The truth hurts. For the most part, "Homeland's" second and third seasons were subpar despite the accolades. Series creator Alex Gansa and his trusted team of writers needed a new angle, a spark to bring the show back to its roots. The unflappable poise the first season displayed was long gone. "Homeland" was delving into mediocrity and something drastic, like killing off a main character, needed to happen fast.

Gansa found that spark in allowing Iranian radicals to kidnap Nicholas Brody and publicly execute him. They strung up the show's biggest star up and hung him from a crane. His limp, lifeless body hung high above a construction site for anyone to see. His lover and soulmate Carrie Mathison looked on in horror while (presumably) viewers did the same. 

Such shocking moments need to be commonplace throughout the upcoming fourth season in order for the show to stay relevant. Information about the upcoming season has been scant, but we do know that season four will swap the political gridlock of Washington for the Eurasian hustle and bustle of Istanbul, Turkey. 

Carrie Mathison, Brody's lover and mother to his unborn child, will make Istanbul their home for the foreseeable future. Why? Well, the bipolar, emotional CIA agent has been promoted to Istanbul Station Chief. Now, don't shed a tear for the rest of the show's cast. It's widely expected that many of Carrie's associates (and subordinates) will be following her across the Atlantic. Her team will be comprised off the very best counterintelligence and security personnel known to man. Virgil, Max and Quinn are among those that could be chosen to makeup Carrie's team.

Series favorite Saul Berenson, played wonderfully by Mandy Patinkin, will likely play into the fourth season as well. After being ousted from the CIA he's now a government contractor. There's no telling where his new job will take him.

Judging from previous season's "Homeland" is slated to return in late September or early October.

Are you a fan of "Homeland" or do you find the show to be convoluted and contrived. If not, let us know if the proposed fourth season changes will get you back in the fold by commenting below.