Episode discussion post: "Only You"

[jae]

Aired:
3 April 2013 in the U.S. and Canada
29 July 2013 in Australia
1 August 2013 in Ireland
3 August 2013 in the UK

This is a discussion post for episode #10 of The Americans, intended for viewers who are watching the show on the Australian/Irish/UK schedule. Please do dive in even if you've seen subsequent episodes, but take care to keep comments spoiler-free of anything that comes after season one, episode ten.

FX's original promo trailer:

"Next On: Only You" (Watch on YouTube)

FX's official three-minute recap:

"Snapshot: Week 10" (Watch on YouTube)

FX's official "Go Undercover" replay with commentary from the actors and producers:

"Go Undercover: Episode 10 Recap" (Watch on YouTube)

New reviews/recaps:
From The Guardian (UK)
From Unreality Primetime (UK)

Reviews/recaps from first airing:
From the AV Club
From Vulture
From Hitfix
From Think Progress
From the Huffington Post
From Collider
From Television Without Pity
From We Just Might Love TV More Than You
From jessenigma on dreamwidth
From jae on dreamwidth

Comments

[treonb]

Ok, I got mixed up last time, so I'll try again :-)

I loved Philip and Stan talking in the motel room. Don't know why that scene got to me, because there were a lot tenser moments in the episode. I'm thinking now it's because I assumed Stan was testing out Philip, but by now I'm much less sure of that.

As for Gregory, it's really a shame they killed off the character. I think when I first saw the ending I was also disappointed with the way they did it. They solved Elizabeth's dilemma and just left us with sadness.

[jae]

And I'll answer again: I loved that moment between them, too. I'm just generally fascinated by that friendship/rivalry, and I think there were so many layers of it in that scene: Stan opening up about his grief, Stan having that tingling sensation on the back of his neck that something was off with Philip but not being able to put his finger on what, Philip feeling bad for killing his friend's partner, Philip feeling on alert that his friend could ultimately be a danger to him, etc. etc. etc. Just so delicious. :)

-J

[sistermagpie]

I wonder if part of the reason scenes like that are so tense is that we almost expect--or even want--Stan to be testing Philip when he isn't, because that's what makes everything so tense for Philip. He's not smug about putting one over Stan. He seems to really like being friends with the guy, but he's also always terrified. But if Stan were at least suspicious it would seem like less of a betrayal on Philip's part. Plus the fact that Philip's motives are so murky--he does seem to be friends with Stan because he wants the friendship.

I feel similarly about Gregory. On one hand he's such a great character that it's a tragedy to lose him, but otoh for storytelling purposes his ending not only makes sense but it's a great one. He goes out on his own terms, not just as something to provide angst for Elizabeth or remove an obstacle for the Jennings. He's both totally clear-sighted about his death and deceived by it-he thinks his death is cementing his relationship with Elizabeth as the true love story here while Philip's support of her is bringing their own relationship back into focus.

[katiac]

I feel similarly about Gregory. On one hand he's such a great character that it's a tragedy to lose him, but otoh for storytelling purposes his ending not only makes sense but it's a great one. He goes out on his own terms, not just as something to provide angst for Elizabeth or remove an obstacle for the Jennings. He's both totally clear-sighted about his death and deceived by it-he thinks his death is cementing his relationship with Elizabeth as the true love story here while Philip's support of her is bringing their own relationship back into focus.

Yes! I love the way that scene can be seen through both lenses and have a totally different interpretation if you're Gregory, versus if you're Philip/Elizabeth. Just the way the two of them were staring back at each other, so much unsaid and yet understood when Elizabeth said, "Please, Philip. I'm asking you."

And really, I was thankful that Gregory got that last little bit of mercy in his death--he really did think Elizabeth was back to his way of thinking and that they were somehow united in that, where all the little clues sprinkled throughout the episode and the season in general hint that isn't quite the case. I think it would've been cruel if they'd kept him around indefinitely only to keep working for them and have to see Philip/Elizabeth reunite and grow stronger. I was also glad it both removed the "out" of going back to old habits when things got rough for P/E (similarly, Irina is not local so not really a threat in the same way), because like Jae said in another post, it would be great to see the conflict become more internal rather than external. They have so many interesting conflicts just between the two of them owing to their differences in personality and ideology that there are deeper places they can go other than having things pop up out of their pasts.

[sistermagpie]

It really is fascinating the way the Philip/Elizabeth relationship is so strong in this ep that's all about Elizabeth/Gregory coming together. Even Elizabeth sees that this is good-bye to Gregory--she could never go back to their relationship truly, but she could give it a good-bye embrace, if that makes sense.

It's funny when you mention Irina that it makes me realize how much from Philip's pov he's always competing with other relationships that Elizabeth feels more strongly about--Gregory and the KGB (and of course Gregory is perfectly aligned with the KGB so she can love them both the same). Philip's strength in the competition is always his stamina and longevity vs. the greater passion and power over the other thing.

Where as with Irina there's much less threat for Elizabeth. There was never any real danger that Philip would be that tempted by her. The threat was more that he'd pull a pragmatic "love the one you're with" for comfort, which is exactly what he did. And that's the bigger threat for Elizabeth--not that Philip is more passionately devoted to somebody else but that he's not passionately devoted to anything (she thinks) because he doesn't show it the same way. In this ep, though, she can see it. The fact that she's seeing it by looking over Gregory's shoulder why they're passionately embracing and Philip waits awkwardly by the door just makes it more striking!

[katiac]

Even Elizabeth sees that this is good-bye to Gregory--she could never go back to their relationship truly, but she could give it a good-bye embrace, if that makes sense.

Exactly. Like I would kind of suspect that even pre-pilot there were points along the way that Elizabeth probably realized she and Greg were growing apart, but didn't want to think about that because they saw each other so sporadically and it was a nice vacation from real life. I'd guess she'd push it out of her head and just focus on reaffirming that one way they'd always connected, but she had to recognize on some level, IMHO, that there was so much of her that was starting to matter to her that it would hurt him too much to hear about--how she loved her kids, how she loved her family, the trust she felt towards Philip, the fears she had--and so probably they didn't get a lot past the connection they had at the very start. I mean, I don't imagine Elizabeth would be cruel to Gregory and all those things connecting her with Phil had to really hurt and threaten him. Because of that, I'd guess it was probably easier just to not mention it and give the impression she still thought the same way she had at the beginning--that nothing had changed.

[jae]

we almost expect--or even want--Stan to be testing Philip when he isn't

Personally, I think it isn't a clear "is" or "isn't" because the so-called "testing" isn't on the level of consciousness for Stan. He clearly has never had the conscious thought: "I wonder if Philip is one of those Directorate S illegals who we're supposed to be pursuing," but we know from the pilot that he sensed something off about his new neighbours. After the events of that episode he would have suppressed that instinctive reaction in himself and dismissed it as misguided, but I can't imagine that it would have gone away; he's too intuitive for that. I think this scene is a good example of one where his senses were screaming that something weird was up, but he had no context in which to interpret that. (And besides, he was rip-roaring drunk.)

He thinks his death is cementing his relationship with Elizabeth as the true love story here while Philip's support of her is bringing their own relationship back into focus.

That's exactly it. The very way that Philip stayed in the background and just let things play out spoke volumes about his feelings for her (and can I just say that I just love that the show gave Elizabeth a previous relationship and made it actually significant and meaningful to her, but managed to do all that without actually detracting from the developing relationship at the centre of the show?). And we can interpret the deception part of that as sad for Gregory, or we can just be relieved that he didn't have the full picture. After all, he did die the sort of death he might have imagined for himself in the end, and it was one he chose and embraced. He asked for the California alternative, but he absolutely understood why they couldn't give it to him.

-J

[katiac]

And we can interpret the deception part of that as sad for Gregory, or we can just be relieved that he didn't have the full picture.

I felt both of these things. I was grateful that he had that comforting little deception to hold on to at the end for a lot of reasons, one of them being how hard the last few months of his life must've been after Elizabeth broke things off to be with Phil. I mean, on the one hand, he supported the cause and all, but it had to really suck for him to kind of be in the position Phil used to, where he's "used" in support of the cause to get them cars and provide surveillance, but without that personal connection he wants.

And I also feared how it would make me feel towards Elizabeth if she had two men pining for her and miserable, and didn't take steps to do the merciful thing and cut one of them loose. Like, I don't think she's trying to use them in a calculated, manipulative way, but she definitely knows how they feel about her and plays that card when she's out of other options. ("Please, Philip. I'm asking," or asking Gregory to keep an eye on Philip and their kids to keep them safe. Ouch.) It worked here, IMHO, because the time span was so quick that it was only a few months, but I wouldn't have wanted to see that dynamic drag on indefinitely, both because it would risk making Elizabeth too unlikeable and also I think it would weaken both Philip and Gregory if it went on long-term and they went along with it.

[sistermagpie]

Totally agree on Stan. I remember an interview with the actors or writers where they said they had to pull back on Stan being suspicious or having reason to be because it would make him look stupid if he was looking for things and somehow missing them.

Instead Stan's initial suspicion shows that his senses are always on (I'm still laughing over "I wonder if Philip is one of those Directorate S illegals...") but he's got far more reasons to think he's being paranoid, or that whatever is "off" about Philip doesn't come down to him being a Russian spy. The more he knows the guy the more of a disconnect there is because he sees him being a father and a travel agent. But as his wife points out early on, he can't just have a conversation with somebody without really paying attention to what they say any more than Philip can have a conversation without looking for weak spots in the person to exploit. It's just second nature for Stan to look for lies as it is for Philip to lie.

It's something that I think the show really plays with a lot, too, that as viewers we can get arrogant about. IRL most con men or spies send up flags that look obvious after the fact, but when you're starting out with the premise that everything's normal it takes a lot to break through that.

nd can I just say that I just love that the show gave Elizabeth a previous relationship and made it actually significant and meaningful to her, but managed to do all that without actually detracting from the developing relationship at the centre of the show

The more I think about it the more amazing it is that they're confident enough to give their central couple this strong an alternative. Gregory's just such a perfect, respectable example of an ex-love without a true triangle. He'll always be important to Elizabeth and Philip will always, for valid reasons, be jealous of him. Yet at the same time you can see how she changed over the years to the point where it was Philip she related to and not Gregory. He would have absolutely seen that if they were together all the time, but he didn't see her all the time and he had a lot of reasons for believing in the relationship as well. So by this ep all Philip has to do is his usual thing to make a case for himself. Gregory, too, is being himself and just as naturally showing Elizabeth why she fell in love with him, but at this point all those things also show her why she's no longer the woman who was like him. Even when she's clinging to the idea that Gregory will go to Moscow she hears and accepts that Philip is right about what Gregory will think about that.

Gah! It's such an amazing mirror of the whole central of idea of the show of what's real and what's a cover, and how a cover can be become the real life. When they met Gregory was Elizabeth's "real" self and now, despite her literally fighting against it for years, Philip is. And it's nobody's fault.

[katiac]

Yet at the same time you can see how she changed over the years to the point where it was Philip she related to and not Gregory. He would have absolutely seen that if they were together all the time, but he didn't see her all the time and he had a lot of reasons for believing in the relationship as well.

So by this ep all Philip has to do is his usual thing to make a case for himself. Gregory, too, is being himself and just as naturally showing Elizabeth why she fell in love with him, but at this point all those things also show her why she's no longer the woman who was like him.

When they met Gregory was Elizabeth's "real" self and now, despite her literally fighting against it for years, Philip is. And it's nobody's fault.

All of this. I think Gregory fears (and voices at several points) that she shouldn't let Philip "soften her up" when really, the truth he doesn't want to face is that Philip hasn't done anything at all. It's Elizabeth herself who has changed. And just like you said, now the "real Elizabeth" is the one who fits with Philip, not Gregory.

And this episode was so beautiful and sad, because they at one point (the Chinese food) showed that aspect of things that had once fit so well. And then at others, they showed exactly why they had drifted apart, how there wasn't really anything there that could make it more than a few hours, like when Gregory suggested they run off to LA together and Elizabeth is just like, "I can't," and it's obvious to the audience after seeing the way she is with Paige and Henry that there's no way she could ever leave her kids, but she's always kept that separate from him so poor Greg doesn't really get that part of her. Or how she's so dead convinced he's going to want to go to Moscow, not really able to look at it logically and see Gregory for who he is, even when Philip can. And especially there at the end before Philip gets to the safe house, because you can see they've never really had to face something real where they disagreed and Elizabeth can't handle that.

[jae]

I loved this episode when it first aired. Yes, there was something incredibly sad about killing off such a fascinating character as Gregory, but this show is a story about Philip and Elizabeth, and I can certainly see the writers wanting the tensions in that relationship to be more internal than external going into season two. He was always a marked man in the context of the show, and I feel like the writers gave us enough time with him to care about him, and then gave him an end that he would feel was worthy.

It's funny, though, given how much I loved it, but I've only seen this episode once. Even now, when I have a brand-new PVR that I tested out by recording this episode's most recent rerun, I haven't been able to bring myself to actually sit down and watch it because it's too emotionally intense. That's the mark of a damn fine episode, really.

I think the thing I found most fascinating about Gregory's character is that he was a true socialist believer who was willing to fight and die for that cause, but he was so sanguine about everything. He resisted a bit when Elizabeth broke off their relationship when things started moving to a different level with Philip, but he accepted her decision without any more than slight emotional pressure. He didn't fight the KGB on his ultimate fate, either--he was even impressed with them for framing him so thoroughly. It seems that he was an activist who was able to become a spy because he was driven first and foremost by a vision of what he thought the world could be, not by anger over what it wasn't.

To my mind, the only thing that makes this episode fall somewhat short of the earlier episode that dealt with Gregory is the fact that we don't see any of the events of this episode from Philip's point of view. From a writerly perspective I think that's only right--the story of this episode had to be Elizabeth's--but I hope someday that some worthy fanwriter will tell the story of what the experience was like for Philip, because there's definitely a really interesting story there, too.

Just as an aside (and speaking of fanfiction): I'm going to tell Gregory's story next. Because as I said to another fan recently: I can't give him a future, but I can give him a past.

-J

[katiac]

we don't see any of the events of this episode from Philip's point of view. From a writerly perspective I think that's only right--the story of this episode had to be Elizabeth's--but I hope someday that some worthy fanwriter will tell the story of what the experience was like for Philip, because there's definitely a really interesting story there, too.

That's actually one of the chapters I can't wait to get to in my own fanwork. That had to be one of the hardest moments for Philip, and the way he reacted so selflessly was really a testament of how much he loves Elizabeth--that he supports her and does what is hardest for him and best for her even when there's nothing he gets in return.

[jae]

the way he reacted so selflessly was really a testament of how much he loves Elizabeth

And how much--despite all of their differences--he really does get her.

-J

[katiac]

Yes. That was one of the neatest things to watch unfolding throughout the season... how that first little moment of coming together in the pilot led to Elizabeth letting her walls down and allowing Philip to see her and know the true her. So by the time we got to the point where Elizabeth was so badly hurt by the lie and shut things down, she'd allowed herself to be open to him enough that he really DID understand her on level he hadn't before, and understood what it was that she needed.

[tinny]

Sorry to jump in in the middle...

You've said before that he gets her. I don't think I follow you.

My interpretation is that he is currently in a bad position concerning Elizabeth's respect. He's basically confessed his love for her and got nothing in return. So I have the impression that he is watching her now, trying to desperately figure out what she wants from him, but not getting anywhere yet.

The fact that he doesn't go through with trying to protect her certainly buys him points (but it's not something he takes to heart, apparently, as we see later). Then he backs down when she asks him to, even though he doesn't think it's a good decision (and he tells her so).

I don't see much of a change in him concerning his awareness of what she wants or what she needs. He probably thinks that is what she wants: he's doing the best he can to help her, support her, protect her, and let her lead. Because he loves her no matter what she says or feels.

It doesn't seem to me as if he knows what he's doing yet. The fact that he is still purposely annoying her (when it comes to the kids and him showing off for them) makes me think that's still his old pattern there.

I am really bad at judging people, so I may be overlooking obvious signals, though. I am totally open for hints.

[jae]

I don't see much of a change in him concerning his awareness of what she wants or what she needs. He probably thinks that is what she wants: he's doing the best he can to help her, support her, protect her, and let her lead.

But that's already a huge change, isn't it? Because he's not very good at letting her lead. This episode is the first time he's thought she was making the wrong call, but was still totally willing to just stay in the background and let her do what she needed to do. You'll see more of that in the next episode too, but it's this episode where he really impressed me, because it must have been so difficult for him to do that with respect to something that had to do with Gregory. No, he's still not over his "I love you so I am going to protect you" thing, but my read is that that's such a gut thing for him that it's going to be a near-impossible habit to break. But at least when she's not in immediate danger, he's finally willing to let go and let her steer, and that's huge for him. I feel like that change in behaviour has to come from some of the pieces that have fallen into place since the pilot.

-J

P.S. For what it's worth, I don't think you're bad at judging people! Or at least not these fictional people, anyway. There are dozens of ways to read between the lines on this show, and it's okay if you disagree with me. :) I'm really enjoying your insights, and I hope you keep it up.

[tinny]

I'm really enjoying your insights, and I hope you keep it up.

This first: thank you! I am enjoying the discussion a lot, too. Thank you for engaging me.

But that's already a huge change, isn't it?

Yes, he's changed his behavior, and you're right, it had to be the hardest to do it in respect to Gregory. He's not thinking clearly when it comes to Gregory, so that was really impressive. I think he is still experimenting, though - looking what that behavior results in. He's still testing her out. Not in a bad way, to trip her up, just, without judgement, to find out what makes her tick, and how she will react to what he does.

No, he's still not over his "I love you so I am going to protect you" thing, but my read is that that's such a gut thing for him that it's going to be a near-impossible habit to break

True. But that is what will get him points with her, so I would think he'd try. I have seen all the episodes by now, but is there a discussion post for the last one? Because if I continue now, it is going to be spoilery. I'll go on to the next post for now.

There are dozens of ways to read between the lines on this show

OMG yes. That is so unusual and so much fun. I am so happy that they didn't give us anything clear yet, and there is still so much for us to speculate on and so much for Phillip and Elizabeth to work on. I am so looking forward to season 2!

[treonb]

Not really about the episode, but I felt cheated by the promo. I was looking forward to Philip facing the FBI with a towel and a gun.

[katiac]

I agree--they're very misleading in most of the promos. It's almost gotten to the point where the one thing I can count on is whatever they're implying in the promo is NOT going to happen :).

[jae]

Yeah, I actually try to avoid the promos now until after the fact (ever since the promo spoiled me for "Trust Me" and gave me a week to think about the question of "there's no way the FBI would kidnap them--who could it be instead?").

-J

[lovingboth]

Oh, this was sooooo much better than the previous episode. About my only quibble is how come it was apparently so easy for the car breaker to find the ring?

As well as what's been said, there was a lovely non-reaction - at any point in the episode - from Philip when he knows who he's / they've killed - it's not even mentioned when he goes to the house for a quick chat. Does he think it's better if Elizabeth doesn't know, so she can't give anything away to Stan?

[lovingboth]

The other thought is that Gregory is the first character who's been able to choose how and when he dies...

[jae]

That's true, interesting. My impression is that even Claudia felt he was owed that, actually.

-J

[tinny]

I am really happy about his episode, especially the ending. The two previous ones were so heartbreaking. They tore my heart out and stomped on it, and I was trying not to watch the screen in several scenes.

This ep continues in the same vein at first, by threatening Gregory, by making Phillip and Elizabeth not understand each other at all throughout the first half. It was really hard to bear. She was so hostile towards him, and he still seems so helpless. He just lets her rant and *takes it*. All of Phillip's and Elizabeth's interactions hurt me so much, because, silly me, I hadn't even considered the effect a separation would have on their kids and their daily routines.

But I was totally mollified by how they let it end. The slow beautiful music did its part to that as well. Gregory had to die, true, but he got to do it on his own terms and it was emotionally satisfying to see how everyone suffered.

Phillip trusted Elizabeth, and he didn't go through with trying to protect her. I loved their last look at each other, leaving Gregory's place. So much pain. Phillip would so like to comfort her but can't. But there's understanding as well.

I have a tiny quibble about them actually letting Gregory kill himself, because no matter how reliable he's been before, it's different when it's about him having to die. He did make a good point about knowing "when he's done", and I probably would have trusted him to go through with it, too, but still. It was risky. But in hindsight, it shows what a brave man he was, and what Elizabeth originally saw in him. I really liked him reinforcing her belief in her strength.

That is actually what Phillip is doing from then on, trusting her strength. Although ... I don't really think that's all that new to him. He always must have known how strong she is, and he loves her for it, too. I really have trouble interpreting what it means at this point.

Oh, last but not least, I liked Stan's pain here, too. There are cracks in his relationship with Nina, and of course Sandra is not sitting idly by, either. I found it painful to listen to him try and justify his behavior to Sandra and not being able to reach her. Painful but totally believable.