The Americans (2 Viewers)

[Maurile Tremblay]

There is no way the kid doesn't feature again- he'll put together a sketch of Phillip that the FBI guy will see and compare to the other sketches he's been looking at.

I don't think it's likely that the kid will remember anything about the random guy in the hall whom he'd never seen before. People forget the faces of nondescript strangers an instant after seeing them.

The only exception I would put in there is that he saw Phil hurrying away from his hotel room where seconds later he found his family murdered. He might have more recollection then.

Yeah, but they didn't shoot the scene as if the kid realized that Phillip was hurrying away from the hotel room. The kid was wandering down the hall with a dopey smile, not a care in the world, kind of oblivious, and had no clue that Phillip had just been in the room.

 

[El Floppo]

There is no way the kid doesn't feature again- he'll put together a sketch of Phillip that the FBI guy will see and compare to the other sketches he's been looking at.

I don't think it's likely that the kid will remember anything about the random guy in the hall whom he'd never seen before. People forget the faces of nondescript strangers an instant after seeing them.

The only exception I would put in there is that he saw Phil hurrying away from his hotel room where seconds later he found his family murdered. He might have more recollection then.

Yeah, but they didn't shoot the scene as if the kid realized that Phillip was hurrying away from the hotel room. The kid was wandering down the hall with a dopey smile, not a care in the world, kind of oblivious, and had no clue that Phillip had just been in the room.

don't you think he might start going over every detail about his day and who was around the hotel room while talking with cops trying to figure out why his parents were executed and by whom?

I dont' think they would have made such a point about the way they filmed the hallway scene- making sure that we see the kid making eye-contact and saying high to phillip- if they weren't going to use it later. That, combined with showing the FBI guy looking at sketches in the "last year, on The Americans" makes me think that a new sketch from the kid that looks similar to those others will be important.

 

[jamny]

There is no way the kid doesn't feature again- he'll put together a sketch of Phillip that the FBI guy will see and compare to the other sketches he's been looking at.

I don't think it's likely that the kid will remember anything about the random guy in the hall whom he'd never seen before. People forget the faces of nondescript strangers an instant after seeing them.

The only exception I would put in there is that he saw Phil hurrying away from his hotel room where seconds later he found his family murdered. He might have more recollection then.

Yeah, but they didn't shoot the scene as if the kid realized that Phillip was hurrying away from the hotel room. The kid was wandering down the hall with a dopey smile, not a care in the world, kind of oblivious, and had no clue that Phillip had just been in the room.

don't you think he might start going over every detail about his day and who was around the hotel room while talking with cops trying to figure out why his parents were executed and by whom?

I dont' think they would have made such a point about the way they filmed the hallway scene- making sure that we see the kid making eye-contact and saying high to phillip- if they weren't going to use it later. That, combined with showing the FBI guy looking at sketches in the "last year, on The Americans" makes me think that a new sketch from the kid that looks similar to those others will be important.

Yeah, I think the kid seeing him will come back into play.

 

[shadyridr]

Did they have cameras in hotels in the 80s? Guess not

 

[pollardsvision]

Did they have cameras in hotels in the 80s? Guess not

I don't think so, but all shows only have cameras when it suits the plot anyway. Being in the 80's helps with that.

I think they played that sequence in a way that they could bring the boy back into play or not. It would be plausible either way.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

don't you think he might start going over every detail about his day and who was around the hotel room while talking with cops trying to figure out why his parents were executed and by whom?

Sure, but you can only go over what you remember.

I dont' think they would have made such a point about the way they filmed the hallway scene- making sure that we see the kid making eye-contact and saying high to phillip- if they weren't going to use it later. That, combined with showing the FBI guy looking at sketches in the "last year, on The Americans" makes me think that a new sketch from the kid that looks similar to those others will be important.

I don't know why the FBI would be involved here. This seems like a local state police thing. They probably wouldn't do a sketch of anyone who's not a suspect, and "random guy in the hall minding his own business" probably wouldn't rise to that level. But even if they did do a sketch (and the kid did remember what Phillip looked like), no local police would match the sketch to any FBI sketches.

Anything could happen, but I think it's pretty likely that the kid will be "taken care of," and that will be the end of it.

 

[jamny]

Did they have cameras in hotels in the 80s? Guess not

I don't think so, but all shows only have cameras when it suits the plot anyway. Being in the 80's helps with that.

I think they played that sequence in a way that they could bring the boy back into play or not. It would be plausible either way.

I think the son would have been killed with the rest of the family if they didn't intend on bringing him back.

 

[pollardsvision]

Did they have cameras in hotels in the 80s? Guess not

I don't think so, but all shows only have cameras when it suits the plot anyway. Being in the 80's helps with that.

I think they played that sequence in a way that they could bring the boy back into play or not. It would be plausible either way.

I think the son would have been killed with the rest of the family if they didn't intend on bringing him back.

Decent chance that happened.

 

[Koya]

Did they have cameras in hotels in the 80s? Guess not

I don't think so, but all shows only have cameras when it suits the plot anyway. Being in the 80's helps with that.

I think they played that sequence in a way that they could bring the boy back into play or not. It would be plausible either way.

I think the son would have been killed with the rest of the family if they didn't intend on bringing him back.

Decent chance that happened.

From a plot perspective, it's MUCH jucier to have the son alive.

1. It opens up the idea that he remembers Phil's face which is good intruigue

2. We have to wonder for some time if he's taken care of or "taken care of" (reminds me of the Simpson's line when Selma (or is it Patti?) marries into the mob

3. You also have a chance for him to be taken into the USSR when he's totally an american kid (don't see this happening, wtf would it go?)

4. You definitely have a chance that while being interviewed by U.S. authorities he becomes a huge asset to the U.S. - This kid is a direct witness to a life of undercover spies from the USSR. He may not know, but perhaps through questioning a few red flags arise... because you know that this murder with its publicity is going to be dug apart (unless the US wants it pushed down). So if this was not done by the U.S. or the local authorities dont get clamped down soon enough, this kid becomes a witness to a life of spies and could give information that allows US officials to better understand other such families such as Phil and Liz's

 

[Insein]

don't you think he might start going over every detail about his day and who was around the hotel room while talking with cops trying to figure out why his parents were executed and by whom?

Sure, but you can only go over what you remember.

I dont' think they would have made such a point about the way they filmed the hallway scene- making sure that we see the kid making eye-contact and saying high to phillip- if they weren't going to use it later. That, combined with showing the FBI guy looking at sketches in the "last year, on The Americans" makes me think that a new sketch from the kid that looks similar to those others will be important.

I don't know why the FBI would be involved here. This seems like a local state police thing. They probably wouldn't do a sketch of anyone who's not a suspect, and "random guy in the hall minding his own business" probably wouldn't rise to that level. But even if they did do a sketch (and the kid did remember what Phillip looked like), no local police would match the sketch to any FBI sketches.Anything could happen, but I think it's pretty likely that the kid will be "taken care of," and that will be the end of it.

In the previews for next week, it looks like the parents left a letter for him. We'll see which way he goes with the info.

 

[Koya]

don't you think he might start going over every detail about his day and who was around the hotel room while talking with cops trying to figure out why his parents were executed and by whom?

Sure, but you can only go over what you remember.

I dont' think they would have made such a point about the way they filmed the hallway scene- making sure that we see the kid making eye-contact and saying high to phillip- if they weren't going to use it later. That, combined with showing the FBI guy looking at sketches in the "last year, on The Americans" makes me think that a new sketch from the kid that looks similar to those others will be important.

I don't know why the FBI would be involved here. This seems like a local state police thing. They probably wouldn't do a sketch of anyone who's not a suspect, and "random guy in the hall minding his own business" probably wouldn't rise to that level. But even if they did do a sketch (and the kid did remember what Phillip looked like), no local police would match the sketch to any FBI sketches.Anything could happen, but I think it's pretty likely that the kid will be "taken care of," and that will be the end of it.

In the previews for next week, it looks like the parents left a letter for him. We'll see which way he goes with the info.

Im purposefully trying to stay away from previews this year. Trying not to get ahead at all, and don't want to get myself all jacked up and anxious waiting to see another week.

 

[El Floppo]

don't you think he might start going over every detail about his day and who was around the hotel room while talking with cops trying to figure out why his parents were executed and by whom?

Sure, but you can only go over what you remember.

I dont' think they would have made such a point about the way they filmed the hallway scene- making sure that we see the kid making eye-contact and saying high to phillip- if they weren't going to use it later. That, combined with showing the FBI guy looking at sketches in the "last year, on The Americans" makes me think that a new sketch from the kid that looks similar to those others will be important.

I don't know why the FBI would be involved here. This seems like a local state police thing. They probably wouldn't do a sketch of anyone who's not a suspect, and "random guy in the hall minding his own business" probably wouldn't rise to that level. But even if they did do a sketch (and the kid did remember what Phillip looked like), no local police would match the sketch to any FBI sketches.

Anything could happen, but I think it's pretty likely that the kid will be "taken care of," and that will be the end of it.

FBI aren't involved "here". Local police are, and considering it's big news- as soon as the sketch is made it goes out to the local news, where FBI guy sees it and makes the connection. Again- in the summary of last season before episode 1, they made a point of showing FBI guy looking at those sketches from last year... I don't see them making that choice unless it ties into this year.

But I wouldn't be surprised if they then have to rub out the kid, like you say.

eta: and pretty much everything Koya wrote.

 

[zed2283]

I mostly took "he'll be taken care of" to mean he would be provided for. However, as someone pointed out, I'm not sure that really makes sense. How will the Soviet Union provide for an American kid who just lost his family?

 

[Insein]

I mostly took "he'll be taken care of" to mean he would be provided for. However, as someone pointed out, I'm not sure that really makes sense. How will the Soviet Union provide for an American kid who just lost his family?

Exactly. Would cause too many questions raised. I think Phil and Elizabeth are starting to realize their kids are screwed if anything happens to them.

 

[Worm]

Love this show!

 

[Aerial Assault]

Caught up last night. I forgot just how good this show can be. Damn. The triple murder shocked me.

Also, Keri Russell and Annet Mahendru both looked hotter than they did last season. That was an unexpected surprise.

Love it.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Did they have cameras in hotels in the 80s? Guess not

I don't think so, but all shows only have cameras when it suits the plot anyway. Being in the 80's helps with that.

I think they played that sequence in a way that they could bring the boy back into play or not. It would be plausible either way.

I think the son would have been killed with the rest of the family if they didn't intend on bringing him back.

Makes a good storyline if Phil has to kill the kid

 

[Koya]

Did they have cameras in hotels in the 80s? Guess not

I don't think so, but all shows only have cameras when it suits the plot anyway. Being in the 80's helps with that.

I think they played that sequence in a way that they could bring the boy back into play or not. It would be plausible either way.

I think the son would have been killed with the rest of the family if they didn't intend on bringing him back.

Makes a good storyline if Phil has to kill the kid

Would be a good way to measure if he was still 100% loyal to the cause.

 

[Koya]

I think Phil and Elizabeth are starting to realize their kids are screwed.

Just trimmin' the fat here.

 

[Insein]

I think Phil and Elizabeth are starting to realize their kids are screwed.

Just trimmin' the fat here.

Probably will be the prevailing theme of the season which will culminate in some type of "my kids or my country" decision.

 

[Raider Nation]

Barely holding my interest at this point.

 

[biggamer3]

Not particularly interested in the daughter is snooping around subplot, but the spy stuff is still great. Which drama ever got more interesting when the child actors role expanded? Maybe Mad Men, but that's all I can think of.

 

[Koya]

Barely holding my interest at this point.

There does seem to have been something missing in this last plot, it's gotten a bit plodding, but I still love the show.

 

[JZilla]

This show's so stupid it belongs on a network.

 

[Brady Marino]

Not particularly interested in the daughter is snooping around subplot, but the spy stuff is still great. Which drama ever got more interesting when the child actors role expanded? Maybe Mad Men, but that's all I can think of.

I was going to say Meadow's arc with Jackie Jr. in The Sopranos, but that's reaching a bit. Yes, she was hot, but Jackie was far more interesting than her.

 

[GDogg]

 

[Brady Marino]

This show's so stupid it belongs on a network.

Barely holding my interest at this point.

Generally agree with all the above. The Americans tripped out of the gate last season, too, so I'll still keep watching, but not liking the direction they're going at all.

 

[Shrugs]

Strange. Season is being praised everywhere else I see, but panned in this thread. I don't mind daughter storyline. It seems logical that a teenager would start getting curious when her parents are sneaking around and keeping things from her all the time. Plus, she is the daughter of two spies. She might have the natural instincts to do a little sleuthing. She's much better than the daughter on Homeland.

 

[JZilla]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Strange. Season is being praised everywhere else I see, but panned in this thread.

links?

 

[Brady Marino]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

The daughter storyline is quickly getting old, too.

 

[GDogg]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

From one of the links posted on a previous page, the story lines are based on reality. KGB agents would actually marry the secretaries of officials in various governmental agencies throughout the world.

The linked article also said that the scripts are sent to the CIA and are approved by the CIA prior to shooting.

 

[pollardsvision]

Strange. Season is being praised everywhere else I see, but panned in this thread.

links?

Not sure about any overall season so far sort of reviews, but this last episode (that's got most of the thread ready to throw in the towel) got an A- at AV Club (making it A, B+, A- for the three episodes this season).

The community grade is also an A- and the comment section is largely positive.

http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/americans-walk-202144

Sepinwall's also loving it.

http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-the-americans-the-walk-in-here-comes-the-flood

"It's all a mess, and it's all so fascinating to watch. The premiere opened season 2 with a series of bangs, but "The Walk-In" demonstrates how great Fields, Weisberg and company have gotten at exploiting all the emotional complexities of the elaborate web of lies they've spun. Great, great episode, and a fantastic closing."

Personally, I'm fine with all the storylines and particularly like what's going on with Elizabeth and Nina, but the show's just a little slow.

The quality is there and I think it'll pick up.

 

[jamny]

One episode won't change my mind on the show. They do need to tighten things up though.

 

[JZilla]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

From one of the links posted on a previous page, the story lines are based on reality. KGB agents would actually marry the secretaries of officials in various governmental agencies throughout the world.

KGB agents who are already married with kids would marry other women and just visit a couple times a week? I find that hard to believe.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Is any of this story rooted in truth? just wondering. I don't mind this season, but they do need to pick it up some IMO

 

[Koya]

Is any of this story rooted in truth? just wondering. I don't mind this season, but they do need to pick it up some IMO

Agree. The pace is the issue.Reminds me a bit when the sopranos got too focused on family relationships and bs when we wanted intrigue and action.

 

[dickey moe]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

From one of the links posted on a previous page, the story lines are based on reality. KGB agents would actually marry the secretaries of officials in various governmental agencies throughout the world.

KGB agents who are already married with kids would marry other women and just visit a couple times a week? I find that hard to believe.

Agree that this is the stupidest sub-plot of the show, but it's still worth watching.

 

[dickey moe]

I mean, the second wife would hafta know he's wearing a wig by now!

 

[Brady Marino]

Is any of this story rooted in truth? just wondering. I don't mind this season, but they do need to pick it up some IMO

Agree. The pace is the issue.Reminds me a bit when the sopranos got too focused on family relationships and bs when we wanted intrigue and action.

If Furio returns to awkwardly flirt with Elizabeth and have nothing come of it, then I'm out.

 

[Brady Marino]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

From one of the links posted on a previous page, the story lines are based on reality. KGB agents would actually marry the secretaries of officials in various governmental agencies throughout the world.

KGB agents who are already married with kids would marry other women and just visit a couple times a week? I find that hard to believe.

It reminds me of when they gave Dexter a kid that he found convenient times to ignore and pawn off on others in the second half of the series.

 

[JZilla]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

From one of the links posted on a previous page, the story lines are based on reality. KGB agents would actually marry the secretaries of officials in various governmental agencies throughout the world.

KGB agents who are already married with kids would marry other women and just visit a couple times a week? I find that hard to believe.

Agree that this is the stupidest sub-plot of the show, but it's still worth watching.

The kids/home life situation is just as stupid. And what's frustrating is there's no real reason for it all to be so totally out there. They could easily tidy up stuff like that and make it not only more believable but much more interesting.

So much they could do with the ongoing secretary plotline, and it's always just terrible.

Casting is a big issue here as well. Not only is that lady painful to look at, she can't act her way out of a paper bag, and the kids are the worst child actors I've seen this side of Gran Torino.

Still, some aspects make it worth watching, which I still do. I'd put it up there with semi-nonsensical prime time network dreck like Almost Human and Elementary. Not sure why I would expect more out of FX.. I do like The Bridge a lot more.

 

[GDogg]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

From one of the links posted on a previous page, the story lines are based on reality. KGB agents would actually marry the secretaries of officials in various governmental agencies throughout the world.

KGB agents who are already married with kids would marry other women and just visit a couple times a week? I find that hard to believe.

It doesn't get that specific, but marry other women, yes. It also depends on what "closely based on historical fact" means:

Weisberg said by phone that “most of the spy stuff in the show is really real.” He even gave the cast lessons in countersurveillance techniques, classes he had to get CIA permission to teach. (Every script he writes must also be sent to the CIA for approval.) Some of the most outlandish-seeming plots on the show are based on reality, such as Philip’s pretending to be “Clark” and marrying Martha, a secretary at the FBI.“It’s this cruel, crazy thing he does to her,” says Weisberg, and it’s “very closely based on historical fact. KGB illegals married secretaries of men who were in specific government and political positions that the KGB wanted to get intelligence on.”

 

[pollardsvision]

Oh snap!

 

[JZilla]

Not seeing where I'm wrong

I'm glad you guys like it, though, I will pooh no more

 

[Thunderlips]

Keri Russell....hated her in Felicty. Want nothing more than to bang the hell out of her on The Americans.

Good to see her becoming a better actress.

 

[snogger]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

From one of the links posted on a previous page, the story lines are based on reality. KGB agents would actually marry the secretaries of officials in various governmental agencies throughout the world.

KGB agents who are already married with kids would marry other women and just visit a couple times a week? I find that hard to believe.

Agree that this is the stupidest sub-plot of the show, but it's still worth watching.

The kids/home life situation is just as stupid. And what's frustrating is there's no real reason for it all to be so totally out there. They could easily tidy up stuff like that and make it not only more believable but much more interesting.

So much they could do with the ongoing secretary plotline, and it's always just terrible.

Casting is a big issue here as well. Not only is that lady painful to look at, she can't act her way out of a paper bag, and the kids are the worst child actors I've seen this side of Gran Torino.

Still, some aspects make it worth watching, which I still do. I'd put it up there with semi-nonsensical prime time network dreck like Almost Human and Elementary. Not sure why I would expect more out of FX.. I do like The Bridge a lot more.

I don't mind any of those aspects.

The kids, up until recently, were just items to have to look american... So the "bonding" that a normal family would have wouldn't be there..

Add in the parents sneaking around and the separation and the kids are going to act differently then you'd expect.

Their story line is making more sense now after the other family was brutally murdered and Elizabeth started actually worrying about her kids rather then just her own neck.

Are they the best kid actors in the world? No, but it could be worse, they could be the younger Carl

As for the secretary..

She was desperate to be loved by anyone. She lived a lonely life until he came along.. So, as long as he comes "home" from time to time and gives her a she's happy as can be..

Loved Stan's story line this week.. telling his wife his night sucked as he watched a guy do 4 loads of laundry..

"what single guy does 4 loads of laundry" and she responded with "what married guy does 4 loads of laundry"..

Fast forward to him investigating the guys work environment when he finds out about the big meeting at the hotel, puts 2+2 together and gets there in time to kill the guy..

Probably for the best as he was wasting his life doing laundry any ways

Stan and Nina's story line is right up there with the main story line as far as intrigue.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Keri Russell....hated her in Felicty. Want nothing more than to bang the hell out of her on The Americans.

Good to see her becoming a better actress.

For a 22-25 year old actress she wasn't all that hot.

For a 38-40 year old actress she looks pretty good.

 

[dparker713]

Everything is just such a ridiculous stretch, and it doesn't need to be. Isn't he married to that ugly secretary now? What the hell

From one of the links posted on a previous page, the story lines are based on reality. KGB agents would actually marry the secretaries of officials in various governmental agencies throughout the world.

KGB agents who are already married with kids would marry other women and just visit a couple times a week? I find that hard to believe.

Agree that this is the stupidest sub-plot of the show, but it's still worth watching.

The kids/home life situation is just as stupid. And what's frustrating is there's no real reason for it all to be so totally out there. They could easily tidy up stuff like that and make it not only more believable but much more interesting.

So much they could do with the ongoing secretary plotline, and it's always just terrible.

Casting is a big issue here as well. Not only is that lady painful to look at, she can't act her way out of a paper bag, and the kids are the worst child actors I've seen this side of Gran Torino.

Still, some aspects make it worth watching, which I still do. I'd put it up there with semi-nonsensical prime time network dreck like Almost Human and Elementary. Not sure why I would expect more out of FX.. I do like The Bridge a lot more.

You seem to be saying the Bridge makes sense. Beyond the fact that the entire premise of the show is bull####, the psycho revenge killer was ridiculous. Next you'll be saying you're hoping logic of the show rises to the level of The Following.

 

[JZilla]

No both shows are bull####, I just think The Bridge was better.

Felicity Schmelicity, Diane Kruger is amazing