Carrie Mathison quotes from Homeland

Carrie

Somewhere down there, there's a tiny sliver of green just taking its time. This is how everything works. You wait. You lay low. And then you come to life.

Carrie

[to Brody] You broke my heart, you know. Was that easy for you? Was that fun? Because of you, I questioned my own sanity, I had myself admitted to a mental institution. I lost my job, too. I lost my place in the world. I lost everything.

Carrie

[to Brody] It was hearing Dana’s voice that changed your mind, wasn’t it? She asked you to come home and you did. Why? Maybe because… Maybe because you suddenly understood that killing yourself and ruining Dana’s life wouldn’t bring Isa back. Maybe because you knew then how much you loved your own child. Maybe because you were just sick of death. That’s the Brody I’m talking to. That’s the Brody that knows the difference between warfare and terrorism. That’s the Brody I met up in that cabin. That’s the Brody I fell in love with.

Carrie

If you're asking 'did he outsmart me?' Yes he did.

Saul

What were his exact words, please?

Carrie

An American prisoner of war has been turned.

Saul

He said this in English?

Carrie

Yes, he whispered it into my ear right before the guards pulled me away.

Saul

Why would he use the expression "turned"?

Carrie

He mentioned turned, working for Abu Nazir.

Saul

Why am I just hearing about this now?

Carrie

Because until ten minutes ago, I didn't know there were any POWs alive in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Saul

So you're suggesting that Abu Nazir planted intelligence on his own safehouse just so we could recover Sergeant Brody?

Carrie

I realize it sounds like a reach.

Saul

To say the least. Why not just drop him near a checkpoint and make it look like he escaped? Why would you sacrifice thirteen trained fighters?

Carrie

Because Abu Nazir is playing the long game. This way no one suspects a thing.

Saul

Except you.

Carrie

Yeah, except me!

Carrie

I-I'm just making sure we don't get hit again.

Saul

Well, I'm glad someone's looking out for the country, Carrie.

Carrie

I'm serious. I-I missed something once before, I won't... I can't let that happen again.

Saul

It was ten years ago. Everyone missed something that day.

Carrie

Yeah, everyone's not me.

Mathison

[following suspect] Guy hasn't broken the speed limit once.

Does that make him more, or less suspicious?

Mathison

It makes him boring as shit.

Mathison

Why are you being nice to me?

Estes

Do I need a reason?

Mathison

Not unless you want me to believe a word you're saying.

Carrie

[Carrie and Brody are drunk] Oh, Jesus, we drank too much.

Brody

Yeah, we did.

Carrie

Oh, I hope I don't puke.

Brody

You're gonna puke?

Carrie

No.

Brody

You all right?

Carrie

I'm half Irish.

Brody

The Irish don't puke?

Carrie

Nah. Only when we have to salute the British. [Carrie snorts with laughter]

Carrie

"[After Saul sends a team of agents to contain her]" Virgil, am I crazy?

Virgil

Look, you know you are.

Saul

Thanks for getting back.

Carrie

I'm guessing this isn't a social call.

Saul

No.

Carrie

What's going on?

Saul

I can't talk. We're on an open line, but we need your help. I know, I hate myself for even asking.

Carrie

Well can't it wait until tomorrow?

Saul

I'm afraid not. David Estes is sitting outside your house right now.

Carrie

Well tonight is Thursday. I cook dinner for the family on Thursdays. I'm making vegetable lasagna with vegetables I picked this morning from the garden. [sighs] Don't make me talk to him, Saul. I don't ever want to see him again. I've put all that away.

Saul

Please, Carrie.

David

I want you to know, Carrie, this is much appreciated.

Carrie

Let's just get it over with, okay?

David

[places folder on the table] There's a photo inside I'd like you to take a look at. Do you recognize her?

Carrie

Yeah, I recognize her. Why?

David

Who is she?

Carrie

Fatima Ali, first wife of Abbas Ali.

David

The Hezbollah district commander. How do you know her?

Carrie

I recruited her, that's how.

David

Yet there's no record of her being an asset of yours.

Carrie

I ran her off book.

David

Why?

Carrie

Because I was interested in keeping her alive.

Carrie, please. This is crazy.

Carrie

Believe me, I wouldn't be going if I had a choice.

You do have a choice. You always have a choice.

Carrie

No, not this time.

Carrie, you're just starting to get back on your feet. You're not ready for this.

Carrie

Don't you think I know that?

Regular sleep and meals, avoiding stress, a schedule. These are the things that have been working so well for you. At least call Doctor Rosenberg before you make a decision.

Carrie

I've already decided.

I don't understand how you can trust these people for one minute after what they did to you.

Carrie

I trust Saul. He'll be there to hold my hand and it's only for a few days.

You say this is about patriotism, but we both know that's not the whole story. Part of you wants to do this.

Carrie

Why did you stop calling, Saul?

Saul

Doctor Rosenberg said I reminded you of work. I was having a deleterious affect on your prognosis.

Carrie

[smiles] That sounds like him.

Saul

Ever think we'd be doing this again?

Carrie

I hoped. I know, I know. Don't get used to it.

Carrie

You're not in Beirut?

Saul

Came straight here from the airport. I hear you were turned away from the debrief at Langley today.

Carrie

I was the one who recovered that intel. He wouldn't even let me present it!

Saul

Well, I can only imagine how shitty that must have felt. Still feels.

Carrie

Before the Beirut trip, I really thought I'd finally found a way to cope with being out of the company.

Saul

Before you dig that hole any deeper, I have to show you something. Is this your computer?

Carrie

Yeah.

Saul

[removes a flash drive from his breast pocket] Here. I'll only fuck it up. That's the one piece of intel recovered in Beirut that Estes and his men haven't seen yet. I came straight from the airport because I think you deserve to see it first.

Brody

[pre-recorded video] This is Nicholas Brody and I'm a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. People will say I was broken, I was brainwashed. People will say I was turned into a terrorist.

Carrie

Oh my God.

Brody

Taught to hate my country. My actions this day is against such domestic enemies. The vice-president and members of his national security team, who I know to be liars and war criminals --

Carrie

[quietly] I was right.

Brody

-- who are responsible for atrocities they must be held accountable for.

Saul

[whispers] You were right.

Brody

This is about justice for eighty-two children whose deaths were never acknowledged and whose murder is a stain on the soul of this nation.

Carrie

[crying] I was right.