The Saul

From now on, a look of distant thought and concern will be known simply as "The Saul."

Anyone that hasn't been watching the new Showtime series Homeland is missing out....on a show that should be a miniseries but will inevitably continue far past any semblance of reality.  The premise of the show is interesting. Nicholas Brody (Damian "Pinch Face" Lewis) is a marine POW rescued from an Afghan prison after six years of torture.  He's welcomed home with a warm reception but for CIA agent Carrie Matheson (Claire Danes) who suspects him of being a terrorist--with good reason.  Lewis is most famous for his role in HBO's Band of Brothers, which you'll eventually hear from anyone that asks, "Do you watch Homeland?", and you respond, "No", so they'll respond, "Dood it's so fahkin sick it's like the guy from 'Band ah Bruthizz' if you liked that show you'll love this one."  Then you watch the show and realize that, not only does Damian Lewis' character have absolutely nothing in common with his character from Band of Brothers, but the two shows are nothing alike.  And you also get sick of  Damian Lewis because he's a ginger skeletor lookin' motherfucker.

Code RED

Anyways, back to Saul, the most ridiculous character on television right now.  Played by Manny Patinkin (Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride), Saul is a CIA veteran and Carrie's mentor.  He constantly walks the line between Carrie's rogue surveillance of Brody and CIA bureaucracy.  Sometimes he humors Carrie's thoughts and actions, and other times he scolds her for stepping out of bounds.  Regardless of where he stands, his demeanor is ALWAYS the same.  Wrinkled forehead, low tone, serious message.  Does this guy ever smile or have a drink?  C'mon Saully boy.  I know his job is serious, but could he just make an expression once in awhile?  He was a lot happier when he hung out with Andre the Giant.

Every scene with Saul and Carried involves Carrie freaking out about something, and Saul just Saulling the shit out of her.   "I know, it's dangerous, but you're doing the right thing", or "Carrie, that's reckless, how could you do such a thing?"  Concerned, distant, active, passive, pensive, vacant, thoughtful, happy, sad, horny = ONE LOOK and ONE TONE OF VOICE!! This guy is not Derek Zoolander.

"I'm incredibly happy for this joyous occasion."

"I wonder how I can better convey my
concern and disapproval."

     














Anyways, why do shows have characters like this? I know there are some serious people, but no one acts like this, he's worse than David Caruso.  It will be interesting to see how the character develops as Showtime rides this horse off a cliff, shoots it, rapes it, stabs it, poisons it, and crushes it up into horse paste and builds a paper mache horse to kill for a seventh season.