Showtime’s "Homeland" chose Washington, D.C., where much of the action takes place in the hit drama series, as the site for its third-season premiere — a choice that had cast members and producers from the show mingling with Beltway insiders and the CIA.

So how does a TV writer tell apart behind-the-scenes TV folk from secret Washington operatives? TVWeek Open Mic writer Hillary Atkin was on hand and quickly figured out the trick. Please click here to read her report.