Ep 3. State of Independence

Carrie is back in action in Homeland season 2 episode 3, State of Independence. With Brody now seemingly on the side of the CIA, thanks to his own daughter Dana's intervention, Carrie is in the process of proving his loyalty by using him as a double agent. She is working to uncover the larger plot of Abu Nazir and the terrorist group he leads.

The episode begins with a flashback of Brody’s whereabouts after he was rescued by Abu Nazir in season one. The scene is set in Iraq, where Brody is put into a cell alongside two men who have worked hard to help Americans and lead peace initiatives in their country. Brody is told he must record a video admitting to these men’s crimes, or else he will be executed. He complies, seemingly lost and scared. Back in the present day, he has agreed to work for the CIA as a double agent, but he’s finding it hard to keep up with Carrie's requests.

Carrie, meanwhile, is struggling with her bipolar disorder. Thanks to her refusal to take her medication, she is having dangerous mood swings and is becoming increasingly erratic. She is working tirelessly to uncover Abu Nazir's plans, often to the detriment of her own safety. Her superiors are worried about her and suggest she go on leave to deal with her mental health issues. However, Carrie is adamant that she’s healthy enough to continue her work.

Meanwhile, Dana’s struggles continue as she tries to cope with the newfound knowledge of her father's past. She’s having trouble connecting with her family, and in particular, her mother, who seems to be burying her head in the sand about everything that’s happened. Dana wants to take action, and decides to sign up for a volunteer program in order to make a difference in the world.

The episode takes a shocking turn when a terrorist attack occurs in the United States. The team at the CIA scramble to figure out what’s happening, but there's a sense of chaos and confusion as the magnitude of the attack becomes clear. Carrie is called in to help, but her mental state is deteriorating rapidly. When Brody realizes how much he has at stake – and what he has to lose – he questions his own allegiances. Will he continue to be a pawn in the CIA's game, or will he take matters into his own hands and choose a different path?

Overall, Homeland season 2 episode 3 is a tense installment in the series. With the stakes higher than ever, the characters are forced to confront their own fears and weaknesses. There's a sense that everything is coming to a head – not just in terms of the terrorist threat, but also in terms of the personal struggles that all the characters are dealing with. The episode is gripping from start to finish, and leaves viewers on the edge of their seats as they wait to see what will happen next.