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

Re: Paige's conversion

[quantumreality]

Paige as tabula rasa would make sense in light of the fact that her entire universe was shattered and remade one night in the Jennings household, and every action of hers since then has been about guarding (or failing to guard, and having to handle the consequences thereof) a big, terrible secret which, if exposed, would mean she'd lose her parents for a long time.

And I can buy Paige being so desperate to hang onto any semblance of a "normal" relationship with her parents she literally will accept whatever her mother says.

Elizabeth probably isn't even aware of just how far she could probably push Paige. Would Paige deal drugs, have sex with a total stranger, even kill someone, all for Elizabeth's "The Cause"*?

And Paige would probably find any way possible to justify it all to herself until the moment she gets busted. I really do feel sorry for her at this point. Her '80s fashion disaster outfits** are the least of my worries.

--

* Remember how Elizabeth was always careful to wrap up her allegiance in that very nebulous phrase, which allowed her to conveniently avoid examining any of the information American society made readily available at the local library.

** The 1980s was a fashion disaster. Paige's outfits are hardly the worst.

Re: Paige's conversion

[sistermagpie]

Although we should also remember that along with her parents' revelation shattering her sense of self, she was already attracted to groups and leaders who would give her a black and white plan to follow for how to both make a difference and be good.

She converted to all of Pastor Tim's beliefs more quickly than she converted to Elizabeth's. So it's really a combination of the two things. Especially since she's got Philip right there showing her that it isn't just a case of the whole family spying this way. He's trying to take a step back. He's made it clear, I think, that he's with her no matter what she does. But I think Paige naturally gravitates towards Elizabeth who may be more witholding, but also offers a simple (if demanding) key to life.

Their philosophies are almost opposite. Elizabeth offers her alleged solutions that will conquer her fear and insecurity and loneliness. Philip says the only way to do that is to just confront it and figure it out.