After a stunning season premieres, “The Americans” continued its second season with “Cardinal”. It was great, not as great as “Comrades” but the writing was astonishing.
It was more focused on the psychology and the feelings of the different characters, and still there was some actions (thanks to Philip). Elizabeth really grew and Philip and she unveiled a new face of her personality, we saw how deep her relationship with Stan has affected Nina, and Martha and Paige were full of surprises.
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The aftermath of last week episode was the main theme of the episode. Last week family's murder had really affected Philip and Elizabeth. For the first time, they realized their own children were at risk because of who they really are. Seeing Amalia’s body was a shock to both of them. One day, this could happen to Paige or Henry. This conflict between their family life and their spy life is the center of season two. Philip always has been the weakest one toward his mission, it’s obvious he would choose his family over the motherland, but still he used Henry on a mission last week. Elizabeth always has been the strongest one about motherland, but now, it seemed she is slowly starting to change her mind and realized how much she cares for her children (and her husband).
Anyways, as Emmett, Leanne and their daughter were assassinated last week, Philip and Elizabeth had to find out who did it, and also find out if the assassinations were after them now. After ruling out the FBI was behind all this, they had no choice but to assume it was Fred, Emmett’s contact from last week. Philip chose to go to Virginia and spy on him, while Elizabeth chose to stay home and watch out.
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Philip’s mission was great. I loved his costume, it really suited him. It’s not often in spy shows or movies a male character get costume and wigs. It’s usually only used for female, but I’m glad “The Americans” used for both, male and female characters. Philip followed Fred and searched his home while he was at work. He didn’t find anything until he felt something off under the carpet. I found a big wooden box, but at the same time Fred was coming back home. Philip chose to take the box… Not aware it was electrified.
When Philip finally woke up, he was all tied up and Fred was packing his stuff. Fred must think he was FBI or CIA, so Philip did everything he could to convince him he was an ally, a friend of Paul (Emmett’s fake name). Philip almost got shot, I was a bit scared for a moment. I hope Elizabeth could come and shoot Fred but it would have been totally unrealistic. Philip’ speech about Emmett’ son touched Fred. Finally, Philip decided to be honest, as he understood Emmett really trusted Fred and he was not the one behind their murders. Fred didn’t even know about Emmett and Leanne being dead, it was Philip who told him and that broke Fred’s heart. It was really a touching scene. I was moved by Fred, he really cared about Emmett, he was not in just for the money.
So, Philip had nothing else but to come home. Fred wasn’t their enemy, it means the one behind the family murder is still somewhere. And I have no idea who he might be. Maybe Fred is a psychopath and a very good liar or maybe it’s someone from the Rezidentura or maybe it’s the FB after all.
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As Philip was on his mission, Elizabeth was at home with Paige and Henry and she started to get quite paranoid. She kept looking by the windows, watched everyone on her street as she was picking up her newspaper. She suspected everyone to spy on her. It must be so tiring to live in that state of mind all the time. Her life could be in danger at any minute, and now her children’s lives as well. Elizabeth finally realized her own children could be used against her and they could loose their lives just because of her. That thought must have been in her head since she gave birth but she probably buried it very deep.
So, Elizabeth tried to spend some quality time with her children, at home. They’re protected with her but during a great party of game, she received a phone call. It was a distress message and she had to leave. Suddenly, she took her kids to the movies and on the way, remembered she had to do something so they will see the movie without her. Okay, that was very suspicious and Elizabeth, that wasn’t a good idea to act like that in front of Paige. She has grown up and she has already some suspicions about you, you’re playing with fire there. But I get Elizabeth had no choice. Still, she could have found a better excuse.
Anyways, her distress message was not about Philip but it was a young girl, Russian undercover agent too, who had lost control of her mission when the man she was with fainted. At first, the scene seemed a bit odd. Elizabeth was called there to help the girl, she was young and inexperienced. Elizabeth was a nice teacher to her, she took care of everything. I hope she will see her back, it was nice to see Elizabeth like that. She is a strong woman and a powerful spy, she needs to train other to be like her.
Philip got back from his mission and Elizabeth and he finally expressed their feelings about their children. Elizabeth never worried about her children safety. She knew she put her life at risk, but not her kids. Philip tried to reassure her, in a weird way about getting over it as they got over everything else. Their fates are really doomed, it’s so sad.
Last week, in “Comrades”, Nina and Stan did not have much new things to do. The writers finished Stanford story and Nina was out of troubles for once. This week in “Cardinal”, they got much things to do. Especially with the walk in.
Yeah, Mr Dameron walked in the Rezidentura and offered his services. But as the head of security wasn’t there to interrogate him, (because Stan killed him), Arkady and the whole Rezidentura was very agitated. Nina was kept a bit out of the loop and so was Oleg. Since last week, the guy hasn’t changed. There is something so off about him, I don’t know but I’m not liking his interest for Nina. He will bring troubles, I’m sure of it. Oleg wanted the mission regarding his information continue, it’s probably the same mission Philip and Elizabeth are on now.
But something more important was at stake. Nina told Stan about the walk in, so he and his FBI team started to investigated who had come at the Rezidentura in the morning and find out who the walk in was. It was a risky move for Nina to tell Stan about it, because by the end of the episode, he already knew about Dameron and was following him. Now, Nina will have to be extra careful otherwise Stan will understand her game. And I don’t want to see that day, because I don’t think Nina would survive it. Stan doesn’t stand treasons and betrayals. So, Nina has to be prepared to kill him first. Nina is such a great actress and Annett Mahendru is so talented and perfect for the part.
But in overall, “The Americans” have such great female characters. Elizabeth is both strong and still she has her weakness and doubts, Nina has been played her whole life and she finally took control of it but it also comes with great dangers. And that’s not all : Martha and Paige are also great female character.
I am particularly fond of Martha. Alison Wright is so cute. She gave so much more to the character. Martha could have been just a naïve single woman charmed by a charming spy, but the girl has so much more. She is not that naïve or stupid, she fell in love quickly and was manipulated by Philip but still she feels quite modern and she is quite intelligent.
I loved it when Martha announced Philip she wanted to change job but Philip made sure if she was gin to be a senior clerk, it would be in counter intelligence. Philip was so great at convincing her, but still it felt like it was something she really wanted to do also. I love how Joseph Weisberg is writing Martha’s character. I can totally see her becoming more and more important in the future of the show. She is in a unique position to help Philip’s mission, she is in danger without even knowing it with Stan working with her. It’s very exciting to watch and I can’t wait to see how everything will evolve.
Paige is also a great female character. She is having more and more suspicions about her mother, and I think this season she will find out part of the truth. In "Cardinal", she was acting on her suspicions, and made a phone call. Paige is clever and she knows something is wrong with her mother. She will probably end up thinking she is having an affair. All the sneaking around, disappearing etc, it would be totally explained if Elizabeth was seeing someone else.
Spy notes :
• Stan coming to Philip and Elizabeth’s work place. Philip and Elizabeth are so good at pretending. I could feel their tension and still they looked so natural with him.
• Who killed Emmett and Leanne ? Give me your theories
• Bruce Dameron… What do you think will happen with him ? Will Stan realized Nina is lying to him ?
• Who’s your favorite female character ? I love Elizabeth and Martha
• When Claudia will come back ? Next episode ?
What did you think of “Cardinal” ? Did you enjoy it Hit the comments !
