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Title: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on January 30, 2013, 09:26:22 PM
Another FX original. (http://www.fxnetworks.com/theamericans) Seriously, with this, Archer and Justified, FX is absolutely killing it right now.

Tense period piece, set in DC in 1981 about deep cover Russian spies. This shit is good.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: kaid on January 31, 2013, 06:32:38 AM
Interesting episode although I have to say the training technique of letting the commander sexually abuse their cadets seems a really really really really really bad idea when those cadets are being trained for deep cover infiltration. That is a really awesome way of creating double agents.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: MahrinSkel on January 31, 2013, 07:16:41 AM
The theory behind it would be to de-romanticize sex, deliberately create the kind of detachment normally associated with prostitutes and strippers; They use sex as a way to get what they want, not as an expression of emotion or intimacy.

--Dave


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on January 31, 2013, 09:55:28 AM
Hay, we haven't had a good Fear the Commies/Russians show in a while.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on January 31, 2013, 08:23:21 PM
But that's the best part. It doesn't paint them as the bad guys. For the first time ever in her career, I haven't wanted to stab Felicity in the face with a fork.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: schild on January 31, 2013, 08:25:31 PM
Funny, because I actually liked the show Felicity. JJ Abrams did a tolerable job there. Was certainly better than Dawson's Creek or Party of Motherfucking Five.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on January 31, 2013, 09:04:33 PM
Hated Felicity, Dawson's and Five. Didn't give a shit about JJ 'til Lost and then that went to suckville.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: MahrinSkel on February 01, 2013, 03:51:07 AM
Maybe Lost is better if you watch it all at once (as I recently have).  The last season's "flash sideways" was a little annoying, it probably would have been better if they had just wound everything up in the previous season.  But if you're not judging it as the payoff for 7 years of loyal viewing, it's pretty good.

--Dave


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on February 06, 2013, 10:52:32 PM
I thought this show was really well done.  I'm hooked.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: sickrubik on February 07, 2013, 08:13:11 AM
Hated Felicity, Dawson's and Five. Didn't give a shit about JJ 'til Lost and then that went to suckville.

Lost going to shit had nothing to do with JJ, really. He created the show, helped write the first episode and directed said first episode. After that, it was all Lindelof/Cuse, with Abrams' Bad Robot being the production company.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Numtini on February 08, 2013, 12:57:07 PM
I thought this would be terrible and watched it only because of this thread. Very impressed. I'm going to be reliving an entire decade of atrocious earworms though. Damn Juice Newton to hell.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Signe on February 11, 2013, 06:12:07 PM
It's on On Demand so I watched it tonight.  Even I liked it and I hardly ever mostly don't like anything.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on February 13, 2013, 10:50:23 PM
This show is really good. Watch it.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Bunk on February 14, 2013, 06:29:54 AM
Damn Juice Newton to hell.

And just reading this was enough to start it up again in my head, thanks.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Ozzu on February 16, 2013, 12:00:00 AM
I'm really enjoying this show.

And yeah, "Queen of Hearts", "Tusk" etc.  All stuck in my head now.  :ye_gods:


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on February 16, 2013, 12:27:54 AM
Really good Roxy Music toon to close out this week's episode as well.  I like how they are treating the early 80s as still culturally the 70s which is far more accurate and contrary to how most stupid tv shows would do it.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: kaid on February 18, 2013, 07:13:00 AM
Really good Roxy Music toon to close out this week's episode as well.  I like how they are treating the early 80s as still culturally the 70s which is far more accurate and contrary to how most stupid tv shows would do it.

Yup they are doing a pretty good job with it seeing as the time period is I believe 1981 so still mostly 70s influances with just the start of the whole malls and other 80s stuff.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on February 21, 2013, 08:58:32 PM
Another solid episode.  They renewed it for a second season so it won't be yanked out for under us like other decent dramas.

They are running all of the episodes next Friday (the 1st) if you want to DVR them all and get caught up.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Brogarn on February 22, 2013, 04:53:00 AM
Finally watched the pilot last night and thought it very well done while at the same time thinking them two seriously despicable human beings for the danger they're putting their children in. Never mind the deception. I guess it's the new father in me. I had a hard time watching it. Mine's 20 months old and I couldn't imagine doing something like that. They're psychopaths. I also don't care for the actor they've got playing the husband. Something about him makes him not fit in the role for me. I can't put my finger on it. Keri Russell, though, is fantastic. Not entirely sure I'm going to keep watching it. It's good, though.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: kaid on February 22, 2013, 06:13:46 AM
Finally watched the pilot last night and thought it very well done while at the same time thinking them two seriously despicable human beings for the danger they're putting their children in. Never mind the deception. I guess it's the new father in me. I had a hard time watching it. Mine's 20 months old and I couldn't imagine doing something like that. They're psychopaths. I also don't care for the actor they've got playing the husband. Something about him makes him not fit in the role for me. I can't put my finger on it. Keri Russell, though, is fantastic. Not entirely sure I'm going to keep watching it. It's good, though.

That is why moles were encouraged to have children. People would suspect a couple with no children much more than one who had them. And in theory if you can indoctrinate your kids the second generation makes the perfect spies since they are US citizens.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Brogarn on February 22, 2013, 07:15:52 AM
That is why moles were encouraged to have children. People would suspect a couple with no children much more than one who had them. And in theory if you can indoctrinate your kids the second generation makes the perfect spies since they are US citizens.

Oh, I completely understand why. Doesn't make it any easier to watch for me.

Once again, show's great. It was just hard for me to watch.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Xanthippe on February 23, 2013, 08:07:18 AM
Solid show, so far. I very much like the acting of both leads.

(I could not enjoy gritty TV shows or movies until after both of my kids were in school. Don't fight nature; take a 5 year vacation from them.  I jumped back in from my time off by watching The Shield (only after the kids were in bed, with the episodes locked on the TiVo so they couldn't happen upon it).)


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Ozzu on March 08, 2013, 03:48:14 AM
This thing is still really good. I'd say this last episode was the best one yet.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Llyse on March 10, 2013, 06:46:30 PM
This thing is still really good. I'd say this last episode was the best one yet.

Yep, the interplay between the two leads is close to perfect. So many possible threads and subplots!  :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on March 10, 2013, 06:53:52 PM
Russell beating the shit out of Mags.  :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Llyse on March 14, 2013, 07:49:12 AM
Russell beating the shit out of Mags.  :awesome_for_real:

Latest episode is amazing.  :drill:


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on March 14, 2013, 07:15:42 PM
"I'm sorry I didn't kill you, that's my apology."

"Better luck next time..."


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on March 14, 2013, 08:43:50 PM
Plus hot Russian ass!


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: HaemishM on April 05, 2013, 09:23:22 AM
Just caught up with this show thanks to Xfinity's Watchathon shit last week. This is a really good show with one significant problem. Every week it seems like we have to spend time on a will-they-won't-they plot point about their relationship. One week they are in love, the next week they are barely civil other some other imagined slight. Now I do believe people in that sort of situation would have moments like these but it starts to get old hat week in week out of the same kind of doe-eyed bullshit.

Other than that, the show is fantastic. Also, Nina is smoking the inside of my skull HAWT.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: kaid on April 05, 2013, 09:51:12 AM
I really don't get what set the "wife" off about her husband sleeping with his old fling. It was in the "line of duty" and both of them are sleeping with other people pretty consistantly I am not sure whey he bothered to try to hide it and I am not sure why she was so flipped out about it.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: HaemishM on April 05, 2013, 10:15:14 AM
It wasn't "in the line of duty," as in it wasn't something he had to do for the mission. Also, old flames always tend to piss off the wives. Also, he lied about it right after promising to be truthful. That's a pretty bad idea.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: kaid on April 05, 2013, 12:37:07 PM
Actually it was they black mailed the polish guy because he raped and beat that woman. The hot sex they had because otherwise all they had on him was some bruises on her. So maybe it was a bit above and beyond due to him being an old fling but it furthered their goal of blackmailing the polish guy.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Fordel on April 05, 2013, 01:32:09 PM
It wasn't the sex, it was the lie. If she can't even trust her pretend/for-real spy husband, then what the fuck is she to anyone else? That's what sent her off the edge a bit there.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Ozzu on April 12, 2013, 12:46:04 AM
Still trucking along. Just solid episode after solid episode.



Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: shiznitz on April 26, 2013, 08:34:20 AM
So I have been watching vie iTunes one my train ride home.  This show is really great.  Keri Russell is so hot and so tough and so conflicted and so...she is fantastic. 


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Llyse on May 01, 2013, 12:52:46 AM
Still trucking along. Just solid episode after solid episode.


Finally caught up. Just amazingly solid for me. I don't know that he wanted to that's the problem.

He joined for the cause but the number one was always running away into the sunset. Moscow would be hard yards and he likes his perks/weed. Amazing tv, I kinda agree with Haemish about the relationship thing but at the same time I empathise with both sides mistakes and decisions.  :heart:


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on May 01, 2013, 10:26:24 PM
Great season finale. A really, really solid first season of a show.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on May 02, 2013, 09:45:16 AM
The whole season just fucking killed. I can't really find much to bitch about at all. Just solid from start to finish.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Hayduke on May 02, 2013, 03:46:03 PM
Best new show in a long time.  Amazing all the way through.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Slayerik on May 02, 2013, 04:12:19 PM
Guess I know what I'm starting tonight.... I respect everyone giving it props....


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: kaid on May 03, 2013, 09:42:53 AM
Some excellent writing I really enjoyed this season it is some great TV. Hehe given I was a child of the 80s a lot of the little stuff amuses me as well.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: HaemishM on May 04, 2013, 11:01:07 PM
Finale was really damn good. It kept the tension up to a point where you weren't sure where it would end, but left enough threads for next season (if there is one - anyone hear anything?).


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on May 04, 2013, 11:03:53 PM
It was renewed for a second season back in February. We're good for now.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Arthur_Parker on May 05, 2013, 02:54:30 PM
Glad I checked it out because of this thread, really great show.  I really like that the time period involved also means that mobile phones are incredibly rare and nobody knows shit about DNA.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on February 26, 2014, 07:42:02 PM
This is back and pretty good so far and super damn on point for the time period.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Nevermore on April 04, 2014, 10:59:12 PM
If you're not watching this show, you're missing one of the best shows on television right now.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on April 05, 2014, 12:27:37 AM
Dat ass!


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: HaemishM on April 07, 2014, 08:50:11 AM
Dat ass!

BOO YAAAAA.

Also, this season may be a little better than last. It's one that I look forward to watching every week.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on April 09, 2014, 10:06:58 PM
Dat other ass!


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Nevermore on April 23, 2014, 08:58:37 PM
Renewed for a third season. (http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/fx-renews-the-americans-for-season-3)

I'm very glad, this show easily continues to be one of the best on television right now.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on April 23, 2014, 09:28:14 PM
Tonight's was unreal.  Rhys is really great in this.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Nevermore on April 23, 2014, 09:58:50 PM
Philip is in a bad place, but I have a feeling that by the end of the season Beeman will be in a much worse place.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on April 23, 2014, 10:02:32 PM
Yes and yes.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on April 23, 2014, 10:05:39 PM


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Nevermore on April 23, 2014, 10:08:58 PM


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Nevermore on January 27, 2015, 12:12:02 AM
New season starts this Wednesday.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on April 02, 2015, 02:47:28 PM
This has been renewed for another season miraculously. And if you're not watching, what the fuck is wrong with you? Between the gut-wrenching, "why are we not normal?" scene from last night and the following Eddie Murphy SNL reference, this show continues to absolutely kill.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Nevermore on April 02, 2015, 05:12:00 PM
This season especially has been kind of a slow build-up which might not be appealing to some people, but to me the payoff is well worth it.  I agree, last night's episode was amazing.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Triax on April 02, 2015, 07:47:57 PM
This has been renewed for another season miraculously. And if you're not watching, what the fuck is wrong with you? Between the gut-wrenching, "why are we not normal?" scene from last night and the following Eddie Murphy SNL reference, this show continues to absolutely kill.

"Can you say scumbucket boys and girls?"

I always did love Mr. Robinson's neighborhood skits...you know, back when Eddie was consistently funny.



Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: apocrypha on April 06, 2015, 01:54:18 AM
I think this might be my favourite thing on TV at the moment. Incredibly tense, brilliantly done, love it.



Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: kaid on April 06, 2015, 08:00:05 AM


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: shiznitz on April 07, 2015, 12:02:22 PM
This has been renewed for another season miraculously.

Are ratings poor?


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on April 07, 2015, 12:08:41 PM
Yeah, no one is watching, which amazes.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Ozzu on April 09, 2015, 01:14:27 AM
Yeah, no one is watching, which amazes.

It's an extremely difficult show to just tune into. Unless you've been watching from the beginning, and actually paying attention, you're going to be lost.

Hell, even during a single episode, if I space out for a couple of minutes, I'm going to be confused within the next couple of scenes. It actually takes effort to watch, but it's definitely worth the effort, IMO.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: HaemishM on May 07, 2015, 12:30:07 AM
I had the entire season stored on my Tivo and kind of binged it over the last week. Damn. What a fantastic, fucked up season. It feels like they have to be building to an ending, an ending that will not be good. I'm hoping it doesn't go on too long like Sons of Anarchy.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: apocrypha on May 07, 2015, 01:19:00 AM
Agreed, I hope they decide early on that next season will be the last. I'd hate to see it do a Deadwood.



Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: kaid on May 07, 2015, 09:28:34 AM
That is my hope as well make a final decision on the end point and finish this up I would hate if this show ends just hanging with no completion and I also don't think it would do to well being dragged out endlessly.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on May 07, 2015, 05:52:10 PM
I was personally hoping they'd make it to Glasnost and then be stuck wondering what the hell to do.

But I'm an asshole.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Rendakor on May 07, 2015, 05:58:19 PM
I watched the first season as it was airing and loved it, but never got around to season two until recently...and now it's sort of boring me. I might restart from the beginning to reimmerse myself, since it's still getting glowing praise here.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on April 07, 2016, 05:44:12 PM
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6210/6050212410_a006f52d92_z.jpg) Arise, Russians!

This shit just got sordidly real. In Soviet Russia, don't end up in gulag.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: apocrypha on April 08, 2016, 01:12:32 AM
The last few scenes of that episode drew a tear from both me and my wife. This has, again, become the best thing currently on TV in my book. Oh, wait, tied with Better Call Saul.



Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Surlyboi on April 09, 2016, 09:04:02 PM


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: HaemishM on June 29, 2016, 09:55:53 AM
I finally binged this whole season and I was not disappointed. The death of Nina was a bit of a shock as well as the clearing of the board they did for the end of the season.

Apparently they have renewed this for a 5th and 6th season but will definitely end it after 6. That may be 1 season too many but we'll see. Of course it will be one season a year so the end will be 2018.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: HaemishM on September 26, 2018, 07:52:49 AM
CORP POR!

Yeah, so this finally ended and I finally watched the last season. It could easily have been the best season yet because of the setup. They'd shifted the timeline forward and the whole story revolved around the arms summit in 1987 that I remember as a kid. And yet...

The whole season was filled with Mopey Phillip and Crazy Robo Terminator Elizabeth. Even with all that, they setup what could have been a very intricate, cool ending. Instead, we got a conversation in a garage and thirty minutes of mopey everyone montage with sad music and no dialogue and shit just ENDED. No explanation of the historical context, no explanation of what happened to Elizabeth and Phillip, or the kids or fucking anything. It was a very disappointing ending.


Title: Re: The Americans.
Post by: Abagadro on September 26, 2018, 04:25:06 PM
Disagree, but I will concede its a matter of personal taste. I thought the finale was one of the best ones ever done for a long-serial drama.