Home sweet home? That's what Showtime hopes in term of ratings and critical acclaim when its smoldering, once hot series Homeland returns for a fourth season. Season three and to a lesser extent season two, suffered from a series of hard to believe plot points and weaker than expected ratings.

But fear now young one, the show is going through a shakeup behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Season four is supposedly going to be more focused and less wildly unbelievable. Killing off Damian Lewis's character, and the star of the whole damn show, Nicholas Brody was a bold move. However, it was a change that needed to be made much earlier according to Zap2it.

Late last year, the popular entertainment website wrote the following about Brody's demise:

"By keeping Brody around so long to the point that viewers were frustrated with the twists and turns needed to keep his character relevant, he long outstayed his welcome. Brody deserved the send off that he got, it just should have come ages ago."

Harsh? Perhaps... But again necessary for the show to recapture its insane early praise and Breaking Bad beating success.

So what will season four be about? This is Claire Danes's show now. Playing the role of the steely, yet prone to emotional attachment Carrie Mathison, Danes will be the main focus going forward. Season four will see the realization of a long held dream for Mathison, greater autonomy in the CIA. At the end of the third season she was promoted to the enviable role of station chief, another notch on the fast-rising CIA operative's belt. The plot may follow just how good Mathison is at collecting, managing and acting on threats and intel coming in and out of Istanbul, Turkey.

The plot will also most defintiely focus on her harried personal life. For instance, how will she cope with the loss of Brody, her secret lover, and the baby she'll deliver in a matter of months? Fans of the show will know that she, and forgive the overused adage, is one tough cookie. 

And what about Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin)? Everyone's favorite gruff, ex-CIA head has been put out to pasture, or so everyone thinks. As a freelance contractor, it will be of no surprise to see Berenson link back up with his former protege in Turkey.

Are you really excited to see what show runner Alex Gansa and the rest of the writing staff has in store for the fourth season of Homeland? Or has your excitement been tempered by the fact that the show just hasn't been that good since the second season aired? Let us know in the comments section below.