While Allegiance fans were tuning into the NBC freshman's second episode Thursday night, I was lucky enough to be tuning into the third episode, due to air this coming Thursday, at 10|9c.
Allegiance's first two episodes have been very solid, and "Surreptitious Entry" is no exception. It picks up seconds after Katya O'Connor dispatched a Russian sniper who had her son Alex in his sights. Simultaneously, Alex has his own challenges to deal with as he and colleague Michelle have to defend themselves and Vaso against the barrage of bullets destined for them.
This episode turns up the secret agent stuff a couple of notches more than what we've seen. The hour is built around the race between the SVR and and CIA as they seek the files the deceased Vostrov stole. Katya and husband Mark are compelled by Victor to represent the SVR in the hunt, while Alex makes their job rather difficult as he puts together a plan of attack for the CIA.
The hunt leads the teams to the Philadelphia City Hall, and the nearby Masonic Temple. Much of this sequence is shot on location which is fantastic to see. For a geek like me it's always interesting looking at Google Earth to see where the various characters walked, and where the cameras would have been positioned. Geeky things aside, the race is very well put together. Unlike other television series or movies which kit out their agents with ten thousand tools that work perfectly every time, in Allegiance, Katya and Mark have to improvise and overcome when they are confronted with various obstacles and inadequate resources. The CIA have their own set of challenges to face too - though the increased manpower and legal standing do give them an advantage.
Allegiance is getting it right when it comes to the humor and light-hearted moments. The showrunners have a knack for it, and Gavin Stenhouse excels in the portrayal of a socially awkward geek. Kenneth Choi once again provides some great entertainment in his humor-ridden role as Sam Luttrell.
Alex's sisters, Natalie and Sarah, have more substantial roles to play in this episode. The parents enlist Natalie to help them in the race for the files, and her relationship with Victor doesn't go unnoticed. The hour ends with a really good cliffhanger too.
In summary, this is another solid episode from Allegiance. I'm enjoying the humor and character interaction, and the story is well thought out and unfolding nicely.
Thanks for reading! Check out Allegiance on my TV ratings website, www.seriesmonitor.com/allegiance. Share your thoughts, theories and questions on the episode in the comments below.
Allegiance, "Surreptitious Entry", airs Thursday, February 19, 10|9c, on NBC.
