Confessions of a blogger

I used to think Claire Danes was a mediocre actress.

Then I started watching “Homeland” and that point of view was turned on it’s head. I have never seen a braver actress. The character of Carrie on “Homeland” is so multi-layered and complex - fucked up and vulnerable, at the same time strong and a risk taker in a way that not only redeems her character but saves lives in the process.

“Homeland” would have been a mess if they had not found an actress so capable of putting herself on the line, both physically and emotionally in this role. At the end of Season 1, Carrie was in the gut-wrenching grip of her mental illness. This was not a time for professional vanity in an actress. Claire Danes went to the limits and pulled out the performance of her career.

I had concerns that Season 2 would not live up to the high standard of Season 1. And rightly so. Because every single actor in the series is on their game. There was not a line wasted of the script. And taut editing completed the arc of brilliance. Could they keep it up?

Then came Season 2, Episode 2. 

48 minutes of small screen perfection. And the last 5 have to go down as one of the best, most tense and exhilarating scenes I’ve had the pleasure of viewing for years.