Pilot (Homeland)
"Pilot" | |
---|---|
Homeland episode | |
Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 1 |
Directed by | Michael Cuesta |
Written by | Howard Gordon Alex Gansa Gideon Raff |
Production code | 1WAH79 |
Original air date | October 2, 2011 |
Running time | 55 minutes |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"Pilot" is the first episode of the psychological thriller TV series Homeland. It originally aired on Showtime on October 2, 2011.
The episode focuses on the return home of Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), rescued after eight years as a prisoner-of-war in Afghanistan. While Brody is celebrated as a hero, CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) believes Brody to actually be acting as a sleeper agent for al-Qaeda.
The pilot was universally acclaimed by critics[1] and was the highest-rated drama premiere on Showtime since 2003.[2]
Plot
In flashback, Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) is shown in Iraq, where she is working as a CIA case officer. She bribes her way into a prison, where one of her informants is being held - a bomb maker who is soon to be executed. As Carrie is spotted and dragged away by guards, the informant whispers something into her ear.
Back in present day, Carrie arrives late to a meeting at the CIA
Jessica Brody (Morena Baccarin), Nicholas' wife, is shown having sex with Mike Faber (Diego Klattenhoff). Mike is later revealed to be Nick's best friend when he was captured, and a fellow Marine. Jessica is shocked to receive a phone call from Brody himself announcing his return, and she heads to the airport with their children, 16-year-old Dana (Morgan Saylor) and 12-year-old Chris (Jackson Pace), to greet him. While Brody is on his way home, Carrie is preparing to conduct her own unauthorized (and illegal) surveillance operation. She enlists her friend Virgil, an independent contractor, to install hidden cameras and microphones throughout Brody's house, which Carrie can monitor from home. They successfully complete the installation before Brody gets home. Carrie begins watching Brody's every move.
The next day, Brody is the subject of a CIA debriefing, where Carrie, David, and various other CIA personnel are present. Brody is questioned by everyone regarding his experiences as an al-Qaeda prisoner. Carrie asks Brody if he ever had any contact with Abu Nazir, the leader of al-Qaeda. He says no, but he is lying, as a memory of Brody's is shown of himself with Abu Nazir. Carrie is skeptical and asks again repeatedly before David puts a stop to it.
Later on, Brody goes to meet someone in the park. Believing that he may be meeting an al-Qaeda contact, Carrie, Virgil, and Max (Virgil's brother) follow him. But instead he meets up with Helen Walker (
In the final scene, Brody is jogging through Washington, D.C. As he jogs, more of his memories about Tom Walker's beating are being revealed, eventually concluding that, under command from Abu Nazir, it was actually Brody himself who beat Walker to death. Brody pauses from his jog to gaze at the Capitol Building.
Production
The episode was co-written by executive producers Alex Gansa, Gideon Raff, and Howard Gordon, while executive producer Michael Cuesta directed.
Reception
Ratings
The original broadcast of the pilot episode on October 2, 2011 at 10:00 pm received 1.08 million viewers, becoming Showtime's highest-rated drama premiere in eight years (since Dead Like Me which also starred Patinkin, with 1.11 million in 2003). The episode received a total of 2.78 million viewers with additional broadcasts, on demand, and online viewings.[2]
Reviews
The pilot episode received universal acclaim, scoring a Metacritic rating of 91/100 from 28 reviews, with all 28 critics giving positive reviews.
Awards and nominations
Michael Cuesta received a nomination for the
The episode received Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series nominations at the 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards; Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, and Gideon Raff won for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.[8][9]
Jordan Goldman and David Latham won the
This episode won the 2012
References
- ^ CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
- ^ a b Seidman, Robert (October 3, 2011). "'Homeland' Posts Best New Drama Series Debut Ratings on Showtime in 8 Years; 'Dexter' Sees Season Premiere High". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
- ^ Stuever, Hank. "2011 TV season: Few smooth takeoffs, many bumpy arrivals". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
- ^ Gilbert, Matthew (September 4, 2011). "Which new fall series make the grade?". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
- ^ Tucker, Ken. "Homeland". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
- ^ Collura, Scott (September 30, 2011). "Homeland: "Pilot" Review". IGN. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
- ^ "'Curb,' 'Modern Family' top DGA TV noms: 'Breaking Bad,' 'The Killing,' 'Homeland' among drama noms". Chicago Tribune. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for 2012 – Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series". Emmys.com. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for 2012 – Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series". Emmys.com. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- About.com. Retrieved June 11, 2012.