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theamericans2015-01-28 07:45 pm
jae) wrote in theamericans2015-01-28 07:45 pm
Entry tags:
Episode discussion post: "EST Men"
Aired:
28 January 2015 in the U.S. and Canada
This is a discussion post for episode 301 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 three, episode one.)
Original promo trailer
Episode recaps (including some early-season generalities)
From Grantland
From Vox 1 and 2
From Vulture
From Hitfix
From the Washington Post
From TIME
From the New York Times
From Slate
From Hollywood Reporter
From Slant
From Salon
From the Washington Post
From the New Republic
From Yahoo 1 and 2
From the AV Club
From the Atlantic
From the Boston Globe
From Entertainment Weekly
From TV Guide
From Spoiler TV
From theworkprint.com
From IndieWire 1 and 2
From Slant
From Variety
From thedailynews.com
From Geeks of Doom
From Starpulse
From TV Equals
From Screenrant
From We Got This Covered
28 January 2015 in the U.S. and Canada
This is a discussion post for episode 301 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 three, episode one.)
Original promo trailer
Episode recaps (including some early-season generalities)
From Grantland
From Vox 1 and 2
From Vulture
From Hitfix
From the Washington Post
From TIME
From the New York Times
From Slate
From Hollywood Reporter
From Slant
From Salon
From the Washington Post
From the New Republic
From Yahoo 1 and 2
From the AV Club
From the Atlantic
From the Boston Globe
From Entertainment Weekly
From TV Guide
From Spoiler TV
From theworkprint.com
From IndieWire 1 and 2
From Slant
From Variety
From thedailynews.com
From Geeks of Doom
From Starpulse
From TV Equals
From Screenrant
From We Got This Covered
Gabriel and the kids
I think the show has shown Elizabeth and Paige being pretty open to father figures and approval from authority. Zhukov was very much a father figure, and I recently read a review that casually described Gabriel, in their eyes (having presumably seen a few eps) as having a paternal relationship with both P&E...especially E. Especially Elizabeth, of course.
Many noticed back in S1 in the hitchhiker story that Paige was more trusting and Henry *very* not trusting. Even in his interview with Stan the "hero" he's less hero worshipping and more interested in his story--it's nothing like the way Paige interacts with, say, Pastor Tim. Philip, in the Gabriel scene, seems to appreciate Gabriel's overtures but also much more aware of Gabriel as a possible threat.
So the moment I thought of is about when Gabriel asks about the kids. Now, obviously the focus is going to be on Paige. Paige is the one they're there to talk about and they both understand that when he asks about her he wants details, he's not just being polite. So of course we're going to get a detailed description of Paige's life and of course Elizabeth is going to tell it. They don't care about Henry yet.
But it's cool that Philip's answer about Henry is so deflective. On the one hand it's funny that he's telling Gabriel that he's more interested in baseball now than hockey because ha ha, all American pastime so not a budding socialist. It's a polite brush off that clearly does not invite more questions. And this is pretty much Philip's pattern--he's not just on high alert because of the stuff with Paige. (If Philip lived in 2014 he would have no pictures of the kids on Facebook.)
It's just cool to see just how different their demeanor is even with this guy. Elizabeth is so much more comfortable and open, eager to be with someone she can be herself with. Philip's just guarded in a different way.