I guess we need a deus ex machina of sorts considering she is the main character in a serialized show.
Now that I think about it, I'd be curious to know what the rest of Homeland's season would look like had Carrie been shot and killed. I'm picturing Mandy Patinkon doing lots of song and dance numbers.

You knew the sniper wouldn't kill the show's main character in the middle of a season? I'd say that was pretty much a given.

Oh fuck, I just reread the review: "Allison remains a cipher, even as her machinations drive the plot. It’s a relief to watch Carrie finally find the puzzle’s more important piece, but there’s nothing inherently interesting about Allison’s involvement because she lacks the presence of the big bad she’s supposed to be."
…

Whoa, I came out of that episode totally jazzed for the rest of the season and couldn't wait to read the review. Not that I get that bent out of shape if my opinion is totally different from a reviewer, but sleepy? That's a surprising critique. The reveal of how Allison was turned was enough for me in and of itself. I…

But look how hot she is!
Emma Roberts set the bar for worst acting ever on this show, with Grace Gummer not far behind. Personally I think Daddario was head and shoulders above those two, which admittedly isn't saying much.

Spent a whopping 5 minutes of Google research on this, which obviously qualifies me as an expert now by internet message board standards… yeah, she's an unabashed conservative. I haven't seen anything frighteningly reactionary a la Rocker though. I guess I'm ok with conservatives as long as the crazy and dog whistles…

I know she was doing tv and radio hosting, but did she go all Maggie Gallagher on us? I'm not aware of any of her editorializing.
I hope the answer to this question is no, because she and Shii Ann were the only two I liked on that season.

AHS officially has its mojo back. I didn't think this day would or could come, but alas, here we are.

Even seeing that name made me involuntarily twitch. Please no more WND contributors, producers.

I know exactly what you're saying, but more generally speaking, she has an evenness to her personality akin to someone on a depression med. I don't think it's wired in her to get excited or down. She's predictably flatlined right down the center, which can come across as disinterested.
Or…. she really didn't want to be…

Ask and you shall receive. Thanks, beanstew!
I gathered most of the information you are relaying, but I wasn't able to put into any sort of narrative like you just did. I'm still a little fuzzy on who the lawyer is and why we should care, but hopefully it'll click for me at some point.
I also remember Allison saying…

I'm going to plead ignorance here. I honestly didn't understand the spy intrigue stuff from the last episode. Who is Oriole? What were those two phone calls to the Middle East she made? Who were those people in Amsterdam and how are they all related to the jet that was blown up? Why do the Russians care about any of…

She is one note, but her character doesn't bother me like it's bothering many of you. She's the naive member of the press idealistically doing what she believes is right. Sure, I guess it's "one note" as many as are saying, but it's a fairly accurate one note as far as accurately portraying the role of the press is…

Not just Carrie, but Saul too. At this point he should know better than to trust Allison. The writing is all over the wall on that one from his perspective. What was he supposed to assume her bathroom breakdown was all about? Did he think she was suddenly going to poop all over herself for no apparent reason the…

no

They're going to pull a switcheroo very soon with Duering. No major character I can think of on this show is purely good or purely bad. Ok, scratch that, we've had a few purely bad ones. But they're setting up the caveat with Duering, which I'm guessing will be revealed in the next episode. He's got an agenda.

Miranda Ott's breakdown for some reason was hilarious to me. Was I supposed to be laughing? My wife and I were dying. Yes, it was over the top, which is what I think we found funny. And long. Also funny. What was Saul supposed to assume was happening?
But kudos to the actress because I have to admit despite the…

I think we're going to get more mommy weirdness between Sevigny and Holden. Did you see that weird smile she had when reminded how much she loves Holden? Sorry, this is getting super uncomfortable for me, and it's likely going to get worse before it gets better.

I so agree with the last bullet point of the review. Who knew all it was going to take is some dramatic eye makeup and a few well-written scripts for Dennis O'Hare to easily improve upon the absence of Dame Lange? Sorry, Lange, this is an upgrade.

Remember when this show used to get in the high triple-digits of comments per episode? Man, those days are way over. I haven't even seen Scrawler or Franko or Spicoli. Sad indeed.