The Americans (Season 1)

[Mara]

I, for one, am cautiously optimistic.

http://www.salon.com/2013/01/29/the_...the_americans/

[ledfloyd]

I'm curious enough to give the pilot a look which is more than I can say about most shows these days.

[Lucky]

Already have it set to record. Probably watch this one live though.

[MadMan]

I will try and watch it live. I'm optimistic to a certain extent that this will be good.

[MadMan]

Its weird how this show reminded me of so many different others I've watched over the years. I know you can say that about any show, but it felt really obvious here. The opener was 24-isque, while the majority reminded me somewhat of The Sopranos. I'm completely hooked, that's all I do really know. Plus Keri Russell is still really gorgeous, even though the makeup is aimed at making her look even order.

[Mara]

I liked this. It's an interesting twist to see an action/espionage show that doesn't have GPS or cell phones, but where people could be genuinely isolated like we see with the couple in this episode. Having them completely cut off from their support system for most of the run was an interesting way to go.

Plus, the cold war was such a fascinating time.

Some moments were too Hollywood for me-- the inconvenient neighbor, the silly scene with the jumper cables (a person locked in a trunk with no bathroom would smell TO HIGH HEAVEN), revenge on the pedophile, etc.

I really like Russell as an actress, and her character here is fascinating, with so many layers of icy that it's unclear if there's anything underneath it.

[ledfloyd]

Yeah, the episode could've been much better without the whole pedophile thread. I didn't get much out of that at all. I also felt the flashbacks could have been handled a lot better. There's still enough to keep me coming back next week the cold war/espionage angle is fun, natch, but I really like the idea that these parents who are so dedicated to this ideology have to raise American children and American children that they love. It's a pretty intriguing scenario. Also, the inconvenient neighbor didn't strike me as too controved, I mean in the grand scheme of things it seems relatively plausible, but it could just be that Noah Emmerich stole every scene he was in.

[Lucky]

Yes, it was "Tusk." Loved that.

This show made me realize how much I missed Alias. I haven't invested in a quality spy show since then. Some of the plot threads were clunky, I agree. The show lacks the finesse of TV's finest, but then again, it's just the pilot. I also like that Elizabeth is the more hardened soldier in the pair. They kind of flipped traditional spy gender roles here, and I think it will add an interesting layer when you throw in the motherhood angle.

Very good. Was not let down.

[Lucky]

I think you're oversimplifying it a bit. It wasn't because he killed his wife's rapist, it's because he committed himself to her. In the scene they shared before that he was threatening to end it all. I kind of agree with your second point, though. I let it slide because it brings an old-fashioned cat and mouse element to the show.

[Winston*]

But he killed the dude because he found out he raped her, not because of any commitment to the cause.

[Winston*]

Beyond that the aspect felt too much of a callous attempt to cable-ify the show.

[Lucky]

But he killed the dude because he found out he raped her, not because of any commitment to the cause.

Not to the cause, I agree, but her. Whereas moments before he was set to betray her.

Side note: I don't have any recollection of rating this thread. I must have done it accidentally on my phone somehow, I'm still adjusting to everything. If there's a way to delete that, please feel free mods. I probably would have given the pilot 4/5.

[Lazlo]

Tonight's episode was fucking awesome. So tense and gripping. Both leads are fantastic and Rhys really shines.

[Lucky]

Yeah, I'm digging this show.

[ledfloyd]

This was a much better episode without the flashbacks and the Phil Collins.

[Mara]

Holy crap, that is good television. Much more assured than the pilot (which was already good.)

Apparently, the ratings for the second episode tanked. I hope it gains some traction.

[slqrick]

Already feels like a show that knows exactly what it wants to do. I hope they don't do flashbacks, because it was a much better episode without those momentum killing scenes.

[Sxottlan]

I love the premise. Pilot was real solid. Weirdest scene was probably when they're introduced to each other in Moscow already in character. Noah Emmerich's character being a neighbor was the only big contrivance, but I like how it'll ratchet up the tension to every banal across-the-fence interaction.

Second episode saw no drop off in quality. Would have liked a little more background on why they were tailing the woman. We don't get it until he walks up to her at the market. I guess them being travel agents of some kind will help explain them being away at weird hours, but it does feel like the show will forget about their children when it's convenient.

Again, love the premise. Ballsy to see a Cold War series from the point of view of Soviet spies. I think what we'll end up seeing is a constant move, counter move as in Episode 2. It will always be about a zero sum game. I guess we shouldn't be surprised if the ratings don't do so well given the show's POV. I hope the ratings stabilize.

I'm still just trying to wrap my head around how we're seeing period pieces in the 1980s.

I assume we'll see a flashback of their training in those mythical "America Town" simulators.

[number8]

So good.

[Mara]

Are you caught up? Awesome. My post from last year:

Is number8 watching this show? And if not, why not?

[number8]

I watch all my FX shows a year behind. Almost done with Justified season 4!

[slqrick]

Cannot wait for this season.

[Scar]

I watch all my FX shows a year behind. Almost done with Justified season 4!

Crap, I gotta get back to Justified season 1.

[Mara]

I'm using my Amazon Prime free trial to rewatch. I might break down and buy the DVDs.

[number8]

Just get Prime. It's worth it. They have a lot of good stuff Netflix and Hulu don't. Also, 2 day shipping saved my life a bunch of times.