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2 • September 22 - 28, 2019 • Brainerd Dispatch By Breanna Henry TV Media A s most viewers are probably aware, the Parable of the Prodi- gal Son comes from the Bible. It's a culturally transcendent tale about a wayward child who returns home after many years to a shockingly welcome reunion. The story has been reworded, reimagined and re- told many times in books, movies and television, but never quite like this. The new Fox series "Prodigal Son" premieres Monday, Sept. 23, and in this case, "prodigal" doesn't imply that the son was reckless, wasteful and extravagant, like he was in the source material. This time it just means that he's not a serial killer. British actor Tom Payne ("The Walking Dead") plays Malcolm Bright, a criminal profiler whose life and career choices have been heavi- ly influenced by the traumatic events of his childhood. A-list Welsh actor Michael Sheen ("Good Omens") plays Martin, Malcolm's father and the cause of all that trau- ma — he just happens to be an infa- mous serial killer. If you're not sure how a biblical tale of unconditional love and ac- ceptance can be used as a jumping- off point for a series about a possi- bly unstable profiler with a criminal- ly insane father, you'll need to tune in to find out. I can admit to prejudging this se- ries when I first heard about it. I can't be the only person who hears the words "serial killer" and "TV drama" and immediately thinks of the long-running, Golden Globe- winning series "Dexter," despite that show having ended more than six years ago. "Prodigal Son" how- ever, does not try to be "Dexter." It's an original story that has intrigued me more and more as I've learned more about it. Sheen's Martin is a seemingly de- ranged serial killer known as "The Surgeon," who was locked up when Malcolm was just a boy. As a direct result of his strange and horrifying childhood, Malcolm takes an inter- est in law enforcement as an adult, particularly criminal psychology. He becomes a very successful profiler, thanks to his ability to "think like a killer." Unfortunately for Malcolm, his talent is eclipsed by the fear that the apple may not have fallen far from the tree, and the FBI lets him go. Instead, he's picked out by an NYPD agent named Gil, who is played by screen veteran Lou Diamond Phillips ("Longmire"). Unfortunately for Malcolm's sanity, Gil seems to have chosen him because of his unsavory connections, not despite them. A copycat serial killer has emerged, and the perpetrator is copying "The Surgeon." Malcolm is forced to meet with his father, which brings memories of his traumatic childhood flooding back. He's worked his whole life to ensure that people like his father are caught and incarcerated, so why the title "Prodi- gal Son?" Well, Martin seems to think that he and his son are ex- actly the same, and that once Malcolm accepts his true nature, the father and son can build a wonderful relationship like the one they had when Malcolm was a child, before Martin was locked up for being a homicidal maniac. It is the relationship between father and son that really drives this series. Though Malcolm is loathe to admit it, he and Martin re- ally connect. There is still a bond be- tween the two that cannot be de- nied. While the circumstances are ex- treme, "Prodigal Son" combines its serial killer-centric storyline with el- ements of a family drama. Round- ing out this beyond-dysfunctional family is Halston Sage ("The Or- ville") as Payne's spoiled sister and Bellamy Young ("Scandal") as Payne's mother — Fox has put to- gether a team of actors who have earned their stripes on the small screen, proven dramatic stars that keep the show compelling. This se- ries has a real shot at becoming television gold, and I (along with Fox executives) am hoping that it lives up to its potential. If you have yet to watch any of the great trailers for "Prodigal Son," they're a good place to start in prep- aration for the series premiere. The costumes, set design and color cor- rection of the show evoke the 1991 Oscar-winning film "The Silence of the Lambs," and that's without tak- ing into consideration flashbacks to meetings between the boy and his father, who is chained up just like Dr. Hannibal Lecter himself. Sins of the father New Fox drama is police procedural and family drama combined Cover Story this week Lou Diamond Phillips stars in "Prodigal Son" Conan Sources at the White House say that, multiple times, President Trump has asked if a nuclear bomb could stop a hurricane. Luckily, his 13-year-old son told him no. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon To save money, New York City is thinking about cleaning the subways less often. Apparently, the annual once-over with a wet nap was just way too expensive. A family in Texas just realized their vacation photos were photo-bombed by a topless woman. They knew something was up when their son ran up to his room with the family album and locked the door. The Late Late Show with James Corden According to a study, people who keep a tidy house are twice as happy as people who are messy. I think it's pretty obvious that this study was conducted by your mum. This study also said that, on average, a clean person has more sex than a messy person. So when someone says, "I'm a neat freak," what they really mean is, "I'm neat, and I'm a freak." Late Night With Seth Meyers A Kansas man received stitches over the weekend after he was hit by his cousin's girlfriend during a game of Monopoly. The girl was going to spend the night in jail but got out of it by rolling doubles. 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