| Aayan Ibrahim | |
|---|---|
| |
| Status: | Deceased |
| Birthplace: | Pakistan |
| Cause of death: | Shot dead by Haissam Haqqani |
| Nationality: |  Pakistani
|
| Profession: | Medical student |
| Marital status: | In a relationship |
| Significant other(s): | Kiran (girlfriend) Carrie Mathison (two night stand) |
| Others: | Haissam Haqqani (uncle; deceased) Jalal Haqqani (cousin) |
| Played by: | Suraj Sharma |
| Season(s): | 4, 5 |
| Episodes: | 7 appearances |
| First episode: | "The Drone Queen" |
| Last episode: | "Super Powers" (hallucination) |
Do you know what a stalking horse is? - Carrie for Fara about Aayan
Aayan Ibrahim is a medical student studying in Islamabad.
Biography[]
Aayan Ibrahim is a medical student at Ommaya College of Medicine in Islamabad. His uncle is the wanted terrorist Haissam Haqqani, who, like Aayan and his family, is at a wedding when Carrie Mathison gives the order to kill Haqqani with a bomb. Aayan is the only one of the wedding party to survive the attack. When he comes to and realizes that his sister and his mother have died, he returns home and wants to mourn for himself. All he has now is his cell phone with a video taken just before the impact.
Meanwhile, his concerned roommate, Rahim, wants to release the video so the world can know the truth. But Aayan doesn't want to draw any attention to himself and forbids it, but Rahim acts on his own and so Aayan has to accept the publication. Before he can get his friend to delete the video, thousands of people have seen it and it's news. Aayan wants to retire and tries to avoid interview requests and camera crews. He himself doesn't think it would be better if revenge was taken against the Americans by force. In the evening he is attacked by men in his apartment, who make it clear to him that he must no longer draw any attention to himself.
Aayan tries to comply, angering Rahim, who prefers to take the offensive against the Americans' lies. Meanwhile, Fara, disguised as a journalist, contacts Aayan and tries to convince him that he can confide in her. However, Aayan resolutely rejects her because he is afraid that she is not telling the truth. A little later, while sitting in a cafe, he is called for help to help a woman who is screaming in pain. He wants to help immediately, but is shocked to realize that this was just an excuse from Carrie to talk to him. Aayan should contact her if he seeks protection and wants to leave the country.
Aayan reports back to Kiran to pick up his bag, but there he is horrified to learn that Kiran's father found it and reported the theft of the medicine to the university. Aayan is angry and scared. He doesn't know what to do anymore because he will be expelled from the university and has lost everything. So he visits Carrie after all and asks her for her help. He needs money and finally convinces Carrie to give it to him without asking when he falls into her arms, crying from fear and worry. With the money he sets off immediately and has no idea that Fara is following him. Aayan exchanges the money for medicine in a hospital and then drives to his uncle Haissam Haqqani, who is still alive.
In the evening, as agreed, Aayan reports back to Carrie's office and is taken by Fara to a safe house, where he awaits his departure for London soon. Aayan is unsure again that this could take a few days. He admits to Carrie that he will probably have problems at the university, but Carrie assures him that he can still study in London. In order to calm him down further, she comes closer to him and Aayon neither resists the kisses nor the night together, as he also finds Carrie attractive.
The next day, Aayan is proud of himself, but also incredulous and unsure of what to do next. When Carrie gets some breakfast, he panics again, but Carrie strongly advises him not to go because too many people are interested in him. She conducts an interview with him and also talks about his uncle, whom he almost describes as a hero. When Carrie tells him about rumors that his uncle is still alive, Aayan is indignant and ends the call because it is a lie and insensitive. A few hours later, Carrie reveals her feelings about her child Franny and Brody to him, and Aayan regains trust through Carrie's openness. He would like to sleep with Carrie again and gets this wish granted. Then he tells her that his uncle is really still alive but seriously ill, which is why he always gets him medicine. However, I urge that Carrie not tell anyone this.
Shortly thereafter, Aayan, along with Carrie, learns to embrace his new identity. However, he would like to go back to his apartment and get a few things before leaving the country. There he meets Kiran, to whom he confesses against Carrie's advice to leave the country. When Kiran wants to come along, he makes it clear that this is not possible. He indirectly admits that he loves Carrie. As he leaves, he sees a suspicious man and does everything he can to shake him off. When he succeeds and he is back in the safe house, he tells Carrie about it, who is angry because she warned him. Now that Kiran knows about his plans, she can no longer guarantee that she can get him out of Pakistan. Aayan mentions that his uncle could take him across the border. Carrie gives him his fake ID and money when men suddenly break into the safe house. Carrie just manages to ensure that Aayan can escape. Little does he know that this was only arranged so that Aayan could lead the CIA to his uncle. He makes his way to him, but calls Carrie along the way to make sure she's okay and to declare his love for her.
The next day, Aayan has arrived in the middle of the mountains and is waiting for his uncle. When he comes to him with some men, he also shows him Saul Berenson and explains that Carrie was trained by him at the CIA. Haqqani thanks Aayan again for getting the medicine that saved his life, and then shoots Aayan in the head for putting him in danger with Carrie.
Season 5[]
In season five's "Super Powers" episode, in order to solve who is trying to kill her, Carrie elects to temporarily go off her bi-polar medications, feeling her intellect is sharper without them. Mathison starts slugging vodka and then starts to hallucinate that Ibrahim, that she seduced and then let die last season, is talking to her.
Season 7[]
One final appearance was made in a hallucination of Carrie Mathison in episode Useful Idiot.
Deserved More[]
He died deceived by Carrie's feigned intimacy; his last phone call was made to express his gratitude and love for her. Kiran, his distant girlfriend, was also left estranged. Her father, who was implied to be abusive, reported him for smuggling medicine to treat his uncle's condition, resulting in expulsion. The two also had a tense parting in which Kiran pleaded for Aayan to take her with him, and he had no choice but to refuse.
This is a major loss for Carrie’s team as it was decided that when Haqqani was in sight, the drone shooter would take him out for good. So not only is Haqqani still alive and a viable threat to the United States, they lost an important asset in the process.
Quotes[]
Carrie spitefully told Fara that Aayan's: "A grown adult who's been smuggling drugs to jihadists."
Trivia[]
Aayan's greatest impact was on Carrie as she became overcome by guilt for her willingness to sacrifice him.
Character profile[]
Homeland, the acclaimed television series, introduced us to a myriad of complex and intriguing characters. One such character, Aayan Ibrahim, garnered a great deal of attention for his pivotal role in the show. Aayan, portrayed by Suraj Sharma, is a medical student whose life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes romantically involved with the enigmatic CIA operative, Carrie Mathison.
Aayan starts off as an innocent and ambitious young man whose main concern is his medical studies. He is introduced to us as someone who has dreams of making a difference in the world through his chosen field. However, fate brings him face to face with Carrie Mathison, who sees an opportunity to exploit their connection to get closer to Aayan's uncle, a high-value target.
Carrie's manipulation of Aayan raises a plethora of ethical questions and delves into the complexities of power dynamics in relationships. Aayan, initially unaware of Carrie's ulterior motives, willingly falls into her web of deceit. This raises the age-old question of whether the ends justify the means. Is it acceptable for Carrie to use her romantic involvement with Aayan to achieve her objectives?
One might argue that Aayan, as an individual, becomes a mere tool in Carrie's pursuit of her goals. However, it is essential to recognize that Aayan is not merely a passive victim in this scenario. Despite being initially deceived, he begins to suspect Carrie's true intentions as time goes on. This brings us to an analysis of agency and autonomy in relationships, even those based on manipulation.
Aayan, a character born out of complex circumstances, sees his world shattered as he begins to unravel the truth. The emotional toll this takes on him is palpable, and Suraj Sharma's gripping portrayal truly captures the turmoil within. As viewers, we witness a young man torn between his desire to protect his family and his need to uncover the truth about Carrie's manipulations.
But it is in this moral conflict that Aayan's character arc becomes truly captivating. We see a transformation from a naïve and unsuspecting student to someone who has a newfound sense of agency. Aayan begins to realize the power he holds, not just as an individual, but as a key player amidst the high-stakes geopolitical game being played out around him.
This transformation raises important questions about the nature of power and its distribution within relationships. While Carrie initially holds all the cards, Aayan's journey highlights the potential for a shift in dynamics. Aayan's newfound agency allows him to challenge Carrie's control, lending the show a deeper layer of complexity.
Moreover, Aayan's character invites us to reflect on the lines between perpetrators and victims. In this intricate dance between manipulation and self-discovery, we come to understand that power is not just a one-dimensional concept. It can fluctuate and even be reclaimed by those who were once its victims.
Aayan Ibrahim, with his innocence and vulnerability, stands as a microcosm of the larger themes explored throughout Homeland. His character serves as a catalyst for examining questions of morality, power, and agency. Aayan's journey challenges us to question our own beliefs about manipulation and the moral implications of achieving our objectives at any cost.
In conclusion, Aayan Ibrahim's character in Homeland is a thought-provoking addition to the show's complex narrative. His journey from a medical student to an unwitting pawn in a high-stakes game contributes to the exploration of power dynamics and the moral gray areas within relationships. Aayan's character asks us to reflect on our own beliefs and raises important questions about the nature of power and agency. Suraj Sharma's portrayal of Aayan adds depth and emotional complexity to this captivating character. Ultimately, Aayan's story challenges us to look beyond traditional notions of victimhood and consider the complexities of power in our own lives. [x]
Behind the Scenes[]
Appearances[]
| Season 4 | ||||
| The Drone Queen | Trylon and Perisphere | Shalwar Kameez | Iron in the Fire | About a Boy |
| From A to B and Back Again | "Redux" | "Halfway to a Donut" | "There's Something Else Going On" | "13 Hours in Islamabad" |
| "Krieg Nicht Lieb" | "Long Time Coming" | |||
| Season 5 | ||||
| "Separation Anxiety" | "The Tradition of Hospitality" | Super Powers | "Why Is This Night Different?" | "Better Call Saul" |
| "Parabiosis" | "Oriole" | "All About Allison" | "The Litvinov Ruse" | "New Normal" |
| "Our Man in Damascus" | "A False Glimmer" | |||