SPOILER ALERT! Brutal, abrupt and heartbreaking... but is Homeland's season three finale the game-changer the series needs?

By Linda Massarella

PUBLISHED: 01:20 EST, 16 December 2013 | UPDATED: 03:52 EST, 16 December 2013


It made no sense, yet it made perfect sense.

Homeland’s third season finale episode continued to break television rules by unceremoniously killing off Nicholas Brody, one of its two leads; while leaving Carrie having to make a Sophie’s Choice decision between her unborn child and her new job as Istanbul station chief with the CIA.

She'll also be forced to serve under the new CIA director responsible for Brody's death.

Double-crossed: After promising to rescue him once he finished the mission in Iran, the CIA let US Marine Nicholas Brody (actor Damian Lewis) hang in the season finale of Homeland

Double-crossed: After promising to rescue him once he finished the mission in Iran, the CIA let US Marine Nicholas Brody (actor Damian Lewis) hang in the season finale of Homeland

Sophie's Choice: CIA agent Carrie can do nothing to save her lover and the father of her unborn child

Sophie's Choice: CIA agent Carrie can do nothing to save her lover and the father of her unborn child

While the show writers, by all rights, should have kept Brody alive since actor Damien Lewis won an Emmy for the role, he was killed off simply, with hardly any fuss, in a quick public hanging in a Tehran square.

The quickness of his death was eerie and confusing - after all the torture he's been through, viewers could scarcely believe Brody wouldn't continue to survive - and it occurred about halfway through the 60 minute episode.

With Brody dead and gone – and Claire Danes’ Carrie dangling by the usual bi-polar thread and likely plotting some kind of revenge - there remains high hopes for more of the same gut-wrenching, highly unusual drama since Showtime announced it is renewing the award-winning show for a fourth season. 

Other regulars who won't be returning to the show are Morena Baccarin and Morgan Saylor, who played Brody's wife, Jessica; and daughter, Dana, since producers plan to dial-back storylines involving the Brody family.

The tense final episode began with Brody successfully running away from high Iranian security after killing IRG boss Danesh Akbar, which left CIA plant Majid Javardi in charge.

Completing the mission: The tense final episode began with Brody hiding the body of IRG boss Danesh Akbar, whom he had killed in the penultimate episode

Completing the mission: The tense final episode began with Brody hiding the body of IRG boss Danesh Akbar, whom he had killed in the penultimate episode

Escape artist: As usual, Brody manages to escape a tricky situation

Escape artist: As usual, Brody manages to escape a tricky situation

Driving through the desert: Brody confides he was born in the Mojave desert in California, where his father was stationed in the military. 'I'm glad he's not alive to see this,' Brody says

Driving through the desert: Brody confides he was born in the Mojave desert in California, where his father was stationed in the military. 'I'm glad he's not alive to see this,' Brody says

Carrie navigates Brody’s escape to a safe-house,marking the first time this entire dramatic season the two star-crossed lovers had been alone in a room together without others.

A distraught Brody – a US Marine who had been tortured and brainwashed by his Iranian captors to go home and kill Americans; but once discovered by the Americans, was turned back into a patriot with Carrie's help – ruminates about his place in the world.

‘There’s this man in Caracas, he’s a doctor.  He called me a cockroach, un-killable, bringing misery wherever I go. … This is about redemption, mine. … In what universe can you redeem yourself for one murder by committing another?’ 

Naturally, his CIA lover is able to calm him down. Finally, the moment viewers are waiting for arrives: The star-crossed lovers are finally together and Carrie can divulge the secret she’s been carrying. 

‘I’m pregnant,’ she tells him. ‘I’m four months pregnant, from our time at the lake.’

Brody responds: ‘Carrie, Jesus, you should have said something.’

‘I’m saying it now,’ and continues: ‘There will be a life and I’m not sorry for this. I happen to believe I was put on this earth for our paths to cross.’

End of the romance: While in the safe house, Carrie finally manages to tell Brody she's four-months pregnant with his child

End of the romance: While in the safe house, Carrie finally manages to tell Brody she's four-months pregnant with his child

Brody, whose teenaged daughter tried to kill herself this season after learning her father was considered a public traitor, for a moment seemed calm.

‘I don’t think that should crazy at all. I think it sounds like the only sane thing left to hold onto.’

For a moment, it seemed Brody would have his redemption and earn back a family.

But there was no romantic scene between the two, no kissing, or holding.

As Brody slept on the concrete floor of the safe house, Carrie listened for the CIA black hawk helicopters director Saul Berenson promised would be there within hours to take the both of them home.

Moral dilemma: CIA director Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin) means to keep his promise to bring Brody back to safety, but is thwarted by Senator Lockhart

Moral dilemma: CIA director Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin) means to keep his promise to bring Brody back to safety, but is thwarted by Senator Lockhart

Captured! The Iranians are tipped off where to find Brody by new CIA director Andrew Lockhart, who double crosses Saul

Captured! The Iranians are tipped off where to find Brody by new CIA director Andrew Lockhart, who double crosses Saul

Unbeknownst to Saul, Senator Lockhart – who has been waiting restlessly in the wings for Saul’s job – tells Javardi where to find them.

Javardi brings Brody in for trial, saying that if he doesn’t, he will forever be a suspect in Akbar’s murder.

Brody is quickly put on trial and sentenced to hang in the town square that night. In a quick telephone call, Brody tells Carrie not to come to his hanging.

Naturally, she doesn't listen.

She arrives to the square in time to witness the life being choked out of her lover by a red noose unceremoniously hooked up to a tow truck that lifts him up by a wire in front of a roaring crowd.

Red rope of death: Brody is hanged in a Tehran town square

Red rope of death: Brody is hanged in a Tehran town square

Helpless: Carrie can do nothing to save her lover's life

Helpless: Carrie can do nothing to save her lover's life

With 20 minutes left in the episode, viewers are left agape at what to expect next.

Happily, it’s Saul, vacationing under blue skies with his wife, four months later.

The newspaper tells how IAEA inspectors have full access to Iran, thanks to the regime change, and that peace in the Middle East has moved forward. His wife calls it Saul’s ‘crowning achievement,’ although it cost him his career and he’s moving to New York to take a job in the private sector.

 Cut to a heavily pregnant Carrie, who is being summoned into Lockhart’s office to be offered a job as the chief of the Istanbul bureau, where she’d personally handle Javardi.

Carrie seizes the moment to ask if Brody might possibly get a star at the CIA’s annual commemorative ceremony. Over 100 CIA employees are being awarded the star – why not Brody, who died for his country?

The face of evil: Scheming Senator Lockhart (Tracy Letts), the new CIA director, is sure to be a foil for Carrie next season

The face of evil: Scheming Senator Lockhart (Tracy Letts), the new CIA director, is sure to be a foil for Carrie next season

Not showing her hand: Carrie smiles calmly when called into Lockhart's office

Not showing her hand: Carrie smiles calmly when called into Lockhart's office

Lockhart laughs and says no and then asks Carrie – in a moment of ominous foreshadowing for the next season: ‘Is this going to be an ongoing problem?'

She answers in a straight face: ‘No, sir.’

Truth be told, Carrie is proud and happy about the Istanbul assignment is happy, but begins questioning her mothering abilities.

‘I wanted it for Brody, to have a part of him. I realize it’s impossible,’ she tells her CIA pal, Quinn, played by Rupert Friend: ‘I can’t be a mother, because of me, because of my job, because of my problems.’

Carrie is alluding to her mental illness and chronic bouts of bi-polar mania, that must be treated with high doses of lithium. 

‘That kid is a gift,’ Quinn tells her, saying he also had a child but no longer sees him. ‘It would be really sad to see you do the same thing.’

A shoulder to lean on: Carrie tells fellow agent Quinn (Rupert Friend) that she's having second thoughts about keeping the baby

A shoulder to lean on: Carrie tells fellow agent Quinn (Rupert Friend) that she's having second thoughts about keeping the baby

After telling Lockhart she’d need ‘a few seconds’ for maternity leave, her father and sister, Maggie, arrive at her apartment with goodies for the baby.

According to the sonogram the baby is a girl, in perfect health, and ready to be delivered any moment.

‘I’m antsy, waiting for this girl,’ her father says as Maggie shows her how to use a front baby carrier

‘Maggie, I’m not going to need your stuff. I’m moving to Istanbul. Right after she’s born. I can’t keep her. That’s what I’m saying. … You know how bad it gets with me.’

Maggie tries to reassure her.

‘I think she’s going to ground you, make you feel focused and healthy. You will be astonished by the love you have for her.’

Carrie shakes her head: ‘I don’t feel love, all I feel is scared. Two tours in Bagdad and a baby is the thing to bring you to your knees.’

Due any moment: As the birth draws near, bi-polar Carrie becomes frightened of the kind of mother she'll be

Due any moment: As the birth draws near, bi-polar Carrie becomes frightened of the kind of mother she'll be

'We'll help you!' Carrie's father, who is also bi-polar, says he'll take care of the baby, which they've discovered through ultrasound is a 'perfectly healthy' girl

'We'll help you!' Carrie's father, who is also bi-polar, says he'll take care of the baby, which they've discovered through ultrasound is a 'perfectly healthy' girl

Carrie’s father pipes in: ‘If you don’t want her, I’ll take her!’

‘You would do that?’

‘You bet your life.’

At the CIA commemoration ceremony, Lockhart calls out names, but Brody is not among them. In a nod to Carrie, who’s in the audience, he says, ‘No matter when or where they served, no matter if their name is known to the world or only to us… they all heard the same call to duty and they all answered it without hesitation. They are our heroes.’

As people file out of the ceremony, Carrie stays in her seat and is approached by Saul.

‘He gives a nice speech.’

‘He’s a politician,’ she answers.

Lip service: New CIA Director Andrew Lockhart makes a speech about heroic CIA officers who have given their lives for their country, but pointedly refuses to name Brody

Lip service: New CIA Director Andrew Lockhart makes a speech about heroic CIA officers who have given their lives for their country, but pointedly refuses to name Brody

Last but not least: While Carrie ruminates about Brody not being included in the CIA ceremony, Saul congratulates her on her new assignment in Istanbul

Last but not least: While Carrie ruminates about Brody not being included in the CIA ceremony, Saul congratulates her on her new assignment in Istanbul

Saul congratulates her on the Istanbul post, but says he’s moving on.

‘When it’s over, it’s over,’ Saul says whimsically.

‘But you won, Saul, you won.’

‘Did I? I guess I did.’

They two are interrupted when an agent tells Carrie there’s a ‘situation’ and she’s needed immediately.

‘The director is asking for you,’ the agent tells her.

Before rushing for her orders, Carrie stays back and looks at wall with the new commemorative stars for fallen hero. She silently approaches the wall with a magic marker and draws one in for Brody.

CIA hero wall not for Brody: Despite the fact he took the mission in Iran to clear his reputation with his family and the American public, Brody was not given a star by Lockhart

CIA hero wall not for Brody: Despite the fact he took the mission in Iran to clear his reputation with his family and the American public, Brody was not given a star by Lockhart

Final image: The finale ended with Carrie drawing a star herself for Brody with a felt-tipped magic marker

Final image: The finale ended with Carrie drawing a star herself for Brody with a felt-tipped magic marker

Comments (12)

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The comments below have been moderated in advance.

I spent the last 20 minutes of the show hoping Brody would reappear and reveal that Javadi had staged an elaborate cover up. Even to the point right at the end where someone says "Carrie, the director needs you". Boo.

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If they kill Brody what is the point of watching the next series?

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Might as well not watch it now!

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Well that's saved me from tuning in to the finale.......practically the whole script written here!

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Thanks DM - I am watching this in England and the final episode is next week. You've ruined it for me

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Thanks!!

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Well thanks for ruining the end for loads of us

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I will not be watching the next series. When Nicolas Brody is not on screen the show is rubbish. Killing the finest actor on tv today is a big mistake.

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Seems a bit pointless keeping this series going then without the main star, just leaving a lot of useless people behind. They should have used his death in the very last episode, then finished the series.

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They killed brody....?!?!?!?! what is wrong with the writers!!!

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