‘Homeland’ die-hards vent about show direction in ad
The Showtime series "Homeland" has been in trouble for a while.
The once critically lauded series has slowly slipped from favor during its six-season run. On Metacritic, a website that aggregates critical reviews and offers average ratings for TV shows, "Homeland" scored a 92 out of 100 for its first season in 2011. That dropped to a 68 for its sixth season, which ended in April.
Now some fans, incensed by what happened in the sixthseason finale, have taken out a full-page ad to express their frustration. The ad, in the form of an open letter, appeared in the Aug. 23 edition of Hollywood Reporter magazine and took the creative team behind "Homeland" to task for, among other things, killing off beloved character Peter Quinn (Rupert Friend).
"We are a group of passionate 'Homeland' fans representing thousands of aggrieved viewers and fans who have banded together in protest to found #NotOurHomeland," the ad began.
Quinn was a covert CIA agent who battled post-traumatic stress disorder, a stroke and drug addiction during the show's run. He died in a desperate attempt to save fellow agent Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) and the U.S. president-elect, Elizabeth Keane (Elizabeth Marvel). Although he is fatally shot, the women escape unharmed.
Besides the treatment of Quinn, the letter also accused the show creators of the irresponsible handling of sensitive subjects such as the "treatment of veterans, those who suffer PTSD, and survivors of stroke or sexual abuse." It didn't detail the grievances or say how the subjects should have been handled.
The group said in the letter that it has raised "over $4,000 in support of prominent veterans charity because you refused to honor Peter Quinn." It invited the creators to match the contribution.
A post on the group's website suggested that the donations will go to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a nonprofit that provides various types of support to military personnel and their families.
"We have asked repeatedly for you to address your audience and the unceremonious end to a character that you openly acknowledge was beloved by millions,” the letter said. “You have been silent. We are asking again.”
In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, showrunner Alex Gansa lamented the sentiments.
“It is painful to hear that even a small segment of our devoted audience is disappointed in 'Homeland,'" the statement read.
“Suffice to say that I mourn the loss of Peter Quinn as much as anybody and that the character was created ... to honor the men and women who devote their lives to keeping America safe. In my eyes, he died a hero."