Episode discussion post: "Tchaikovsky"

[jae]

Aired:
4 April 2018 in the U.S. and Canada

This is a discussion post for episode 602 of The Americans, intended for viewers who are watching the show on the U.S./Canadian schedule. (Feel free to dive in to the discussion even if you're coming in late--and you should also feel free to start a new thread if it seems too daunting to read through what's already been posted first. If you're reading this at a point where you've already seen subsequent episodes, though, please take care to keep comments spoiler-free of anything that comes after season six, episode two.)

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QR's First Impressions

[quantumreality]

So the FBI's onto Oleg, and I was mistaken about his posting back in the USSR - apparently he got himself into the Ministry of Transportation instead.

Stan's back in the Criminal Investigation Division, and seemingly getting on fairly well. He's also discovering the pitfalls of having to be a handler for an important Soviet asset having trouble with his wife. And on top of that, Sofia is fed up with Gennadi and wants out.

Elizabeth seems very somber this episode, what with weighty topics like euthanasia, her own mortality and making sure Paige could keep going, and trying to juggle her assets.

Speaking of Paige, she did mistake the guy's name, but Philip, with 20+ years of experience behind him, notes that it's an occupational hazard.

Reagan's Alzheimer's gets a passing mention!

Claudia slipping into the grandmother role with Paige is a nice bit of acting.

The haunting air of the opening strains of Tchaikovsky perfectly fit the mood for this episod.

And now Paige asks about using sex. :O

I do not like where this is going.

"So it never happens?" "No."

surejan.gif

Elizabeth tries to explain the shades of grey the world takes on, which is kind of ironic in light of *her* ideological viewpoints.

Elizabeth also really shows how good an actor she is when she fakes being scared of the gun :O

And yikes, it goes sideways :O Paige witnesses it!

I wonder how this will shake out next week :O

Re: QR's First Impressions

[sistermagpie]

Speaking of Paige, she did mistake the guy's name, but Philip, with 20+ years of experience behind him, notes that it's an occupational hazard.

I don't think the point there was that it really was just an occupational hazard. Philip assumed she wanted reassurance and gave it to her. Elizabeth's response that she was a 'fast learner' seemed to imply a lingering anxiety. As was her bringing it up in the first place (as presumably the easiest problem).

I mean, he's not lying. It does happen. But I don't think it's really about Elizabeth just remembering this mild thing and Philip reminding her it's nothing and that's tath.

Then in this episode Paige runs into the action screaming "Mom." Meanwhile Elizabeth's still telling anyone who'll listen that Paige's life will mostly just be a 9 to 5 job, which seems to be a fantasy. She's lying to just about everybody.

It just seems like Elizabeth's in such a bad place here, rejecting anything that's not about her cause, that any sign of doubt on her part is a healthy thing. Claudia's own grandchildren aren't buying what she's selling--and Claudia's not being paid to keep them in line.

Re: QR's First Impressions

[shapinglight]

Philip assumed she wanted reassurance and gave it to her. Elizabeth's response that she was a 'fast learner' seemed to imply a lingering anxiety. As was her bringing it up in the first place (as presumably the easiest problem).

I was so taken aback during that exchange - not by Elizabeth lying to Philip but by Philip seeming so at ease with the idea of Paige being involved in the spy business at all.

I accept this could well be because I didn't have time to rewatch season 5 and can't remember how the conversation between Philip and Elizabeth about Paige ended then.

Re: Philip's attitude to Paige's spying

[sistermagpie]

I assume it's just that Philip knows she's being trained. He was always committed to letting her choose for herself. So now it's not news. He's made peace with it. Maybe he tries not to think about it just like he tries to not think about other things.

He just adapted to the new stress.

Re: Philip's attitude to Paige's spying

[shapinglight]

Maybe he tries not to think about it just like he tries to not think about other things.

I guess so. I actually felt quite annoyed with him during the line dancing scene in episode one for enjoying himself while Elizabeth (and Paige) are out there in the line of fire (as it were). Very unfair of me, I know.

Re: Philip's attitude to Paige's spying

[sistermagpie]

I think that's a normal reaction (not to mention, it's more enjoyable for me as a viewer watching him be a spy). But one helpful key is to remember that they're enjoying themselves too, even if their enjoyment is self-destructive. And knowing that he's the one that's going to go to them rather than vice versa.