The set-ups are disparate enough [from "The Americans"], and Allegiance's twisty allegiances, are promising enough not to dismiss the show out of hand.

Allegiance certainly won’t win many points for originality, but the episodes do clip along on a serialized basis, keeping the principals constantly scheming to stay one step ahead of the two sides between which they’re caught.

The premise strains credulity, and the setup is convoluted. Yet the spycraft is fun, an affecting cast makes you care. [30 Jan/6 Feb 2015, p.123]

Allegiance is a curious duck, indeed. Smart and sophisticated certainly, but -- occasionally--a bit dim-bulbed and hokey, too.

Even when it’s fun, Allegiance doesn’t do anything The Americans isn’t doing far better.

Allegiance, set in the present-day, is at attempt to be a thoughtful drama about the differences between loyalty to family and loyalty to country, but its atmosphere is as drab as an early John LeCarre novel, without the prickly dialogue or tricky plotting.... And: We lost Parenthood to this?

The potentially suspenseful premise is undercut by plodding storytelling and a cast lacking chemistry. [1-15 Feb 2015, p.16]

I guess it doesn't matter if I liked it at this point. Unfortunately, the show has been cancelled after 5 episodes. I like the premise of the show, and it was different. I like the subtle humor integrated within the show as well.

the savant son is compelling..mother wicked ..father is dumbass.... sister depressing no good...russian leadership deeply violently thuggish..Asian cia man **** polygraph guy untrusting.. female partner of son ... maybe a mole

Are we supposed to take this show seriously -- or is it just an unfunny comedy? Totally unbelievable characters, really bad writing, generally weak acting all combine to make nearly unwatchable show. The plot moves forward only because of the insanely intelligent son who has apparently absorbed every piece of knowledge available in the world -- a walking Google/Wikipedia so to speak. The CIA vs. the modern day Russian spies who apparently have agents working on every U.S. street corner. The CIA (this may be the only true-to-life aspect of the show) is totally amateurish and inept. I gave "Allegiance" a "4" only because I was feeling unrealistically generous tonight. Smert Spionam.

Some scintillating twists bordering on US propaganda geopolitics. Overall, it is badly written with atrocious acting which the director must be partly to blame for. Many events in the major plot are annoying and insult the intelligence. A done and dusted spy thriller lacking credibility.

Nonsense! The concept is interesting but ... .... Absurd, unrealistic, unbelievable etc etc ... the writing is terrible and the acting so-so ... seems to be a cheap imitation of the 'Americans' that fails completely. I am giving the show a '1' because I'm in a good mood. I understand this show has been canceled ... a wise decision.