Homeland Season 3 Premiere: “Tin Man Is Down”
Where we left off: the late Abu Nazir wasn’t finished attacking America yet, as someone possibly from his network planted a bomb in Brody’s car, which exploded at a CIA funeral for the vice president in Langley, killing more than 200 people.
Where we are now: Two months later, Saul and Mandy Patinkin’s beard have thrown Carrie to the wolves by outing her bipolar disorder and relationship with Brody on national television. Carrie was already a mess to begin with, committing perjury in front of a Congress committee and refusing to take her meds again. Now, our main character is about to become a loose cannon. This is what happens when you get romantically involved with terrorists, Carrie.
Brody family update: Dana tried to commit suicide between seasons because her dad is the most wanted man in America. She’s been attending support group meetings, but really she’s just there to flirt with that guy from Season 8 of Dexter and text him dirty pictures. Jessica is trying to go back to work, Grandma Brody is irritating and the son still exists.
Quinn (and others): Our “guy who kills bad guys” was pretty terrific in this episode until he accidentally shot a kid while carrying out a CIA mission to take out someone in Nazir’s network. Meanwhile, Saul’s wife Mira has been upgraded to a series regular and so far she’s a welcome addition. Dar Adal isn’t though. This guy is slimy and his “more terrifying than Saul’s” beard has got to go. And Brody? MIA.
Best moment: After her affair leaks in the newspaper, Carrie makes a scene when she interrupts Saul’s fancy lunch. Saul’s response? “Sit down, have some tiramisu.”
The Goldbergs Season Premiere
The premiere revolved around the introduction of our 1980s Jewish family, which consists of angry father Murray (Jeff Garlin), overbearing mother Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey), rebellious teenage daughter Erica, overreactive and misunderstood middle-child Barry and, of course, youngest child Adam, who likes to videotape the crazy family moments. The show is narrated by an older Adam, voiced by the always terrific Patton Oswalt. The story is based on the life of creator Adam F. Goldberg.
What happened: Loud arguments. So far, the Goldbergs love to get in shouting fights, which filled up the bulk of the premiere. They’re loud. In “Circle of Driving,” Barry wanted a car for his 16th birthday. Cue an argument with Beverly. Mischievous Grandpa Albert (George Segal) landed Barry and Adam in jail aer taking them on a joyride. Cue another argument with Beverly. Barry then got in another argument with Murray, which resulted in him holding up traffic and getting towed.
Verdict: Not terrible. If the show wants to survive on ABC, though, it needs to let go of its cliches and really focus on the family relationships, because that’s what it wants to be about. The show is no Modern Family, but it has potential. Also, it needs to tone down the ’80s references. REO Speedwagon, Gobots and Hooters. We get it. This show takes place in the ’80s.
