Ep 4. Redwood
- TV-MA
- November 23, 2018
- 32 min
-
7.5 (1,065)
Homecoming season 1 episode 4, named "Redwood," opens with a shot of a picturesque cabin nestled among the towering trees of the forest. The camera then cuts to Heidi Bergman (Julia Roberts), who is lounging on a sofa reading a book when Colin Belfast (Bobby Cannavale) enters. He hands her an envelope and explains that it contains the results of the investigation into Walter Cruz's (Stephan James) discharge from the Homecoming facility.
Heidi eagerly opens the envelope and begins to read. As she does, the camera cuts to a flashback of her time at Homecoming. In this scene, we see Walter undergoing the program's intensive therapy sessions under Heidi's guidance. The scene is tense, with Walter expressing frustration and anger towards his girlfriend and the program itself.
The scene then shifts back to present day, with Heidi having finished reading the report. She seems stunned by its contents and tells Colin that she needs to speak with Walter. Colin attempts to dissuade her, but Heidi insists, and Colin finally relents.
The next scene shows Heidi and Walter meeting at a cafe. They discuss the report's findings, which are shocking. Walter learns that he was unknowingly part of a military experiment, and that he is now a wanted man. He seems deeply troubled by the news, and Heidi attempts to offer comfort.
The episode then cuts to a different angle, revealing that Colin is sitting within earshot of their conversation. It becomes clear that he has arranged for the meeting to take place, and that he is eavesdropping on their discussion.
Next, we see Shrier (Jeremy Allen White) attempting to make contact with a former girlfriend. He hopes to get her to agree to meet with him, but she rebuffs his advances. The scene underscores how desperate Shrier is to make a connection, and how lonely and isolated he feels outside of the military.
The episode then shifts back to Heidi's interaction with Colin. She demands to know why he orchestrated the meeting with Walter and why he's been spying on her. Colin insists that he is merely doing his job, but Heidi doesn't buy it. The scene ends with her walking away from him, frustrated and hurt.
The final scene shows Walter attempting to flee the military's surveillance by hiding out in a diner. He's clearly nervous and paranoid, constantly looking over his shoulder and avoiding eye contact with anyone. The scene is tense and suspenseful, with the audience left wondering if Walter will be able to escape his captors.
Overall, Homecoming season 1 episode 4 is a tense and suspenseful entry in the series. It features strong performances from the entire cast, but Julia Roberts and Stephan James in particular stand out with their nuanced and complex portrayals of their characters. The episode expertly builds on the series' earlier themes of deceit, secrecy, and paranoia, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the next installment.