At first, I was not even sure I was going to try Showtime’s “Homeland.” On the surface, the show looked like a drab procedural about the Department of Homeland Security. Perhaps Showtime was taking a cue from parent company CBS’ safe, procedural offerings.
    
But Showtime sent a screener of the first three episodes of the series, so I tried it. And “Homeland” stands out as the biggest surprise of the television season so far.
    
The show, which debuted on Oct. 2, in that cushy after-“Dexter” time slot of Sundays at 10 p.m., centers on CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) and her relentless obsession with security. In a groaner of a line, she even manages to blame herself for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Through the interactions of her co-workers, viewers see that the plot of “Homeland” is not the first time that Carrie has ruffled bureaucratic feathers or took chances on cases.
    
Her latest lead is hearing that an American prisoner has been turned into an agent for al-Qaeda. So when Marine Sgt. Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) is rescued after behind held in Afghanistan for eight years, she immediately suspects him. She even goes so far as to place surveillance in his home illegally.
    
Carrie’s obsession with her job is perhaps as formulaic as the show gets. Plenty of times, television viewers have seen procedural shows anchored by the lead character that is married to his or her job. Carrie takes it to new levels. Viewers hardly see Carrie having a real life at all. Yes, she goes to a fancy-looking night club, but that does not last long. Yes, she goes to see family, but it’s just to get medication.
    
Mostly, viewers see Carrie either physically at her job or sitting on the couch all night, watching the Brodys, looking for any sign of a slip-up on the Marine sergeant’s part. Her mental state explains away some of her obsessiveness, but without presenting more ramifications in the plot, it just comes off as an easy explanation to have the main character act really devoted to this.
    
Perhaps the best character moment in the first three episodes with Carrie is when she subtly attempts to seduce her co-worker and only friend, Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin). Thankfully Saul just leaves angrily and scolds her, highlighting the absolute lack of romance in their past and the idea that Carrie will really do anything to advance her pursuit. With their ages, the two come off as more of a father-daughter pair, making Carrie’s quick advance all the more disturbing and interesting. More of these instances that make her stand out from everyone else would add intrigue to the show.
    
What really will keep viewers watching the first season is Brody himself. There is a duality to the emotions viewers feel when watching Brody. They see Brody’s tearful reunion with his family after eight years in captivity. They get a snapshot of what the family is like, and how Brody’s daughter improves her attitude and begins to feel better with her father’s return.
    
But viewers also see and hear plenty of clues that make them suspicious of Brody. First and foremost, Brody was held for eight years when soldiers often lose their “value” as information sources quickly. Why would the enemy hold Brody for eight years if they did not turn him and wanted to use him now?
    
For his part, Lewis plays the character with ambiguous motives perfectly. Since he has been gone, his wife moved on with one of his fellow Marines, causing an obvious rift between Brody and his former buddy. He fixes his friend with an icy stare, even when friendly language comes out of his mouth.
    
Extremely awkward sex scenes between Brody and his wife ask another question. How profound was Brody’s psychological change after his internment? Is Brody just struggling to adjust back into life with his family after years? (He spends his afternoons huddled in a corner for comfort.) Or is there a psychological change greater than that? The character study proves fascinating.
    
Viewers might be reluctant to add yet another show to their Sunday nights when the day is already clogged with “Boardwalk Empire,” “The Walking Dead” and “Dexter.” But “Homeland” deserves the attention.

— Robby O’Daniel is a graduate student in communications. He can be reached at rodaniel@utk.edu.