The Americans – 2.04 – A Little Night Music – Review : "We Owe It to Them"

    This week’s episode of The Americans, titled “A Little Night Music” was impressing. It’s only the fourth episode of the season and yet it’s so tense. There are many storylines developing and every character is confronting to hard and challenging situations ; from Philip and Elizabeth, of course, to Nina, Claudia, Paige and Stan. Only Henry is fine with his intellivision.

   For once, Stan did not share a scene with Nina in this episode. His story was more centered on his work (he is going to have a new boss) and it showed how much his relationship with Nina had affected him. He told Philip he was having an affair with a married woman. Stan’s feelings for Nina are becoming to be more intense, it’s going to be very risky for her to hide her true intentions. But as Stan stated, their relation is doomed. A happy ending is quite unlikely to happen.

   Nina had her own problems to deal this week at the Rezidentura. It was more actually Oleg, who is becoming more and more important. I’m starting to like him more, he’s not that stupid after all. After disagreeing with Arkady about the walk in, he called up his relations in USSR and had his security clearance upgraded. Nice move Oleg. Of course, it pissed off Arkady. They are very different and I don't think they will continue working together.
   And now Oleg knows about Nina and Stan. He doesn’t know about Nina being the mole, only she is having sex with a FBI agent and he’s kind of proud of her. I’m guessing he will find out about Nina betraying the Rezidentura, but by the time, his feelings will have grown and he won’t expose her. He will blame Arkady for everything.

   Claudia was back ! I was so happy to see her, I’ve been missing her. I love her relationship with Philip and Elizabeth. It’s complicated but she is not a bad person. She makes questionable decisions, sure but she cares for her agents. She touched me when she said to Elizabeth she didn’t want to lose anyone else, I think she was sincere. And she cares for Elizabeth. She knows her, how everything aaffects her and she still tries to protect her. I can’t forget that scene where Elizabeth punched her so hard in the face. I hope Elizabeth will listen to Claudia, but we all know how stubborn she can be.

   Claudia gave Philip and Elizabeth the name of the suspect for Emmett and Leanne’s murders so they went on missions. Elizabeth had to seduce a young navy officer in order to closer and Philip followed Anton, the physicist.
    Elizabeth' scenes with Bradley were heartbreaking. Keri Russell was really amazing. At first in the motel room when Elizabeth stopped Bradley from having sex, I wasn’t sure if she was sincere in a way or if it was just an act. After when she used her rape in her story, I understood why it had affected her so I think there was a part of truth in Elizabeth’s reaction. But in the car when she jerked him off, she was back on mission mode, being an agent. I loved her face while she did it.
   Elizabeth is always so strong and cold, but I loved her more when she's vunerable. Bradley was nice and gentle, a little naive, it must be a change for Elizabeth to meet men like him.

   Philip had to follow Anton, who first seemed very honorable but then he found a way to blackmail him : he had a mistress. But, Philip had to take care of his own mistress… who is his wife also, Martha.
   I loved Philip and Martha's argument ! It was so funny, Philip was excellent at being pissed off for no reason and Martha totally worked. He used some clichés, like Martha calling her mother too much. The hair in the kitchen’ sink was hilarious, and really disgusting.
   Philip will soon regret that argument, because Martha is filing an FBI application with his fake name as her husband…. That means problems, he better stop her before she actually files it otherwise… I don’t wanna think about it… I love Martha so much, I don't want her to die... But neither does the KGB.
   My favorite part of the episode was the end, when Philip and Elizabeth were on a mission to catch Anton after he had visited her mistress. First, I love their talk in the car about Paige. Elizabeth saying religion is “the opiate of the masses” was priceless.

   Yeah, Paige’s new friend Kelly is not KGB apparently. She is in a youth group, in this community church where young can sing and dance. It was absolutely hilarious how Elizabeth and Philip reacted when they discovered it. It was so hypocritical from them to tell Paige not to have secrets and not to lie when they do it everyday.
   Paige is smarter now, sh eis no longer a child and it’s becoming difficult for Philip and Elizabeth to parent her while being secret agents. Paige is being raised in another culture than her parents, so it's a very tough situation for them but she doesn’t know it. I'm really like her storyline. Usually, storylines about teenagers are foten stupid and felt overdone but this one is actually prety exciting. Can't wait for Paige to find more pieces of her parents' secret.
   And by the way, I’m still convinced Kelly is KGB in some way !

   What I loved in the ending scene was the surprise attack ! I was very surprised indeed, Philip and Elizabeth got attacked while taking Anton in their car.
   I have no idea who are that man and this woman, probably are Emmett and Leann’s killers ? But anyway, they were quite strong and I was afraid a bit for Philip and Elizabeth. I didn't want them to be taken.
   Luckily, the KGB trained them well and they were absolutely stunning during this flight, especially Elizabeth. Philip let the woman out of his sight, so she took their car, with Anton inside. But Philip and Elizabeth have the man now, so they can question him and find out who they are.

   Did you like “A Little Night Music” ? Are you excited about the cliffhanger ? Hit the comments !

About the Author - Romain Ossust

I'm 27 from France, living near Paris. I love a lot of TV shows, (this is a non exhaustive list) : Orphan Black, True Blood, Dexter, Weeds, Person of Interest, Criminal Minds, 24, Ab Fab, Carnivale, Lost, The Americans, American Horror Story, Once Upon A Time, Desperate Housewives, Glee, Ugly Betty, Scandal, Looking, Sleepy Hollow, The Walking Dead, Raising Hope, Orange is the New Black, Grey’s Anatomy, HIMYM, Girls, ...
For SpoilerTV, I'm reviewing The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, Looking, Continuum, Sleepy Hollow, The Americans, True Blood & Orphan Black