Category The Americans

It may not be a traditional fit for Comic-Con, but that didn’t stop people from turning up for a panel on the FX series “The Americans” this afternoon. The panel wasn’t in one of the main halls, but it was a sizable room, mostly full, and there was a definite buzz.

Why wouldn’t there be, HitFix’s own Alan Sepinwall described the most recent season of the show, which aired this past winter as having taken a “major creative leap — the kind that can elevate a show from a strong example of its era to one that transcends eras.”

To set the scene, the panel was a discussion and Q&A, led by Andy Greenwald. Present for were creator Joseph Weisberg; executive producer Joel Fields; and stars Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich, and Annet Mahendru.

While it was, perhaps, intended to focus heavily on the upcoming third season, much of the 45 minute affair (including an eight-and-a-half minute series of clips to remind us how great season two was), focused on the show in general. As a series where so much is a surprise and which centers itself on secrets—state and otherwise—much of what will take place in season three is hush-hush. Continue reading Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys offer hints about ‘The Americans’ third season

Abandoning her kids at home without a babysitter. Leaving them to defend themselves from some creepy guy with a beer bottle. Failing to lock the door when she’s tangled up with their dad in a position that might scar those young’uns for life.

Some might say that choices like these make Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) a terrible mother. Well, tonight’s season finale of The Americans probably won’t help her reputation. [Spoiler alerts ahead!] Continue reading ‘The Americans’: Is Keri Russell’s Elizabeth a bad mother?

Kids – especially pouty teenagers – and TV thrillers generally don’t mix. There has been ample evidence of this, much of it involving the irritated response to the daughters on “Homeland” and before that “24.” Still, “The Americans” appears to have bucked that trend, adding a clever component to its second-season finale that should power the FX drama – a high-wire act, regardless – into its third campaign with a powerful hook.

After nosing around in her parents’ business, and threatening to become her own version of “Homeland’s” Dana Brody, throughout season two, the finale set up a diabolically fiendish scenario (and SPOILER ALERT, needless to say, if you haven’t watched).

The Russian spies living and operating in the U.S., played by Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, are presented with a terrible choice: Turn their daughter (Holly Taylor) into a second-generation spy, and bring her in on the family secret, or risk facing the wrath of their Soviet handlers. Continue reading ‘The Americans’ Sets Up Juicy Plot in Second-Season Finale