3. What Will Brody Do?
As touched on already, the risk in Season 1 was always that the viewer would be told that Brody either definitely was or was not a terrorist. That would have brought the entire premise to a shuddering halt, and left Season 2 with nowhere to go. But instead, Brody pulled out of his attack, shot co-conspirator Tom Walker, but then apparently convinced Abu Nazir that he was still working with him. His true intentions are still completely obtuse. The simple fact is that the viewer still roots for Brody. He is apparently betraying all his country's ideals, yet he has our sympathy. The back-story of his affection for Isa gave the viewer empathy, but it is his clouded loyalties that really leave the viewer struggling to know which way to turn. The terrorist is always the bad guy, it is supposed to be that simple. Not with Brody. Damien Lewis plays the former marine with style, one minute the doting family man, the next the conflicted Muslim, all dark brooding and nervous tension. Brody could still do anything, could still turn either way, and close behind will, undoubtedly, be Carrie.