Amnisias' TV seal of approval

[amnisias]

I've been planning to make this post for a while now, but I only got as far as doing the screen caps and then RL interfered. So now this story is yesterday's last year's news. But who cares? Not me... :)

You might remember that I posted about Homeland back in October when the pilot aired, and after the finale I had the strong urge to post again. Partly just because the show delivered on all the point I had hoped: the acting, the writing, the pacing and the visuals. But it also scored in an area I did not expect, and that's really what compelled me to post. The thing is, apart from my love of TV I also have a strong interest in mental health issues. And I gotta say, the two don't normally play well. I made my peace with that and just don't have any high expectations when it comes to mental health on TV. It involves a lot of handwaving, everytime mental illness is completely misreprensented or just used as a plot device, or  when writers use psychology or mental illness as a free for all to explain a character's inexplicable actions. After all, shows are no public service announcements.

So, I was not expecting Homeland to have a character with mental illness. I was even less expecting that the mental illness would depicted with any degree of accuracie. But what really bowled me over was the last episode, where they tackled the issue of ECT, and didn't get it wrong.  They neither demonised it, nor glorified, but actually just showed it the way it is, and had characters voicing reasons for and against it without resorting to platitudes or polemics. And in the end they aloud the patient to chose the treatment she wanted.  Yes, the mental illness was there to serve the story, and the writers took some liberties with the facts to make it work, but that is okay. Because, you know, it's TV, not a documentary.

If you're interested,here and here the views of somebody with first-hand experience of the disorder.

Or, if you just here for the picspam, go here (warning, contains spoilers for season 1 and a picture of ECT):



  

 

 

The show is great and finding the perfect framing or POV for any given shot that adds an extra layer of emotion or character description.

   

I have to say I was surprised to see US television to create a character like Brody, a highly decorated veteran, devout Muslim and father, succesful adulterer and  failed suicide bomber, but basically a decent guy - and have the viewers are rooting for.

 

 

I particularly enjoyed the way the relationship between Brody and his daugher developped. They both feel disconnected from their family and over this rediscover the bond they once had. It just seemed right that in the end his was his daugher that made Brody not to detonate the bomb.

  

 

Carrie and Saul's relationship is another highlight of the series, simply too good for words. Luckily, the writers realized that full well, and cut down any unnecessary dialog between the two, just letting the silence and the faces talk.

Comments

[legoline.livejournal.com]

This show is SO good. Claire Danes just completely knocked it out of the park, too.

I'm still trying to vid this show--I actually still owe obsessive24 that one. Making VERY slow progress. But still, great show :-)

[amnisias.livejournal.com]

I would love to vid that show, the visuals are just so amazing, and the emotional arcs of the various characters so interesting and intens. And talky faces are not going to be as much of a problem as with other shows either.

Can I be nosey and ask what character/s and song you're vidding?

Nicky is such a lucky lady!

[legoline.livejournal.com]

I want to make a Carrie vid set to Kim Richey's "A Place Called Home". But IT'S HARD, particularly since I decided to make my own narrative that is...to me sort of hinted at in the show but it's hard to make it into a vid :-)

Nicky is such a lucky lady!
Ha, the vid's not done yet. So far it's not that great, really :-p

[amnisias.livejournal.com]

Beautiful song, I've had an eye on it for a long time but never found the right show for it.

So far it's not that great, really :-p Oh, sweetie, that's the vidding-gremmlin talking. Vidding is all about having fun, and expressing love for the source. Just let get go of all those expectations, vid and enjoy yourself. *Hugs*

[colls]

You're the second person this week to talk about Homeland. It looks like I should really check it out.

So many shows... so little time.
*sigh*

[amnisias.livejournal.com]

If you are into quiet, understated dramas with a stong narrative and compelling characters, then this might be for you. On the plus side, it's only a short season, so the time investment isn't huge. But it's not a fun show, more raw emotional drama.

Don't fret if you don't get round to it, though, there is always retirement for catching up on the brilliant shows you missed, or you can just wait for the vids. (See post above).

[destina.livejournal.com]

I absolutely love this show. I find it terribly disturbing, but in a way that haunts me.

[amnisias.livejournal.com]

I find it terribly disturbing, but in a way that haunts me.

That's a very good way to put it! It's not an easy watch, but very rewarding. The story stays with you for a long time.