we're never witness to it, because all the things that actually protect us, we don't want to see, we don't want to hear about, and we don't want to know about. We turn a blind eye to the actions of the CIA, but yet if we did discover what they were doing, we would be quick to say that is 'wrong' and immediately frown upon their actions.



It is honestly very scary - the best thing about Homeland is the accurate depiction of plot compared to reality, and also, the acting, which is absolutely superb - Carrie, Seoul, Quinn and the remaining cast are all played by outstanding actors/actresses.



This episode in particular was not 'the best', but I feel as though this season is going to get very suspenseful.



Look forward to the next couple of episodes!