Allegiance: Copycat or Remake, It Is Nothing New

So tomorrow night (February 5) you can see NBC's new show Allegiance about a Russian family operating as an American sleeper cell in America while worrying about whether it should truly be a one-generational gig or bring in the kids.  Sound familiar?  It should, because we have already viewed a few seasons of FX's Americans.  It is funny how NBC is also making the comparison, stating "Like The Americans? - Watch NBC's Allegiance." 

However, instead of being a copy of an American original, it is a remake of an Israeli original.  I am not sure this is better, but this is the case.  Here is a trailer and NBC's summary of the new show:  

This high-octane thriller revolves around the O'Connor family and their son, Alex (Gavin Stenhouse), a young idealistic CIA analyst specializing in Russian affairs. Unbeknownst to him, both of his parents and his sister are part of a dormant Russian sleeper cell that has just been reactivated. 

Years ago, Russian-born Katya (Hope Davis) was tasked by the KGB to recruit American businessman Mark O'Connor (Scott Cohen) as a spy, and the two fell in love. A deal was struck: as long as Katya remained an asset for Russia, she would be allowed to marry Mark and move to America. After years in America building a happy life and without word from Moscow, they thought they had escaped. Now it seems the new Mother Russia has one more mission - turning Alex into a spy. The SVR (Russian Intelligence) has re-enlisted the entire family into service as they plan a terrorist operation inside U.S. borders that will bring America to its knees. For these anguished parents, the choice is clear: betray their country... or risk their family.

When The Americans was first broadcast is was a quaint idea playing on a somewhat true story after we had discovered Russians in hiding.  Of course, since that time the Russian foreign policy has shifted again and the Russian Bear has gone from a Teddy Bear back to a grizzly bear. Maybe the fact that our past opponent is now our opponent again has drummed up more interest in such programs. 

So far a lot of the press about the show is its "mocking" the Pledge of Allegiance.  Sounds like a Russian plot to me, or at least a way to get a little bit of press.

Update: NBC has cancelled Allegiance after only five episodes.