SEASON PREMIERE: The Americans begins Season 5 with an unexpectedly heightened profile, thanks to Russian espionage becoming headline news of the most important kind these days. The new season begins with a clever jolt, then resets to focus strongly, as it did last season, on the family dynamics of the Russian operatives who were placed as a couple outside Washington, D.C., to have and raise two children and blend in, while completing a series of missions for their Russian handlers. Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell star as the sleeper agent Jennings couple, and Holly Taylor, as their daughter Paige, continues to come of age, and become aware, of her parents’ true occupations and intentions. For a full review, listen to my report on today’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross on NPR, or visit the Fresh Air website later this afternoon, and read Ed Bark's Uncle Barky's Bytes and David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower. Also, Alex Strachan, on his TV That Matters page, addresses the "reel life vs. real life" aspect of the show as it makes its Season 5 premiere.

Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)

Name (required)

Email (required) (will not be published)


Type in the verification word shown on the image.

Page: 1 of 1 | Go to page:

1 Comments

Kevin

I don't know how anyone can watch this show beyond the first season. In order to work, the show has to make the actual Americans look like dimwits most of the time. I spent most of the time hoping these awful people would be killed or arrested, but of course that can't happen. I tried to get through season 4 after having skipped through much of seasons 2 and 3. I'll admit some of the episodes were pretty good, but who could possibly stomach the dimwit secretary? Whatever. I guess in the end her character made sense, but it was all very dissatisfying. Who knows how long they'll spin this yarn out? What's next, anyhow, a serial killer who's the hero? Oh, that's right, they already did that.

Jul 2, 2017 | Reply

Page: 1 of 1 | Go to page:

New From TVWW

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy

1957: Julie Andrews Stars in 'Cinderella'

Dispatches From TVWW

'Extinction: The Facts' is a Sobering Call to Action

How 'Mayans' Has Been Influenced by the Show's Creator Elgin James

For Whom the Bell Tolls: Ken Burns and Lynn Novick Take on Ernest Hemingway, the Man and the Myth

In the Final Season, Sutton Foster's Liza is Now the Genuine Version of Her 'Younger' Self

Season 2 of 'City on a Hill' Returns with Kevin Bacon, Aldis Hodge, and Boston Corruption