Homeland Season 5 Episode 9 Review: The Litvinov Ruse
Carissa Pavlica
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Before watching Homeland Season 5 Episode 9, I was in a pretty good mood.
Now I can barely lift my head up off my chest.
Yes, this review is going to be all about me! No, not really, but while "The Litvinov Ruse" was an edge-of-your-seat hour of television, it's biggest accomplishment was a big FU in the face of the good guys. What the hell am I rambling on about? Well, let's just find out.
While it seems like working together to get the Russian mole, Allison, out into the open may have done a bit to heal the relationship between Carrie and Saul, I'm not going to hold my breath. Then again, even if Allison does manage to pull the wool over the CIA's eyes (dear God, please tell me they aren't going to fall for this), at least Saul knows Allison was sexing it up with someone other than himself.
And not just once, she was sexing it up after Vietnamese, pasta and other food types. They had quite the fling. Saul has to face the fact that Allison is an exceptional liar.
So, let's just go ahead and assume he uses that information and urges everyone else to realize her "Ivan has been my asset for 12 years ploy" is exactly that – yet another in a long line of ruses. What do they expect? It's literally their job to lie for a living. Telling the truth is probably the most difficult thing they have to do.
There is bound to be something that will slip up the conversation between Allison and Ivan and tear them down, but it may not come until the finale. Or maybe it's in the documents, and it's time to pour over them again.
At some point, some of Quinn's friends have to realize he's missing, right? Maybe they can put a fork in this Allison thing, let her stew about what she's done until she's ready to talk while everyone wonders where the heck Quinn got off to.
Because Quinn is in a bit of trouble.
The music at the end? Me no likey that music. That was "Quinn is dead" music. How many times are they going to almost kill Quinn without doing it? Well...watch the preview below to find out.
SPOILER ALERT:
Skip these paragraphs until you see me tell you you can come back if you don't want to watch the trailer below or read me ranting about it...this is your final warning!
Showtime learned nothing from HBO and Kevin's "death" on The Leftovers a couple weeks back. The suspense is really heightened if you do not give any indication of what lies ahead in the trailers. Leave the mystery for us. We can handle it. We LOVE IT. That's the point of sticky situation like Quinn's as the credits roll, right? No spoilers. God help us all, we worry for a week (or until you press play again if you're binge watching), and we're all better for it.
Except Showtime didn't learn that lesson. Quinn is alive and well in the trailer for Homeland Season 5 Episode 10. Alright, WELL is a stretch, as he's being used by the terrorist group for leverage so they can be recognized as the Islamic state. Haha. He was sent into the worst situations never thought to come out alive because nobody would care. They really picked the wrong guy, didn't they?
Additionally, it appears this will be where Allison uses her contacts in Berlin to try to get own ass out of the vat of trouble she's found herself, by helping Quinn.
Quinn has become the Homeland punching bag. He's the next Brody. He's not long for this world. Every time we turn our heads, the dude is an eyelid flutter away from death. That's never a good sign. And, frankly, it's getting old.
That ANYBODY would trust Allison enough to allow her to walk around free inside the CIA when there is even a pimple on a Bee's asses chance of a possibility that she's a spy is ludicrous. This better be really well written for me to believe any of it.
SPOILER ALERT OVER!!
This hour left us with Bad Guys 2 Good Guys 0. We're losing at the moment. The good guys need a hint of inspiration to get them through. There are three episodes left in Homeland Season 5. Who will be left standing at the end? What relationships will remain intact? I'm not getting the warm fuzzies. How about you?
If you're interested, get your first look at "New Normal" below:
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.
