Showtime's Homeland Season 4 will center on the human toll from America's secret war in the Middle East. This marks a significant departure from the show's original storyline, which revolved around a domestic terror plot within the United States.
Last week, Showtime released the new teaser that gives more details about the story behind the upcoming new season. At the start of the trailer, beloved character Saul Berenson speaks in voiceover about the ongoing U.S. War on Terror.
"It hasn't been a 14-year war we've been waging, but a one-year war - waged 14 times," Berenson says poignantly.
While working for the CIA, Saul (Mandy Patinkin) recruited and mentored Homeland's protagonist Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes). Following events in the previous season finale, he is forced into early retirement by new CIA director Andrew Lockhart.
Saul is coming back to Season 4, but this time working in the private sector as a security consultant. Even so, the character will continue to have a strong presence on the show as evidenced in the trailer.
The narrative then shifts to Carrie, who has accepted an offer to work as CIA station chief in Istanbul, Turkey. Just before she leaves, the field agent places her baby under the care of family members. Carrie insists this is something she must do out of a sense of duty.
"I told you. They [CIA] are sending me back," Carrie explains to her sister Maggie. "I don't have a choice."
"I don't believe you," Maggie replies.
Viewers are then treated to footage that are grim reminders of realworld conflict, complete with angry mobs and armed government checkpoints.
In one scene, burqa-clad women are shown dancing at what appears to be a wedding. The revelry is cut short by a sudden blast that kills everyone in the room. When asked if checking names off of a kill list bothers her, Carrie coldly replies, "It's a job."
Homeland Season 4 is coming to Showtime at 9/8c on Sunday, Oct. 5.
Season 4: Teaser Trailer
