Question of the week #39

[treonb]

Seasons 1 and 2 both had technology-related arcs driving the plots.  In S1, the KGB was after the Strategic Defense Initiative ("Star Wars"), ending in the finale with Philip learning that it was far from operational. In S2, the KGB wanted Stealth technology, ending in the finale with the KGB almost getting the Echo program, required to get the technology running. 

What technology would you like to see as the focus in S3?

You can expect spoilers for the entire first two seasons in the comments.

(There's no expiration date on these questions, so if you're reading this post months later and feel like jumping in, please do.)

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

When were the first car phones available? It would make their lives easier if they had those. Although the suspense of waiting for a more conventional/old style response still makes for good drama.

CA

[quantumreality]

I know there were special car phones as far back as the 1960s. Joe Califano wrote about how LBJ made him get one so the Prez could call him any time. X-D

[cadma]

Most of what I know about 80s technology I learned from this show, so I'm not really the best person to suggest something new. I think though that if we have the same timeskip between s2 and 3 that we had between 1 and 2 we'd get to about the time Star Wars was actually announced, which could be interesting. We never saw the other Soviets' reaction to Philip's news from s1, and with Oleg and the Residentura being more developed that's a good set-up to show it now. Also, if Philip believes the Colonel and his bosses don't, that could be an opening for more conflict between the Jenningses and the Centre. So I don't think it would be the focus of the season, but it's something I'd like to see. Might tie in with Paige's new anti-nuclear beliefs as well.

[jae]

It's hard for me to answer this one because I honestly don't remember which technologies came about when. But I do think the emerging Internet will play a role as things go forward, as well as computers in general.

-J

[sistermagpie]

I'm trying to remember what technology was coming out in the 80s...especially the important stuff. Apple had that important commercial during the superbowl in 1984--a very 1984 ad. Come to think of it, I'd love to see the Jennings responding to pop culture and commercials of the 80s that were SO cold-war based. Kind of hilarious.

But technology, I think Intellivision was a great thing to put in there, a great way of reminding us how video games and war were going to come to be so entwined. So I would maybe bet on something like that. Like with the Jennings--especially Philip who seems wary of the idea--dealing with computers controlling things like in War Games.

Off-topic question

[katiac]

Does anyone who knows more about cars than I do happen know what kind of car Philip and Elizabeth made their getaway in during the season one finale? It was brown (which just exhausted the extent of my car knowledge.)

Re: Off-topic question

[treonb]

1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-tv/cctv-cars-of-the-americans/

Would you believe I googled "the americans brown car"? ;-)

Re: Off-topic question

[katiac]

Thanks for finding that great article, Treon! I think the Delta is their gold car from the pilot, although I might be wrong and definitely will check out the rest of the article!

[treonb]

I'm not an expert in 80s technology either. So.. maybe GPS? The USSR was working on a competing system about this time.

Now that I'm actually looking it up, there's no lack of options. It could be something that never panned out, like the US was working on developing a pure fission bomb. Or as somebody mentioned above regarding the internet. The USSR might try and find a way to tap it.

Or maybe they'll go the route of trying to prevent the US from trying to achieve something?