Homeland (8×03) False Friends Review

For our review of the last episode of Homeland, click here.

Synopsis: Carrie arranges a meeting. Haqqani finds trouble at home. Saul cuts a deal. (IMDB)

As far as this final season of Homeland is concerned, peace is easier said than done as it safe to expect that things aren’t quite as they seem. In a season that has dealt with plenty of drama abroad, there may be trouble brewing domestically (because we can’t just leave the current President of the United states alone) just to add to things. Meanwhile, we start to learn what may have happened to Carrie while in a Russian asylum (with Gromov continuing to pull the strings) but remember, things aren’t always as they seem which means it should be taken with a grain of salt.

False Friends started with Carrie remembering the time when Gromov left her behind in a Russian asylum. She was set to go to Germany but we all know that was going to happen after she told Dunne about her encounter with Gromov. They weren’t allowed to go after him but we all know they will after Carrie argued for it. Gromov sent Carrie another note requesting a meeting. She thought that they could maybe recruit him to their side. Dunne wanted her to have backup but she tried to convince him otherwise. Of course the station did not fully trust Carrie, believing that she may be compromised by the Russians and attempting to meet a Russian agent. However, she didn’t exactly trust Gromov either. He was purposefully late to the meeting as a ruse to avoid the listening devices that were being used unbeknownst to Carrie. Gromov was helping Carrie because he claimed he felt sorry for leaving her behind (he wanted to pick up where they left off). He claimed that he saved her life while she was in the asylum and also knew that she liked to walk through a birch forest and about Frannie. Before they could really get anywhere, he of course had to leave.

Saul was adamant that he had nothing to do with the attack on Haqqani’s convoy, claiming that he had a traitor in his midst (he considered it because of he and Saul’s close relationship). Meanwhile, Haqqani’s youngest son Jalal (Elham Ehsas) met with Qureshi after the failed attempt on his life (they were both surprised he was alive). Haqqani called Jalal home. Once he returned to his father, Jalal fell immediately under suspicion thanks to his widely-known opposition to his beliefs. Unfortunately, he would immediately incriminate himself while Haqqani was listening (so he decided to let Saul go). This would put him in a precarious position, reflecting upon his position with his people in the present and the future (Saul tried to convince him to stay in charge).

The following morning, Jalal was pulled out of bed so he could be made an example of. With a noose around his neck and a gun pointed at him by Haqqani, he eventually told the truth and claimed that he would support peace but his father didn’t believe him so he kicked him out (but not kill him which may be a mistake). With Jalal gone, Haqqani eventually agreed to the peace deal (assuming the Americans lived up to their side of the deal) but Jalal is still in the picture. Meanwhile, Max was apparently a good luck charm for the squad he was stationed with whether he liked it or not though with his job done, he was set to go back but bad weather will keep him there longer.

Wellington learned at a cabinet meeting that the Vice President (who happens to be a member of the other political party) went to a college sporting event where there also happened to be political donors which could mean that he was positioning himself to run against President Warner. Carrie and Saul then spoke with Warner and Wellington about selling the peace deal to the American people. She suggested Warner come to Afghanistan to make the announcement. Afterwards, Carrie lied to Dunne about her meeting with Gromov and arguing for herself to stay longer.

The episode ended with Qureshi picking up Jalal who was wandering down the street. So Jalal and/or Carrie/Gromov are going to screw things up right?

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.