Ep 6. Species Jump

In Homeland season 7 episode 6, titled "Species Jump," things begin to unravel for Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) as she faces increasing resistance from President Keane (Elizabeth Marvel) and her administration. Carrie is still reeling from the death of Quinn (Rupert Friend) and her father's (James Rebhorn) suicide. She is struggling to find direction amid the chaos.

The episode opens with Carrie traveling to Washington D.C. to testify before a Senate committee, but she is ambushed by journalists outside the hearing. They question her about her relationship with Russian intelligence agent Yevgeny Gromov (Costa Ronin), and suggest that she is protecting him. Carrie denies any wrongdoing, but the media frenzy only adds to her stress.

Meanwhile, Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin) is still in Russia, attempting to broker a peace deal with the Taliban. He has enlisted the help of a Russian spy named Ivan Krupin (Mark Ivanir), but he is not sure if he can trust him. Saul is also worried about his relationship with his estranged wife Mira (Sarita Choudhury), who is back in the United States.

Back in D.C., President Keane is facing pressure from all sides. She has launched a crackdown on the intelligence community in response to the assassination attempt on her life, but some of her advisors are worried that she is overreaching. Keane's chief of staff, David Wellington (Linus Roache), is particularly concerned. He tries to talk to her about dialing back the investigations, but Keane is adamant. She is convinced that the deep state is trying to undermine her presidency, and she will do anything to expose them.

Carrie is caught in the middle of this power struggle. She is still working for Wellington, but she can see that Keane is becoming more paranoid and erratic by the day. She tries to convince Wellington to work behind the scenes to rein in Keane, but he is hesitant. He knows that if he crosses her, he could be the next one to go down.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that everyone is hiding something. Carrie is still struggling with her addiction to medication, and she begins to see Quinn everywhere she goes. She is haunted by his death, and she is desperate to find a way to honor his memory. Saul is hiding secrets of his own, as he tries to broker a peace deal with the Taliban. He is unsure if he can trust Ivan, and he is worried that his efforts will be for nothing.

In the end, "Species Jump" is a tense and emotional episode that sets the stage for the rest of the season. The stakes are higher than ever, and the characters are all facing personal and professional challenges. Carrie, Saul, and Keane are all trying to navigate difficult terrain, and it remains to be seen who will come out on top.

Overall, Homeland season 7 episode 6 is an excellent installment in the series, full of gripping drama, intense action, and powerful performances. Fans of the show will not be disappointed.