Episode discussion post: "START"

[jae]

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

This is a discussion post for episode 610 of The Americans (the season and series finale), 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.)

Original promo trailer

Watch on YouTube

Comments

Re: Was it worth it?

[theplatonicnonyeah]

Lol! Of course.

But I meant for all the characters in the series.
The ending reminded me a lot of American Beauty, where there is no real happy ending for anybody, but perhaps somewhat hopeful for some.

Re: Was it worth it?

[jae]

I guess I feel like it's not my place to tell the characters whether their various sacrifices were worth it, so I don't really have an opinion on that.

I think Philip would say no, and Elizabeth would say yes.
I think Stan would say no.
I think Paige would say no.
I think Oleg would say yes (though through gritted teeth).
I think Arkady would say yes (at least in 1987, and probably for a few years yet).
I think Martha would say no (though with a shrug--she's making the very best she can of that 'no').

-J

Re: Was it worth it?

[theplatonicnonyeah]

I think you misunderstand my question.
It's not about telling the characters anything.
I was looking for a discussion on what the characters may have thought themselves. I explained it more in the comment above yours.

All of the things that all of the characters have experienced, good and bad, add up to a point in this episode where - at least to me - this question underlines everything. In the end, what did they all achieve and at what cost? It's a very human thing, trying to weigh the pros and cons of an action before you commit to it, but also to look back and maybe regret things.

P&E escaped back to the homeland, but they lost both their children. They "won" their mission, but they lost something irreplaceable in their personal life. It's food for fanfiction, their life from this point on. How will they relate to each other? With resentment, love, regret? Will they find joy and contentment in being heroes (for a time, at least)? Or will the loss of Paige and Henry outweigh all of that?

I have no straight answer myself.

Re: Was it worth it?

[sistermagpie]

I think it would depend on what "it" is. Philip would say no to a lot of what they did--but as he said to William he would choose a normal life *with* Elizabeth.

With Paige, would she be referring to knowing the truth or her parents' mission and lying? No to the latter...maybe yes to the former.