Ep 2. Joseph Gordon-Levitt/Mumford & Sons

In season 38, episode 2 of NBC's long-running sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt took on hosting duties, with British folk rock band Mumford & Sons serving as the musical guest.

The episode opened with a sketch parodying the first presidential debate between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. Jay Pharoah reprised his role as Obama, while Jason Sudeikis portrayed Romney. The sketch poked fun at the candidates' respective performances, with Sudeikis' Romney being portrayed as overly aggressive and Pharoah's Obama struggling to keep up.

One of the standout sketches of the night was a digital short called "My Daughter," which featured Gordon-Levitt as a proud and protective father. In the sketch, he sings a heartfelt song about his daughter, only to reveal that she's actually a grown woman (played by Cecily Strong) who is clearly uncomfortable with her father's overbearing affection.

The iconic Weekend Update segment featured the comedic stylings of Seth Meyers as he delivered his usual mix of political commentary and one-liners. Some of the notable topics covered included the presidential election, NFL replacement referees, and a strange new beauty trend involving fish pedicures.

Another memorable sketch from the episode was a parody of the popular TV show "Homeland." Titled "Homeland Security," the sketch placed cast member Nasim Pedrad in the role of Carrie Mathison, with Gordon-Levitt playing a terrorist suspect who she becomes increasingly obsessed with. The sketch was a clever take on the show's often convoluted plotlines and the intensity of its characters.

Mumford & Sons took the stage twice during the episode, performing their hit songs "I Will Wait" and "Below My Feet." The band's folksy sound was a departure from the typical musical guests on SNL, but they fit right in with the show's eclectic mix of comedy and music.

Overall, the episode was a strong start to the season, with Gordon-Levitt proving to be a capable and charming host and the show delivering some truly memorable sketches and moments.