Quality dose of intrigue

Homeland
Channel 10, Sundays, 8.30pm
CHANNEL 10 has largely built this year’s line-up around this much-hyped offering, and it’s not hard to see why.
Homeland is top-quality TV, with its finger right on the button of today’s issues.
From Claire Danes’ first appearance as a CIA operative on the mean streets of Baghdad, to the equally mean streets of hometown USA, this is a great show.
The tale begins with Claire’s character, a highly unstable CIA analyst with a chequered career, getting hot intel from a Baghdad prison that an American prisoner of war has been “turned” by Al Qaeda.
Back in the US, who should appear but a Marines sergeant (Damian Lewis, star of Band of Brothers), after being held by Al Qaeda for the better part of a decade.
Crazy Claire, who we soon learn is on anti-psychotic medication behind the CIA’s back, springs into action.
The hapless sergeant’s house is soon wired for sight and sound, at Claire’s own expense, and in violation of about a dozen federal laws.
And what Claire learns disturbs her greatly – the initial signs are that Claire may be right. But the producers have very cleverly played with her sanity in such a way that we’re torn as to whom to believe – it’s an extremely effective dramatic technique.
You might be wondering what difference it makes if a lowly sergeant has been turned: he’s hardly at the heart of national security.
But it all too soon becomes apparent that, as the strong, silent war hero type, he’ll beset for whatever political office he seeks. Sadly, it’s a tradition ofmilitary service among elected leaders that we lack in Aust-ralia.
This hour will be the best 60 minutes you spend in front of the TV each week. You’ll love this Manchurian Candidate for the 21st century.
– Jason Beck