Ep 1. Deception Indicated

Carrie Mathison returns for the eighth and final season of Homeland. The show picks up a few months after the events of season 7. Carrie is living in Russia, and she isn't in the best of shape. She's a recovering alcoholic and has been struggling to put her life back together after being disavowed by the CIA. In the season opener, "Deception Indicated," we find Carrie being called back to the United States for an urgent mission.

The episode begins with a series of events that quickly set the tone for the final season. A group of marines stationed in Afghanistan are killed, and a recording of the incident is released to the public. The recording has been leaked by someone who claims to be an American whistleblower, and it has caused a major political scandal. The United States government believes that the whistleblower is a Russian agent, and Carrie is tasked with finding out who is behind the leak.

As soon as she returns to the States, Carrie is reminded of just how much her life has changed. She is forced to go through a series of security screenings and is even asked to take a polygraph test. Although it's clear that she's still dealing with the aftermath of her previous work, Carrie is focused on her current mission. She quickly discovers that she's being followed and is forced to go on the run.

Throughout the episode, we see different sides of Carrie. On one hand, she's determined to carry out her mission and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. On the other hand, she's vulnerable and struggling to keep her life together. She misses her daughter, and it's clear that the time she spent in Russia has taken a toll on her mental health.

The episode is filled with political intrigue and suspense. We see the different players involved in the leak and get a glimpse into the lengths they're willing to go to in order to keep their secrets safe. There are several twists and turns throughout the episode, and it's clear that this final season will be filled with surprises.

While Carrie is the focal point of the episode, we also get to see what some of the other characters have been up to. Saul is still working for the CIA, and we see him trying to navigate the political repercussions of the leak. Max, one of Carrie's former coworkers, is also back and is working with her to track down the source of the leak.

Overall, the season opener sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and intense final season. The stakes are high, and it's clear that Carrie will be faced with some tough decisions as she tries to accomplish her mission and protect her country. "Deception Indicated" is a strong start to the season and will leave viewers eager to see what happens next.