Homeland - Season 2 Episode 4 - New Car Smell
Here’s the recap for Season 2 Episode 4 of Homeland: "New Car Smell" on SHOWTIME.
We were left off last week just as a bomb was dropped on us (and Carrie too). Carrie (Claire Daines) is met by Saul (Mandy Patinkin) who brings along the copy of the confession made by Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis).
Saul takes the tape to David Estes, head of the CIA, to discuss their options. Estes is stunned by the news and the two decide on their plan. Saul explains that they cannot change ANYTHING or else the terrorists will know something is up. They decide to continue as normal (including NOT telling Vice President Walden about any of this new intel) and monitor Brody's EVERY move. They will keep the entire operation underwraps. "No one in the agency will know."- Saul
The newest edition to the CIA, Peter Quinn.
Carrie is not brought back onto the team at the CIA to work on gaining intel from Brody. Estes brings on a new team member, Peter Quinn (Rupert Friend), who is brought in to run the show. His thought is to bring Carrie in and use her as a crutch to gain insight into Brody's plan with Nazir.
They decide to have Carrie bump into Brody "randomnly" outside his office. It's a pleasant surprise for Brody and they exchange a few words with one another, asking about life and catching up on lost time. Carrie walks away with that unforgettable grin we have seen many times in the past. She knows she has done well and is pleased with herself.
Congressman Brody meets with Roya, the reporter/Nazir informant, to gain an update on the ridiculous turn of events from last week's episode in Gettysburg. She assures Brody that he his in the clear and his tracks have been covered. Brody shows some concern about Carrie's reinstated position at the CIA. Brody is paranoid that she is there because of him, but Roya thinks it's because of Nazir. She tells Brody to renew the relationship with Mathison to keep her close to the action and see what he can dig up on her. Estes meets with Mathison and apologizes for his mistakes.
Because of his behavior last week, Brody is now on his wife's $hit list. She wants answers (Answers that Brody CANNOT tell her). Jessica has lost all trust in her husband and gives him an ultimatum. If he doesn't have something real and legitimate to confess to her, he needs to pack a bag and get going. So that's what Nicholas does. He leaves.
Jessica is not the only one questioning her husband's choices. Dana is skeptical of her father too and is not sure what to believe anymore. As she is dropped off at school, she tells her dad that his car wreaks of smoke. Brody IMMEDIATELY takes the car to be detailed to purge any last bit of memory of his former passenger, Bassel (whom he viciously murdered last week). Brody's fellow ex- serviceman, Lauder, shows up at Brody's house to talk to him. He is still questioning Brody's intentions. Jessica calls Mike to come help her with Lauder. Brody tries to intervene and help, but Jessica has no use for his antics. Although Lauder seems crazy, he speaks lots of sense. He has the whole story down!
After awaking from his drunken stupor, he apologizes to Mike for his inappropriate behavior. Now, Mike is starting to believe Lauder's stories. They begin brainstorming why, how, and when Brody would do something like this.
Finn and Dana attempting to study
Dana and Vice President Walden's son, Finn, have been spending an awful lot of time together. They study and hang out together. Finn even takes her to the Washington monument (followed by the Secret Service) for an impromptu date. Dana seems to like him and Finn says the same, but Dana "has a boyfriend" and feels guilty. They playfully exchange a kiss and a goodnight text before going to sleep.
Brody spends the night at a hotel and after conjuring up some "liquid courage", he calls Mathison to meet him to "bury the hatchet." Carrie seems to be nervous, but Quinn, believes in her. She meets up with Brody, who explains his current situation with his wife, and they catch up over a cocktail. She decides to send out a bit of bait to Brody and purposely "spills" that she is VERY close to her target, "The head of the snake" (Abu Nazir). After their exchange, Carrie is paranoid and thinks she blew their cover with Brody.
Carrie and Brody share a drink and some conversation
After having a mild meltdown, thinking she has blown the whole operation, Carrie is told to come back to the headquarters, but instead, she decides to head to Room 416, where Brody is staying. She wants to reassure Brody of her allegiance to him. Carrie has a gut feeling that Brody is onto their operation and more specifically, onto her. She decides to let him have it and calls him out on EVERYTHING that he has done. She calls him a traitor, terrorist, and a disgrace to his country! He freaks out and admits to being good at killing and covering up his tracks. As he steps towards her, he says, I liked you. Carrie responds, "I LOVED you!" The CIA breaks down the door and arrest him on the spot. He is carried out with a black sac over his head, hiding his identity from everyone on the outside.
There are so many questions left up in the air. We have to wait ANOTHER week to find out how this will turn out. Brody has a LOT of explaining to do...