| Paean to the People | ||||
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| Written by: | Alex Graves | |||
| Directed by: | Lesli Linka Glatter | |||
| Production number: | 7WAH12 | |||
| Running time: | 62 minutes | |||
| Original airdate: | April 29, 2018 | |||
| Viewers (millions): | 1.30 | |||
Paean to the People is the season finale of Season 7 of Homeland. It aired on April 29, 2018.
Synopsis[]
Carrie Mathison's and Saul Berenson's mission doesn't go as planned. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Keane must fight for her presidency.
Episode guide[]
Carrie is on her way to the American Embassy with Thomas and they are checking to see if they are being followed. Meanwhile, Keane catches the news on what's happening in Moscow. Warner arrives and wants to know what Saul has to do on site. Wellington claims they only deal with the Secret Service, but when Warner isn't happy and starts making threats, Keane explains that Simone Martin is still alive and they're going to get her. Something must have gone wrong. Warner asks why he wasn't told. Keane replies that she didn't want to jeopardize the mission because she couldn't trust Warner anymore after he started impeachment proceedings against her.
Saul learns that they have Simone and breaks off talks with the Russian delegation. He explains to Mirov that he is no longer responsible due to the new administration and should first go back to consult with the new president. Saul receives Simone in the garage. Meanwhile, Mirov learns from Yevgeny that Simone is no longer with him and that they are looking for the car. Mirov hangs up and stops Saul, who is about to drive out of the garage with his people. Mirov wants to see everyone in the car, but Yevgeny calls again. They found the car in which Simone is on surveillance cameras. Mirov abandons Saul's convoy.
Clint keeps getting calls but doesn't answer. Sandy inquires and he admits that he was in touch with Janet. Sandy is sure that's why the mission went wrong. Sandy wants to know if anyone knows what they're up to now, to which Clint denies. But Sandy will watch him from now on.
Carry and Thomas are surrounded by the police and she wants to buy Saul time. She escapes from the car and Thomas stops the police car with a head-on collision, allowing Carrie to disappear into a train station.
Saul briefs Simone on how to get through the airport lock as Carrie. She asks if Saul really wants to leave Carrie behind after everything she's done. Saul is thoughtful.
Carrie continues to flee from the police and always finds a way not to get caught because there are too many people between them. Meanwhile, Saul and Co.'s ID cards are being checked at a passage to the airfield. But there are problems. One of Saul's men should get out because he's wanted for murder. Saul explains that they are diplomats and therefore immune. You can definitely go through. The guard tries to get into the car, but Saul stops him. He wanted to call the embassy immediately.
Carrie hides in a shop and can thus buy time again.
Saul calls President Warner and asks that he and his people be allowed to leave the country. Warner wants to know if the mission was successful, which Saul answers in the affirmative. But he also explains that it could change if he doesn't get the release. Warner says he'll be in touch. Sam Paley is sitting in the office and has found out that they now have Simone. Warner is surprised Paley knows about this. Sam defends herself, stating that if Keane can prove her claims it won't help anyone because then she'll be president again and seek revenge. He saw the Russian Ambassador and Warner should just tell him the truth and not take responsibility for the actions of Keane and Saul.
The shopping mile at the train station is being cleared and things are getting tight for Carrie. She asks Max if Saul is on the plane, but Max has to tell her there's a problem. Yevgeny comes and orders the door to be broken down.
Warner has summoned the Russian ambassador, who is complaining about the situation in Moscow and wants to hold the Americans responsible. But Warner makes it clear that they should first talk about his transgressions. He explains that he should give word immediately that Saul and his team can get on the plane. Sam had actually expected a different reaction and wants to protest, but Warner rejects him and makes it clear to the Russian ambassador that he and his people also enjoy immunity, but this changes when Saul and his people are not allowed to board the plane right away. Warner then throws Paley out of the office.
The door to Carrie's hideout is forced open and Carrie is captured. But just before Yevgeny realizes it's Carrie, Saul, Simone and Co. have boarded the plane and taken off. Yevgeny is angry and punches Carrie down, but Carrie can't help but smile afterwards.
Three days later, the news reports that Sam Paley has been captured and Keane is back as President. In addition, sanctions against Russia will be tightened. Simone Martin's hearing is coming up and she is giving her testimony before the committee and is truthfully answering the questions. Max, Sandy and Saul's team are relieved when Keane surprisingly stands behind them and is just as happy and above all thanks. She also states that she will do everything in her power to get Carrie back to the United States as soon as possible.
Carrie is in custody and is picked up by her guard Aleksandr. They are brought to a room with a camera, where Yevgeny prepares everything. She is to testify on camera that the CIA planned everything and she should apologize to the Russian people for the plot. Carry makes it clear that she will definitely not do that. Yevgeny wants to give her a day to think it over and brings up the fact that he has Carrie's pills and that she will be in prison for a while, which could become torture without her pills. But Carrie makes it clear that she won't change her mind.
Keane and Wellington are on their way to the White House, where they are greeted with applause from all the staff. Keane is happy and then thanks Warner and all the employees for watching her back. Then she gets sworn in again.
Carrie is taken back to her cell. She asks Aleksandr if he could bring her the pills. She would do anything for it. Aleksandr says he's seeing what he can do.
Keane and Warner discuss her approach to Russia, and Warner suggests that instead of going it alone, she should get Congress on board and become bipartisan on the issue. Wellington thinks the idea is interesting because it might make it easier to push through other domestic policy issues later on. Keane is skeptical because she still doesn't trust Congress. But she promises to think about it. In private, she continues to discuss the subject with Wellington. She is still dismissive and doesn't see herself as the one to reconcile with the opposing camp. But she promises Wellington that she will really think about it. She then explains that she wants to speak to Paley.
Saul meets with the Russian ambassador and wants to know how he can get Carrie back to the US. He gives him a list of prisoners he would trade for Carrie. The ambassador makes it clear that he will not negotiate with him until Gorin is on the list. In addition, he cannot promise anything and they also have plenty of time.
Keane meets Sam Paley at his detention center. He starts talking right away and apologizes. Then he complains about his suffering, which is imminent. He has been in politics for 40 years and has always had integrity during this time. He never got into debt and had no involvement in the economy. Without his pension, he faces a life of poverty. His wife is doing badly and his children cannot help it. You gave up a lot for his political career. Keane doesn't say anything, which makes Paley angry. When he yells at her to finally hear a word from her, she just spits at him. Keane then drives thoughtfully back to the White House.
Carrie gets her dinner and there is also a pill on the tray. She thanks Aleksandr and explains that he can come and see her later that night.
Keane is in Arlington laying a wreath at her son's grave. She stays there and thinks for a long time.
Cameras are installed in the Oval Office and Wellington is confused. He's told where to find Keane and goes straight to her. She is being made up and explains that she has changed her mind and wants to give her speech from the Oval Office. She also explains that she will not take the prepared speech, but will spontaneously give her own. Wellington is worried, but Keane says he can calm down.
Yevgeny visits Carrie and asks how she made her decision. Carrie is sticking with it and will not make any false statements in front of the camera. Yevgeny then introduces Carrie to their new guard since Aleksandr has been transferred to Zurich. He also explains that the pill she got last night was just sugar.
The transmission begins and Keane delivers her impromptu speech. She makes it clear that the Russians have been attacking the US for decades, but that it is now much easier for them because the US is now a much easier target because the country is so divided and therefore accepts untruths and extremes. Keane explains that she is partly to blame because after the attempted assassination of her, she ran her office with fear and was therefore very suspicious and caused hostilities. She also used her office to bully her opponents. The problem now is that democracy in the USA is at risk because people are no longer listening properly, so it's your own fault. She and Warner have spoken at length and agree that the country is in crisis. But the country is very important to her and she wants harmony to work again. But she is also aware that part of the country will always not believe her and that she will always be accused of abusing her office. Therefore, she will resign from her position and give Warner the opportunity to take on the important task as President of the USA without any prior burden. Wellington is very surprised by this step, but at the end of the speech he puts on an understanding and satisfied face when Keane calls again not to work against each other but to seek consensus together. One should support and help Warner.
Seven months later, Saul is at the Russian-Estonian border with Jim in the middle of the night. They are waiting in front of a bridge. On the other side, two men with a prisoner come towards them. Saul explains that he wants to see if it really is her first. When he thinks he recognizes Carrie, he releases the five prisoners, including Gorin. When they run past Carrie, they release her and push her to start walking. She eventually runs and Saul tries to get her, but Carrie runs past him and ends up tripping. She falls to the ground. As Saul picks her up again, he sees her face frightened and confused. Carrie doesn't recognize Saul.
Trivia[]
“This piece of music that’s playing over this is Tomasz Stanko, who’s a Polish trumpeter. And it’s a piece called “Terminal 7.” And it really kind of… when we discovered this piece of music, we just knew we were going to use it somewhere. We didn’t know how or where we were going to do it. But it’s kind of Carrie’s theme.” – Alex Gansa
Quotes[]
‘I’m not gonna save your asses now by reading some stupid statement saying this was all a CIA plot’. - Carrie
‘Christ’s sake. I’m offering you three of the highest-level captures in the last decade’. - Saul
"For over 200 years we have had an angel on our shoulder in this country. Lately, I’ve been wondering where she’s gone. Look around, we’re in trouble. Our democracy is, and it is not Russia’s fault. It is ours. We are the ones killing it. When we think of democracies dying, we think of revolution, of military coups d’état, of armed men in the streets, but that’s less and less how it happens anymore. Turkey, Poland, Hungary, Nicaragua, the Philippines. The democracies now die when we’re not looking, when we’re not paying attention…the end arrives slowly, like twilight. And at first, our eyes don’t notice.
I spent much of the afternoon with Vice President Warner, who I have come to know as a deeply honorable and decent man. [At this point in her speech, Wellington looks back at Warner, only to find that Warner’s left the room.] He and I agree… [This country is] locked in an existential conflict over race and identity and culture. The signs are everywhere and flashing red. Something must change. Something bold must be done. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do know I have become part of the problem. I open my mouth and half of you hear only lies. That’s not only unacceptable, but unlikely to change anytime soon. No single leader can save a democracy, but without a leader you can trust, no democracy can be saved." - President Elizabeth Keane
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison
- Elizabeth Marvel as Elizabeth Keane
- Maury Sterling as Max
- Linus Roache as David Wellington
- Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson
Guest Starring[]
- James D'Arcy as Thomas Anson
- Dylan Baker as Sam Paley
- Costa Ronin as Yevgeny Gromov
- Sandrine Holt as Simone Martin
- Ellen Adair as Janet Bayne
- Catherine Curtin as Sandy Langmore
- Geoff Pierson as Richard Eames
- Elya Baskin as Viktor Makarov
- Merab Ninidze as Sergei Mirov
- Clé Bennett as Doxie
- Ari Fliakos as Carter Bennet
- Damian Young as Jim Laughlin
- Peter Vack as Clint Prower
- Yosef Podolski as Aleksandr
- Sue Jean Kim as Press Secretary
- Beau Bridges as Ralph Warner
Co-Starring[]
- John Moon as Chief Justice
- Laura French as News Anchor
- Antwan Mills as Prison Warden Ortiz
- Karen Gagnon as Saul's Interpreter
- Michael Houston King as Michael Press
- Igor Szasz as Airport Sergeant
- Zsolt Vicei as GRU Tech
- Gyula Mesterházy as Oleg
- Dénes Bálind as Moscow Police Officer
Videos[]
| Season 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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