Julia Roberts plays Heidi. At the beginning, she meets a man in the restaurant where she works. He begins asking questions about an employer she had four years previously. We cut to her first days as a counselor for soldiers who are being "reprogrammed" to go back into society. But there is more to that. Somehow, the government is in there somewhere, collecting data on these guys. They also want background checks on anyone who works in the facility. This looks interesting but it is a bit stark right now.
8 Reviews
Mandatory
bobcobb30111 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I am not sure what to make of the show so far. It wasn't a strong pilot, but the final few minutes hooked me in. This is what they had been teasing us with in the commercials and this is what will probably be the best parts of the show.
I am curious to see how it all plays out though. I certainly like the shorter run time too.
I am curious to see how it all plays out though. I certainly like the shorter run time too.
Rapid-Fire Opening Episode of 26 minutes
lavatch9 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
"Mandatory" is an effective teaser to this "Homecoming" series starring Julia Roberts as Heidi Bergman, a counselor for returning vets. The Homecoming name of the government facility is intended as a "client service" to help the military veterans in the "reintegration process" to society after the trauma of war.
In the scant details about the Homecoming center, it is clear that the facility has an agenda to gather "data" more than provide assistance to the vets. Heidi counsels young Walter Cruz, who has a terrific attitude about developing a career path after serving in the armed forces. But there is an eerie feeling that the program may do him more harm than good. Apparently, the participants are required to remain in residence at the center during their treatment.
Much of the action in this first episode occurs by flashback. In the scenes in the present, Heidi has left the counseling job at Homecoming, which has now apparently closed. She now works as a waitress at Fat Morgan's, a hash house on the water in Florida. She is visited by an official from the DOD, who does not possess a badge or official ID. He questions her about her work at Homecoming with the implication that the facility is being investigated.
Heidi is non-committal in her responses to the stranger. Indeed, she clearly is withholding what she knows about the "mandatory" nature of the postwar counseling center. Was there abuse going on in the facility? Were the vets being used as guinea pigs? Above all, why did she quit her job. Her excuse that her mother was ill rings hollow. She also lied to the DOD agent about the scope of her work. She was asked if she was an administrator, and she replied that she was just a counselor. But in the phone conversation with her supervisor, it was obvious that she was involved in an administrative capacity.
There is a subplot with Heidi's home life in which it appears as it she was in a relationship with one of the returning vets and that she is being overly protective about his desire to reintegrate into society.
The stylish production values include an interesting set design for the Homecoming facility. There was also a clever, though perhaps excessively stylish, approach to the flashbacks. The scenes in the present at Fat Morgan's appear on half screen. By contrast, the scenes in the past occur on full screen.
There was good intrigue and tension apparent in the opening episode. Without a doubt, there were shenanigans occurring at the Homecoming center. It is as yet uncertain when Heidi learned the truth about the facility and what was her reason for leaving her job.
To be continued...
In the scant details about the Homecoming center, it is clear that the facility has an agenda to gather "data" more than provide assistance to the vets. Heidi counsels young Walter Cruz, who has a terrific attitude about developing a career path after serving in the armed forces. But there is an eerie feeling that the program may do him more harm than good. Apparently, the participants are required to remain in residence at the center during their treatment.
Much of the action in this first episode occurs by flashback. In the scenes in the present, Heidi has left the counseling job at Homecoming, which has now apparently closed. She now works as a waitress at Fat Morgan's, a hash house on the water in Florida. She is visited by an official from the DOD, who does not possess a badge or official ID. He questions her about her work at Homecoming with the implication that the facility is being investigated.
Heidi is non-committal in her responses to the stranger. Indeed, she clearly is withholding what she knows about the "mandatory" nature of the postwar counseling center. Was there abuse going on in the facility? Were the vets being used as guinea pigs? Above all, why did she quit her job. Her excuse that her mother was ill rings hollow. She also lied to the DOD agent about the scope of her work. She was asked if she was an administrator, and she replied that she was just a counselor. But in the phone conversation with her supervisor, it was obvious that she was involved in an administrative capacity.
There is a subplot with Heidi's home life in which it appears as it she was in a relationship with one of the returning vets and that she is being overly protective about his desire to reintegrate into society.
The stylish production values include an interesting set design for the Homecoming facility. There was also a clever, though perhaps excessively stylish, approach to the flashbacks. The scenes in the present at Fat Morgan's appear on half screen. By contrast, the scenes in the past occur on full screen.
There was good intrigue and tension apparent in the opening episode. Without a doubt, there were shenanigans occurring at the Homecoming center. It is as yet uncertain when Heidi learned the truth about the facility and what was her reason for leaving her job.
To be continued...
CHEER! - (7 stars out of 10)
BJG-Reviews8 December 2021
The stage curtains open ...
"Homecoming - Season 1, Episode 1: Mandatory" wasn't the most memorable pilot I've ever seen, but it effectively sets the stage for what is yet to come. I was immediately struck with how good the acting was, and heading into this show, I just know that it is going to be a major, contributing factor to how I will feel about it when it is all said and done. A solid start.
Julia Roberts is Heidi, a counselor at a voluntary transitional support center for returning soldiers called Homecoming. The goal there is to help soldiers reacclimate to normal living after enduring the horrors and atrocities of war. They offer a room for them to stay in, food, and programs such as interviewing skills when applying for jobs in the common workplace. We also move forward into time where we see Heidi working at a washed up restaurant in her hometown and she is approached by an investigator from the Dept. Of Defense who is following up on a complaint from a soldier claiming he was being held there against his will. Even though we see Heidi working with and helping this one particular soldier, Walter Cruz, she says she doesn't remember him.
This was an intriguiging start to a highly acclaimed series. As I mentioned at the outset, it wasn't stellar, but it was well acted, and the screenplay and dialogue is intelligent and well written. The interaction between Heidi and Walter at the center seems to be genuine, as well as how she and her live-in boyfriend seem to have a strained relationship. She is under the thumb of a manipulative boss who continues to string her along with shallow praise, and whenever she feels she has a something important to contribute, he reminds her that this is not part of her job description. He just wants her to do what he directs her to do.
The run time of this opening episode wasn't that long, but it pulled me and I am ready to dive into the next episode. I liked the beginning, I like the characters, and I like the settings. This gets a solid 7 stars out of 10. Great start to what I hope will be an even better season.
"Homecoming - Season 1, Episode 1: Mandatory" wasn't the most memorable pilot I've ever seen, but it effectively sets the stage for what is yet to come. I was immediately struck with how good the acting was, and heading into this show, I just know that it is going to be a major, contributing factor to how I will feel about it when it is all said and done. A solid start.
Julia Roberts is Heidi, a counselor at a voluntary transitional support center for returning soldiers called Homecoming. The goal there is to help soldiers reacclimate to normal living after enduring the horrors and atrocities of war. They offer a room for them to stay in, food, and programs such as interviewing skills when applying for jobs in the common workplace. We also move forward into time where we see Heidi working at a washed up restaurant in her hometown and she is approached by an investigator from the Dept. Of Defense who is following up on a complaint from a soldier claiming he was being held there against his will. Even though we see Heidi working with and helping this one particular soldier, Walter Cruz, she says she doesn't remember him.
This was an intriguiging start to a highly acclaimed series. As I mentioned at the outset, it wasn't stellar, but it was well acted, and the screenplay and dialogue is intelligent and well written. The interaction between Heidi and Walter at the center seems to be genuine, as well as how she and her live-in boyfriend seem to have a strained relationship. She is under the thumb of a manipulative boss who continues to string her along with shallow praise, and whenever she feels she has a something important to contribute, he reminds her that this is not part of her job description. He just wants her to do what he directs her to do.
The run time of this opening episode wasn't that long, but it pulled me and I am ready to dive into the next episode. I liked the beginning, I like the characters, and I like the settings. This gets a solid 7 stars out of 10. Great start to what I hope will be an even better season.
Beautifully Shot and Intriguing
grynkewichjustin24 September 2021
Don't waste your time.
ldigiacomo24 December 2018
Begins poorly
brian-btapple5 October 2021
They say you only get one chance for a first impression, that's unfortunate for this season of Homecoming. The opening scene of a woman holding a phone up and over the side of a boat only to drop it when she awakens is ridiculous. The closing credits showing far more producers, of various lks, than actors is concerning. More managers than workers doesn't bode well. The presence of Chris Cooper makes me hopeful. Janelle Monáe is a wonderfully imaginative and very smart musician, the jury is still out on her acting skills. John Billingsley is very good. We'll see if this season can follow up the first seasons impressive quality.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
