Episode discussion post: "Echo"

[jae]

Aired:
21 May 2014 in the U.S. and Canada
25 May 2014 in Israel
7 June 2014 in the UK

This is a discussion post for episode 213 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 thirteen.)

Original promo trailer

"The Americans Season 2 Episode 13 Promo - Echo [HD] The Americans 2x13 Promo" (Watch on YouTube)

Episode recaps

From Grantland
From Time
From the Washington Post
From Rolling Stone
From the AV Club
From Hitfix
From IGN
From the Huffington Post: Karen Fratti, Maureen Ryan
From Vulture
From Variety
From the Tampa Bay Times
From Sound on Sight
From Collider
From Paste Magazine
From Gawker
From the Cloture Club
From tv.com
From tvrage.com
From Headline Planet
From spoilertv.com (in French)
From TV Ate My Wardrobe
From GAMbIT Magazine
From showratings.tv
From Comments Enabled
From Boob Tube Dude
From Unreality Primetime (UK)

Comments

Re: Paige

[alley_skywalker]

I've said this in previous replies but, again, while I think it's POSSIBLE to turn someone's child into a traitor (after all, they do it to other people) I don't think "leaning left wing" and "protesting nukes" are good enough reasons. They would have to do a LOT of work to make this actually plausible. There's a big difference between "betraying the government" (eg: exposing corruption, pulling a Snowden, etc) and betraying your country, ie: working for the enemy. The Cold War wasn't a war with soldiers on the ground killing people (actually it was, through proxies, but not in the direct sense of other wars) but it was still a WAR. There was a constant threat of destruction from the other side. When you're angry with the current administration you vote against them, or protest or run for office yourself. You revolt, if it comes to it. What you don't do is run to the enemy and give them information to destroy your country. (I mean, obviously some people do, but most people don't exactly think well of them. "Traitor" isn't a compliment generally.)

What I think would be more plausible and interesting is if they explored what usually happens when you have parents and children with different patriotic loyalties. Yes, it would be dark and heartbreaking - especially in this context - and it would tear up the family, but it would be more realistic and compelling and explore a real and ongoing issue that immigrant families have to face. (And, for God sakes, someone other than the Soviets would get patriotic points.)