Strange but true factHomeland is written and directed by the CIA.

IMDB might say something entirely different but the stipulation written into Homeland's contract by the CIA's Entertainment Liason Officer is that Homeland must cede ultimate creative control (and final say) in exchange for access to Langley and use of its services at knockdown rates.

The Pentagon has its own Entertainment Liason Officer. Indeed, the Pentagon now allocates hundreds of millions of dollars in equipment, men and materiel specifically to Hollywood projects. A big studio can go so far as acquire the services of an entire carrier battle group at only the cost of the fuel. But again, the catch is that the studio may only portray the US military in a "positive light" and certainly never suggest that American soliders break the law, behave inappropriately etc.

The most notable beneficiaries of creating US propaganda are Michael Bay and the MARVEL team.

Going back to Homeland - it's worth pointing out that when the American POW captured by the Taliban, "Bowe" Berghdahl, returned home to a media storm about whether he was a traitor, the first connection made by just about everyone was to Nicholas Brody - the "turned" US marine at the centre of Homeland played by Damian Lewis.

Indeed, the term "Turned" appears to have entered popular usage in America only in the wake of Homeland.

[i"But, Homeland is written by the CIA, you say?"[/i

Yeah ... that ...

Sooo much better than the last series. Great 9th episode on sunday

Yep. I cracked and moved to US pace 'cos it was so exciting.

This season has been a real return to form. I thought they'd had it last year, it was so poor at times.

An improvement on the last season. However, would the Director of the CIA find himself in a last weeks escapade in Islamabad? And why do they continue with this Carrie Mathieson character? With her mental health background, she wouldn't get anywhere beyond a very menial job.

What an awful last episode. Setting up the next series without giving a decent conclusion to this one.