Episode discussion post: "Harvest"

[jae]

Aired:
9 May 2018 in the U.S. and Canada

This is a discussion post for episode 607 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 seven.)

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Comments

Stan and STRESS

[jae]

I've just seen it once at this point, so in lieu of a cohesive review, just one thought: that whole episode was stressful, but the parts I felt were OVER THE TOP stressful were the bits with Stan. I figured Stan would eventually find out the truth about his neighbours, but it honestly didn't occur to me that he would figure it out? I just figured he would FIND out. But this--this is so much more interesting than that would have been.

Also? I love all of the characters, so I find myself wanting all of them to get what they want somehow. I of course want Philip and Elizabeth to come out of this alive and with both their values and their relationship intact, but I ALSO want Stan to catch them and finally feel a resolution of these instincts he's suppressed since the pilot. But both of those things can't happen! Something has to give! ARGH! :)

-J

Re: Stan and STRESS

[saraqael]

I honestly am waiting in fascination to see what Stan does when he finally connects the dots about the Jennings. He's almost there now. The fact that he broke into their house to nose around tells me that he's starting to trust his own instincts and the few clues he does have over his friendship with the Jennings. I keep thinking back to when he shot that one Russian consulate guy just because he was angry. Stan is capable of cold blooded murder when he's really, really mad. But who knows? Maybe he'll laugh like Gaad and realize that his career is over. Or maybe he'll fall back on the genuine friendship he has with Philip to try to make a deal with him to defect. I love the fact that I just don't know what Stan is going to do.

Re: Stan and STRESS

[cadma2]

I am also so glad Stan is figuring it out! Honestly I think it would be devastating for him to just find out he'd been fooled for years. If he figures it out himself he can keep some self-respect.

Re: Stan and STRESS

[jae]

Yeah, it's definitely a much better ending to the character arc for him.

-J

Re: Stan and STRESS

[quantumreality]

By the way, I just re-watched the Season 1 Pilot tonight, and one thing I had completely forgotten was that Philip was actually in the garage, with his gun at the ready, when Stan broke in to check the car out, and Stan just missed catching Philip with his flashlight, as well.

This definitely puts a new color on Philip's and Stan's interactions since then, since Philip (and presumably Elizabeth) have thus always known that Stan had at least some kind of gut feeling that P&E weren't on the level.

Re: Stan and STRESS

[jae]

Do you think he's been actively worried about that the whole time? I personally think he's sort of got it at the back of his mind, but he mostly stopped actively worrying about it by the end of season one.

-J