'Homeland' Season 8 Episode 5 Review: Political thriller gives the world its most audacious chapter till date
This episode contains spoilers for 'Homeland' Season 8 Episode 5: 'Chalk Two Down'
'Homeland' was audacious. Seven staggering seasons were filled with intriguing plots that had grisly violence coupled with sly and dirty politics. The ongoing installment surpasses audacity by pegging the United States so much on the backfoot that its reminiscent of the 9/11 damage. Each season has that one episode that's darker than the rest of the season put together and 'Chalk Two Down' fits this bill perfectly.
'Chalk Two Down' is riveting, yet a painful watch. For one, it's about the grim truth that two presidents met their end in the most brutal manner and a bunch of marines whose lives are snuffed out when they're actually assessing the situation. For all the deaths, the despair back at base and the horror Vice President Benjamin Hayes (Sam Trammell) faces, there's still a lot of questions the episode needs to answer? And at this stage, the Taliban and the ISI are suspects. Emphasis on suspects because Haissam Haqqani (Numan Acar) and his men claim they weren't responsible for the atrocious act.
It's also at this time that General Abdul Qadir G'ulom (Mohammad Bakri), the vice president of Afghanistan, seizes the opportunity to climb the throne of presidency. He slams Haqqani and what we can expect is the Taliban leader's most definitely attempt to hit back. And in all of this, it's the United States of America that takes punches from both sides. The attack on the presidents and the death of the soldiers, except Max (Maury Sterling), who is also at the mercy of the Taliban survivor is a triple whammy on the CIA and the United States.
Speaking of Max, this is that season where there is that hollow feeling that something bad may happen to the fan-favorite and if it does; it's one of those sacrifices that'll be remembered for a long time. 'Chalk Two Down' completely moves the focus away from Carrie (Claire Danes) and Saul (Mandy Patinkin) and instead captures the horror the CIA goes through as they watch the gory events unfold. Midway through the episode, there's a sickening realization for Hayes. He knows he's the successor and the next POTUS, but this chapter also shows the overwhelming effect and the unpreparedness the character faces.
For all the achievements that Saul and Carrie could pat their backs for, this tragedy undoes every bit of the win and it's back to square one for them. In G'ulom, there's a dictator of sort, and in Haqqani, there's a rebel leader who will now do whatever it takes to ensure his survival. The only thing that's predictable at this moment is that everything is resting in Carrie and Saul's hands. This perhaps could be the greatest mission of their lives.
It seems like three episodes of 'Homeland' were a slow burner leading up to this moment. There's a lot more action in this than there is for the rest of the season and that's a plus. Final verdict: 'Chalk Two Down' may be Homeland's grittiest episode ever.
'Homeland' Season 8 premieres on February 9 at 9 pm ET/PT on Showtime.
