I frankly thought Gen was projecting onto Philip there, especially because she misrepresented the conversation at the end, suggesting that Philip was asking Elizabeth to confirm his own memories.

Of course his childhood memories aren't as real as his present life--neither are anyone's. That doesn't mean they're not just as real for him as they are for anyone else. Feeling nostalgic for the world of your childhood that no longer exists (even if you still live in the same house) is part of the human condition.

I just really felt like she was pushing Philip into a much easier place than he's actually at, feeling like he'd basically just be American by now and have trouble connecting with the strange country of Russia when the reality is that it would always be "home" even while he had other homes. Like his identity as a Russian is a suit he's outgrown and feels guilty about instead of something he has living longing for even if those emotions could never be satisfied in reality.

I don't know...I assume she's American and I sometimes feel like that makes for a default of "but why not just be American?" stance.