Last year, there were few shows I enjoyed more than the first season of FX’s The Americans. Each episode felt tense, exciting, layered, and complicated in a good way. It was the rare show that could have tight plotting without sacrificing character depth.
So what’s gone so wrong this season? In a nutshell, the show that used to balance out a propulsive plot with complex character relationships has dropped the ball on both.
The intricate spy games now feel stale, and there’s a nagging sense of “who cares?” as the early 80’s setting doesn’t feel completely relevant. The old Cold War intrigue feels like a rerun since—-spoiler alert—-we know who won. Do the ultra-elaborate maneuverings all the characters are going through really matter since we already know the ultimate outcome? Isn’t it a bit like watching a football game from thirty five years ago…every week?
None of that would really matter so much if the writers didn’t seem hellbent on stifling character growth or in some cases even receding it. Last season was built around prickly, untrustworthy alliances like Phillip (the Russian sleeper spy) and his unknowing FBI agent neighbor Stan or Stan and his Russian embassy working, triple-agent mistress who he only thinks he can trust. This season, Stan and Phillip have barely had any scenes together, and the Stan/mistress relationship is hopelessly retracted by the arrival of a new Russian agent who’s screwing her and the morose mess that is Stan’s marriage. Plus, the great first season interactions between Elizabeth and her sly handler (the always-interesting Margo Martindale, sorely missed) are gone this season.
I’ll probably keep watching The Americans next season, and there’s still two new episodes in this one (one airing tonight), but I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to it. Consider this a wakeup call to a show that desperately needs to get up from its second season nap. Grade for this season: C