Homeland season 7 episode 2 'Rebel Rebel' review: Worlds away from its heyday

*Spoilers follow*

(Showtime)

Just two scenes into the latest episode of Homeland and the motivations of two of its main characters are notched down to what viewers are essentially told is a transcendental calling, an antidote to last week's concerns surrounding the integrity of Claire Danes' lead character.

First up, there’s Brett O’Keefe (Jake Weber) who opens the episode with an address to his followers in which he brands President Keane “Hitler in the White House” following the suspicious death of General McClendon at the climax of the season 7 premiere. For the first time since he was introduced, this character becomes the source of an episode's success with Weber being handed more to do than just unbearably bark his way through the running time. Forced on the run, he finds himself among a ragtag bunch of “gun-toting crazies” who rather terrifyingly have his face inked on their arms. Later, he’s led to their firing range in which they use posters of Keane as target practice. "That's hilarious," he exclaims.

He doesn't find it hilarious at all. In a matter of scenes, we see O’Keefe's silent concern sparked as he meets the formerly faceless crowd he addresses, his ignorance of the situation placing him in increasing danger - not least because he’s officially considered a wanted terrorist by the Keane administration. The danger he’s cooked up without realising is clearly going to shape the season ahead no doubt numbering his days in the process - something that's spelled out in a series of interactions which reek of foreshadowing: "The great defender of the second amendment never fired a gun in his life,” his girlfriend teases, all but confirming he will likely fire one at Keane in a future episode.

Then there’s Carrie (Claire Danes) who, after being told by her therapist (Sandrine Holt) that her lithium medication is probably now redundant, becomes silently concerned that maybe - just maybe - her sister is correct and she's losing control. The moment in which she discovers Saul (Mandy Patinkin) has been carted out of prison and directly onto television as Keane’s National Security Advisor in a matter of hours (and you thought your life was exciting?) has all the hallmarks of conspiracy that this series should embrace. It will no doubt lead to an enticing showdown between her and her mentor - always the most beguiling relationship in this series - but just don't go expecting it soon; Homeland has more sense than to unleash that card early on.

But for now, Danes - who once got to act out scripts which saw her preventing terrorist attacks in Islamabad - must settle on performing stripteases in front of laptops. As Carrie finds herself losing grip in the middle of a head-scratching yet admittedly entertaining hacking subplot, it becomes clearer with every passing minute that Homeland is now full-blown the kind of ridiculous series which will end an episode with its central character almost murdering lecherous hackers in abandoned warehouses in plots that don't seem to have any bearing on the overarching story.

The sooner you become comfortable with the fact, the sooner Homeland becomes more watchable than ever. Buckle yourself in

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