The Americans sixth and final season approaches...

Other solid B tv series ?

 

The Americans Co-Creators Have No Interest in a Spinoff or Revival

 

Eh, B+. My only real complaint was that the show had that look of an ABC, NBC, CBS night-time drama, which is something I despise. The show made up for it in every other department, though.

 

I watched season 1, episode 1, and I am rather ambivalent about it. The fact that their neighbor is not only an FBI agent, but one who works in counter intelligence, is a cheap and lazy plot contrivance. What next? I guess he will soon be taking courses to learn the Russian language . . .

We are supposed to believe that Keri Russell is a KGB agent. What a stretch. She has neither the look nor the accent to support such a notion. I can see her as a mouseketeer, but not a Russian agent.

I know, you will say "give it a chance". I will check out the second episode, but if it doesn't pick up real fast, I am going to tell these Russian agents to "go back to the country they came from . . ."

 

I’d say give up now. I thought the show was terrific, but it’s a “slow burn”, and if you have that many issues after one ep, it’s never going to win you over.

 

Maybe Pastor Tim will win him over?

 

I remember that episode where Philip angrily confronts him about religion - I couldn’t believe I was seeing such a ballsy scene on US tv! Or when Paige walked in on mom & dad 69-ing! Or the infamous “Baggage” episode.

They really had fun pushing the envelope for a standard cable tv show.

 

Nope, I am absolutely not going to say give it a chance. It's unfortunate when someone gets duped into watching such a terrible show - so terrible that even a glance preview etc. would let them know to stay away. I mean we're talking about Mouseketeers here.

 

What!

 

If it was obvious she was a KGB agent, she wouldn't be very good at her job, would she?

 

Sarcasm.

 

Wouldn't know, never watched anything Monty Python.

 

I thought the second episode was better than the first.

Well, yes, but remember that woman who was confronted by FBI counter intelligence agent (and turned) -- this is episode 2 of season 1 -- about the stereo store and cavair? She was beautiful (as actresses usually are) and at least somewhat eastern European-looking (if not Russian) . . . in contrast to Keri.

To update, I did think the second episode was better than the first, so I maybe I am -- one episode at a time -- being taken in . . .

 

There's a difference between someone's cover being a Soviet consulate worker and someone's cover being an American citizen. For someone working in the rezidentura, looking and sounding Russian is not a threat to blow her cover.

 

Off screen developments are interesting too. Since 2014, these two undercover agents have been in a real life relationship, with a son being born in 2016. The things men have to do to get a wife.

Under cover is a double entendre.

 

You have the advantage of being able to see a bunch of episodes pretty quickly, so I recommend doing that before deciding.

I had seen the ads for the series prior to the start of the first season, but then I forgot about it until Season 2 was completed, so I ended up binge watching to catch up. It didn't take me long to get immersed, and the show was in its stride by then.

Doug

 

Wouldn't this have been a great theme song for the series?

 

Yes, Nina is unforgettable. Much more of her to come in the series.

 

I often wondered what a guy in a small stereo store did with caviar? Is he just nuts for caviar? Is he somehow connected to rich people that will pay $500 an oz for caviar. How would he have such connections - he's just a joe 6 pack in a fairly crappy little business. I am missing something?

 

Also, is it that easy to kill someone with a handgun on a city sidewalk next to the park in broad daylight without anyone noticing? At least in 1980 . . .

 

Happens today so why not in 80?

 

Just watched interesting interview on CBSN with Major Garrett & the former Chief of Disguise for CIA. Final questions were about favorite music/book/film.

She answered saying that they (CIA) typically don't watch spy-themed stuff because they "dont like it" and find it "irritating because its not right." But she did say "i liked The Americans very much on tv. I thought that was close to the bone. It was a Soviet couple but it was life in a household where nothing was what it seemed to be and the kids were picking up on it and, it just ... yeah that was good."

CIA VINDICATION!!!