Warning: if you're behind on Homeland and plan to catch up, be warned: spoilers ahead!

Many fans and critics have been outspoken in their distaste for the current season of Homeland, but no matter: the Showtime counter-terrorism drama will be returning for a fourth season regardless.

"Homeland continues to prove its strength for Showtime," the network's president David Nevins said of the renewal in a statement. "[It] is one of television's most exciting, provocative and widely discussed shows."

But "widely discussed" and "excellent" are not one and the same. Homeland has taken deserved beatings from viewers and reviewers alike for its handling of the Nicolas Brody story and the increased screen time for his ill-received daughter Dana, among other things. The series' most recent twist revealed the disintegrating relationship between Carrie and her mentor Saul Berenson seen over the past four episodes was nothing more than a ruse to get Carrie closer to a terrorist group — very similar to the twist that occurred during the third season of 24, albeit with less Russian roulette and daring prison escapes.

In order to stay "exciting, provocative and widely-discussed" for the right reasons, Homeland needs to make some creative changes — whether those changes happen before the confirmed 12-episode season four remains to be seen.

Beyond Homeland, Showtime has also renewed Masters of Sex for another season. "The critical and audience reaction to Masters of Sex since its great launch has been incredibly gratifying," Nevins said.

[Source: TV Line]