The Americans Season Finale – “Echo” Retrospective. It’s Never Who You Think It Is.

Season 2, Episode 13

Air Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2014, 10 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

[notice]Warning! Spoilers Ahead![/notice]

“A second generation illegal could change everything, and for the right child, it could give their life a meaning and a purpose that they could never get in this country.” – Claudia

Larrick is really great at tracking people. Philip and Elizabeth are wise to be concerned.

“Echo” begins with a heart-racing scene as Golden Earring’s “When the Bullet Hits the Bone” plays in the background. Emotions run high in this season finale as Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) deal with Paige (Holly Taylor); Stan (Noah Emmerich) decides what to do about Nina (Annet Mahendru); and finally, the Connors’ murderer is revealed. If you’ve read my review of “Operation Chronicle,” I totally saw that coming!

An Unnecessary Death

How apropos is the song playing when Philip and Elizabeth rush to get the package Fred (guest star John Carroll Lynch) literally puts his life on the line for! I feel so sorry for Fred, who only wanted to help the “cause.” Did the writers really have to kill him off? I guess Fred has sadly outlived his usefulness. Police cars are seen simultaneously rushing to two locations—one where Fred is bleeding to death, and the other where Paige is marching, “protesting for peace,” at an army base in Pennsylvania. At least Paige is wise enough not to get herself arrested like Pastor Tim (guest star Kelly AuCoin).

An Inspired Paige

Paige’s explanation of “civil disobedience” to her parents certainly gives them something to ponder. I love Philip’s reaction when he later comments to Elizabeth, “If she said one more thing about non-violent resistance, I was gonna punch her in the face.” Taylor’s acting during this scene is right on point; she reminds me of all the so-called hippies who, in real life, protested the Vietnam War back in the late 60s and early 70s. Paige is passionate, knowledgeable, and doesn’t challenge her parents like she has done so many times in the past. I guess the girl is finally starting to grow up. Paige has a very impressionable mind and unfortunately, Pastor Tim is now a hero in her eyes. Just what Philip and Elizabeth don’t need, especially with what happens to Fred. So many young people stand up for what they think is right but really don’t have a clue what it’s like to experience it in real life. I wonder how “inspired” Paige would be if she knew about Fred.

What a Double-Cross!

We’ve all been waiting for Stan to decide whether he’s going to save Nina or stay true to his country. I’ve been hoping for Stan to stay loyal but I also know love certainly can make men do strange things. So, I wasn’t surprised when Stan pays a visit to the federal site where the disk containing the information about the stealth program is kept. I thought the military officer (guest star Steven Hauk) in charge might become suspicious when Stan asks to interview everyone who has worked on the program since others have done that already. Although, just because Stan is investigating “Echo” doesn’t mean he’s going to become a traitor. I don’t understand how he trusts Arkady (Lev Gorn), though, when Arkady promises to send Nina to the place where she and Stan first met after Stan turns over the requested information. How my heart broke when Arkady hands a note to Nina, ostensibly from Stan, with the words “I’m sorry, Nina,” especially after seeing Stan leave a package on a bench I thought contained the information Arkady asked for. Then, to see Stan outside the Rezidentura as Nina is escorted away…well, it’s just all so sad – especially with the look on Nina’s face when she sees him sitting there in his car watching. What? No knight in shining armor? I still don’t know whether Nina’s feelings for Stan were real but I’d like to think so.

Jared is What?

Claudia explains Jared and Kate’s relationship to Philip and Elizabeth

Now that Elizabeth and Philip know Larrick (recurring guest star Lee Tergesen) is on the loose, they hurry to get themselves, Paige, and Henry (Keidrich Sellati) to safety. They now have a pretty good idea Larrick is responsible for the disappearance of both Kate (Wrenn Schmidt) and George (David Adkins). I don’t blame them; that man is a maniac. Of course, waking the kids in the middle of the night, rushing them into the car, and driving to a motel in a remote location once again raises Paige’s suspicions about her parents. I don’t know how long Philip and Elizabeth will be able to keep up their cover. Paige is not stupid. Trying to escape Larrick’s long reach isn’t easy, though, as Philip and Elizabeth soon find out. For a moment there, I thought the Jennings had met their fate; it really didn’t look so good for them. But Jared (guest star Owen Campbell) comes to the rescue, using his father’s gun to kill Larrick. You go, Jared! I was beyond happy at that. What we learn from Jared, though, is a real kick in the ass. That is some deathbed confession!

Claudia (Margo Martindale) explains to Philip and Elizabeth the real reason behind Jared’s meeting with Kate during the “Stealth” episode; it’s quite an eye-opener. She takes it a step further when she tells them Paige is the next one to be recruited. Is this something Philip and Elizabeth will allow? Can they refuse? I didn’t think so until Philip returns from telling Arkady his daughter is off limits as far as he’s concerned. So, color me surprised when Elizabeth isn’t as upset as Philip is. Is she that committed to the Soviet way of life that she would allow her daughter to follow in her footsteps? Is this something Paige would even want to do?

Random Thoughts

I love how Philip treats Elizabeth when she relates what happened to her as a 14-year-old child. Now, that’s how to support your loved one! Too bad Philip doesn’t get to finish his childhood story; I would have loved to see Elizabeth’s reaction.

I hope Emmerich had some waxing done before pulling off the disk taped to his chest. Ouch!

I laughed at the bit of love advice Arkady gives Stan. The nerve of the man!

For a moment, Agent Gaad (Richard Thomas) standing by the portrait of President Reagan almost looks like him. Very weird.

This Week’s Bit of Nostalgia

A LadySmith – Martha (Alison Wright) purchases a hand gun for protection. Doesn’t sound too good for Clark (Rhys), does it? Congrats to the props department for finding an exact replica.

Overall

As season finales go, “Echo” isn’t as thrilling as I hoped it would be, especially because the season, as a whole, has been very exciting. The two main questions are answered – whether Stan will betray America, and who the Connors’ killer is – and “Echo” sets up season three nicely. I wonder whether we’ll ever see Nina again. I was so surprised when Oleg (Costa Ronin) doesn’t come to her rescue. Perhaps that’s something we’ll see next season. Most interesting, of course, is what Philip and Elizabeth are going to do about Paige. They became so close and so loving this season; the Centre wanting to recruit Paige is going to throw a huge wrench into their marriage. And what about Martha? She wants to have children with Clark, which, as we know, is an impossibility. Or is it? How will Clark be able to keep Martha in line without granting her request?

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

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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!