Homeland (8×05) Chalk Two Down Review

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

Synopsis: Carrie chases answers. Max attempts a rescue. G’ulom takes an opportunity. (IMDB)

When you thought things couldn’t get any worse on Homeland, they always do as just about everything that had been established this season thus far has faded away, leaving Carrie and Saul reeling (Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin’s chemistry has never been better).

Chalk Two Down continued what the last episode started with some of that same intensity that ended the last episode as Max and his unit geared up to head to the crash site. Meanwhile, Kabul and the White House were at an impasse on how to deal with the situation. This was also a great opportunity for Vice President Ben Hayes (Sam Trammell) to point out his opposition to all of it. Saul perhaps took things a little harder as his peace deal was crumbling. Qureshi and G’ulom had a feeling that was something was going on (they were still waiting in the Presidential Palace for the presidents to return). The latter got confirmation that something happened (though would use this news his own way).

At the crash site, Max felt relieved since he was supposed to be on one of those helicopters. There were no survivors, which included both the American and Afghani presidents who were both confirmed dead (Max took it hard). Criticizing Warner was one thing but becoming President was another for Hayes as he certainly wasn’t ready for that responsibility (implying that he may not have had something to do with it). The unit at the crash site would eventually be overwhelmed by Taliban soldiers with no reinforcements coming anytime soon. They were taking casualties but the next problem was the question of maintaining evidence of the crash or surrendering Warner’s body to the Taliban. Hayes had to make a tough decision so he chose to bomb the site. Fortunately, Saul had a communication channel with Max so Carrie asked him to snag the black box which wouldn’t be easy. Meanwhile, Carrie also discovered that the presidents’ helicopter was swapped at the last minute by a mechanic who disappeared to tend to his pregnant Afghani girlfriend. It ultimately didn’t matter since no one was listening.

Saul told G’ulom about the deaths and his wanting to coordinate a response (but of course that didn’t happen). He warned Qureshi of what might come, not being able to guarantee her safety (maybe she had something to do with it?). As the new Afghani President, his master plan seemingly was to set up Haqqani for the assassination of the presidents (he denied responsibility), making an announcement declaring as such. He would institute Martial Law on the streets of Kabul. Saul believed him and warned him and advised he leave Kabul.

Max and his unit got out just in time, taking more casualties. Some were picked up but he and Specialist Drew Soto (Sam Chance) (the soldier who always seemed to be on his case) were left behind but that didn’t last long as Soto was killed, leaving Max all alone. The episode would end with him being at the mercy of a Taliban soldier. If Max dies, we riot.

In the end, whomever shot down the helicopters is still a wide-open mystery (R.I.P. Beau Bridges) and what do the Russians have to do with it (or maybe that’s just a closure angle with Carrie)? Expect it to take a few more turns before the end. You may not be as relevant today but we are definitely going to miss you Homeland.

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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.