THE AMERICANS Season 2 Finale Review

Article originally published as TV Review: 'The Americans' - Season 2 Finale on Blogcritics.

FX’s The Americans has grown  steadily better over its first two seasons. The freshman run introduced us to the players and the situations; in its sophomore outing, the writers not only built upon that base, but added a season-long arc about another family of Russian spies. What happens to that clan directly affects how Phillip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) see the world and their place in it. And now, with “Echo,” the season two finale, the structure is shaken up as our protagonists face their most difficult decision yet, possibly setting the stage to completely change the game.

Phillip and Elizabeth are loyal undercover KGB agents, but viewers are still likely to root for them because we get to know them on a very personal level. We see how they interact with their children, and that influences who they are on the job. The Americans presents a scenario where we understand these people and why they do what they do. It really gets into the heads of its leads.

They also have quite different personalities, despite the common cause. Phillip wavers previously in their mission, wondering if life as true Americans might not be better for their family. Elizabeth is much more the staunch nationalist. They are not tested too hard on these values, though, until “Echo.” Now, the KGB wants to recruit their daughter, Paige (Holly Taylor), something the couple may not be able to control, and they have very different opinions on if this should happen.

Elizabeth’s stance is the harder one to swallow, yet there is sense in it. Paige flounders all year with finding a purpose and wanting to effect change in the world. Elizabeth feels very much the same way, but has her mission to fulfill these needs. She sees a way to connect with her daughter and bring someone she loves and cares deeply about into her life’s work. Who wouldn’t want their kid to follow in their footsteps? Elizabeth has had to keep part of herself hidden and this has hurt her relationship with Paige. Recruiting her might solve that issue, or at least improve the bond. Plus, it will get Paige away from those crazy religious nuts.

Elizabeth also has the backing of her government, whose plan makes sense for them. They need the second-generation spies because the background checks will hold up better than on more recent immigrants. In the eyes of the Russians, no individual is more important than the whole. Elizabeth gets this concept, and applies it to herself. Why not extend that to her daughter?

Phillip, on the other hand, is much more concerned about the risks. Paige is still a child. What the spies do is dangerous, multiple members of their team being killed in the line of duty in “Echo” alone. He has a paternal instinct to protect his daughter at all costs. He even goes so far as to threaten Arkady (Lev Gorn), telling him to leave their daughter alone. Phillip, at this point, is probably considering running, or turning his family into the Americans for witness protection. He is going to do everything he can to keep his daughter out of all of this.

He’s not wrong about the dangers. This year’s story involving Jared (Owen Campbell) and his family, especially the resolution in “Echo,” learning how Jared is the killer, would be scary to anyone. Jared’s group is an illustration why it’s a bad idea to let Paige in, especially as an unstable, unpredictable teenager. Perhaps the KGB should wait until later, though younger minds are more malleable. I don’t know what Paige’s reaction would be to learning the truth now, but it certainly won’t be good.

To make things more complicated for Phillip, Martha (Alison Wright) wants to have a baby with “Clark,” his cover identity. Phillip is already lying to Martha every day; he doesn’t want to have to betray a child. It’s one thing for his own family, but to push that world onto a kid whose mother he is fooling and will one day abandon would be quite damaging. Plus, Phillip doesn’t want to tie himself to Martha any more than he has to as Clark, as he’s just using her for information. The question is, will Phillip’s bosses order him to acquiesce to her demands in order to keep her as a source? And if they do so, will Phillip comply? Elizabeth probably would, were their positions reversed.

Stan’s (Noah Emmerich) loyalties are also questioned in “Echo.” He is faced with a tough choice: saving the life of Nina (Annet Mahendru), the woman he loves, by handing over state secrets, which would threaten national security, or let her die and stay true to his country and his job. He chooses the latter, of course, Stan being a flawed hero, but a hero nonetheless. However, “Echo” shows us the pain this causes him, the waffling he goes through, and how he even mans up to witness Nina’s departure, rather than hiding in shame. He will regret what happens to Nina, who is likely done on this series forever, but he would never be able to sleep again if his actions led to the deaths of countless Americans. He does the right thing but just about anyone’s measure.

It’s this examination of morals and choices that makes The Americans compelling. Any series can present us with characters like these, and many do, but this show finds a way to carve out its niche, showing us something new. It’s slow-paced and dreary, but it’s also engaging and tense. The more I watch, the more I want to watch. Especially if they find a way to keep Claudia (Margo Martindale) involved, as they do this year despite the actress’ other commitments, as her pain in breaking the news to Phillip and Elizabeth about the organization’s intentions for Paige is the best scene in a terrific episode.

The Americans has been renewed and will return to FX next year.

THE AMERICANS Are Our "Comrades"

Article first published as THE AMERICANS Review Season 2 on Seat42F.

Tonight, THE AMERICANS returns to FX for its second season. The premiere, “Comrades,” pretty much picks up where the first year left off, in that all of the larger arcs are still playing out and nothing major has changed. “Comrades” begins with Elizabeth (Keri Russell) coming home, which makes sense to structure the hiatus that way because, without Elizabeth, there is no show.

Many fans are waiting to see how the relationships may or may not heal, and unfortunately, there’s little of that in the premiere, besides a very racy sex scene (by basic cable standards). Elizabeth and Phillip (Matthew Rhys) seem to be in a good place, but there isn’t a real focus on that. Their time spent together is in service to their mission or in front of their kids, so we don’t get a chance to see for sure what kind of footing they are on with each other. Phillip does not get the opportunity to stop and pour his heart out until he gets ‘home’ to his other wife, Martha (Alison Wright).

This worries me about Phillip and Elizabeth’s future. They definitely like each other and are committed to making their lives together work, but now Phillip is bonding with Martha, perhaps unintentionally, and under an assumed name to be sure, but still, he is making an emotional connection, revealing some of himself. As unlikely as the pairing may be, I could see something blooming there if this pattern continues past episode one.

I guess many affairs happen when one spouse doesn’t feel understood or heard by the other, finding solace in someone else. The situation in THE AMERICANS is anything but a traditional tryst, but I can see signs that it may turn into something resembling that. Which makes sense for the characters and provides much better drama. Or maybe I’m reading into something that isn’t actually there in those few small moments. I guess we’ll wait and see.

Interestingly, Stan (Noah Emmerich) thinks he’s having a real affair, hiding out with Nina (Annet Mahendru) instead of staying home and repairing his marriage to Sandra (Susan Misner). Yet, viewers know that Nina is informing on Stan to the KGB, trying to glean his CIA secrets, so she’s using him. So the setup in “Comrades” is that Stan thinks he’s in loving union but isn’t, and Phillip thinks he’s not but may be. This is some pretty interesting writing.

More tantalizing, though, is that realization by Phillip and Elizabeth this week that their job may not be the one they need to be in to protect their family. So far, THE AMERICANS has kept the personal and the spy lives separate for its lead couple, which is how they want it. But events in “Comrades,” from an early accident in the opening scene, to later, more obvious twists, threaten to bring the two worlds together. This would not be good for anyone, and puts their children, Paige (Holly Taylor) and Henry (Keidrich Sellati), in danger.

Will Phillip and Elizabeth continue their lifestyle if their children cannot be safe? I know they are dedicated to the cause and willing to risk their own lives, but they’re also loving parents, and have natural parental instincts. It seems like this has the potential to be a total game-changer, a reason for them to shift position in their work. I don’t know for sure if anything will really come of this, but if nothing else, “Comrades” will get the characters and the audience thinking about the current status quo, and that’s enough for solid TV.

Of course, Paige is still suspicious of her parents, and so may drag them out into the open whether they want to be or not, or force their hands in making an important decision. But this plot is still early in its development, so it’s hard to say where it will go at this point.

And for those of you who watch THE AMERICANS for good, action-oriented spy sequences, there are those, too, in this premiere. Personally, while I like a good scene that can get the adrenaline pumping, I prefer character studies, and appreciate when the excitement is tied into meaning for the person involved, or changes their perspective in some way. This isn’t always the case in this show, but it does a pretty good job of balancing the two components, personal stories and suspenseful spy stuff, and “Comrades” should satisfy both camps.

THE AMERICANS airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on FX.

The Americans Meet "The Colonel"

Article first published as TV Review: The Americans - "The Colonel" on Blogcritics.

FX draws season one of The Americans to a close with "The Colonel." Despite reservations by many involved, the KGB orders the meet with The Colonel (Victor Slezak, Treme) to go forward, feeling the valuable intel they expect him to provide is worth the risk. Of course, this not go smoothly.

The Americans has really crafted an entertaining and complex world in this first season. It's easy to get lost into the cat and mouse spy game of the 1980s in such a richly developed world, and the cast and writers have done an amazing job at making the story accessible. While the season started a bit slow, in my opinion, by this week's finale, I am firmly a fan.


The central question of this episode, rather or not to meet with The Colonel, is an engaging plot. As the viewer, we are kept at much in the dark about The Colonel's sincerity as the characters are. We don't know if they should meet with him, but because every main player is wary, we feel tense at the thought.

Which is why, when The Colonel turns out to be as harmless as the Star Wars program the Russians are seeking information about, it's a great surprise. Spy shows do a good job delivering nasty twists, but to get an unexpected nice reveal is a treat.

Unfortunately, while The Colonel is harmless, the FBI has still set up a sting to catch the KGB agents. It feels weird to be saying 'unfortunately' in that sentence, but The Americans has me rooting for Phillip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell), and as much as I like Stan (Noah Emmerich) on the other side of the equation, I don't want him to catch them. At least not until the story can move in a direction that lets all three work together.

Phillip actually takes the meeting with The Colonel away from Elizabeth to protect her. Ironic that the mission she is left with, picking up the tape, ends up being the dangerous one. They fail to get their objective, but it's likely their objective has been tainted anyway.


More importantly, we get to see Phillip play the hero towards Elizabeth, not just in switching her assignments, but in rushing to her rescue when she gets into trouble. Their sham marriage has been rocky, which is a shame, but it's clear that some affection has grown between the couple in all the years they've been together. Phillip's actions, and Elizabeth's response to them, asking Phillip to move back home, proves this.

Phillip may have a problem repairing his marriage to Elizabeth, though, since he now also has a second union with Martha (Alison Wright). It's part of the job, not cheating, thankfully, but Elizabeth doesn't seem comfortable around Martha, posing as Phillip's sister, even though she herself sleeps with the enemy in service for her country. One wonders if Elizabeth sees Martha as more of a threat because she is such a fixture in Phillip's going-ons. Will Martha be a serious obstacle to Elizabeth's matrimonial bliss?

I don't think it will be long before Stan catches onto his neighbors' secret lives. Not only does he already have suspicions of them prior to "The Colonel," but he is present for what goes down in this season finale, so when Phillip asks him to watch their children when Elizabeth is shot during the chaos, it's likely to rile his instincts even more.


The thing that might delay Stan's investigation is his wife, Sandra (Susan Misner, promoted to main cast for season two). She refuses his offer of a vacation this week. If Stan wants his marriage not to fall apart he may have to concentrate a bit more on his home life, rather than his work. This would be good news for Elizabeth and Phillip.

Stan's life may be complicated even more by Nina (Annet Mahendru), assuming she isn't shipped back to Moscow. She isn't in anyone's good graces, Russian or American, her loyalties torn. She might just disappear between seasons, or she might want revenge on Stan for not helping her get out of the mess with her people. We'll have to wait and see about her.

The more immediate person close to finding out about them is Paige (Holly Taylor), their daughter. However, even after going into the laundry room where her mother has a hidden compartment in the wall, Paige doesn't see anything. She has no reason to think that her parents are Russian spies, so she may stay in the dark. But there's a bit of a fake out this week in regards to her.

I'm anxious to see how the kids will take the news when who their parents are is eventually revealed. They are born and raised in America, taught to hate and distrust the Russians as much as any American kid. Elizabeth, as hard as it might be for her, and less so for Phillip, doesn't correct this view. I wonder if Paige and her brother, Henry (Keidrich Sellati), will be able to support and love their parents, no matter what?


Another nice reveal we get in "The Colonel" is that Claudia, a.k.a. Granny (Margo Martindale), is a good person who cares about her charges. The way she backs up the KGB's orders makes her seem cold and stupid. But in a private moment this week, we see that just because she passes down said orders doesn't mean she agrees with them. She's a soldier who obeys, but when appropriate, questions, authority. We see how much she looks out for Elizabeth and Philip, which should instantly change many opinions about her.

It's too bad she is slated to be transferred as this season comes to a close, at Elizabeth's request. Elizabeth can't be blamed, as Claudia does appear to be unreasonable when relaying orders. But now, having seen who she really is, fans of The Americans likely won't want her to leave. She's become too vital a part of the fabric of the show.

Martindale is in a sitcom pilot, but if we're lucky, it won't get picked up. If that happens, The Americans should sign her as a full-time cast member immediately.

The Americans has been renewed for a second season and will return to FX in 2014.

The Americans can be deceptive

Article first published as THE AMERICANS Series Premiere Review at Seat42F

Grade: 86%

FX’s newest drama, THE AMERICANS, premieres this Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET. It is a period piece set during the Cold War. Ronald Reagan is president, and the Russians would do nearly anything to destroy their greatest enemy. For Russian spies who have been living in the United States for the better part of two decades, it becomes hard to maintain loyalty to their country, appreciating the finer things in America, like air conditioning. After having children and keeping things a secret, it might be tempting to give up one’s homeland for a nice cash pay out.

Or is it? The question of loyalties and allegiance are at the heart of THE AMERICANS, and it’s never a simple answer. Sort of like Homeland, but without quite as much mystery.

The two main characters, Phillip (Matthew Rhys, Brothers & Sisters) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell, Felicity), are Russians who were placed together in their job, forced to fake a romantic connection. Their union isn’t born of love, but part of the question posed right out of the gate is, is there love between them? There seems to be, from at least one side.

How hard would it be to live together, raising children, and not fall in love? Yes, there are plenty of unhappy marriages around the world, people who choose to be together, but can’t make it work. Yet, there are also a plethora of examples of arranged marriages that have turned out quite nicely. In Phillip and Elizabeth’s case, they are alone with a secret, isolated in a strange land, for a very long time, which means their bond extends beyond just the offspring.

Even the kids (Holly Taylor and Keidrich Sellati) are kept in the dark. This is done out of necessity, of course. It’s hard enough for adults to live a double life and keep their mouths shut; no one can expect the same out of children. But this makes for a very uneasy family unit, as the kids are taught to be patriotic Americans, and the parents can do nothing to correct these views without risking exposure. In such a place and time as when THE AMERICANS is set, the Russians are viewed as the enemy. That means the Jennings children learn in school to be against the very things their parents are devoting their lives to. Obviously, this creates some friction.

But as interesting as the family issues are to ponder and discuss, they are merely one aspect of the show. Phillip and Elizabeth are active agents. In the first episode, they take down an enemy of their native state, and have to keep him hidden while they decide what to do. This makes for some nail biting action sequences and tense scenes as they try to keep the hostage unseen.

What complicates things even more is that Elizabeth has a history with the particular scum bag with which they tussle. This plays into her decisions and actions, just as the fact that Phillip is in the dark plays to his. Even within this married couple that have shared almost everything, there are still secrets, and trust is not absolute, at least for one of the two parties.

I really enjoyed watching the interplay between Rhys and Russell. There are so many layers to their characters, and a great many factors must be taken into account in concocting every facial nuance. These vary, too, by time period, as there are a few flashbacks. The two stars are pros. They really keep viewers on their toes, while also showing a believable and sympathetic couple of individuals. Should THE AMERICANS ever turn into a war between them, I honestly have no clue who I would root for. Better that they stay together.

Yet, there is always that threat of a division. They don’t go into the assignment on equal footing, and limited by the amount of the past they are allowed to bring up, they can’t ever be their true selves. It’s a rotten way to live, and thus far, Phillip and Elizabeth have kept to their orders. The story told in the series starts at a crossroads, and which path each of them choose will determine whether they forge a stronger bond, or fall apart completely.

Then, there is the added outside threat of the feds who would very much like to catch them. One agent named Stan (Noah Emmerich, White Collar, The Truman Show) moves in next door to them, completely oblivious to who they are at first. Unluckily for the Russians, his instincts are sharp, and it isn’t long before he gets a tingling of suspicion. This is a story definitely not fated to play out for many years, and the status quo between Stan and the Jennings will not last long.

I am also interested to see what other actors will bring to the table. The official website counts the fantastic Margo Martindale (Justified) as a main player, although she is not to be found in the first episode. We get a glimpse of Richard Thomas (The Waltons) in this installment, and I hope he sticks around awhile.

What is puzzling to me about this pilot is, all of what I have just described sounds really, really cool. Yet, I grew somewhat bored over the course of the hour plus. It’s not a bad show, by any means, but it’s a slow moving one, at least, so far. Other series have pulled off sluggish pacing and managed to keep things interesting, but for some reason, the draw is lacking a bit here. It will be interesting to see if this is just because so much time is needed to set the story up in the first episode, or if there are larger problems that make themselves known over the course of the season.