It’s Not Always Who You Think it Is. Review: The Americans – “Trust Me”

Season 1, Episode 6

Air Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 10 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“Somebody’s talking. We have a mole.” – Claudia, last week in “Comint”

The Kremlin is steaming over this news and needs to know who the mole is ASAP. Thus, the hunt for the informant is on. But what can Stan (Noah Emmerich) possibly do to protect Nina (Annet Mahendru)? What happens in “Trust Me” is surprising and has a long-lasting effect on the Jennings’ marriage.

Observations:

Cal is just getting started with Philip’s interrogation.

I know the Kremlin is serious about finding out who’s leaking information to the FBI, but kidnapping Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) is not the way to go, Claudia (Margo Martindale). After playing the smooth operator with Martha (Alison Wright) on the phone, Philip is snatched off the street by some men, thrown into the back of a black van with a black hood over his head.

Elizabeth is dragged into the interrogation room.

And later, at home, Elizabeth is kidnapped after a fierce fistfight with another man. It appears the FBI is responsible when Cal (Robert Bogue), the man in charge of Philip and Elizabeth’s interrogation, produces all of Philip’s passports and fake IDs, demanding to know intimate details about the Soviet spies operating in America.

But all throughout the interrogation, beatings included, I kept asking myself: Why doesn’t Agent Gaad (Richard Thomas) and Stan know about this? Why is Cal going out of his way to avoid seriously hurting Philip? I should learn to trust my instincts because it’s not the FBI, after all. The beating Elizabeth gives Claudia after Claudia shows up, admitting, “I’m sorry. We had to know if you were the mole, if we could trust you” is beyond brutal. Worse than finding out their comrades are responsible for this entire ordeal, though, is Philip realizing Elizabeth must have told the Kremlin something about him. What a damaging effect this has on the Jennings’ marriage, especially when they seemed to be making such strides. I wonder how or if they’ll be able to come back from this.

The interaction between siblings Paige (Holly Taylor) and Henry (Keidrich Sellati), after being left at the mall following Elizabeth’s kidnapping, is completely genuine; kudos to both Taylor and Sellati for showing what terrific actors they are. But fear struck my heart when Paige convinces Henry, against his better judgment, to hitchhike and they accept a ride home from Nick (Michael Oberholtzer), a stranger. Didn’t Elizabeth teach her any better? I shudder to think what would have happened had Henry not taken matters into his own hands. It’s hard to be so brave at that age.

Nina has advanced from servicing Vasili (Peter Von Berg) under his desk to seducing him in bed. Who can blame him given her seductive ways? As they discuss the mole in the Rezidentura, I almost feel sorry for him. He’s been successful at his job for many years, and now he’s an old man facing a serious problem. But it’s Nina who I should really feel sorry for, especially when Vasili tells her not to worry, they’ll catch “the man” and put a bullet in his head. Notice the use of the word “man” – Vasili would be wise to remember the infamous Mata Hari, the Dutch courtesan and spy who was executed under charges of espionage by a French firing squad during World War II. Luckily for Nina, he doesn’t. After all, as a friend’s old saying goes, “When the dick gets hard, the brain goes limp.” But that doesn’t make her any less frightened, as she should be. It’s almost laughable when Stan tells her, “You have to trust me, Nina, trust me.” That is, until he executes the perfect plan to place suspicion on someone else by utilizing the cashier (Garrett Hendricks) in the shop where Vasili buys his tea.

Additional thoughts:

Love the fight scene between Elizabeth and the heavyset man sent to kidnap her! She is so outmatched but does a fine job of almost getting away. Russell certainly has the moves down!

Check out the backsplash, potholders, and brand of dishwasher–more items that lend themselves to the realism of The Americans.

The placement of certain items, like the red donut phone in the Jennings’ household, is just one of the many things that bring realism to The Americans.

Gregory (Derek Luke) certainly doesn’t waste any time coming on to Elizabeth when she asks him to keep “eyes” on her and her family. Elizabeth may be playing with fire here.

Memorable lines:

Cal to Philip: “We know who you are and what you are, you Commie prick.”

Agent Gaad to Stan: “My mother always told me coincidence is God’s way of winking at you.”

The Americans, especially “Trust Me,” is another fine example of what producers, directors, and actors can achieve when they really put their heads together. It contains the right mix of romanticism, espionage, intrigue, and, yes, even a bit of humor, to make you anxiously await each new episode. At least, I do.

Tune in to The Americans, Wednesdays, 10 pm ET/PT, only on FX.

LIKE The Americans on Facebook, and follow the show on Twitter. Visit the show’s official website for fun things to do, download wallpaper, and watch exclusive videos and more.

You may also want to follow some of the show’s actors on Twitter: Philip @MatthewRhys, Stan Beeman @NoahEmmerich, Chris Amador @maxitois4real (Max Hernandez).

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!