Episode discussion post: "The Deal"

[jae]

Aired:
26 March 2014 in the U.S. and Canada
30 March 2014 in Israel
12 April 2014 in the UK

This is a discussion post for episode 205 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 two, episode five.)

Original promo trailers

"Next On: The Deal" (Watch on YouTube)

"The Americans: Exclusive Scene from Episode 5" (Watch on YouTube)

Episode recaps

From Grantland
From The New York Times
From Time
From Vulture
From The Washington Post
From Rolling Stone
From The AV Club
From Hitfix
From the Huffington Post
From Collider
From Sound on Sight
From IGN
From Television Without Pity
From TV Ate My Wardrobe
From Geekbinge
From showratings.tv
From screenrant.com
From GAMbIT Magazine
From Crave Online
From spoilertv.com
From tv.com
From Unreality Primetime
From Newsmanone

Comments

Philip and Elizabeth's sexual relationship

[lovingboth]

There was indeed a time early on in S1 when they had that, but I don't think they have that now. Elizabeth would not have asked for more details from Martha if they did, and it's one of the reasons I think Philip is resentful - he has lost (temporarily, he hopes) what he wanted and then had.

Re: Philip and Elizabeth's sexual relationship

[jae]

No spoilers, but...let's see if you still think that next week. ;)

-J

Re: Philip and Elizabeth's sexual relationship

[lovingboth]

I am always delighted to be proved wrong in good ways about this show :)

Re: Philip and Elizabeth's sexual relationship

[sistermagpie]

Why wouldn't she have asked for more details if they had a healthy sex life? To me it seemed like she was just curious and a little jealous of how Clark and Martha's sex life would have developed differently than hers and Philip's, but him not being the same kind of lover didn't to me mean that he was resenting Elizabeth for not being the same. Clark doesn't particularly like sex with Martha but I think he does like it with Elizabeth--not because of the sex as the person.

It's like in an early season of MM where a character tells her therapist, regarding her sex life, that sometimes he'll do something that she feels like is what someone else likes.

Re: Philip and Elizabeth's sexual relationship

[jae]

That was my read too. She was jealous, and in her, that jealousy led to the curiosity rather than prevented it. And that wouldn't happen in a woman who isn't really all that interested in having sex with Philip.

-J

Re: Philip and Elizabeth's sexual relationship

[sistermagpie]

Honestly, in a way it was probably like finding a great bottle of red wine in the fridge when you previously only bought white. Maybe it's good--and now you have an option you didn't know you had before.

Re: Philip and Elizabeth's sexual relationship

[katiac]

Right, this. Like their mutually-wanted sexual relationship is still so new. They started off in a very fragile state, and went through rough patches as they gradually grew closer, and with the timing in the show, they've been okay for literally weeks at a time before things blew up over the various lies of their past. And then there was the separation, and Elizabeth has been home for what, a few weeks at most in season two? Probably less than that. This is really their first opportunity where they've been through hell, finally fully committed to each other, and are in a stable place. It's kind of a natural moment for more comfort and openness with exploration to start happening.

Re: Philip and Elizabeth's sexual relationship

[andy73]

That was my read too. She was jealous, and in her, that jealousy led to the curiosity rather than prevented it. And that wouldn't happen in a woman who isn't really all that interested in having sex with Philip

That was my read too.
I think you are right

Re: Philip and Elizabeth's sexual relationship

[katiac]

I think their relationship in general has weathered some hard times, but they've emerged from those difficult times stronger than ever, and having proven themselves to each other in the deepest way. Just about every scene they've had together this season has shown an easy intimacy, a happiness together and even the scene in the pilot was beautiful in that it showed equality and two giving partners who were very comfortable with one another.

There would certainly still be issues in their sexual relationship to navigate. This is true of most anyone who has experienced trauma, and Elizabeth is not alone in that category. They're both essentially sex workers. It's complicated. But they're both fully in now, and since things are committed, they're in a place they can do that.

With Martha, I don't ever imagine Philip enjoying it. They were quite clear in all four sex scenes they showed on screen to have the camera focus on Philip's expression when Martha wasn't looking, and every time he consistently looked unhappy about what he was doing in various ways. So I don't think he's doing it thinking, "Yeah, finally having the wild sex I've wanted," but rather that he's trying to tailor this act to what will work on Martha. He's constantly working as Clark. This doesn't mean that some of the same things he tries aren't also things Philip might enjoy with Elizabeth because I think we often see them take things from their own personal experience as "what would work" in whatever situation they have to pull off. But I don't think that necessarily translates to Philip feeling anything with Martha during sex or even enjoying that he's getting to try *whatever* with this other woman who is more willing. My personal belief is that he completely goes into "Clark's" head and just leaves everything he does as him filed away in his head until he needs to access it again. I don't think he gets any happiness from hearing "I love yous" from Martha because it's never directed at the real him. Nor would he enjoy animal sex with her because it's not really him, not with a woman he cares about at all, and not what he would ever choose to do if not for work. If Philip just wanted wild sex, he certainly has the skills to go pick up a random girl in a bar, not for work. It's clearly not what serves as the main draw, but rather the emotional piece of it really being *him* when he's with Elizabeth.