Thoughts on Homeland’s New Opening Credits
As expected, Season 6 of Homeland has a new NYC-themed opening credits sequence. Here’s what I’ve gleaned from it:
– The primary voice-over is of Gil Scott-Heron (singer, artist, activist) narrating his poem/composition, “The revolution will not be televised.” The opening credits are framed with lines from this composition. This was written back in the 1970s. Its message: what people see on TV, what the media and other money-driven channels peddle is NOT reality. Revolution happens out on the streets. And in order to truly witness reality and drive change, one must participate in-person (vs. consuming it through a media source).
–The opening credits establish two narratives: one for and one against the military industrial complex aka MIC (term famously used by President Eisenhower)*. The credits also mention law enforcement and its para-militarization, alluding to the fact that today law enforcement agencies have become an extension of the military i.e. a part of the MIC.
– The voices speaking against the MIC include protestors demonstrating against NYPD brutality post 9/11, and voices of journalists Jeremy Scahill and Glenn Greenwald talking about the FBI and the CIA targeting the muslim community (they write for the Intercept and have also spoken against U.S. drone strikes, private military companies sub-contracting for the CIA and U.S. military). All of these voiceovers narrating (perceived) overreaches of law-enforcement agencies and the military are contrasted with little children crossing the street, busy train stations and people walking in parks. It makes you question the purpose and efficacy of the MIC. Have law enforcement agencies and the military, whose purpose is to protect and serve Americans, become counterproductive to their own missions?
(Recognized this shot from Chinatown, NYC where Homeland was shooting at a homeless shelter last year.)
– Next, voiceovers about a “covert war” guide you through shots of war wrecked cities. You hear snippets from Congressional hearings about Russians hacking into congressional committees. It raises questions about appropriate U.S. response to acts of aggression by enemies in Russia and elsewhere. In the midst of a high stakes covert war, can the U.S. afford to scale back on the MIC? Wouldn’t that make the U.S. vulnerable to future attacks?
– The opening credits establish the theme for this season: MIC vs. people’s rights. Since 9/11, the U.S.’s been struggling to draw a balance between the growing power and influence of the MIC, and civil liberties and democratic values that are so dear to Americans. It all comes down to what President Eisenhower said, “We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military–industrial complex.” With growing threats, the MIC will certainly continue to expand. But citizens must find ways to keep this military+law enforcement alliance in check.
– Which brings us back to Scott-Heron’s voice over. These checks and balances, ie. revolution against the MIC, cannot be televised (just watching and listening to the media is of no consequence). These revolutions have to be live i.e. people have to take to the streets and actively protest overreaches.
– Lastly, I noticed that the opening credits are book-ended with “Home of the brave” from the national anthem, and a shot of Quarrie hugging with Quinn’s voiceover of “You saved me.” I think it’s a homage to all the brave soldiers returning home, who’re casualties of war…..a direct consequence of the MIC.
* One of the first teasers we got for Season 6 was of Ike speaking about the MIC. I can’t find this teaser on Youtube, but distinctly remember Homeland releasing it. If anyone has a link to it, could you please send it to me?
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