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2 • April 3 - 9, 2016 • Brainerd Dispatch By Cassie Dresch TV Media T here's an urban legend that claims we only ever use 10 per- cent of our brains. While this is ac- tually just a myth ("MythBusters" even went to the trouble of de- bunking it), it hasn't stopped any- one from using the notion as a compelling storytelling device. Most recently, the concept was thrust into public consciousness in 2001, when Irish writer Alan Glynn's techno-thriller novel "The Dark Fields" was published, and the idea rose to the forefront again when "Limitless," the film based on Glynn's novel and star- ring Bradley Cooper, came out in 2011. "Limitless" proved popular at the box office, grossing $152 mil- lion worldwide against a $27 mil- lion budget, and it was only two years later that Cooper announced he would lead a team of executive producers and create a television series based on the movie. The se- ries, aptly titled "Limitless," pre- miered in September and has also enjoyed moderate success. With only a few episodes left to go until the finale, a new episode of the dramedy airs Tuesday, April 5, on CBS. Jake McDorman ("Greek") stars as Brian Finch, who, at the start of the season, was a struggling musi- cian and general burnout. Now, af- ter being introduced to the myste- rious and revolutionary drug called NZT-48, he's suddenly able to recall every detail of his life ev- ery time he takes a pill. Of course, instantly becoming the smartest man in the world turns some heads, and he is ultimately recruit- ed by the FBI. Jennifer Carpenter ("Dexter") plays Rebecca Harris, the FBI spe- cial agent to whom Brian lends his newfound abilities to help solve weekly cases. Rebecca knows quite a bit about NZT-48 and what it can do because her father once visited her while on the drug be- fore turning up dead a few weeks later. The characters rely on each oth- er quite a bit in the series, and the chemistry between the two actors is, thankfully, very apparent. In an interview with Headlines and Global News, McDorman ex- plained how quickly the duo clicked and what made it such an instantaneous connection: "We read the script, like, two weeks before we started shooting. It was all very fast, but [the chem- istry] was instant from the table read. When I met Jennifer, she re- minded me of my sister, who was also eight months pregnant, and I was like, 'You remind me of my sis- ter, but maybe that's just the baby thing?' It's a really cool relation- ship and I'm glad that it is that re- lationship." Yep, you read that right. Car- penter was eight months pregnant when the pilot was filmed, but thanks to a killer wardrobe team and some fancy camera work, au- diences at home were none the wiser, and the rest of the cast was able to play it off like it was noth- ing. "The rest of the cast" refers to a couple of actors who know their way around the biz. Hill Harper, best known for his role as medical examiner Sheldon Hawkes in "CSI: NY," and Mary Elizabeth Mastran- tonio, who was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her turn in "The Color of Mon- ey" (1986), round out the main cast as Special Agent Spellman Boyle and Special Agent in Charge Naz Pouran, respectively. Also making occasional appear- ances in the TV adaptation is none other than the "Limitless" star himself, Cooper. He reprises his role as Eddie Morra from the film, though now he's Sen. Morra, and he's gunning for a presidential nomination. Cooper serves as ex- ecutive producer for the series, and evidently handpicked McDor- man for the series' lead role: "I got the script from my agents with kind of a note that was like, 'Hey they'd like to meet with you. Apparently, Bradley thinks you would be great for the lead,'" Mc- Dorman said at the Television Crit- ics Association press tour last summer. "I totally didn't believe them at all, and at the end of the meeting they were like, 'Yeah, Bradley really has you in mind for this.'" Cooper and McDorman have a little history together, aside from existing in the same fictional TV universe. Cooper starred in the 2014 Oscar-winning drama "American Sniper," based on the true exploits of late U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who was the most le- thal sniper in U.S. military history, having amassed more than 160 confirmed kills. McDorman co- starred as a member of Kyle's unit during the sniper's third tour, Ryan "Biggles" Job. While the old wives' tale that we only use 10 percent of our brains may be false, that doesn't make the concept any less inter- esting. The idea spawned a popu- lar book in the early 2000s and a moderately successful movie in the early 2010s, and now it has spawned an equally popular tele- vision series. On the backs of two leads who possess great on- screen chemistry and infrequent, yet pertinent, appearances of a familiar face, it's easy to see why "Limitless" is pushing the boundaries. With only a few epi- sodes to go before the finale, catch a new episode of "Limitless" air- ing Tuesday, April 5, on CBS. Jennifer Carpenter as seen in "Limitless" Life without limits CBS goes above and beyond with 'Limitless' Cover Story this week 501 W Washington St, Brainerd 218-828-1823 Free loaner cars available with most services! www.heartlandtireservice.com FULL SERVICE OIL CHANGE $ 19.99 WITH VALVOLINE QUALITY OIL Offer good with coupon only. Not valid with other offers. Not available at all locations. Expires 4/30/16 . up to 5 qts oil and fi lter . most cars, vans and light trucks . includes fl uid top off most fl uids plus tax & fees TIRE ROTATION & BALANCE $ 29.99 Includes free inspection of the steering compo- nents, shocks, struts, and a visual alignment and tire inspection. 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