Today's Entertainment

2 F ebruary 1 - 7, 2015 Br ainerd Dispatch By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media W e're all bound to clash with our parents at some point in our lives, but chances are these in- stances aren't matters of national security or international intrigue. NBC's new spy thriller "Alle- giance" brings family values to a whole new level. Created by "The Adjustment Bureau" (2011) writer and director George Nolfi, the series revolves around the close-knit and well-to-do O'Connor family. When a past secret comes to light, their comfortable family life is suddenly far from comfortable. "Allegiance" premieres Thursday, Feb. 5, on NBC. In our post-9/11 world, with ter- rorist threats and attacks cropping up in the news on a regular basis, national security may be more of a hot-button issue in the Western world than ever before. Hope Davis ("About Schmidt," 2002) stars as "Allegiance's" matri- arch, Katya O'Connor. A loving wife and mother, Katya has a past she's been keeping secret from nearly ev- eryone in her life. Years ago, she worked as a KGB agent in her native Russia. When tasked with recruiting American businessman Mark O'Connor (Scott Cohen, "Necessary Roughness") as a spy, the two wound up falling in love. She struck a deal with the Kremlin that she could marry Mark and move to America, with the understanding that Moscow could still call upon her services at any time in the future. Since leaving Russia, Katya has built a happy life with her husband. They started a family and have been living like your average American couple, without so much as a peep from Moscow in years. Unfortunately, Mother Russia chooses a particularly awkward time to come knocking. Gavin Stenhouse ("Clash of Em- pires," 2011) plays Mark and Katya's idealistic 24-year-old son Alex, a fledgling CIA analyst. While his sister Natalie, played by Russian- born Margarita Levieva ("Re- venge"), has followed in Katya's footsteps, Alex knows nothing of his mother's past. He's been assigned to root out a massive terrorist plot against the United States, and here's where things get sticky — it happens to be the very plot that a newly reactivated Katya has been conscripted to carry out. Not only that, but Moscow wants Katya to pull her very American son into the family business and turn him into a Russian spy. The concept is not only timely, but works in multiple markets. Show runner Nolfi, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the spy thriller "The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007), adapted the story from the Israeli drama "The Gordin Cell," which takes place in Israel instead of America. The original series has also sold the rights to a Russian version of the show, as well as a South Korean version adapted to the current North-South Korean conflict. Accuracy was a must for Nolfi, who has an active interest in geopolitical issues. He graduated sum- ma cum laude from Princeton with a bachelor's degree in public policy, after which he went on to study political science at UCLA. According to an "LA Times" interview with the filmmaker, he called on dozens of contacts in the foreign relations world to make sure everything in "Allegiance" was as it should be. "I saw an opportunity with this show to really look at how intelli- gence is conducted on the ground," he said in the interview. "How do you debrief someone who's unsa- vory? Where are the red lines for a nation-state supporting rogue ac- tivity? How do the FBI and CIA work together? Every other show I've seen is so inaccurate in its portrayal of things like that." The double layer of the family conflict is where Nolfi's creative mind really shines through and is an angle that "The Gordin Cell," which focused more heavily on the immi- gration theme, lacked. Katya isn't just faced with the difficulty of choosing between loyalties to her native land and her adopted coun- try — a conflict that would be diffi- cult enough on its own — but she also has her own child thrown into the mix and must consider what's best for him. "She's a mother with a very dif- ferent skill set and who knows what lengths she'll go to protect her fam- ily," Davis said of her character in a "New York Times" interview. "She's kind of a lioness, and when they come knocking at her door, she's not about to give up her kid." "We like to call it a spy thriller with heart," Cohen added of the parent-child scenario during NBC upfronts. Additionally, the angle further blurs the lines between right and wrong, giving a candid look at multi- ple sides of the same conflict. Loyalty is a tricky concept when it lies in more than one place, and loyalties are all over the place in "Allegiance." U.S. vs. Russia, family vs. U.S., Russia vs. family — there's no easy road for any of the characters to take. With the recently renewed ten- sions between the United States and Russia and the effects of 9/11 still very much a part of our lives, the peacock network's latest spy thriller couldn't be better timed. Fol- low the O'Connors' struggle be- tween blood and country when "Al- legiance" kicks off Thursday, Feb. 5, on NBC. Scott Cohen and Hope Davis as seen in "Allegiance" Pledging 'Allegiance' NBC's new spy thriller examines multiple levels of loyalty Cover Story this week 7788 Fairview Rd, Baxter 218-829-1739 Like us on Facebook to receive info and specials at Baxter Country Kitchen www.BAXTERcountrykitchen.com Guest Check on guest checks totaling $18.00 or more (Before Tax) Coupon Exp. 2/18/15 Not valid with any other offers or discounts. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. No cash value. Customer pays all applicable sales tax. Valid at Baxter location only. Off $ 3.00 One coupon per table, per person, per visit. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. The Original Country Boy Burger! IS BACK! REAL Cappaccino, Latte & Hot Cocoa $ 1.00 CAFÈ STYLE BEVERAGES Lattes, Mochas, Cappuccinos, Specialty Co ees, Gourmet Hot Chocolate Not valid with any other offers or discounts. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. No cash value. Customer pays all applicable sales tax. Valid at Baxter location only. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. Coupon Exp. 2/18/15 Off Boy Stop In & Have One! 001200446r1 "Your One-Stop, Locally-Owned Medical Supply Company." FREE Delivery in our service area! 8-5:30pm M-F, 9-12 Sat. 206 W. Washington, Tyrol Hills Center Brainerd 218-829-2100 BRAINERD MEDICAL SUPPLY We Process Medical Assistance, Medica, Blue Cross, Medicare and Most insurance. 24 Hour Emergency Oxygen Service Your Full Service CPAP/BIPAP Dealer Complete Inventory of Replacement Masks & Parts "Full Service Center" Everything You Need For Planter Fasciitis Heel Pain Heel Cups Total Support Insoles Night Splints Strassburg ® Socks Total Support Insoles Strassburg Strassburg 001200697r1

• Cover