The Americans is probably one of the most unique shows offered on television right now. The story about a couple of Soviet sleeper agents doing the dirty work of the USSR during the Cold War under the guise of an average American couple named Philip and Elizabeth Jennings is both riveting and at times, unpredictable and shocking, which keeps me coming back for more.
What a breath of fresh air to have the male lead (Philip) played by the wonderful Matthew Rhys, be the more sympathetic and conflicted of the pair. You actually feel Philip's growing angst and distaste for some of the missions "The Center" sends them on, while he's on his own, unsanctioned journey of personal self discovery.
Keri Russell, one of the best (in my opinion) understated actresses out there in tv, is a marvel as Elizabeth, who blindly drinks whatever party line KoolAid that her handlers in Moscow sell her to perform the mission and get it done, no matter what the cost is. She truly believes that The Center only wants peace and is trying to stop the big bad evil West from doing big bad evil stuff. In several situations, her character is outraged when a fellow Soviet is killed but shows no emotion of empathy when a non-Soviet, sometimes innocent bystander is killed. She has no compunction about killing a person outside of a mission because she didn't like they way he spoke to and hit on her daughter. Damn! I've never been drawn to a show so much where I disliked the main character so much (Elizabeth) yet couldn't wait to see what she was doing in the next episode. Messed up? Probably. But this is an excellent show where you don't have to like the characters in order to be fascinated by them. Keri Russell deserves and Emmy for her outstanding work.
Of the supporting cast and their characters, I really enjoy Noah Baumbach's cool and watchful Stan Beeman, the FBI agent who lives across the street, unknowingly from the Jennings' Soviet spies. He plays it cool and close to the vest but manages to convey more with an expression than some can with loads of dialogue. I keep wondering when he's going to pick up on some of the subtle red flags about his secretive neighbors and put two-and-two together. My other favorite is Costa Ronin's Lev, the Soviet counterpart to FBI agent Beeman, himself a committed member of his intelligence community who's trying to sift through all the BS to figure out what's right and what's propaganda. Like someone else stated, the show can move slowly at times but it's worth the patience to stick it out.
I do wish they'd spend less time on the Jennings' daughter Paige because her wide-eyed angst, her incessant nosiness and whining are starting to wear thin. This is meant as no disrespect to the talented actress playing her. Just wishing the writers would dial it back a bit. There's enough drama between Philip and Elizabeth to fill the hour. Keep Paige and Henry in smaller supporting roles.
I also wish the writers wouldn't make everyone at the FBI look so clueless and hapless while their enemies rarely mess up. I truly doubt they (the FBI) were so "in the dark" about this stuff when the real deal was (or may still be) happening as it's depicted here often. Nonetheless great show, worth investing the time into.
Of the supporting cast and their characters, I really enjoy Noah Baumbach's cool and watchful Stan Beeman, the FBI agent who lives across the street, unknowingly from the Jennings' Soviet spies. He plays it cool and close to the vest but manages to convey more with an expression than some can with loads of dialogue. I keep wondering when he's going to pick up on some of the subtle red flags about his secretive neighbors and put two-and-two together. My other favorite is Costa Ronin's Lev, the Soviet counterpart to FBI agent Beeman, himself a committed member of his intelligence community who's trying to sift through all the BS to figure out what's right and what's propaganda. Like someone else stated, the show can move slowly at times but it's worth the patience to stick it out.
I do wish they'd spend less time on the Jennings' daughter Paige because her wide-eyed angst, her incessant nosiness and whining are starting to wear thin. This is meant as no disrespect to the talented actress playing her. Just wishing the writers would dial it back a bit. There's enough drama between Philip and Elizabeth to fill the hour. Keep Paige and Henry in smaller supporting roles.
I also wish the writers wouldn't make everyone at the FBI look so clueless and hapless while their enemies rarely mess up. I truly doubt they (the FBI) were so "in the dark" about this stuff when the real deal was (or may still be) happening as it's depicted here often. Nonetheless great show, worth investing the time into.