Ep 4. Why Is This Night Different?

Carrie Mathison, an ex-CIA agent, is back for another thrilling ride in "Homeland" season 5 episode 4 titled Why Is This Night Different? In this episode, we see Carrie battling with a new set of challenges while trying to keep her old demons at bay.

Carrie, who now works for a private security company, is on a mission in Lebanon to secure Otto During's release from capture by Hezbollah – a militant group that operates in the region. Otto is a German philanthropist who has been captured and held hostage by the group and is now seen as valuable leverage, given his international connections and influence. Carrie is working with a team of ex-negotiators to secure his release and get him safely out of the country.

The episode picks up with Carrie and the team arriving in Beirut and meeting their contact, but things soon take a turn for the worse. Otto's captors demand a ransom that is higher than what was initially agreed upon, which leads to a disagreement between the private security firm Carrie works for and Otto's family. Desperate for any lead on Otto's whereabouts, Carrie goes against protocol and reaches out to an old contact who has successfully negotiated the release of hostages in the past. However, this move exposes her team to danger, and they are forced to find another way to get Otto out.

Meanwhile, back in Berlin, Saul Berenson, Carrie's former mentor and current CIA Chief of Europe, is trying to convince a skeptical Allison Carr, the CIA station chief in Berlin, to act on a lead that implicates the Russians in a plot to frame and discredit the US. Saul manages to convince Allison to act on the lead, but it soon becomes clear that the Russian intelligence agents are one step ahead of them. Allison's confidence in Saul's judgment is shaken when the operation goes south and leaves her team exposed. She starts to question Saul's motives and loyalty.

As the episode unfolds, Carrie and her team's situation becomes increasingly precarious as they try to navigate the ever-shifting power dynamics in the region. Carrie is forced to confront the ghosts of her past when she comes face-to-face with a former captive who blames her for his capture and subsequent ordeal.

Why Is This Night Different? is a tense, action-packed episode that shows the depth of Carrie's character and highlights the challenges she faces as she tries to move on from her past life. The episode also sets up several plot threads that promise to come to a head in future episodes, including the escalating tensions between the US and the Russians, and the increasingly complicated and dangerous situation in Lebanon.

Overall, this episode is a great addition to the "Homeland" franchise and solidifies its position as one of the most gripping and thought-provoking shows on TV. With its complex characters, intricate plots, and high-stakes action, "Homeland" season 5 episode 4 is not to be missed.