This season of "Homeland" follows CIA agent Carrie Mathison, who is drawn back into the field to track a dangerous terrorist. Her focus becomes Nicholas Brody, a decorated Marine POW who is secretly a mole for the terrorist Abu Nazir. Brody is also unexpectedly tapped to be the Vice President's running mate, forcing him to navigate a double life.

The core conflict escalates as Carrie races to uncover Abu Nazir's plans while trying to expose Brody's true allegiance. Key turning points include Saul Berenson, Carrie's mentor, discovering Brody's video confession, confirming his terrorist ties. Brody is eventually arrested but then coerced into becoming a double agent for the CIA. The season culminates in a devastating car bomb attack at a memorial service, which kills Vice President Walden and his family, and CIA Director Estes. Carrie and Brody are forced to go on the run as Brody is framed for the bombing.

Season 2 of Homeland covers episodes 1-12. Here's everything that happened:

Season 2, Episode 1: The Smile - Carrie, now an ESL teacher, is drawn back into the CIA to handle a former asset with critical intel. Brody is approached to be the Vice President's running mate while also tasked by Roya Hammad to steal a target list from Estes' office. Dana reveals Brody's conversion to Islam, shocking Jessica. Carrie escapes a tail in Beirut, smiling as she rediscovers her spy skills. The episode concludes with Brody burying his Quran with Dana's help.

Season 2, Episode 2: Beirut is Back - Carrie's asset reveals Abu Nazir's location, leading to a failed capture attempt where Abbas Ali dies. Brody, in a situation room, tips off Nazir, solidifying his terrorist ties. Carrie retrieves documents from Fatima's apartment while evading gunfire. Saul discovers Brody's confession tape, a major turning point.

Season 2, Episode 3: State of Independence - Saul retrieves the real memory card after a fake is seized. Brody is tasked with extracting the tailor, resulting in the tailor's accidental death and Brody burying the body. Carrie, denied reinstatement, attempts suicide but survives. Saul then shows Carrie the video, confirming Brody's guilt.

Season 2, Episode 4: New Car Smell - Saul reveals Brody's confession tape to Estes, leading to CIA surveillance. Carrie and Brody meet, but Carrie, convinced Brody is onto her, confronts him in his hotel room. Brody is arrested after Carrie reveals she knows he's a terrorist. Dana begins a relationship with Finn Walden. The episode concludes with Brody in custody, his loyalties uncertain.

Season 2, Episode 5: Q&A - Carrie and Quinn interrogate Brody, attempting to break him down and flip him into a double agent. Quinn uses harsh tactics, while Carrie appeals to Brody's emotions. Meanwhile, Dana and Finn's joyride results in a hit-and-run accident. Carrie convinces Brody to work with the CIA, and he agrees to help them uncover Abu Nazir's plans. Brody returns home to his family, now a CIA asset.

Season 2, Episode 6: A Gettysburg Address - Carrie and Quinn investigate a tailor shop, but a tactical unit ambushes and wipes out Quinn's team to retrieve a hidden trunk. Dana learns the woman Finn hit has died. Carrie confronts Brody, who comforts her, while Mike continues to investigate Brody's connection to Tom Walker. The episode concludes with Carrie crying in Brody's arms.

Season 2, Episode 7: The Clearing - Carrie and the team grapple to regain control after the ambush. Saul visits Aileen in solitary, seeking intel, but she commits suicide after giving a false lead. Brody attends a fundraiser, where Dana confesses to the hit-and-run. Carrie and Brody kiss, and Carrie prevents Brody from reporting the hit-and-run, causing Dana to run away.

Season 2, Episode 8: I'll Fly Away - Brody, overwhelmed, tells Roya he's done, but Carrie convinces him to stay by sleeping with him. Dana visits the daughter of the woman killed in the hit-and-run, only to discover the family has been paid off. Brody is then taken by helicopter to Abu Nazir. The episode concludes with Brody face-to-face with Nazir.

Season 2, Episode 9: Two Hats - Brody reports to the CIA that Nazir is in the US and planning an attack on a homecoming event. Carrie sends Mike to protect Brody's family, and Jessica sleeps with him. Saul investigates Quinn, discovering his connection to Dar Adal. The CIA captures Roya's news team, but Nazir is not present. Quinn prepares to assassinate Brody, but Estes orders him to stand down.

Season 2, Episode 10: Broken Hearts - Abu Nazir captures Carrie, forcing Brody to retrieve Walden's pacemaker serial number. Brody complies, leading to Walden's remote assassination via pacemaker manipulation. Carrie escapes and informs Saul of her location. The episode concludes with Carrie returning to the mill, seeking Nazir, while Saul is detained.

Season 2, Episode 11: In Memoriam - Carrie chases Abu Nazir through a warehouse, leading to a shootout where Nazir is killed. Meanwhile, Saul faces interrogation regarding Aileen Morgan's death. Brody's family learns of Nazir's death, further straining his relationship with Jessica, who acknowledges their marriage is over. The episode concludes with Carrie and Brody together, while Quinn observes, having been ordered to assassinate Brody.

Season 2, Episode 12: The Choice - Carrie and Brody spend time at a cabin, contemplating their future. Quinn is ordered to kill Brody but can't. Brody's past resurfaces when a video confession is released. A car bomb explodes at Walden's memorial service, killing Estes and the Waldens. Carrie and Brody go on the run as Brody is framed for the attack.