The first season of The Americans was a revelation last spring, but like a lot of audacious new shows, it felt in a rush to up the stakes, to put Elizabeth and Philip at risk of exposure, always one scant step ahead of Stan. (The related risk is that the longer that hunt goes on, the more incompetent and thus less formidable Stan would seem.) The second season, however, finds a way to build tension that maintains the shows intensity without turning it into an endless, implausible cat-and-mouse game.
Much more via the link. Some spoilers.Just looking at trends and statistics, at least one of the great new dramas of 2013 is going to flame out horribly in 2014. And maybe many of them will. To judge from the excellent first five episodes of The Americans second seasonas good a stretch of drama episodes as any in recent memoryit should escape the obstacle course unscathed. Its amazing how many elements the series is juggling in its second season, including three new regulars (Annet Mahendru, who plays Nina; Susan Misner, who plays Sandra; and Alison Wright, who plays Martha), the loss of an important recurring player (Margo Martindale, who now stars on CBS The Millers and will have a reduced presence in season two), and an increased presence for the series two youngest co-stars, who play the Jennings kids. History is littered with good shows that have attempted to weather just one of the above changes and struggled with rough seasons. The Americans is dealing with all three.
It's a testament to series creator Joe Weisberg, executive producer Joel Fields, and their writers, filmmakers, and actors that you don't immediately think about Philip and Elizabeth as case studies, or as characters anchoring ethical puzzles. You're too busy enjoying the spycraft, the fights, the chases, and the sex. But it's these deeper questions that give the action and melodrama a bit of existential heft, and redirect our vicarious enjoyment away from fantasy and back towards reality.
The return of the Americans today, the return of Vikings tomorrow, and episode 7 of True Detective on Sunday.
Damn good week of television incoming
Nothing else on TV can match The Americans for the dizzying highs of its suspense or the unsettling depths of its emotion. But the reason its become the best show on television is more simple: In spite of its radical premise and perilous plots, the most discomfiting aspect of The Americans is its familiarity. All long-term relationships, whether between nation-states or lovers, involve delicate negotiations. They all demand loyalty. And they all require sacrifice. Recognizing this doesnt make us American. It makes us human. The glorious struggle is our own.
Defying the odds that often drag down ambitious series that grow beyond the abilities of their creators, The Americans solidifies its greatness and deepens the story of two Soviet spies in the United States during the Cold War of the 1980s.
I haven't seen one. Presumably, there will be a short recap video before the episode tonight. They're also airing the S1 finale at 9pm tonight right before the premiere.Anyone know of a recap video for season 1?
The tricky balance of marital issues, secret identities, cover stories (even a cover marriage for Philip), violent action scenes, FBI politics, Russian Embassy politics plus the kids continue to make "The Americans" a rich experience.
Season premiere tonight!
The Americans isnt just a history lesson, its a fast-paced drama that uses Cold War spy craft to uncover the hidden inconsistencies of the human heart.
It is a kicky, swift-moving ride that uses its double agent protagonists to explore the divided loyalties and self-delusions that plague all humans, not just extremely attractive and bad-ass Soviet spies.
Hell yeah. Doesn't get much better than this.
We're starting on the dot, but Canadian TV sometimes doesn't run the "previously on" segment, so you might be slightly ahead. My post was confusing - what I meant was that it's running from 10:00-11:07 tonight.omg this is on in a bit. In Canada it's showing a re-run of the season finale of The Americans. So does that mean I'll start watching before americans? So I shouldn't post anything spoilerish?
Or are you guys also starting on the dot at 10.
I'm talking EST at least.It says "10 pm" wherever I look. Are we taking EST or PST?
oh ok, yeah canadian tv seems to be ahead on certain shows. I'll keep it safe and see if it's timed normally for a while lol, before saying anything spoilerish during an episode.We're starting on the dot, but Canadian TV sometimes doesn't run the "previously on" segment, so you might be slightly ahead. My post was confusing - what I meant was that it's running until 11:07 tonight.
Not the wig!
EDIT: Dammit, Niraj!
The cast is great and the Coen brothers approved it, though they're not working on it. I put up a thread earlier.Well good start anyway.
Fargo? Anyone know if it's supposed to be good?
Doesn't die afraid?Why bother telling the kid it's gonna be okay?
I think he seriously considered letting the kid go, just for a second, then god damn.