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

[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!