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Bad News: Paige Jennings
I hate writing this part as bad news as I think Holly Taylor is a wonderfully gifted young actress, but Paige’s storyline this week was so mind-numbingly boring that I have to. Following last week’s revelation that Paige was beginning to attend a church (not the best news for atheist Soviet spies), the ridiculously overbearing Elizabeth continues to push her daughter for more information. Eventually, I think Elizabeth is just going to have to realize that she cannot control every aspect of her daughter’s life. It’s not what she wants to hear, but eventually she is going to have to face it. While this creates a wonderfully creative, morally questionable situation, there is a small flaw in the fact that I don't think anyone cares whether Paige believes in God or not. Agree? Disagree?
Ridiculously Odd, but Fun News: Martha Hanson
Completely oblivious to the world around her, Martha begins asking quite a few questions herself. She is obviously annoyed by “Clark’s” distance, but rather than asking herself why she married a man she knows nothing about, she asks herself whether she ought to apply for a different job. It should be interesting to see how long “Clark” can keep up the affair without raising too much suspicion. I don’t think any number of wigs, lies, and convenient timing, can keep a spouse completely clueless. Also, even if Martha thought that Elizabeth was “Clark’s” sister, I can’t think of a single good reason to tell her some of the things that she says in this episode.
Good News:
A lot of this episode is spent on Elizabeth and Phillip’s new task of capturing a scientist. After the botched attempt at the end of last week’s episode, the team is forced to hold a member of the security detail hostage. Things get rather interesting between Phillip and his hostage. I don’t want to say too much, but let’s just say that shit kind of hits the fan. Not the most fun job that Phillip has ever worked for sure.
Nina is adjusting to her new role as a double (maybe triple) agent. Her real reluctance comes in her allies knowing about her mission. While she obviously doesn’t want them to discover her initial betrayal, she is so covert in her missions at the office, as to make even the viewers unsure of her true motivations and loyalties. Nina’s role is done extremely well and I look forward to the writers expanding her role in the series as she her decisions reveal her loyalties.
Rating: 8.0/10
Not a lot happens. A lot of people do a lot of talking, but don’t accomplish too much. The dialogue is richly entertaining, but not entertaining enough to raise this episode above an 8.
Tune in to The Americans on Wednesday @ 10/9c on FX Network. Be sure to come back here to SpoilerTV to let everyone else know what you thought of the episode.
Thanks for the preview Brandon, welcome back ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat preview, thanks! Would you say there any good Philip/Elizabeth moments or are things mostly focused on spying? That's really the thing I've missed most this season.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Andy. Good to be back.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. There is a short scene with Phillip/Elizabeth at the end, but this episode focuses quite a bit on the spying with a small amount on Paige's newfound religion.
ReplyDeleteBest episode of the season so far for me!
ReplyDeleteReally? Why so? (In general terms)
ReplyDeleteFor me, I've LOVED the spying part this season--they're doing that so much better than before. And I find the way they're digging into the characters individually in terms of what they're doing as spies and also the relationship with their kids to be fascinating. But in terms of what I felt was the strongest thing last season--the P/E relationship, I don't feel like the show is giving us those really big emotional moments that really got you in the gut before. I'm glad they're happier now, but I guess I feel like after we sat through the hurt of the first season, it would've been great for more resolution on screen.