An Exciting Conclusion to a Stellar Season. Review: The Americans Season Finale - "The Colonel"

Season 1, Episode 13

Air Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 10 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

Philip, in disguise, meets with the Colonel.

While The Americans was originally touted as a story about an unconventional family, “The Colonel” shows us the Jennings aren’t all that unconventional after all, at least when it comes to their personal lives. In an episode that is as intriguing and pulse pounding as a season finale can be, we see Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip (Matthew Rhys) come together when faced with a life or death situation. Each week, our protagonists have been brought to the brink of discovery but in “The Colonel,” it seems like a done deal with the missions they must undertake: meet with the Colonel (Victor Slezak) to get the information he has, and pick up the tape from the bug at the Weinbergers’ residence. But the Jennings aren’t the only ones who think they’re being set up; thankfully, Claudia (Margo Martindale) does too.

Not that I wish to give away my age, but I was a teenager during the Cold War and remember well the fear that pervaded everyone’s lives. So originally, the very thought of rooting for Russian spies made me question my belief system but that soon fell by the wayside. With the superb writing, directing, and acting, it has been easy to care more about the Jennings than the FBI agents. Rhys and Russell have been brilliant, giving stunning and convincing performances as both ordinary parents and dangerous spies. We see that in “The Colonel” as both worry about what will happen to Paige (Holly Taylor) and Henry (Keidrich Sellati) should their covers be blown. Dread permeates the entire hour of this episode and the depth Russell and Rhys bring to their roles makes it easy to care for them. Watching Elizabeth and Philip’s so-called marriage evolve has been the perfect counterpoint to the serious and sometimes deadly nature of The Americans. While I have rooted for them to reunite, I didn’t think it would take Elizabeth’s near-death experience for that to happen.

What do you think of Russell as a blonde?

As for Stan (Noah Emmerich), he’s much smarter than he originally appeared to be. He’s the one who makes the call to let Sanford Prince (Tim Hopper) stew in the FBI holding area, leading to the perfect cliffhanger in an episode rife with intensity and edge-of-your-seat TV viewing. So why doesn’t he realize Nina (Annet Mahendru) has turned the tables on him?

As many fans surmised, including me, Arkady (Lev Gorn) turns Nina. I knew there was no way in hell the producers would let Mahendru go. Not only is she a stunning-looking and irresistible woman, she plays an important role in the series, and plays it well. I love how easy breezy and sexy she is with Stan yet stoic when talking to Arkady. I actually have a hard time telling whether she’s lying or telling the truth, especially when Stan tells her she’s only hours away from being “exfiltrated.”

Martindale can act her way out of a paper bag if need be, and she acts the hell out of “The Colonel.” It’s easy to see why she received an Emmy® for her role as Mags Bennet in FX’s award-winning series, Justified. I particularly love Claudia’s scenes with Elizabeth but none as much as the scene in the diner where both Martindale and Russell show us their strength as actors. I wonder who’s going to win this showdown. Add to that the impassioned scene at Patterson’s (Paul Fitzgerald) apartment where Martindale turns from innocent-looking, gray-haired grannie to ruthless killer within minutes, and you have perfection. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wins another Emmy® just for this scene alone. In fact, I expect it.

Memorable lines:

Elizabeth: “I’m surprised they gave you this job when you have no understanding of people at all.

Claudia: “I know you better than you know yourself. And you don’t know me at all.”

Elizabeth: “Well, you should be heading home soon. I’d stay out of my way, if I were you.”

**.

Arkady: “Besides, if you are wrong, we’d be giving up the greatest intelligence success since we got the atom bomb.”

Claudia: “That’s what we always say right before our people die for nothing. The next thing we always say is, ‘It was so obvious.’”

Additional thoughts:

The Americans is perfectly paced, and the nuances utilized throughout the series are brilliant. In “The Colonel,” for instance, we know how much Elizabeth dislikes Claudia but Elizabeth pushing away the plate of “Eggs Florentine” Claudia ordered for her makes words unnecessary. Her intent is crystal clear.

On a lighter note, I have the exact same pin Claudia wears when knocking on Patterson’s door. Not that this means anything in the grand scheme of things; it was just exciting for me. I’ll never look at my little Scottie dog pin the same way again!

I think I held my breath throughout the entire car chase.

The season concludes with Peter Gabriel’s song, “Games Without Frontiers,” playing in the background as we watch Martha (Alison Wright) blindly reveling in her new-found marital status, Paige snooping in the laundry room, Price spilling the beans about the Colonel, and Nina bringing Arkady a case file on Stan. While “The Colonel” leads us to believe the Jennings will be captured in the beginning of season two, I don’t think that will happen. What I do know is I can’t wait to find out how the questions we’re left with all play out next season. Let’s hope season two is as exciting, intriguing, and intense as this first season has been.

LIKE The Americans on Facebook, follow the show on Twitter, and visit the show’s official website to stay current.

You may also want to follow some of the show’s actors on Twitter: Philip @MatthewRhys, Stan Beeman @NoahEmmerich, Nina @AnnetMahendru, and 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!