After a fabulous first season,“The Americans” was back last Wednesday’s night and it was great. I must say, for me, “The Americans” was one of the best show in 2013 so I was really excited about season 2. “Comrades” did not disappoint me. It was exactly what I want from “The Americans” : spy missions, sex, family drama, double agents, the war between FBI and KGB. And of course surprises and twists.
And by the way, I have to say how much I adore “The Americans” opening sequence. I have watched season 1 in a week and usually when I do that for a show, I always skipped those opening sequences because they’re too often repetitive and a bit annoying, but I loved every time I watched this opening sequence. The parallelism between the different images in the US and in the USSR is great and clever ; and the music is perfect.
“Comrades” picked up a couple of months after the events in last season finale. Elizabeth had recovered from her gunshot so she came back home, and she had to adjust with the changes, Paige had become more suspicious of her parents’ action.
Speaking of suspicious, Stan had a bunch of them also, still searching for the couple he saw in the season finale but the man didn’t have any suspect about Nina, who actually had been playing with him since a couple of months.
Anyways, let’s review what happened !
After recovering for two months in a cabin in the woods, Elizabeth finally came back home. It was nice watching the family getting back together, the kids so happy to see their mother back. But of this regular family stuff did not last. Philip and Elizabeth are KGB agents and parents, and it’s hard to manage both. It was Henry’s birthday and they had to leave on a mission. The whole “date” excuse was good but Paige acted along so she could sneak into the house when they were gone. I think Holly Taylor is fabulous. Usually, I don’t like teen in a TV show, they’re often boring, stupid, and immature but Paige is very different and Holly Taylor portrays her so well.
So, Paige has become quite suspicious of her mother’s activities, ever since she surprised her doing laundry in the middle of the night. Paige went back in the laundry room to check it, only to be surprised by Henry. I really enjoy how the writers are slowly putting suspicions on Paige’s mind. And I can’t wait to watch her evolve and finally learn the truth about her parents. That will be devastating.
But Paige saw something quite disturbing and that should teach her to be more careful. Thinking her parents were not back home, she opened their door and went to their bedroom…. Only to find them naked and making a 69… Okay, that must be so awkward and uncomfortable. I laughed a bit watching the breakfast scene, it was well made.
I really appreciate Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell chemistry. Just by the way they look at each other, you can feel there is something, they’re linked. Of course, their relationship is very complicated and I enjoy so much watching it evolved.
Once again, Elizabeth used sex on a mission, and she was with another girl. When Philip and his friend walked in the motel room, I didn’t understand what was happening, who was this guy with him. I thought he’d kill him, and the other girl but no. Elizabeth left with her friend and Philip stayed with his, talking to the guy.
The couple was actually Emmett and Leanne. Just like Elizabeth and Philip, they were KGB agents posing as regular Americans, they had a family too. The whole mission was not that interesting, but surely it will become clearer in the next episode. It was nice for Philip and Elizabeth to talk with another couple just like them. Nobody can understand what they’re going through expect them. It’s a unique situation. It was particularly touching when they spoke about their children and how hard it was to educate them in America. It must be so hard to watch your own children growing up as your worst enemy. That talk later echoed when Paige surprised their parents in bed. She didn’t respect her parents’ rules and they were surprised to see she was lying and checking up on them.
As they disappeared on the night of Henry’s birthday, Philip and Elizabeth took their children to a fair. I loved those scenes in the fair, with the games and the music. I’ve always loved fair since I was a kid, maybe that’s why but I thought it was an excellent idea to get the family there. They deserved to spend some good times together.
Also, it was a way to see Emmett and Leanne and their children. But they didn’t know it was actually kind of a trap for them. Emmett and Leanne asked them there for a reason. They had to take a package from their contact, but as he was watched they needed to have a new face for the dead drop. So they picked Philip, and Henry along. It was a bold choice to use his own kid. I didn’t expect it, Philip and Elizabeth always have been very careful with their children but that is changing. Luckily the dead drop went well and afterwards Philip and Elizabeth left their children at the fair to go to Emmett’s motel room and deliver him the package. Only something horrible happened when they arrived
Emett, Leanne and their daughter were murdered, shot in the head in their room. Philip and Elizabeth both froze, it was so powerful. I could read on their eyes they were so horrified and afraid this could happen to their family. So, Elizabeth left in a hurry to get Paige and Henry at the fair while Philip searched the room and took instructions. It was so sad when Emett’ son went back from the pool and found his family dead. His screams were so touching.
And at the fair, I got a moment of fear. Elizabeth got Henry quickly but Paige was missing and I really didn’t want her to get in troubles. I was both glad and shocked when Elizabeth found her. Glad she was okay but she was wearing the same painting on her that Emett’s daughter. Very disturbing, even more for her mother.
I like how the writers put some small elements like that to make us understand better those characters. Elizabeth and Philip care very much for their family, their children and they’re slowly starting to realize their job might cost their family’s life. Of course, they knew it all along but now, it has become more real. “The Americans” writers are so good at showing the perpetual conflict Philip and Elizabeth are feeling towards their job, their country and also their family, their children, the love they feel. Really, one of the best show on air !
But “Comrades” did not only deal with Philip and Elizabeth. Stan had a big part and he is getting more and more suspicious of the world around him. I must admit I’ve never been a huge fan of Stan. I can’t really explain why but I don’t really like him. Anyways, Stan wanted to follow up on the last lead he had about the couple but he soon realized he was the only one. His boss clearly told him to back off.
But when Stanford came to the FBI, asking for his money, I started to like Stan a bit more. Since the pilot, he has been suspicious of Philip and Elizabeth. It's not expressed yet, but I think in his mind, he is starting to connect everything. Of course, it will take time but I bet by the end of the season, he will have discovered who they really are. Stanford was really convincing when he said he was telling the truth. And the next day, he ended up dead. That was quick. I’ve read some people were unhappy about how fast the writers conclude his storyline but I can see the purpose and, even if it was quick, it was the best move to make.
What I like the most about Stan’ storyline is his liaison with Nina. I’m a fan of that girl. She has been going through so much in season one, Annet Mahendru is amazing. The scene Stan and Nina shared was nice. At first it didn’t really make sense in the whole story but by the end of the episode, it was clearer.
Stan had access to some screeners, I didn’t catch the movie name but it was said to be a chick movie. It was supposed to make Nina cry but it actually made her angry. Nina became angry after the main character in the movie made a speech about being a whore and Nina used this to make a comparison with her situation with Stan. She is her mistress, he thinks she is betraying her country. It was later revealed she actually wanted him to say he loves her but Stan didn’t say it.
And when he got home, his wife invited him to her girl night at the movies, they went watching the same movie he watched with Nina, and his wife had the expected behavior : she was moved and cried.
“Comrades” was a great episode to start the season. Philip and Elizabeth are back and their lives are always so complicated and always at risk. The writers are really good at showing us how dangerous their lives are, very risky and the conflict inside them, torn between their motherland and their children.
Stan and Nina’s parts were weaker, that’s true but I still enjoyed them. Nina has gone through a lot so for now, just being a triple agent is enough. And for Stan, the writers are slowly pointing him towards Philip and Elizabeth direction… I mean he is a clever guy. A couple was shot by the FBI, Elizabeth disappeared for two months on the same night. Stan just needs a few more elements and he will finally make the connections and I can’t wait for it to happen.
Spy notes :
• Philip and the Afghans. The scene was excellent and surprising. But, I’m quite certain we will hear again from the Afghans and Philip might actually have gone too far. The man was trying to prevent him before dying. “You have no idea…” ?
• Oleg ! A new guy working for KGB. Did you like him ? I don’t know where they can with him…. He can become a traitor or he might fall for the beautiful Nina….
• Martha ! The girl is cute, I’m very fond of her. She’s so naïve, it’s a bit sad but she looks so happy with Philip. I don't know where the writers are heading with her, but I definitely want to see her around.
Are you happy “The Americans” is back ? What did you think of “Comrades” ? Hit the comments !
