The Americans

I am really hooked on this show and am sorry that I didn’t get into it sooner.  High-risk, cold-blooded murderous acts are couched in an environment of subtlety.  Another surprise is the high level of personal (verbal) intimacy between the parties involved. 

The Americans:  http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/the-americans/episodes

Premise:  Two Soviet intelligence agents pose as a married couple to spy on the American government.  Airs on the FX channel on Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m.

Whoever said that art imitates life wasn’t kidding:

nj.com:  Accused Russian Spies Lived under Deep Cover in Montclair

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/accused_russian_spies_lived_un.html

NYT:  In Ordinary Lives, U.S. Sees the Work of Russian Agents

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/world/europe/29spy.html

NYT:  Russian Spy Ring 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/topic/subject/russian-spy-ring-2010

I love it too. I read somewhere that the inspiration for the show came from the Montclair couple.

Best show on TV!

PetuniaBird said:

I love it too. I read somewhere that the inspiration for the show came from the Montclair couple.

I love it too.  When I first heard that it was based on the story of the Montclair couple, I thought it would be boring.

It's so not boring.   

Where can I find the older ones? On Demand just has the most recent ones. I would like to start from the beginning. 

Check the DVDs out from the library.

Netflix

kibbegirl said:

Where can I find the older ones? On Demand just has the most recent ones. I would like to start from the beginning. 

Amazon Prime

We watched the pilot last night on Amazon.  I think I'm going to like it a lot,

Just found it on Amazon prime.  So excited that we got a smart tv for Christmas.  Something new to watch while I fold laundry.

So consistently good. And each season adds more layers.

They're back! Tuesday, March 7, 2017.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/americanss5/2017/02/the_americans.html?utm_source=slatemagna&utm_campaign=fxtheamericans&utm_content=slate

DottyParker said:

They're back! Tuesday, March 7, 2017.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/americanss5/2017/02/the_americans.html?utm_source=slatemagna&utm_campaign=fxtheamericans&utm_content=slate

TONIGHT!

I know! We are so excited.

DottyParker said:

They're back! Tuesday, March 7, 2017.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/americanss5/2017/02/the_americans.html?utm_source=slatemagna&utm_campaign=fxtheamericans&utm_content=slate

Yes!

So I was a little confused last night. Anyone else?

I found it useful to re-watch the last episode of Season 4 before watching the new episode. It's hard keeping track of shows like this with long breaks. (Ditto for Designated Survivor.)

The 6th and final season of "The Americans" returns on Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 on the FX channel.  "The Americans" is sometimes referred to as the best show on t.v. that no one watches.  I wasn't watching it either until I did.  The tension can be so unbearable that watching some scenes made me feel as if I was having a coronary. 

http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/the-americans

We started watching this show a few months ago on Amazon Prime. OMG! What a show! Especially poignant now. Finishing up season 5 so we can start season 6 on March 28.

I love that show. Didn't know another season was coming. Yay  

Excellent, excellent series. Last season--how will they end it, I wonder?

Binged on a few tonight and have one more episode to go. Then we're all caught up. I hope they defect.

shoshannah said:

Binged on a few tonight and have one more episode to go. Then we're all caught up. I hope they defect.

Hahaha. I just binged all seasons 1-5. Great, great show. I hope they get busted. I despise them as villains LOL. I don’t know why but I can’t stand Elizabeth, I want to stab her in the eye with a pencil, which just speaks to how well Kerri Russell carries this show. 

[Spoiler alert if you haven't seen first episode of new season yet]

Were spies really allowed to "retire" the way Phillip apparently did? It would seem too risky for the Soviets to allow that.

unicorn33 said:

[Spoiler alert if you haven't seen first episode of new season yet]

Were spies really allowed to "retire" the way Phillip apparently did? It would seem too risky for the Soviets to allow that.

I really like this show, but of late, going back to last season, there's been a credibility problem, not the least of which is the issue you mention above.

Thanks for the tip! I've finally gotten started from the beginning and I'm kind of obsessed.

[* Again: Spoiler alert if you haven't yet seen first episode of new season]

Also, Did Elizabeth screw up with regard to the sailor? She should have taken his valuables to make it look like a robbery. And did she even have to do what she did? Seemed pretty rash, but I guess she's overly careful with regard to protecting her daughter. 

Matthew Rhys is Welch? I just heard his accent for the first time and my mind is blown.  I had zero idea he wasn’t American. 

I skipped over the spoilers but I just wanted to say that I started Season 1 yesterday and I'm hooked!

[SPOILER ALERT FOR SEASON 6]

I absolutely love, love, love this show! Watched the first five seasons over the past few months. Just watched my DVRed episode 1 of season 6. OMG. There was so much in that episode. I actually watched it twice. The four-minute opening sequence set to the '80s song "Don't Dream It's Over" was EVERYTHING. Superb pacing and editing. Jam-packed with clues. Watch it again if you can.