What Lance Armstrong Can Learn From 'Homeland's Disgraced Hero

At the end of the season 2 Homeland finale, the audience and Carrie are left wondering whether disgraced hero Brody is truly a changed man or if he's still lying. And as part 2 of Armstrong's OWN interview came to a close, the audience (and Oprah, no doubt) were left pondering the same essential question.

The difference, however, is that even before his confession went public, Brody understood that his life would have to change. He didn't expect to be Vice President anymore. He was more than happy to retreat to a cabin with Carrie. Or disappear in a small Canadian village.

But fading away is a lesson that Armstrong, 41, can't quite grasp. The seven-time Tour de France winner (whose medals were stripped in October by the sport's governing body) is still, frustratingly, chasing the glory. "If you're asking me do I want to compete again, the answer is hell yes, I'm a competitor," he told Oprah.

He seems to accept that he'll likely never compete in the Tour de France again. But, when asked if he should be allowed to take part in other sanctioned events (such as the Boston marathon), he replied, "This might not be the most popular answer, but I think I deserve it."

Whether viewers believed everything Armstrong said in the full 2.5-hour interview, that single answer felt more raw and honest than any other words that left his mouth. The bold, even cocky, statement certainly wasn't a canned answer that any publicist would ever approve.

Instead of groveling for forgiveness and accepting his punishment, the cyclist finally offered some clear insight into why he felt he should be forgiven: not because he was remorseful but because he somehow deserved it.

With millions of people — cancer patients, sponsors, devoted fans — feeling duped by Armstrong, maybe he should follow the lead of TV's other disgraced hero, who we last saw making a frantic run for the border. And unlike Brody, who can never truly be allowed to fade into obscurity as a matter of national security, Armstrong really can disappear.

After all, no one really wants to see Lance Armstrong make another dash for the finish line (except for him). But what we'd all rather see is the one-time champ pulling a Brody and running fast — and far — away from the spotlight. 

Source: http://www.hollywoodnewslinks.com/what-lance-armstrong-can-learn-from-homelands-disgraced-hero/