Homeland

Season 3 had a very slow start. Fortunately, there were some excellent episodes later, so I ended up giving it five stars. I still consider it the weakest one so far, though. Some of the scenes felt like the writers ripped themselves off. They strongly reminded me of the first and second season. What I found completely unnecessary here was everything around the Brody family, which served only as a filler in the story. I can only hope that I won't see anything like this in the next season. 5*- (12/01/2017)

I couldn’t shake the feeling that the episode lacked some punch. I get that Carrie Mathison has her problems, but some situations are getting repetitive. She already faced consequences for her missteps caused by her mental state in the first season, and now it seems like we're going through the same motions again. Here’s hoping for some fresh developments in the upcoming episodes. (11/30/2017)

Carrie has problems just like in the first season, and Dana has problems just like in the second season. If I’m not going to get bored, the show really needs to step it up. It feels like with the departure of Nicholas Brody, the writers have lost their creative spark. 4*- (11/30/2017)

I’m not sure what the creators were aiming for, but it didn’t work for me. I’m giving three stars solely for the performances of Claire Danes and Damian Lewis. Other than that, there’s not much to praise. It felt like pure filler, and I hope this doesn’t become a trend. (11/30/2017)

Finally, something is happening in the third season! It feels like I'm watching Homeland again. I'm incredibly relieved that the plot has moved away from the psychiatric ward because it was starting to drive me crazy. The return to the classic intrigue is a welcome change, so much so that I can even overlook Dana and her pointless storyline. (11/30/2017)

A decent episode. There was plenty of intrigue, politics, and even some goose hunting. The announcement of a hot candidate for CIA director was excellent. However, Dana's storyline, which feels completely irrelevant to the series, significantly detracted from the overall experience. So, just 4 stars from me. (11/30/2017)

This episode really hit the mark for me. It finally had the right atmosphere, some genuine tension, and it seems the screenwriter has regained his form. Plus, as an added bonus, Dana Lazaro and her incredibly crucial problems have finally exited the series. At least, I hope so. (11/30/2017)

I'm still thrilled that the storyline has finally moved on from the psychiatric hospital, and I’m giving this episode five stars. But that’s not the only reason – this episode had a great pace. Even though most of the action took place around a table, I wasn't bored for a second. The intrigue was at its peak, and thankfully, Brody's family was left out this time, which is definitely a plus. (12/01/2017)

The atmosphere was spot-on, and the tension kept me hooked. I have to give a shoutout to the character Dar Adal; I love how unpredictable he is. Also, the way they stopped that loose cannon was hilarious – looks like they've finally found the only effective method. (12/01/2017)

The opening of this episode really freaked me out – back to the hospital and that ruin in Caracas. Thankfully, it turned out to be just a launching point for another solid part of the story, with the refreshing addition of Mossad. However, the mission for Brody felt a bit over the top, like trying to explain to a kamikaze pilot that he needs to crash into an enemy ship and then return to base. Shock number 2 – Dana is back!! (12/01/2017)

Probably the most action-packed episode of the entire series. Don’t worry if you’re squeamish — thanks to the darkness, this episode is even kid-friendly. I also enjoyed the scenes set in Langley; it’s fascinating to see how logic can be bent and twisted in the name of "the end justifies the means." (12/01/2017)

If the previous episode was all about action, this one thrives on thick atmosphere and well-crafted tension. Working for the CIA seems like a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping job — until things go awry. Then, the agency washes its hands of you, or worse, "takes care" of you. Probably listed under "employee benefits" in their contracts. (12/01/2017)

I have mixed feelings about the finale. The first half was engaging, full of the usual intrigue and sacrificial pawns, but the second half fell into mediocrity, with moments that were both boring and annoyingly sentimental. That said, I appreciate how they resolved Brody's storyline. Damian Lewis will be missed, but keeping his character around any longer wouldn't have made sense. (12/01/2017)

I was a bit apprehensive about Season 4 after Damian Lewis left the show, but I have to say it was the best one so far. It was the most action-packed season, much aided by the fact that I didn't have to observe any more of the turbulent fates of the Brody family. I was just somewhat thrown off by the finale which was very weak. The creators managed to create a great atmosphere in this season and escalate the suspense, which I sometimes found lacking in the previous seasons. I had a great time. (12/02/2017)

Unlike the slow start of the third season, this season really hit the ground running. I wasn't bored for a second, relishing the fantastic atmosphere, escalating tension, and high-quality action scenes. By the way, the cake scene was brilliant. Singing "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow!" and then presenting a cake with "Drone Queen" written on it takes a special kind of dark humor. (12/01/2017)

Despite Peter Quinn giving me an unpleasant surprise, I'm giving this episode five stars. I got my usual dose of intrigue, and to my surprise, even Carrie's family issues kept me engaged this time. (12/01/2017)

The calmest episode so far, but far from boring. I discovered that Peter Quinn is a true patriot — not only does he work to protect American interests as a CIA employee, but he also goes out of his way to support American alcohol producers. (12/01/2017)

While there was no shortage of intrigue, it still felt like the episode was missing something. I wasn't bored, but from the creators of Homeland, I expect a bit more — they've spoiled me! I get Carrie’s method for recruiting informants, but really, with this guy? I can only hope it's all in the name of serving her country. (12/02/2017)

Much like the previous episode, I wasn't bored, but I'm not exactly thrilled either. There were plenty of schemes, manipulations, and intrigues, but most of the episode was unfortunately taken up by Carrie's risky adventure, which really gets on my nerves. I expected more from a seasoned intelligence officer than what Saul ended up delivering. He clearly hasn't been in the field for a while. 4*- (12/02/2017)

Despite the off-putting opening scene, the rest of the episode went in the right direction, and things started to heat up again. If it weren’t for the former director of the agency, the masterful manipulation would have reached a "happy" conclusion, and the series could have been cut in half. I can't help but find it odd that the husband manages to outsmart all the trained agents, but hey, it still earns 5 stars from me. (12/02/2017)