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Reviews
The Prince (2021)
Bullying a real life kid, this is artistic bankrupcy
The middle aged buffoons who decided this was a good idea, trying to be funny at the expense of a child, need to think again. Scraping the bottom of the barrell of humour, Stewie take 2 is artistic bankrupcy.
Modern Family: All Things Being Equal (2017)
Unfunny and politically correct
It is so sad when a funny and intelligent show turns unfunny and PC. Show a little respect for your viewers - most of us watch Modern Family for entertainment, not to be subjected to political propaganda. And that is regardless what the political agenda might be, or your own personal ideological leanings. When you turn on a comedy show you want to be entertained - this time I barely made it through the episode.
Homeland (2011)
After five seasons the writers face some real challenges - and potential
The first four seasons of Homeland are character driven. Although they are action packed and dramatic with highly interesting plots, the driving forces in season one through three are Carrie and Brody, their respective inner demons and desires, and their conflicted relationship with each other. After season three it was hard to imagine how the show would go on without Brody, but when season four arrived it was every bit as engaging and interesting. Still character driven with Carrie as the lead, other characters now come into focus: the brave, conflicted civilian agent Fara; Aayan, intense and soulful source to Carrie; Saul and above of all Quinn who in this season develops into a major character.
Season five departs from the first four in that the main characters are no longer in focus, but Europe itself, as the stage for so many of the world's conflicts: The conflicts between the Western world and Jihadist globalism, the conflicts between Russia and the West, the conflicts between libertarian hackers and state security agencies, etc. The people serves mostly to embody these conflicts and also to give nuance (like the kind, generous doctor who quotes Muhammed on the importance of hospitality).
As an overview and analysis of conflicts facing the world today, this drama series is still as good as ever, if not better. For most of season five I was convinced the writers had outdone themselves and that this was the best season of them all. I was riveted. It wasn't until the very last episode I realized that there had been almost no character development, and that all the main characters started and ended on the same point. The most baffling part was how they gave Quinn so little play. Mostly he was dying painfully throughout the entire season (in six different ways no less, and we still don't know if he is dead).
To sum it up, I would have given the series 10 stars if it hadn't been for the lack of character development in season five. It will take some major creativity to make Carrie interesting again (and no, taking her off her meds doesn't do it anymore). One character I would like to see more of (apart from Quinn, whom I hope to see alive and well in season 6) is German agent Astrid (Nina Hoss). There is some real potential there, not least in the interplay between her and Carrie.
Looking forward to season 6, and here's hoping for Quinns return to life!
Homeland: A False Glimmer (2015)
Finale reveals lack of character development
Ending an otherwise excellent season, this episode reveals a baffling lack of character development. The other episodes of the season have been so full of action and drama, of intelligent analyses and overview of major conflicts in the world, the lack of character development hasn't been apparent. In this episode however, as the tempo slow down and it is time for wrap up, the characters come into focus and turns out to be left at the same exact places they ended up in last season.
"Show, don't tell" is a golden rule of story telling, but when it comes to Carries inner life, in this season, it is mostly tell no show. Carrie leaves the spy world in favour of her family (again) and claims she's a different person now - despite having spent the entire season in old form, singlehandedly stopping a planned terrorist attack. So much in Carrie's life at this point seem random, and frankly not believable: Why is she suddenly living with a kindhearted German lawyer? Why, if she is intent on leaving her life as an agent and get back to her daughter, does she run into a subway tunnel where sarin gas is about to be released in four minutes time, with very little hope to stop the attack? Why does her employer propose to her out of the blue?
Saul for his part ends up once again rejected by his protégée. Despite having been forced to overcome his resentment and taking Carrie back into his trust, he once again watches her leave him behind as she (plans to) head back into the normal world of family life.
Quinn does what he did at the end of last season, vanishes into the dark with slim chances of coming back alive.
Speaking of Quinn, this season's Oscar goes to Rupert Friend for his role in "Quinn and Six Ways of Dying Painfully". What's up with that? From bleeding out, to sepsis, to suicide, to sarin poisoning, to being forced out of coma with probable lethal consequences, and at the very last, euthanasia ( or not, we don't know yet). Why was the entire season spent trying to kill off this wonderful, complex, tortured, loyal character? Will he be back?? I certainly hope so.
I have loved every season of this series but if they don't restore Quinn to health, and start paying more attention to their characters, I'm not sure I'll be back for the rest.