Homeland nothing like real intelligence work, say CIA employees "Homeland takes the high-intensity, high-adrenalin moments and packages them into an hour," said Tara Maller, a former CIA military analyst who is now a fellow at the New America Foundation. But the reality is more prosaic. "The real job as an analyst was maybe 15-20 per cent awe-inspiring and dramatic moments," she said. Other times, it's about writing reports. You wouldn't want to watch an analyst at a computer writing a President's Daily Brief. Rupert Friend as Peter Quinn in Homeland Photo: Showtime Officials would not be walking around merrily chatting on mobile phones, some former officials said, and bureaucratic concerns would ensure mid-ranking case officers such as Mathison did not glide in and out of the offices of agency bosses such as David Estes, played by the British actor David Harewood. More to the point, the CIA would not even be allowed to investigate the programme's central plot, which unfolds inside the US. "It is ridiculous," said Mr Peritz. They wouldn't be involved. And if they tried, they would be caught immediately - immediately - by the FBI. All that said, however, the show has its place, according to the former officials - many of whom admitted to watching it keenly even as they grew increasingly infuriated by its factual blunders. "I know a lot of people in the national security and intelligence community are fans," said Ms Maller. The fact there is a huge following probably shows there is a kernel of truth to it. And "at a time of significant debate over national security and intelligence issues in terms of public opinion," said Ms Maller, the moral quandaries of the characters "reflect the ambiguities of national security policy." It might also encourage a more diverse range of people to seek jobs in the CIA, she said. "Take it with a grain of salt and it's OK," said Mr Peritz. Ultimately, it is entertainment.