‘The Americans’ Season 4, Episode 5: Under Pressure

Please bring back the cool KGB spy gadgetry of the first and second seasons! The phone calls from the woods, the poison-dart tipped umbrellas, the body-cameras, etc. What happened to all the fun gadgets? It really used to make the show so much more fun.

In the final sequence Elizabeth was attempting to take Philip's mind off Martha while simultaneously taking action and re-positioning herself as his wife. By the end her plan may have backfired. The intense session was less consistent with Philip and Elizabeth and more reminiscent of Clark with Martha. Finished Philip blankly stares down at Elizabeth, who remained with her eyes closed, never kissing or even looking at him. Philip's expression did not reflect passion, rather more a look of confusion. Which woman was he thinking about?

Don't be surprised if Elizabeth's short-term pressure reliever may ultimately make Philip even more attentive to and protective of Martha.

Martha has to go--soon. While she's a great asset inside the FBI, her cover is unraveling fast. Philip knows she has to go, but feels bad about using her and then she gets killed because of him. The spy has a heart.
Elizabeth knows exactly what's going through Philip's mind. The sex scene may be the single most appropriate one in TV history. It's Elizabeth's very intentional action to refocus Philip on her (body) and prep him for Martha's coming death.
Pastor Tim is exactly what he's portrayed--a liberal religious activist. No Soviet spy. He has no illusions the Soviet Union is more moral than the US.
I still believe this all ends with Philip defecting to keep the kids from going to the Soviet Union. What happens to Elizabeth, the true Communist believer, is completely up in the air at this point.

Stan has one weird kid. But maybe that's his purpose: to underscore that all teens are basically strange critters and that none of us emerge from those years as normal person. Therefore, there is no "normal" way to behave. (To reference the Tootsie scene shown a few seasons back, this is all "one nutty hospital.")

The first three seasons had a lot of action and suspense. The Jennings' blown cover was just around every corner and they avoided it with disguises and physical skills. Nina was using her wits to avoid being shipped to Siberia. Stan was conflicted. Martha was being played into betraying her country. The Rezidentura was in chaos. Good stuff. This season has settled into a lot of introspection that some in this group find interesting and I respect that. For me, the show seems to be marching in place. The really interesting development will occur when the Soviet Union implodes from Glasnost and Perestroika (not Ronald Reagan) and the Jennings have to ponder why they did all this in the first place.

Paige is growing as a potential spy. Early during her meeting with Pastor Tim, she sensed that she would not be able to convincingly fake a deep desire to reconcile with him, and instead of faltering, she instinctively gave him a convincing lie (that her parents told her to make nice with him because they really think he's a good guy) that served the intended purpose of bringing him closer to the Jennings family.

Another fine episode. Weird that our columnist Mike Hale frequently indicates he's bored by various plotlines of this show.

Observations:

Indeed it seems that Philip loves Martha. Not sure what this means in terms of his marriage to Elizabeth but there's something to be said for being honest and devoted, like Martha is.

Paige is starting to lie to Pastor Tim about what's up. Becoming a little Soviet sympathizer?

Unlike Oleg, who's basically become an American. Look for him to defect.

Which brings me to Stan. The relationship between Stan and Oleg is interesting, as is the relationship between Stan and the Jenning's son. What's that about? I don't get people who aren't interested in the Stan story line. Noah Emmerich is killing it.

It's especially sad when you realize that Oleg's brother gave up his life fighting on the side of Afghans who wanted literacy and women's rights. Those people were deluded, of course, to think that they could make Afghanistan into a socialist country when it hadn't even become a capitalist country yet.

But as deluded as the Afghan left was to look towards a Marxist revolution to solve the country's problems, we were also deluded when we supported the religious extremist fighters who were AGAINST literacy and women's rights. Because all they did after they beat the Communists was turn Afghanistan into a terrorist training ground for people to attack America.

Oleg's brother died fighting what would eventually become a branch of Al Qaeda.

I can even imagine Bin Laden out there on his famous donkey with his famous video camera videotaping the mujahedin ambush that killed him.

I think Henry might be a better pick for the Family Business then Paige. There is actually a lot more we know about Henry then we think. We know he knows how to keep a secret (he has kept many for Paige), he knows how to hide things (the floorboards in his bedroom cover a hidey-hole), he seems to be invisible, yet, he's an eavesdropper (someone is always saying something, and all of a sudden, Henry comes around the corner trying to get more information -- remember learning his parents friend was killed by the cops?). He asks a lot of questions without giving up information (see his interactions with Stan Beeman). He knows how to mimic (his great Eddie Murphy/Mr. Robinson imitation was hilarious). Paige of course knows how to lie and manipulate, but still, Henry seems innocuous....so, he'd make the better spy. Take a closer look Philip and Elizabeth, you probably told the wrong child.

The Americans is truly one of the best shows of TV. Great thinking goes into this shows progress. Paige needs to mature faster, Martha may have to go.

Poor Martha: she is late to the first wave of feminism, having married a man just to have a ring she doesn't even get to wear to the office and buying into his "spying for the greater good." Love the actress but in terms of plot line, she is easy pickings. Now Pastor Tim is another matter: I detected a resilient strain of skepticism in his encounter with Paige. He may prove a more formidable opponent--unless the show gets cancelled, in which case the Center will come in and end them all.

Nice review. However, it's pretty clear that Philip is no longer pretending to love Martha, as Elizabeth is now realizing.

I love how this show demonstrates its characters feelings without needing to have characters become uncharacteristically expressive (Philip's clear worry for Martha, Elizabeth's long looks in response (and her initiating hot sex!), Archady's anger, etc.).

Amazing episode.

It's too bad the show doesn't include in its scope the intelligence games in Afghanistan. Supposedly Andropov originally shared the opinion of other elite Marxists that Afghanistan was not ready for a socialist revolution, since it didn't even have capitalism to rebel against yet. The story goes that then he was given information that the America CIA was already working covertly with tribal Pashtuns organizing in the south against the Communist government in Kabul. It would be interesting to see that angle explored, although it's too late in 1983 to see it happen. The official line fed to their soldiers about their mission was that it was humanitarian in nature. But to Andropov, it was more like a game of Cold War chess with live ammo that people like Oleg's brother lost.

This show is about family, but also about loyalty. How do you reconcile love with ideology? This conflict cleaves Elizabeth and Philip, she more

I did not foresee that they would pull Paige back from the second generation plan. Interesting, and allows other plot lines to develop: Oleg, Stan, Philip, Henry, all interacting in different ways to different purposes.

Happy to see a new mural of Lenin at the Rezindentura, nice visual.

My sense is that the rest of the season will feature the Soviets murdering Martha, Tim and Tim's wife; Stan beginning to suspect Philip; and Oleg thinking of turning spy.

The big question is whether next season will be the last--I hope so, as few shows have 6 good seasons. If it is not, it may end with the Soviets killing Stan, to keep the audience involved, although who do they replace Stan with as the FBI embodiment?

I agree with Elizabeth that Henry spends way too much time at Stan's house to be credible--and why would he have him over when it interferes with his needed reconciliation time with his son?

Then again, both agents would not stake out Martha's house together--they would alternate, especially as they have other work to do.

Has Richard Thomas had more than 5 minutes of screen time this year?

Two words: More "Granny" (Margo Martindale).
(Frank Langella is a great actor but I'm tiring of Gabriel's character.)

Another good episode. Powerful in my opinion the juxtaposition of the acting of Mr. Reagan with regard to the fantasy of "pride to wear a uniform" and the reality of death and destruction in Afghanistan. The soviet union's invasion of Afghanistan is a complicated issue, differing materially from the propaganda regarding it from the USA government. The USA's supposedly clandestine support of Afghani tribes and imported mujahidin made matters that much worse. The burial of the brother/son killed in Afghanistan moving and well-done.

'Clark' passed within sight of Aderholt; but he walked behind the car and Aderholt never saw him. If he had, at the end of the episode the you-know-what would have hit the fan when Stan introduced the two.

I totally disagree on your analysis of Paige's growth, on how involving the plotline is, and how much time was devoted to it. Probably ten minutes went into it at most, not counting Phil and Liz talking about it. We saw Paige and the pastor and then the meeting with the parents. Perfectly well done IMO. I didn't love the development when it started; but they've pulled it back to a degree. I still think it was ridiculous that the secret got out of the family though. I think a pastor would have gone to the authorities already. It wasn't said in confession.

I hate to say it; but Arkady was right. It stretched the suspension of disbelief that Nina would have gotten away with so much. She survived betraying the USSR and Arkady. She turned on Stan to save that and then 'failed' (understandably) in her mission. Then she manages to survive back in the USSR until doing something unsurvivable. I said it last week, for her to survive would have not been believable.

And things do not look good for Martha.

In your final paragraph you describe Martha as the woman Phillip "pretends to love". Did you really watch this episode or just read the cliff notes? I think its clear that to some extent, Phillip does indeed "love" Martha. And Elizabeth knows this, which is why the sex occurs. Maybe you don't get subtext?

I actually thought that Martha would have been killed already. It seems to me that the "Center" would not risk Philip if there is even a chance that Martha has been compromised. But we will miss her if she goes....

I think the pastor and his wife are also Russian spies. The spy handlers put them into place to control Paige and never told her parents. I think Henry has been recruited and is the primary spy they wanted. He has been spying on Stan this entire time. Paige and the pastor have been diversions put up by the spy handlers so they don't notice what Henry is doing. Henry may have to kill a few people, such as Stan and Martha. The two adults are being outmaneuvered at every turn. They are not US citizens. The children as US citizens are deeply embedded in the country, with the ability to work anywhere ultimately. They are much more valuable as spies.

At the end Elizabeth sends a strong non-verbal reminder to Philip. Martha is an asset. I'm your wife ... even if it was arranged

What a blunder! The writer of this article, doesn't mention the network where one can view the show. Where does one go to watch it? The Times is really getting sloppy - an editor should have caught this.

I can't get last weeks episode on Verizon on-demand...

I particularly enjoyed Oleg's more sympathetic post-Nina meeting with Stan in the car as an interesting microcosm of the push-pull tension of Cold War politics during this period. Although both are ultimately outranked by institutional agendas, you get the sense that were it a different era they probably would have been good friends.

Kudos to Noah Emmerich (Stan) for directing "Clark's Place." It's still the best written, acted drama currently on American television.

Martha's story line has provided some great suspense for this season, built from virtually the beginning of the show. I don't like Martha's chances, but have enjoyed every minute of Alison Wright's portrayal. It certainly seems like the only route Martha has left is to provide her own solution -- which Bowie/Queen underscored perfectly like so many other perfect musical moments on this show.

I sighed,tapped my foot and fidgeted through the episode. The timing was so slow..about 4 beats behind everything. BORED. Paige-meh-teenage dork. Waste of time. Nothing happened, and don't give me the "building to something larger" argument. This one was a fail-Bad TV!

wishful thinking on my part, but how plausible would it be to have Stan an crew convert Martha to a functioning agent for the FBI. She eventually will understand she's a throw-a-way asset compliments of Clark bloodily soon. This assumes certain strengths on Marsha part, not displayed before.

I've mentioned in the comments before that there's a novelistic aspect of this show that really works for me; we get a bunch of pretty small scenes between secondary characters (so far everything at the Rezidentura this year falls into this bucket) that suggest a broader universe around those characters. These little scenes add up to a rich tapestry. The scene between Oleg and Arkady was really interesting on a practical and character level.

By the rules of the game, Nina was long overdue for execution - she manipulated and framed the chief resident for treason, was exposed as a double agent, then failed as a triple agent, was sent back to Russia with a cushy assignment to simply motivate a jaded scientist by virtue of her feminine graces, and after all those chances she breaks one time too many. It's easy to see why Arkady has this reaction because in all honesty his take is pretty accurate. Arkady vouched for her and she completely blew it.

Meanwhile Oleg is crestfallen at having finally lost Nina, but deep down I think even he understands what Arkady means. It's all just so meaningless to him. The USSR doesn't seem to mean anything; how can it be so zealous in closing the book on an insignificant, conniving diplomatic employee while at the same time being so tepid about Afghanistan (aka its mission to spread socialism in the world!) that Oleg's brother is buried without ceremony or even acknowledgement from the military. It's just so random. Oleg will defect for sure.

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Another Comment mentions the off-screen romance between our 2 leads. (She has divorced her real-life husband.) As the characters have gone from being spies posing as a couple, to being a couple (with some polyamory), the chemistry has more chance to shine.

But what do others think of the onscreen indicators that Keri Russell is pregnant? I look and look, but see nothing in her face or legs indicative of weight gain! (I know plenty can be done with lighting and makeup.) Of course, her midsection is almost never shown [body double used near the end of this episode, I'd guess].

But I think they made the right choice to mask her pregnancy rather than complicating the plot by having Eliz. get pregnant. It's all worked really well. And I wanted other people's views.

This came to mind because of the first slip-up. Watch the last 7 mins again (I know, you were going to do that anyway). When Ms. Russell has only her blouse and underatura on, her blouse hangs loose. I was pretty sure I could see a small area where it was not loose. Not sure. Tough to focus on just one small part of the screen as that scene unfolded!

The show continues to be the best on television. There is no question that Elizabeth's seduction of Phillip at the end was in response to seeing his distress at Martha in peril, and perhaps seeing/hearing him tell Martha he loves her. Has anyone else noticed that Philip has never told Elizabeth that? I cant help but root for Philip and Elizabeth, their marriage and their family, to in the end, be put first above everything. even Mother Russia and the Center.

Yep, best use of Under Pressure ever, though I have to disagree that the Martha plot is the only compelling thread. So much happened in this Noah Emmerich-directed episode. I adore Oleg and was relieved to see him return to the Rezidentura. The woman that Elizabeth is grooming via Mary Kay or Avon is charming and such a sharp contrast to Elizabeth's sober mien. The deepening friendship between Stan & Henry may help save the Jennings' bacon.
But indeed, poor Martha!! Alison Wright is just sublime in the role, and judging from the preview, looks like she's in dire straits. Not that the previews haven't toyed with us before...

Does anyone else besides me watch each new episode twice? They are broadcast twice in my area -- once at 9 and again at 10.

And the whole relayionship between Paige and her Pastor is weird ... as if written by a person who thinks they know about the social dynamics of church, but has no first-hand knowledge.

Holly Taylor is nailing it as Paige.

The noose continues to tighten around the Jennings. I am waiting
for the other shoe to drop. That will be the moment when Stan
puts 2 + 2 together. I can only begin to guess at Martha's fate.
Could Martha end up like Nina? Could Martha be caught between
exile in Russia or coming clean and serve time in prison? I was beginning
to think that Martha will commit suicide but based on the promo for next
weeks episode it doesn't seem likely...yet. I have watched the Americans from the beginning knowing that eventually the Jennings would be eventually unmasked. The journey to that happening makes for compelling drama each week. I ponder these questions..... when will Paige snap ? Does father Tim & his wife really believe that line of bull that was shown in this episode? What will happen to the mission regarding
the Korean women? Does that go by the boards as the Jennings carefully
fabricated wall of lies continues to crumble? It seems to me that from
now on instead of spying most of their time will be spent not trying to
either being sent to prison , {American or Russian} or being killed by
one side or another. Another question...will Gabriel turn on the Jennings
or will Claudia sees that he has an "accident" because she believes him
to be too close to E & P and has not handled them correctly? Perhaps
Gabriel will defect realizing that if he returns home he will disappear
because his usefulness will be over?

It was a great, if not quite subtle, use of the tune, but Smash did it better as a lead up song sung by the whole cast (even non singers like Debra Messing and Angelica Houston ) as they make their way into the Tony Awards. Regardless, Americans will always hold the award for best sex scene accompanying the song.

In view of how upset Paige seemed after she had seen Pastor Tim, does anyone else wonder what else might have happened when she met with him?

I thought it a bit unfair to say that Paige has not matured. She finally pushed her parents into telling her (sort of) what they do. She confided in Pastor Tim -- a big step -- and became angry with them when he told his wife. She had expected complete confidentiality. That took some independence. Then her parents are away for two days with no explanation and she accepts that her mother is not going to tell her more. She doesn't have much choice. She still is not happy with the situation, of course. I don't know how else a teenager might act in such a situation. Given everything, I think she is handling it all pretty well. And she is loyal to her parents even though she has questions about what they really do. I do think that both she and her brother have had a right to be more than upset with their parents, who have been truly lousy parents who come and go at odd times and pretty much ignore their children, as far as we could see. No wonder the son hangs out at Stan's house and that Paige found a connection with the church. It appears from what little we could see in the trailer for next week that Martha is being removed from her home and her job. "I'm never going home, am I?" she asks. Her survival is a question, definitely, no matter what Gabriel says about looking out for the spies' resources. As for Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, they are a couple these days in real life. Wonder how that happened.

The needle didn't move much this week - we seem to be in holding pattern, that is, until things blow. How big a blow up? That's the question.

I still think Martha's and Paige's situations are interesting inversions of each other: Martha knows what Clark does, but still doesn't have a clue who he is; Paige knows what her parents are, but has no clue (yet) what they actually do. Martha and Paige, mistress (so to speak) and daughter, hold the keys to each others' universe. And truly, the universe would blow if they were ever to meet.

Incidentally, I think there is something curious happening with Paige, but it's rather subtle at this point: she gave a bit of embellished spin in her separate discussions with both Pastor Tim and her parents when describing the mutual regard each party has for the other. It's not merely that Paige want to fix the situation, but more, I think, how she's attempting to control a situation that could otherwise spin out of control. Paige may not know everything, but I suspect she has an inkling there is a potential life and death situation at hand. And given she's now been dealt a hand in the game, she's starting to learn she needs to hold her cards close, no matter whom she's talking to. Fate may make a spy of her yet.

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Spot-on observation about Holly Taylor. I do think she has grown about 5% (not nearly keeping up with her character's growth); but Henry's portrayer has grown with is character. The adult performers almost all improve as their characters' complexity grows. Good casting, good directing, or both.

I thought this was a very good episode. Great ending.

As for Martha's chances: I don't usually speculate on plot outcomes, because there's so much we don't know.

BUT: I think she's more likely to be stashed in a safehouse or smuggled out of the country (keeping her loyal to "Clark") than to be killed by anyone.

Martha's chances of living past this season: zero. Martha's chances of winning an Emmy nomination: golden.

Naturally Philip's primary loyalties are to Elizabeth and his children, but I disagree that Martha's a woman he doesn't love. He HAS fallen for her--that's what makes her predicament so unsettling to him. Part of the reason for Elizabeth's passionate seduction is because she knows how he feels about his "other wife."

Martha has now irrevocably been burned as an asset and she's toast. With the foreshadowing that seems to be going on, with scenes showing Martha washing down the Valium she's now taking with red wine, I'm afraid that she's going to solve Philip's and Elizabeth's problem for them by killing herself, whether deliberately or accidentally. That won't absolve them of responsibility for her demise, but what other choice do they have? Extract her and offer her asylum in the Soviet Union? It would be too much of a shock for Martha, so she has to go, but having Philip and Elizabeth actually kill her themselves may finally be too much for the audience to accept.

Paige is clunky at best and this plot line and character detracts from what is otherwise a slick smart and believable cast. Henry is similarly irrelevant but the father-son tension w Oleg shows that the writers are capable of portraying family dynamics. Families aside, Philip either kills Marrha or defects because there is no middle ground (eg Nina)