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I binge watched Seasons 1-3 free on Amazon, and now S4 on FX - and couldn't agree more.
From the NYT (tonight):
Quote:
8. Our entertainment experts salute the flood of finales as the network TV season ends. One highlight: the last few episodes of the fourth season of “The Americans” (Wednesdays, 10 p.m., FX), “the most arresting, vital drama on TV.”
Watch This Show
“The Americans” has become the most arresting, vital drama on TV — fascinating and beautiful, and somehow getting better and better in its current fourth season. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys star as Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, the mother and father of a normal American family in 1983. Except that they’re actually Soviet spies, and they wear various disguises and participate in long-term cons to gather intelligence.
The spycraft is interesting in its own right, but the show is much more about marriage and parenthood, and the impossibility of knowing who anyone really is. Episodes that weave in actual culture and pop culture tend to be especially resonant, and this week’s episode, “The Day After” — a reference to the TV movie about nuclear war — is particularly so. And as often as “The Americans” is shocking and as strong as the espionage plotting can be, what I appreciate most is the show’s refusal to engage in “twists.” What the show presents as true is true; many of the characters engage in profound, spirit-crushing deceit, but the audience never feels lied to. There’s no rewatching old episodes in a new light now that something has been revealed.
Here’s how to catch up:Seasons 1-3 are on Amazon Prime, and Season 4 is available to purchase individually on Amazon and iTunes, but is free on several cable OnDemand packages. Yes, you need to watch all of it, not only because it’s so terrific (it really is!) but also because the show is very methodical: Characters reappear after long stretches away, ideas germinate for several episodes and consequences are not always immediate.
“The Americans” can be very violent, and it occasionally includes torture, though it’s not gratuitous. Watch more than four episodes at a time and you’ll start feeling like a sad monster. Season 1 is good, but Season 2 is when things really launch. (Wednesdays, 10 p.m., FX)
After almost 3 1/2 years since starting this thread, then never watching, I am going to watch it on my Netflix. I had cable and too many other shows to watch. Now no cable and I want to see what made me start this thread. I am glad to see people enjoyed this show. Well, I assume you do, after 52 pages.
The Americans is not on available on Netflix. Amazon Prime has S1-3 free. S4 $1.99/episode. Subscribed to Amazon Prime around Christmas - year-end special one weekend only @ $73 (iirc)); otherwise $99 (I think). Amazon Prime also has all seasons of Downton Abbey, Sopranos, Upstairs Downstairs.
Last edited by Ariadne22; 05-09-2016 at 11:04 PM..
The Americans is not on available on Netflix. Amazon Prime has S1-3 free. S4 $1.99/episode. Subscribed to Amazon Prime around Christmas - year-end special one weekend only @ $73 (iirc)); otherwise $99 (I think). Amazon Prime also has all seasons of Downton Abbey, Sopranos, Upstairs Downstairs.
I was thinking about that after I posted. I was wondering if I saw it on Netflix or Hulu. It must have been Hulu. Rats. Thanks for letting me know, Ariadne.
I don't have cable anymore. I had SLING for a while. Then I realized I could get DVR and playbacks with Playstation Vue ($30 a month) so I dropped Sling, (20$ a month) and now I have The Americans! ! All episodes are recorded automatically. I did it just for this program.
I highly recommend PSV if you can get it in your area. And no, I have no idea what a Playstation is. I just get it on my Amazon Fire TV and it's great.
I don't understand Elizabeth's last statement " I will really miss her." What did she mean???
I don't have cable anymore. I had SLING for a while. Then I realized I could get DVR and playbacks with Playstation Vue ($30 a month) so I dropped Sling, (20$ a month) and now I have The Americans! ! All episodes are recorded automatically. I did it just for this program.
I highly recommend PSV if you can get it in your area. And no, I have no idea what a Playstation is. I just get it on my Amazon Fire TV and it's great.
I don't understand Elizabeth's last statement " I will really miss her." What did she mean???
She will miss Peggy(?) - the Asian lady. She wouldn't exactly feel comfortable in their home anymore after taking off the husband's clothes and making him think that he slept with Elizabeth. The 2 women actually seemed to be good friends.
She will miss Peggy(?) - the Asian lady. She wouldn't exactly feel comfortable in their home anymore after taking off the husband's clothes and making him think that he slept with Elizabeth. The 2 women actually seemed to be good friends.
I must have missed something over the last few episodes. What was Elizabeth looking for in their home and why did she do that to the husband? I'm confused! Any explanation would be helpful. Thanks!
I must have missed something over the last few episodes. What was Elizabeth looking for in their home and why did she do that to the husband? I'm confused! Any explanation would be helpful. Thanks!
It was never very clear but he had the key to something that Elizabeth was trying to get. When she babysat the kids, she searched the house for it. When she didn't find it, she had hoped that it would be in the husband's clothing which she took off after drugging him. I too was confused about this storyline.
It was never very clear but he had the key to something that Elizabeth was trying to get. When she babysat the kids, she searched the house for it. When she didn't find it, she had hoped that it would be in the husband's clothing which she took off after drugging him. I too was confused about this storyline.
Drugging him to search his clothing is one thing, but to set it up for him wake up to her naked in bed shows a deeper intent. It's unlikely he would go home and confess to his wife, destroying the marriage and the friendship. It's almost like a blackmail thing, but she didn't take any pictures, so that further confuses the matter. I hope it becomes clearer in future episodes. It's comforting to know that others on this thread are equally at sea!
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Well, I assume you do, after 52 pages. 
