Tag Archives: The Americans

WTA 12-Season 2 Episode 11 Stealth

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In this week’s exciting Watching the Americans, we decode The Americans Season 2 Episode 11 “Stealth.” This dark episode was written by Joshua Brand and it was directed by Gregory Hoblit. The original air date was May 7, 2014.

In the news, we review the latest ratings and dispute The Wire’s “Wig of the Week selection.” We talk about Time’s article that features The Americans’ showrunner Joel Fields aboutwhy there’s so much rape on your favorite TV shows. We also reveal from This Week what The Americans gets wrong about Russian spies, share an LA Times interview with Matthew Rhys, and mention his appearance on the Today show and his knowledge of the 80s TV show “The A-Team.”

In our episode discussion, we talk about the word “Stealth” and how much it permeates this episode. In the Soviet Union we see what Anton and Vasili have been doing about Stealth technology. Philip befriends someone who may have crucial information about how to create key components of Stealth. Elizabeth once again confronts Paige about her involvement with the church and makes a surprising decision. Arkady pushes Nina to step up her efforts with Stan, and she makes a desperate plea for Stan’s aid. Stan and Sandra reach a an emotional abyss. Larrick returns and has a violent confrontation with Kate. Elizabeth visits Jared and witnesses an unexpected encounter. The Jennings discover that something is very wrong and must protect Jared.

In our history segment, we go to Vietnam and learn about the Battle of Hamburger Hill and the notorious gangster John Dillinger. During tech of yesteryear we take off in an SR-71, and learn how to use a one-time pad to make unbreakable codes.

We love feedback so please send in your thoughts about The Americans by emailing us watchingtheamericans@gmail.com or calling us at 919-907-0542. Follow us on Twitter @WatchAmericans. And don’t miss our brand-new Watching The Americans Facebook.

WTA 11-Season 2 Episode 10 Yousaf

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In this week’s all-new Watching the Americans, we analyze The Americans Season 2 episode 10 entitled “Yousaf.” This episode’s story was by Stephen Schiff and Stuart Zicherman, and it was directed by Stefan Schwartz. The original air date was April 30, 2014.

In the news, we go over the latest ratings and The Wire’s feature “Wig of the Week.” We also talk about Pete Townshend’s collaboration with show composer Nathan Barr on the new song “It Must Be Done” which debuted in this week’s episode Finally, we look at a neat interview in Rolling Stone with actress Alison Wright who plays Martha

In our episode discussion, we pick up right where the last show ended and begin with Philip and Elizabeth’s tender moment after the emotional exchange with Pastor Tim. Later, Elizabeth has terse exchanges with Philip and Paige about the teen’s desire to go to a religious camp for the summer. We also talk about the return of Annelise, a character from Season 1. Agent Gaad comes back to the FBI and there is a second confrontation between him and Arkady. Stan reveals Sandra’s affair to Nina and later questions Jared Conner about his parent’s murder. We see Larrick’s return and his interactions with Ma Bell in his hunt for those responsible for the Contra base attack. And Philip and Elizabeth have a short time frame mission to set up a new source of Intel from the Pakistani ISI intelligence service.

In our history segment, we learn about the ISI, the doctrine of mutually assured destruction and the Cold War, the First, Second, and Third Worlds in geopolitics, the Golden Guinness Girls, the Young Pioneers, and the Glow Worm. During tech of yesteryear we relive old analog phone tech like rotary dial phones, junction boxes and switchboards, and of course Ma Bell.

WTA 10-Season 2 Episode 9 Martial Eagle

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In this week’s all-new Watching the Americans, we analyze The Americans Season 2 episode 9 entitled “Martial Eagle.” This episode’s story was by Oliver North & Tracey Scott Wilson, the teleplay was by Tracey Scott Wilson, and it was directed by Alik Sakharov. The original air date was April 23, 2014.

In the news, we discuss the latest ratings for the show and The Wire’s feature “Wig of the Week.”

In our episode discussion, we talk about how dark the emotions are for all of the main characters, especially Philip. We go over the startling beginning of the episode and the ramifications that follow. We explore Paige’s big day at church and how that affects her parents. We look at how Stan finally gets clearance to really dig deep into the US government’s Stealth project while simultaneously losing Sandra. Agent Gaad has a surprise meeting with Arkady. Philip goes very dark with his daughter, and also with Martha and with Pastor Tim. He can barely pull back from more violence in the end.

In our history segment, we learn about Abundant Life from John 10:10, discover invisible rabbits, learn about Alcoholics Anonymous, and find out who Dr. Ruth is. During tech of yesterday we review the audio microcassette.

WTA 09-Season 2 Episode 8 New Car

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In this week’s all-new Watching the Americans, we analyze The Americans Season 2 episode 8 entitled “New Car.” This episode was written by Peter Ackerman and directed by John Dahl. The original air date was April 16, 2014.

In the news, we discuss the exciting announcement of the renewal of The Americans for Season 3, discuss the latest ratings uptick and the surprise involvement of Oliver North with an upcoming episode.

In our episode discussion, we talk about Lucia’s inability to let go of her hatred for Larick and its consequences, Philip’s rash new purchase and Elizabeth’s reaction to it, and the difference in Philip and Elizabeth’s views about living in America. Throughout the episode there are themes about what it is to be a “good person”, how the characters view “right” and “wrong”, and the balance between making decisions based on emotion or based on a greater cause. We also look at how the various KGB agents react after they learn that one of their operations may have resulted in the deaths of Soviet submariners, and end with Henry’s feelings about himself after being caught doing something wrong.

In our history segment, we rock with the Stray Cats, and go to Gorky Park, while during tech of yesterday we review the U.S. Stealth Technology program, pinball, and the ultra-cool third generation Camaro Z28.

WTA 08-Season 2 Episode 7 ARPANET

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In episode 8 of Watching the Americans we share our thoughts on The Americans season 2 episode 7 entitled, “ARPANET.” “ARPANET” aired on April 9, 2014, was written by Joshua Brand, and was directed by Kevin Dowling.

In our episode discussion of “ARPANET” we discuss all of the lying and Nina’s ability to beat the polygraph test. We also talk about Henry spying, Philip wanting the American dream, Philip not pulling the trigger, Charles’ glasses, and what we might get in next week’s episode, “New Car.”

We also talk about the history of silly putty, ARPANET, lie detectors, Cleopatra, Selva Negra Cloud Forest, The Heritage Foundation, The Illegals Program, and Bic pens.

Send in your thoughts about The Americans by emailing us watchingtheamericans@gmail.com or calling us at 919-907-0542. Follow us on Twitter @WatchAmericans

WTA 07-Season 2 Episode 6 Behind the Red Door

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In episode 7 of Watching the Americans we share our thoughts on The Americans season 2 episode 6 entitled, “Behind the Red Door.” “Behind the Red Door” aired on April 2, 2014, was written by Melissa James Gibson, and was directed by Charlotte Sieling.

In this episode of Watching the Americans we share a news article from TV Guide about the actor who plays Oleg, Costa Ronin. We also share a report from CNN about rumors that Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys are a real life couple, and an article from Entertainment Weekly about the various wigs used in The Americans.

During our discussion about “Behind the Red Door” we talk about Oleg playing Stan as a fool, the red door and why the number 33 is significant, some of the wild and uncomfortable moments of the episode, and the ending goodbyes of Elizabeth and Claudia. We also talk about Optical Character Recognition, dot-matrix printers, and ARPANET, and share some listener feedback!

Send in your thoughts about The Americans by emailing us watchingtheamericans@gmail.com or calling us at 919-907-0542. Follow us on Twitter @WatchAmericans

WTA 06-Season 2 Episode 5 The Deal

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In episode 6 of Watching the Americans we share our thoughts on The Americans season 2 episode 5 entitled, “The Deal.” “The Deal” aired on March 26, 2014, was written by Angelina Burnett, and was directed by Dan Attias.

We share our insights on the episode and talk about the exchange of Anton and the 1500 Israelites, Anton’s heartbreak as he looked at the moon, and all of the episode’s plot lines and character developments. We also discuss Kibbutzim, Shamans, ARPANET, Hill Street Blues, David Copperfield, Coloumbia House Records, and Obyta Cigarettes.

Send in your thoughts about The Americans by emailing us watchingtheamericans@gmail.com or calling us at 919-907-0542. Follow us on Twitter @WatchAmericans

WTA 05-Season 2 Episode 4 A Little Night Music

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In episode 5 of Watching the Americans we share our thoughts on The Americans season 2 episode 4 entitled, “A Little Night Music.” “A Little Night Music” aired on March 19, 2014, was written by Stephen Schiff, and was directed by Lodge Karrigan.

We share our thoughts on there possibly being a third party involved besides the FBI and KGB, the focus on religion in this episode, Oleg’s new clearance level, what might be the cleanest laundry in existence, and other plot developments. We also talk about stealth technology, Intellivision, record stores, Yuri Andropov, and the serenade, “Eine Kieine Nacht Musik.”

Send in your thoughts about The Americans by emailing us watchingtheamericans@gmail.com or calling us at 919-907-0542. Follow us on Twitter @WatchAmericans

WTA 04-Season 2 Episode 3 The Walk In

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In episode 4 of Watching the Americans we share our thoughts on The Americans season 2 episode 3 entitled, “The Walk In.” “The Walk In” aired on March 12, 2014, was written by Stuart Zicherman, and was directed by Constantine Makris.

We give a brief recap of “The Walk In,” talk about Paige’s visit to Aunt Helen, Dameran’s troubles, Sandra’s encounter with Stan, and Nina typing in Cyrillic. We also talk about the technology of the skywheel, dark rooms, and the history of Erhard Seminars Training, and the battle of Khe Sanh.

Send in your thoughts about The Americans by emailing us watchingtheamericans@gmail.com or calling us at 919-907-0542. Follow us on Twitter @WatchAmericans

WTA 03-Season 2 Episode 2 Cardinal

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In episode 3 of Watching the Americans we share our thoughts on The Americans season 2 episode 2 entitled, “Cardinal.” “Cardinal” aired on March 5, 2014, was written by Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, and was directed by Daniel Sackheim.

We give a brief recap of “Cardinal”, talk about Oleg being a jerk, the KGB finding out that the FBI killed Vlad, and the events involving Emmet, Martha, Paige, and Fred. We also discuss the history of Nicaragua, Super Bowl XVI, the Contra war of the 1980’s, Bo Derek, and Ariel Sharon.

Send in your thoughts about The Americans by emailing us watchingtheamericans@gmail.com or calling us at 919-907-0542. Follow us on Twitter @WatchAmericans