The Americans - "Open House" Retrospective.

Season 3, Episode 3

Air Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 10 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“Tell them what they want to hear, over and over, and over again…people love hearing how right they are.” – Agent Stan Beeman

Gabriel and Philip play Scrabble while talking about Philip and Elizabeth’s mission and Paige’s recruitment.

The first few minutes of “Open House” set the tone for this week’s installment of The Americans with Gabriel (Frank Langella) providing Philip (Matthew Rhys) with information on the agents Philip needs to target, as well as discussing Paige’s (Holly Taylor) future. In the meantime, Elizabeth (Keri Russell) is busy teaching her recruit Hans (Guest star Peter Mark Kendall) how to be aware of his surroundings, which gives us the perfect plot point to discuss Elizabeth and Philip’s relationship.

Scary Times

Gabriel keeps calm during Philip’s rant.

Even though Isaac Breland (guest star Frank Deal) is the head of the CIA Afghan group, it’s Ted Paaswell (guest David Furr), Breland’s “right-hand man,” who is more likely to provide the information Russia wants. The Open House—as in the episode’s title—Paaswell’s realtor (guest star Liz Larsen) holds provides the perfect opportunity for Philip to insert a listening device inside Paaswell’s portable radio. Following Paaswell to hear his conversations isn’t such an easy job—not with the CIA following them—but Philip and Elizabeth hear an interesting conversation between Paaswell and his babysitter Kimberly (guest star Julia Garner) that Philip wants to follow up on. Given how dangerous surveillance is, as we see in an edge-of-your-seat scene where the FBI tries to capture Elizabeth before the CIA does, Gabriel orders Philip not to continue. Interestingly, Philip gives Gabriel the same reason I pointed out in my review of “Baggage.”

True Love Will Out

Is it truly an accident when Hans compliments Elizabeth’s looks during a training session? He says it is but I’m not so sure. What surprises me is Philip encouraging Elizabeth to use sex if necessary to get what she wants. With all the men Elizabeth has had sex with in the past, it looks like the writers are giving Elizabeth a change of heart where Philip is concerned. Why else would she tell Hans she has someone in her life and doesn’t want to “screw it up.” It’s an interesting time to do this given the huge disparity in the Jennings’ beliefs concerning Paige.

Director Thomas Schlamme knows exactly how to convey emotions without a single word of dialogue. First, with “The Star Spangled Banner” playing in the background, Schlamme uses a tender kiss to portray the love the Jennings have for each other. Then, in a rather squeamish scene where Philip deals with Elizabeth’s dental problem, the camera darts back and forth between Philip and Elizabeth’s eyes, conveying the trust and love between them. This is direction at its best.

I wonder whether Agent Dennis Aderholt (guest star Brandon J. Dirden) is going to become a thorn in Agent Gaad’s side with his strong suggestion not to listen to the CIA. Does Aderholt have his own interests at play here or is he truly trying to help given how unsuccessful the FBI has been in apprehending Elizabeth? He also wants to befriend Stan when he asks about Stan’s time working “in Arkansas with the white supremacists.” While I’d appreciate learning more about this time in Stan’s history, I can’t help thinking Aderholt has an ulterior motive.

Zinaida (guest star Svetlana Efremova) is an interesting character. When Stan takes his turn babysitting her, he finds her giving an interview, explaining the Soviet Union’s role in Afghanistan. I wonder how prophetic her statement is – “The rest of the world must know this. I risked my life to come here; I must be able to die for it.” I’m not sure I trust Zinaida. There’s something about her I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it’s her willingness to die for a country she has no real connection to, because I have no doubt the Motherland is going to stand for her spouting off like she does.

Oleg has a decision to make—whether to transfer back to Moscow or stay in the States. His father (unseen) orders Arkady (Lev Gorn) to sign the paperwork for Oleg’s transfer but he won’t without Oleg’s approval. Arkady also sends Oleg and Tatiana (guest star Vera Cherny) to Northup’s newest facility to check out the new “bomber” the United States has commissioned. It amazes me how Russia seems to have eyes and ears everywhere.

Other Observations

Looks like Martha (Alison Wright) has an admirer in Agent Aderholt. Will she eventually succumb to his compliments?
I wonder how Clark, aka Philip, is going to get out of the conundrum Martha puts him in when she tells him she’s interested in fostering a young child. Philip’s life is complicated enough with this faux marriage; kids are the last thing he needs.
Looks like young Henry (Keidrich Sellati) is growing up. He’s secretly harboring pictures of Stan’s wife Sandra (Susan Misner) in a bikini. What’s up with that? I thought Playboy was the magazine of choice for adolescents.

This Week’s Bits of Nostalgia

Philip listening to a television news report on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
The national anthem playing on the Jennings’ TV because TV stations signed off at midnight back in the day.

Overall

“Open House” shows us just how difficult being a spy in a foreign country can be, while director Thomas Schlamme ups the ante as far as intrigue and emotions are concerned with his excellent direction. The episode also lays the groundwork for upcoming installments of The Americans with Martha wanting a foster child, as well as the maturing of young Henry. However, I missed seeing Nina (Annet Mahendru) and am anxious to know more about the Belgian woman we were introduced to in “Baggage.” Please don’t leave me hanging like that again!

What did you think of “Open House?” Leave me a comment below, or tweet me @SeasideTV. I’d love to discuss the episode with you!

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Follow these cast members on Twitter: Philip @MatthewRhys, Stan Beeman @NoahEmmerich, Oleg Burov @CostaRonin, Martha @Alison_Wright, Paige @HollyTaylor97, and Nina @AnnetMahendru, as well as the group “The Americans Fans” @https://twitter.com/TheAmericansFan.

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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!