Tag Archives: Americans Podcast

WTA 15-The Americans Opening Credits

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:32 — 34.4MB)

In this week’s Watching the Americans Episode 15, we present a special frame by frame analysis of the opening title sequence for Seasons 1 and 2 of The Americans.

In our discussion, we take each frame of the opening and discuss the images presented, giving historical context for them and relating them to what we know about the show so far. We also talk about some other sites that have done analyses of the opening sequence. We have a link to a blog post by one of its creators, and another look at the sequence with notes by another poster.

We finish by sharing more of your feedback for the Season 2 finale “Echo.”

We love to hear your thoughts about The Americans so please send them by emailing text or audio feedback to watchingtheamericans@gmail.com or calling us at 919-907-0542. Follow us on Twitter @WatchAmericans. Please like us on our Facebook page Watching The Americans. And if you do enjoy the show, please rate us or better yet rate and review us in iTunes!

WTA 11-Season 2 Episode 10 Yousaf

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:40 — 38.0MB)

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.

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 page!

WTA 10-Season 2 Episode 9 Martial Eagle

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:25 — 43.5MB)

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 08-Season 2 Episode 7 ARPANET

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:05 — 34.2MB)

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:47 — 34.6MB)

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:32 — 27.0MB)

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 02-Season 2 Episode 1 Comrades

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:12 — 21.1MB)

In episode 2 of Watching the Americans we share our thoughts on The Americans season 2 premiere entitled, “Comrades.” “Comrades” aired on February 26, 2014, was written by Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, and was directed by Thomas Schlamme.

We give a brief recap of “Comrades” talk about what happened with Paige, Amelia, Sanford, Nina, Stan, and Martha. We also discuss the technology of the mail robot, video games, give a history of Russians in Afghanistan, and more.

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 01-Season 1 Review

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Welcome to Watching the Americans! In our first episode we take a look back at the first season of The Americans and give a brief recap of each episode. We also discuss our favorite moments of the season, what we want to see in season 2, and why we love The Americans and started this podcast.

You can send us in your thoughts about each episode of The Americans by calling our voice mail line at 919-907-0542 or sending us an email at watchingtheamericans@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at @WatchAmericans.