Philip and Elizabeth are not agents, they're KGB officers. "Agents" are the people spies recruit and run, they're not the spies themselves. And glanders is not a virus. It's a bacterium: Burkholderia mallei.
6
Great episode. As usual.
Re: plot development.
I agree Gabriel's illness might be staged to keep Elizabeth and Philip in place while Pastor Tim is murdered. It would be shocking if Paige is also killed but you never know.
I think Claudia and Gabriel will be around til the final episodes. Likewise Stan, who I don't think is dumb.
I also think sending the family back to USSR is a non-starter because America has "spoiled" them and their very American children would never settle down and accept life in the USSR.
When it becomes necessary, Gabriel and Claudia will decide to kill the entire Jennings family.
Before that happens, the Jennings will have to deal with Stan, which I think is still a ways off. I have always assumed that the series ending will involve Elizabeth and Philip facing off, exhausted and their nerves rubbed raw and one of them killing the other and running with the children. My bets on Philip to be the survivor.
Now I'm not so sure. I think it's entirely possible the series will end with the Soviets murdering the entire Jennings family. There is scarcely any loyalty anywhere in this show except the Jennings to each other and to the 'cause.' Which makes a betrayal of the Jennings and the murder of the entire family, the perfect cynical ending.
Finally, I'm betting Martha survives. I think she narrowly avoids getting caught by Stan and makes a run for it. And we never see her again.
Re: plot development.
I agree Gabriel's illness might be staged to keep Elizabeth and Philip in place while Pastor Tim is murdered. It would be shocking if Paige is also killed but you never know.
I think Claudia and Gabriel will be around til the final episodes. Likewise Stan, who I don't think is dumb.
I also think sending the family back to USSR is a non-starter because America has "spoiled" them and their very American children would never settle down and accept life in the USSR.
When it becomes necessary, Gabriel and Claudia will decide to kill the entire Jennings family.
Before that happens, the Jennings will have to deal with Stan, which I think is still a ways off. I have always assumed that the series ending will involve Elizabeth and Philip facing off, exhausted and their nerves rubbed raw and one of them killing the other and running with the children. My bets on Philip to be the survivor.
Now I'm not so sure. I think it's entirely possible the series will end with the Soviets murdering the entire Jennings family. There is scarcely any loyalty anywhere in this show except the Jennings to each other and to the 'cause.' Which makes a betrayal of the Jennings and the murder of the entire family, the perfect cynical ending.
Finally, I'm betting Martha survives. I think she narrowly avoids getting caught by Stan and makes a run for it. And we never see her again.
1
This would probably be the third rail that the writers can't touch, but the best plot line to silence the Pastor Tim problem (short of killing him) would be an affair with Paige. Following her parents' footsteps.
2
This was the least realistic episode I can remember:
1. Pastor Tim feels no fear that uncovered Soviet spies may kill him, even when Philip aggressively asks him if he told his wife?
2. Tim points out the USSR's repression of religion, but not its invasions of Czechoslovakia, Afghanistan and Hungary during his lifetime?
3. Philip does not suggest the obvious alternative to fleeing to Russia--defecting?
4. Stan doesn't check Martha's copying log?
1. Pastor Tim feels no fear that uncovered Soviet spies may kill him, even when Philip aggressively asks him if he told his wife?
2. Tim points out the USSR's repression of religion, but not its invasions of Czechoslovakia, Afghanistan and Hungary during his lifetime?
3. Philip does not suggest the obvious alternative to fleeing to Russia--defecting?
4. Stan doesn't check Martha's copying log?
It bugged me that Stan's colleague, who in previous seasons was so suspicious of everyone, is now not eager to investigate Martha at all.
1
I think Phillip is going to have to kill Stan or Martha - particular since Stan is on Martha's trail - just a thought but where else would that storyline go?
Martha kills Stan. I'm starting to suspect Martha is capable of just such a deed.
2
I think the Centre was going to kill Paige during the Epcot trip, so that she would no longer be a liability, and Pastor Tim/Mrs. Pastor Tim (creepy, both) "having an accident" would not be an issue. The travel agency employee made a point of telling P&E that he could get only 3 seats together on the way back from Epcot, a detail that must be important in some way.
11
You think they would kill Paige when it would certainly lead to one or both of her parents running to the FBI? Please.
And 3 seats together does not mean only 3 are on the plane--it would just mean one parent and the 2 kids would sit next to each other and the other parent in a different row.
And 3 seats together does not mean only 3 are on the plane--it would just mean one parent and the 2 kids would sit next to each other and the other parent in a different row.
4
Phillip had better make up with Stan ASAP. You don't want an FBI agent mad at you and misusing his authority to do a background check.
Will Stan be able to recognize Clark in his excellent disguise?
Will Stan be able to recognize Clark in his excellent disguise?
1
What WigSpy needs is a lot more bad wigs
1
OK, maybe a bit of a quibble, but glanders is caused by a bacterium, not a virus, which would not be susceptible to chloramphenicol or any antibiotic.
4
Wrong. Bacteria are susceptible to antibiotics. Viruses are not.
5
The way that sentence is written, the clause about antibiotics, could have been intended to apply to the phrase "a virus."
4
It would not surprise me at all if (given the similarity in Pastor Tim's hair and "Clark's") the good Pastor was deliberately kept around as a possible body double when "Clark's" true identity needs to be revealed, possibly to either protect or silence Martha deeper into the 'covert operations" of her own clandestine marriage.
2
I agree. Sometimes Tim looks remarkably like Philip, and I've wondered at times if Matthew Rhys has been playing two roles on the show. Perfect!
2
A quick thought about the Martha/Stan/Philip triangle: if Stan pursues his investigation and learns there is relationship between Philip (Clark) and Martha, whom will he confront first? Martha or Philip? This, I think, will determine not only Martha's fate, but Stan's as well. If Stan confronts Philip first, it's possible Philip will have no choice but to take Stan out. However, if Stan confronts Martha first - and wow, would that be an interesting scene - any number of options are possible, including the possibility that Martha herself - a woman who loves her man - takes Stan out. Regardless, whatever way this breaks, and there are a whole lot of possibilities here, it's going to be very interesting. Bur I sense somebody is going to buy the farm.
I doubt he'd 'confront' Phil. If he actually saw Phil/Clark with Martha, he'd know immediately what was up. I know most here think Stan is stupid; but I don't think they're seeing it from the overall perspective. Why would Stan think this perfectly nice couple that moved in next door are Soviet sleeper agents?
2
I am nearly ready to see Paige, openly or not, aide her parents in the duel with Pastor Tim. If the pair were to die in an "accident," I can see Paige getting her mind around it. Henry is perhaps more ambiguous, he's an instrument in the story that has not yet been played.
Not to sound like a barbarian or anything, but I am looking forward to the death of a good christian couple at the hands of a coupla commies. Audiences have come a long way huh?
Not to sound like a barbarian or anything, but I am looking forward to the death of a good christian couple at the hands of a coupla commies. Audiences have come a long way huh?
12
Commies 2 Christians 0
2
Does Nina's ominous dream with all the white flowers foreshadow something? What? I guess we shall see. I loved Elizabeth's role as a Mary Kay Lady, but loved even more that she enjoyed it. How much more can our heroes/villains take?
4
What happened to the Northrup storyline? Last I recall, Lisa's abusive husband figured out Elizabeth and Philip were spies and he was blackmailing them.
Then there's the Kimmy storyline. Philip put a bug in Kimmy's father's briefcase and went back only once to retrieve a recording. Who's retrieving any subsequent recordings?
I realize spies have a lot on their minds -- gotta kill Gene, gotta deal with the daughter, gotta deal with the pastor and his wife, gotta keep Martha happy, gotta keep an eye on Stan, gotta make it to the EST classes, gotta buddy up to a Mary Kay saleswoman in order to infiltrate her family ......but I think an abusive guy, who IIRC had a gun -- threatening to expose everyone needs to be taken care of somehow. Did I miss something? Is Moscow paying him?
Then there's the Kimmy storyline. Philip put a bug in Kimmy's father's briefcase and went back only once to retrieve a recording. Who's retrieving any subsequent recordings?
I realize spies have a lot on their minds -- gotta kill Gene, gotta deal with the daughter, gotta deal with the pastor and his wife, gotta keep Martha happy, gotta keep an eye on Stan, gotta make it to the EST classes, gotta buddy up to a Mary Kay saleswoman in order to infiltrate her family ......but I think an abusive guy, who IIRC had a gun -- threatening to expose everyone needs to be taken care of somehow. Did I miss something? Is Moscow paying him?
8
Pastor Tim ain't a pastor! That's what I feel. Mostly because of his atrocious wig-job. In a series that is so perfect and meticulous with fashion, wigs, style and sets, such bad hair - so obviously a wig - is meaningful and definitely no accident. So, I think we can add another wigged-spy to the club!
10
As others have noted, I think all wigs are done to a large extent for humorous effect by the show's creators. They are amusing to me at least. Presumably there is a realistic basis for the use of such disguise by the spies. Why the pastor has to have particularly bad hair, who knows.
1
WigSpy don't bother me.
Pastor Tim and his wife: Paige's first kills.
20
That could happen, I guess. Showing Paige with anger towards the pastor - along with a desire to protect her family - is a shift. We will see.
The script writers keep the various subplots moving along with no indication of what is yet to come. Another enjoyable episode.
I would strongly prefer no killing in any subplot. Personally I doubt that the plot would suffer with no or next to no murder. In addition, I would enjoy more depiction of that era in the soviet union. The facility where Nina has been working somewhere in Russia may be an accurate depiction. Scientific institutes probably were housed in well designed, well-equipped new buildings or in buildings from the pre-revolutionary period.
Needless the say, one of the strengths of this series is the use of native language speakers for the Russian characters. Glad to see so many good USA actors who speak Russian natively. The actor playing the current head of the Rezidentura is particularly effective in his role.
The script writers keep the various subplots moving along with no indication of what is yet to come. Another enjoyable episode.
I would strongly prefer no killing in any subplot. Personally I doubt that the plot would suffer with no or next to no murder. In addition, I would enjoy more depiction of that era in the soviet union. The facility where Nina has been working somewhere in Russia may be an accurate depiction. Scientific institutes probably were housed in well designed, well-equipped new buildings or in buildings from the pre-revolutionary period.
Needless the say, one of the strengths of this series is the use of native language speakers for the Russian characters. Glad to see so many good USA actors who speak Russian natively. The actor playing the current head of the Rezidentura is particularly effective in his role.
4
So many suspenseful threads going on in this episode. And Philip took the opportunity to work Sandra for her assistance in getting back into Stan's good graces.
I don't trust Claudia/Granny.
I don't trust Claudia/Granny.
2
I'm sorry. But this show is totally overrated. It's a great premise. But the writing is weak.
And which television series now or recently being broadcast are as good, not to mention better?
Aside from the more or less peerless Breaking Bad and The Sopranos, I have not seen anything of comparable quality. The spin-off series of Breaking Bad might be very good, but not of interest to me. The first season of Homeland had better production values, but otherwise was of roughly the same quality as this series. Quality-wise that show sank after the first season. The Americans has kept up its quality, despite the outlandish plot.
Aside from the more or less peerless Breaking Bad and The Sopranos, I have not seen anything of comparable quality. The spin-off series of Breaking Bad might be very good, but not of interest to me. The first season of Homeland had better production values, but otherwise was of roughly the same quality as this series. Quality-wise that show sank after the first season. The Americans has kept up its quality, despite the outlandish plot.
5
And that's why you're going to the trouble of watching it and commenting on it?
4
"The Wire" is older but the quality is the same as "The Sopranos" and "Breaking Bad." Consistently brilliant, surprising, with great acting (including unknowns Idris Elba, Michael K. Smith, Amy Ryan, Wendell Pierce) and (for me and many critics) ties with "The Sopranos" as the best written show ever on television. It ran on HBO from 2002-2008 and can be seen on HBO GO and HBO on demand. It's anemic ratings were believed caused by the complexity of the plots. In that, it's a lot like "The Americans," a show that explains nothing and takes no prisoners. You can follow the plot or you can't. Anyone who loves "The Americans" would likely love "The Wire," which covers 6 years in the police department, drug corridors, mayors office and Baltimore Sun newspaper. TB doesn't get any better than "The Wire." Enjoy.
6
When Gabriel and Claudia are discussing options for the Jennings, whether to send them back to the USSR or have them stay in the US, I'm surprised that nobody talks about a different option: sending them to another country. Both the CIA and the KGB had outposts in most countries. Latin America might be a good alternative.
2
One of the things that is starting to mildly annoy me is the binary thinking that EVERYONE has essentially adopted. With Elizabeth and Phillip, the only choices they considered are fleeing to the Soviet Union or continuing their assignments that include Pastor Tim’s murder. How about the option of defecting and going into witness protection, for example? With Gabriel and Claudia, it’s the same choice between bringing Phillip and Elizabeth back in or killing Pastor Tim. How about reassigning them to a different state or even country? Also, am I the only one who thought that Claudia decided to eliminate Gabriel because he’s gone “soft?” These are supposed to be creative and adaptable folks who don disguises and kill people for good reasons, bad reasons, or no reasons, and all they can do is think in “either or” terms? Not convincing.
2
The same thought about Claudia & Gabriel crossed my mind too.
Believe it or not, it wasn't that easy to defect. The Russians had sent fake defectors to the U.S. -- the show fictionalizes an example of this, the woman Stan busts as a fake. The point of sending fake defectors was to trick the CIA about Russian capabilities. Some capabilities were exaggerated, others were underplayed. If Russia was working in a new missile system, for example, a fake defector would draw CIA attention away from this by saying, "No -- the missile system is not working out. What you really need to worry about is troop deployment along the border with Poland" or something like that. One KGB defector was imprisoned, interrogated and tortured for 3 years by the CIA before they finally decided that he was a real defector. That case took place in the early 60s. No doubt the soviets let their agents know what might await them at the hands of the CIA if they defected.
1
There were defectors that were never fully believed.
I don't think you can just 'plug 'n play' sleeper agents. Latin America sounds fine; but they'd need to know Spanish or Portuguese. Same for re-assignment to Europe. Philip and Elizabeth were trained from a young age to perfectly impersonate Americans. I'm sure there were the same kind of agents for the UK, France, Germany, etc.
I don't think you can just 'plug 'n play' sleeper agents. Latin America sounds fine; but they'd need to know Spanish or Portuguese. Same for re-assignment to Europe. Philip and Elizabeth were trained from a young age to perfectly impersonate Americans. I'm sure there were the same kind of agents for the UK, France, Germany, etc.
4
Wasn't it Paige who told her father that Tim had told his wife?
1
I can't see a path forward, without one or more fatalities or arrests. Martha was really stupid to make copies in full view of ever-vigilant Stan. Although a major character, I wouldn't be sorry to see him written out of the series, with no hope of return. To be monitoring Martha at all hours of the night and to then note her non-return on a couple of nights is very extreme. Maybe the return of his ex will save Martha for a little while. Philip was totally correct when he said that is every instinct tells him to run. Likely, Gabriel will survive. I was surprised to see two KGB supervisors together on a park bench, which I would guess seldom if ever happened.
6
You would never see two KGB supervisors together cuz in the real world such people did not exist in Amerika. Seems some viewers don't get that WigSpy is a fairy tale.
Are you serious? Of course such people existed (and exist) and would certainly meet on occasion as depicted. First, the show is based on a real ring of spies. Second, read the Times q. and a. piece with the producers. Stuff (like Philip marrying Martha) is taken from real events.
8
What's the point of germ warfare if the disease can be warded off with a few doses of chloramphenicol? A blood culture and sensitivity of a patient with glanders would show this. That's not a very effective killer microbe.
And the Microbe Man is all hysterical about Gabriel possibly having the disease -- wrap him up in plastic and burn his body! -- one minute; a short time later he's calmly giving everyone, including Gabriel, an old timey antibiotic. He doesn't seem frightened of spending 36 hours with Gabriel, who has full blown disease.
If it's a plot by Moscow Center to make Philip and Elizabeth stay in one place for 36 hours, then maybe they're looking to hit Paige as well as Tim and his wife. Which wouldn't make sense, I admit, because the KGB's best deep cover spies would never forgive Moscow for that. But it doesn't make sense to not pull them out, either. If they were valued, Moscow would pull the family out. They did this with the real Illegals and their poor teenaged kids had to leave the US and go live in Russia. Now that is something for which I'd never forgive my parents, especially if we had to live anywhere outside of maybe three major cities in the Federation.
And the Microbe Man is all hysterical about Gabriel possibly having the disease -- wrap him up in plastic and burn his body! -- one minute; a short time later he's calmly giving everyone, including Gabriel, an old timey antibiotic. He doesn't seem frightened of spending 36 hours with Gabriel, who has full blown disease.
If it's a plot by Moscow Center to make Philip and Elizabeth stay in one place for 36 hours, then maybe they're looking to hit Paige as well as Tim and his wife. Which wouldn't make sense, I admit, because the KGB's best deep cover spies would never forgive Moscow for that. But it doesn't make sense to not pull them out, either. If they were valued, Moscow would pull the family out. They did this with the real Illegals and their poor teenaged kids had to leave the US and go live in Russia. Now that is something for which I'd never forgive my parents, especially if we had to live anywhere outside of maybe three major cities in the Federation.
4
"if we had to live anywhere outside of maybe three major cities in the Federation"
Oh? Has Hychkok spend much time in Russia, in or away from its big cities? In any case kids adapt remarkably quickly to new surroundings, particularly when younger.
Oh? Has Hychkok spend much time in Russia, in or away from its big cities? In any case kids adapt remarkably quickly to new surroundings, particularly when younger.
The Federation? You mean Putiville
Mr. Hale may be right, but I didn't interpret Paige's glance at her brother as "enjoying a moment of normal family life"; to me, it seemed she was experiencing an epiphany of the gulf between them. Henry still dwells in innocent childhood, whereas Paige has been stripped of her innocence and will never again share his carefree attitudes.
43
Probably far fetched, but I thought maybe Paige's wistful look at Henry, combined with her earlier anger at Pastor Tim, might suggest she would ultimately understand the need to take out Tim and his wife. She wants to protect her family as much as her parents do.
7
To survive Stan has to be killed off. For Nina he gave up secret logs. The Embassy should tip off the FBI, just what his boss would love.
Stan should die from sheer stupidity.
With any luck the whole family will be rounded up by the KGB and sent to Cuba to harvest sugar cane and restore 1950's Fords.
6
I just love this show. My heart breaks for Martha. The acting and story lines are superb. It's smart enough to keep a viewer fully engaged, but it doesn't get confusing. Who do you trust? Who do you love?
26
Am I alone in thinking that either Gabriel or Claudia (or the two together) manufactured the former's apparent infection? It all seemed staged somehow: they just happen upon Gabriel at the very moment he lies coughing up blood, his contamination conveniently cancelling the Jennings' trip to Florida, thereby delaying, momentarily, the assassination of Pastor Tim and his wife Alice, consequently Philip and Elizabeth are able to avoid betraying Paige. And what of Pastor Tim? He appears as duplicitous as any of the characters. Perhaps it's the series paranoia speaking, but it's hard to trust anyone.
9
I don't think the assignation will be cancelled as it may be too late to call it off. If they are killed while the parents are away Paige will have no doubt that Mom and Dad are cold blooded killers.
I thought that Gabriel might have staged the apparent infection in defiance of Claudia.
However, I could also see Claudia (and the Center) acting decisively to kill off Gabriel.
However, I could also see Claudia (and the Center) acting decisively to kill off Gabriel.
Nice touch with Paige studying on the bed with her papers all collected in her Trapper Keeper.
13
Pastor Tim seemed suspicious (and rightfully so) on the matter of whether Elizabeth and Phillip are dangerous. Yet oddly, we know nothing about what he really thinks, much less his wife, or whether they suspect that their own lives are in danger. One hopes they are more savvy than they appear and we can anticipate a surprise or two on that score. In any case, the Pastor Tim story line has been developing for a few seasons now, and it would be a shame if the Pastor and his wife were dispatched like a pair of sitting ducks. There has to be something else going on. There was a theory kicked around on this board a while back that Pastor Tim may be a spy, possibly a Soviet agent himself. That seems implausible, or perhaps a little 'too neat,' but there is something oddly cryptic about the Pastor Tim character, suggesting there is something yet to be revealed about him. The other great unknown - and perhaps the more important question - is, of course, Paige herself. Paige may ultimately take an active role in determining the Pastor's fate and, in doing so, determine her own, answering the question whether as to her own future in the family trade.
As for poor Martha, Stan's newly found suspicion of her may be what seals her fate. She leads directly back to Philip and is now a liability.
As for poor Martha, Stan's newly found suspicion of her may be what seals her fate. She leads directly back to Philip and is now a liability.
20
Oooh I LOVE your insight into Pastor Tim. I really love this character and they could really do some cool things with him. So many different directions this could go. I REALLY hope the keep him and his wife on the show and develop them further. I think it would be cool if they go deeper into their opinions about all of it and their personal lives.
how dare you reveal the FBI is not allowed to "feel" before this episode aired?
Dude. It happened THIS week.
Dude. It happened THIS week.
Three episodes into S4 and this show is already ratcheting up the tension.
I can't see a lull in the action. There's too many fires burning...
I can't see a lull in the action. There's too many fires burning...
10
I think Paige is on the verge of spilling the beans again, this time to Henry, probably while Mom & Dad are unexpectedly " called away". And Philip & Elizabeth desperately need to contact Claudia or the center to turn off the hit squad headed for Pastor & Mrs. Tim. If that gets carried out while they are mysteriously absent and Paige is home with too much time to think ....
But not to worry. All the time and energy devoted to setting up the Ft Detrick 4th floor access play would seem to ensure our heroes will continue in their night jobs after a few things get sorted out.
But not to worry. All the time and energy devoted to setting up the Ft Detrick 4th floor access play would seem to ensure our heroes will continue in their night jobs after a few things get sorted out.
2
Martha was actually in the episode three times: in the opening, at the office, where she caught the pensive attention of Stan, and chillingly, when Stan stalked her at her home.
8
Now that Philip isn't in his disguise, Stan might catch him and Martha together.
5
Martha's the one who made those unaccounted for photocopies (she did that last week, and Stan was lurking about at the time).
4
The preview for next week has Elizabeth asking Philip, "Should we run ?" My answer: as fast as you can. Life back in the good ole USSR with Paige and Henry would give fractured family an entirely new meaning. Which Liz and Phil are well into discussing. Soviet spies with fully American kids was not a well thought out business model !
7
thay should have assigned them Soviet kids Who would've wanted to go back to the USSR boys
Paige seemed wistful when she looked at Henry, as though she was thinking what might happen to him because of her or her parents.
Pastor Tim seems less creepy this season, but I still don't totally trust him. Somehow, I still get a Paige is his Kimmy vibe. He did say his responsibility to his congregation is not absolute. Seriously, he should have lied about telling his wife. What will happen to him? Let's just say I wouldn't want to be in Claudia's crosshairs.
Pastor Tim seems less creepy this season, but I still don't totally trust him. Somehow, I still get a Paige is his Kimmy vibe. He did say his responsibility to his congregation is not absolute. Seriously, he should have lied about telling his wife. What will happen to him? Let's just say I wouldn't want to be in Claudia's crosshairs.
2
I kinda interpreted that look as a "I'm carrying a heavy secret and want to tell my little brother, but know I shouldn't".... she might do it either by accident or purposefully at some point.
10
to tc in boston . . . yes, and i have been just uncomfortable imagining this scenario, but if tim "hits" on paige she will have a way out and disavow all her "western" religious indoctrination, which she should and return to her family. tim is not right and this is not rare behavior from his likes. just more regligous and est nonsense which the writers are portraying very well . . . and paige and the plot will be neatly moved on . . .
William Wilson dallas texas
William Wilson dallas texas
A few observations: real agents don't meet their handlers. "Rudolf Abel" of "Bridge of Spies" was a handler but his "mole" never met him and could not identify him to the FBI. Real agents don't use disguises, and sleepers don't do anything they don't have to, and certainly don't do assassinations. The list goes on.
And you don't treat virus diseases with antibiotics !!