In the fourth episode of The Americans, Philip and Oleg talk about the dissolution of the Soviet government, but what hangs more desperately over the show is the possible dissolution of Philip and Elizabeth’s relationship—brought up in the conversation with…
The Americans 6×03 Review: “Urban Transport Planning”
“Urban Transport Planning” amps up on the ambiguity as more and more character motives start to interweave into a more unsettling conflict of interest—the most disconcerting of these must be the ones between Oleg, Stan and Philip. As we know,…
The Americans 6×02 Review: “Tchaikovsky”
The second episode of The Americans, “Tchaikovsky,” continues “Dead Man’s” sense of impending demise—Ronald Reagan’s senility is mentioned (referencing the president’s onset of early Alzheimer’s) and the bedridden wife of the weapons negotiator is staking out plans with her husband…
The Americans 6×01 Review: “Dead Hand”
The American’s sixth and final season begins just as the Soviet Union’s dissolution does, perfectly fitting as both—in their own way—spell the beginning of the end of something. One is the end of a communist state, and the other the…
TV Review: FX’s The Americans 5×13, “The Soviet Division”
There are no clean getaways. That’s the familiar tagline associated with criminals who may be good at what they do, but always end up having some problems. The Jennings are Russian undercovers in The Americans, and they are brilliant when…
TV Review: FX’s The Americans 5×9, “IHOP”
While I’m sure rabid fans of The Americans continue to dig what the espionage drama is dealing out, I’m curious how others are taking season 5. The show received a surge in newfound popularity, given the Emmy/Golden Globe acclaim from…
TV Review: FX’s The Americans 5×5, “Lotus 1-2-3”
For all the plates that are spinning, The Americans sure knows how to make the emotional moments land. That’s even more impressive, considering how little time Philip and Elizabeth spend together in “Lotus 1-2-3”. Even without the revelations that take…