If She’s a Spy, Shouldn’t She Know Our Name?

In my opinion, Homeland is one of the best new shows this season. For those of you who haven’t seen it, the series takes place in Washington, D.C., and the plot revolves around CIA officer Carrie Mathison played by Claire Danes as she attempts to thwart a terrorist plot against the United States. I know, it all sounds very 24, and that’s likely because the series share executive producers.

So what’s this got to do with the Phillips? During this week’s episode, Carrie questions a diplomat believed to be involved in the conspiracy. In a tense moment in which it looks like the bad guy might slip away under the protection of diplomatic immunity, Carrie warns how this would impact his favorite daughter, with whom he had enjoyed spending two days looking at his “beloved impressionists at the Phillips Gallery.”

Calling the museum the Phillips Gallery isn’t completely wrong; the Phillips has had several names since its founding. Initially it was the Phillips Memorial Art Gallery, then from 1948 until 1961 it was the Phillips Gallery, but since the ’60’s we’ve officially been The Phillips Collection. Though Danes plays a fictional character, I was surprised to hear a CIA agent using lingo from 50 years ago.

I’m curious–do you refer to the museum as the Phillips Gallery? Know anyone who does?

4 thoughts on “If She’s a Spy, Shouldn’t She Know Our Name?

  1. Being new to DC, I was surprised when I heard the reference to the Phillips Gallery in last week’s episode of Homeland. But it was no great mind-stretch to know that they were referring to the Phillips Collections. It made me feel like there was some connection to non-fictional elements despite the clearly fictional scene of the explosion at “Farragut Square?”.

    Now, when will they mention they are going to The Washington Ballet?

Leave a Reply