Er, pretty much all the plot points you listed would be considered "big" in the rules the show set up for itself. You aren't really doing yourself any favors for your larger point by listing them out.

No quips come out of certain of the character's mouths (Ward, Melinda), and honestly even Skye doesn't make every line a quip. She certainly had a fair amount of quip-less dialogue this week.

The ratings were 0.5 higher for last week's entry, which suggests something different happened than the show "keeps underwhelming," as this statement wouldn't have been applicable last week.

I'm not sure why the fact Carrie is white would have mattered THAT much, although I'm not versed on the ethnic makeup of Tehran. I do know non-Muslim women who wear hijabs are treated "differently," but likely short of being cornered in a town square and questioned. Carrie's already been established as being…

I understand the point, but again, nobody else endorsing her being committed to a mental institution knew it was a plan, and everybody including Dar Adal wanted to see her put there. It is just as plausible that Carrie would be committed even if it weren't a plan, as most of the audience itself simply assumed for…

On the first, I'm just not convinced based on the events we saw portrayed that Carrie left herself that open to being ID'd in the town square.

The private audience was a bit far-fetched, but Carrie not being noticed is not IMO. It has been established from the opening shot of this show that she knows how to go undercover in locations like these. Sure, we think it's odd because she's a famous actress, her features are a bit striking even with darker hair,…

I don't think he decided to kill the man until about 5 seconds before it happened, likely after he revealed the CIA plan. You can see in his face he was going back and forth on it. Others have commented that it was around the time when he said this was where it all started.

Being committed to a mental institution wasn't enough? And yes, I know it was a Saul/Carrie plot and she put herself there of her own volition, but everyone BESIDES Saul, Carrie, and maybe Quinn endorsed her being there.

Really? Is it REALLY being marketed as something completely different, or is that what the fans have decided since they continually bring up Season 1 in every single review? Which ads are marketing it like that? Is it simply because Showtime say it's the "Emmy-winning drama Homeland?" I'm being genuinely curious…

Couldn't have said it better myself.

There's also no working ourselves into endless critical masturbation by continually comparing the show to its state two years ago. It is brought up by every single review, whether by the critic or the posters, and God if it isn't such old goddamn news already.

I know, it is really tiring already. It's been two f#@&king years already, and it's been the subject of scads of reviews. Stop comparing the show to Season 1 and just evaluate it on its own terms.

I definitely don't think Doctor Wes is the "big bad." I think it's other undisclosed figures in the Augustines, or maybe Enzo?

I'm not entirely sure this episode was designed to fit into a preconceived notion of a midseason finale. That concept is a relatively recent construct that WE, as viewers, seem to have suddenly imposed on various shows. Some shows do them, but not all. This episode was more sedate, and merely moved some plotlines…

I agree with much of what you said. I will definitely go along with unbelievable elements if all the other stuff is well compensated. For me, the characters in this show work, and are very well-drawn. I'm willing to forgive a little death-defying stuff, which, let's be fair, is done in the VAST, VAST majority of…

I find that if you keep nitpicking on things you find unrealistic, or things obviously done for dramatic license, you won't enjoy 75% of television. Perhaps closer to 85%. A lot of what you said falls into this category (e.g., lengths they go to not to involve POTUS, Brody not dying when he is supposed to, etc.)

This was a great ep. Very tense, very focused. With some wonderful acting by Danes and Lewis again. Can't wait for the final two.

Eh come on. Every time a show attempts to do flashbacks (The Following, The Vampire Diaries), people start trashing them or tuning out or talking about how bad peoples' hair was in them. I was fine with being "told" the story like some sort of campfire ghost story. That was likely the intent….

Minimal action? I think it's got too much action. And the character development is at least being attempted. Half of this episode was based on May's backstory.