The Beginning of Equal Rights for Women. Review: The Americans – “Comint”

Season 1, Episode 5

Air Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 10 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

When a Russian asset and American contractor working with the DOD Strategic Defense Unit begins to falter after his wife passes away, the FBI is pressed into finding out who that person is. In the meantime, Claudia (Margo Martindale) charges Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) with getting inside the FBI’s new communications encryption system. In the process, the Jennings face the seamy side of the espionage business.

Observations:

Elizabeth, portraying an American, assesses just how nervous Dorwin is.

It’s been 35 years and eight months since Alan Dorwin’s (Michael Countryman) wife passed away, and now he has the “jitters” about continuing his role as a Russian informant? Come on, writers, let’s make this a little more believable? Asking me to believe Dorwin is upset after 35 years is a stretch, don’t you think? Or is it because he hasn’t been able to meet with his Russian handler because everyone at the Rezidentura is locked down tight? The FBI has installed new encryption codes on their radios so the Russians can’t tell when they’re following them. More important, if Vasilli (Peter Von Berg) can’t get to Dorwin, the Soviets will lose their way “in to the antiballistic missile shield.” Claudia orders Philip and Elizabeth to find out what the new encryption codes are so Dorwin “can meet with the one man he trusts.”

There’s a running theme in this week’s installment of this intriguing spy series set during the time of the Cold War—the time old tradition of using sex in exchange for information. It is utilized by both sides on more than one occasion, giving us the message that spies will do whatever is necessary to get what they want. We’re also given a look at how, when, and why equal rights for women became a powerful issue in the States.

Nina knows exactly what she’s doing.

Nina (Annet Mahendru) doesn’t think twice about performing oral sex on Vasilli to get the information Stan (Noah Emmerich) needs. And Elizabeth takes a walk on the wild side as a prostitute in order to get “intel” and ends up on the receiving end of a masochist’s (John Dossett) belt. That scene is brutal to watch; I was actually cringing in my seat. While I understand a spy is trained to do what’s necessary, I don’t understand her cold reaction to Philip after enduring such viciousness. Is the Russian mentality so firmly engrained in her that she’ll do even the basest of things no matter the consequence? I was shocked that she doesn’t seek comfort from Philip, nor do I comprehend why she doesn’t understand how Philip feels about the situation. Any husband worth his salt would do the same thing.

“Comint” also delves into the equal rights movement when Martha (Alison Wright) accuses Agent Amador (Maximiliano Hernández) of making a “sexist comment” at work, yet she doesn’t think twice about coming onto “Clark,” aka Philip, or accepting the same comment about her shoes that Amador makes. I was a young married woman at that time in our history, and remember well how confusing the female role was back then. Women were raised to be loyal, loving wives who asked no questions of their husbands and did as they were told. But soon, we began to question why we were looked upon as less than equal, and why we had to keep the home instead of having a career. Young women were allowed to have what were considered menial jobs; they didn’t have careers, and if they were lucky enough to land a job as something other than a hairdresser or secretary, it was only supposed to last until the ultimate goal of becoming someone’s wife was achieved. Women were smart, though, and some realized the way to get ahead (initially) was by using their sexual prowess.

Claudia is one smart cookie. She immediately recognizes something is off with Elizabeth and commiserates with her about the difficulty of women in the espionage business. She also tells her how she feels about the push for equal rights going on in America at the time: “Have you been following the sad progress of this country’s Equal Rights Amendment? Honestly, it makes me chuckle. These women here need to learn what you and I have known forever. You can’t wait for the laws to give you your rights; you have to take them, claim them, every second of every day of every year.” I love how Martindale portrays Claudia. Instead of being a hard-ass, she is soft-spoken and understanding when relating to and motivating Philip and Elizabeth.

Something tells me these two are beginning to have feelings for each other.

Last week, we learned Stan’s wife Sandra (Susan Misner) isn’t happy with their marriage, and this week, we get an insight into why. The life they had together before his “long undercover stint” that she describes sounds so idyllic, and now the man can’t stop studying the Cyrillic alphabet long enough to give her the attention she deserves. Is he that committed to his job or is it because he’s attracted to Nina? And just why, exactly, is he studying the Russian language? It’s not like he’s going undercover in the Soviet Union. Perhaps he just wants to communicate with Nina in her native tongue (wink wink).

Once a meeting between Dorwin and Vasilli is confirmed, Agent Gaad (Richard Thomas) orders the codes in the encryption units inside the FBI automobiles to be changed. This definitely throws a wrench into the works for the Russians, leaving them unsure about going ahead with the meet. From what happens, I’d say they’d have been wiser not to.

Additional thoughts:

Elizabeth inside the trunk of an FBI agent stealing encryption codes.

Don’t you just love how Elizabeth slithers over the automobiles at the car repair shop in order to steal the encryption codes from inside one of the trunks? She reminded me of a snake—a thing of beauty to watch. But, please explain to me how she is standing outside the shop one minute and the next she’s inside Philip’s trunk? Does. Not. Compute.

Vasilli’s reaction and the look on his face when an underling enters his office while Nina is giving him oral sex under his desk is pure perfection. I couldn’t imagine a different response.

It’s obvious there’s a mole inside the Soviet network, as Claudia tells Philip: “Somebody’s talking. We have a mole.” Back at the Rezidentura, they plan to take whatever action is necessary to find out who the mole is. I hope The Americans isn’t going to be like Homeland and keep us guessing. Anyone have any ideas who it might be?

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 the 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!