The Race is On. Review: The Americans - "The Deal"

Season 2, Episode 5

Air Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2014, 10 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“America isn’t our friend. America is our father. He thinks we’re not ready to drive his fast car so sometimes when he’s not looking, we get behind the wheel and we take it for a spin.” – Mossad agent

Curiously, the Mossad agent helps Elizabeth and Philip avoid the police by playing drunk.

This week’s installment of The Americans picks up where last week’s “A Little Night Music” left off—with Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) dragging away the mysterious thug who foiled their plot to capture Anton Baklanov (guest star Michael Aronov), the Russian-born Jewish scientist who defected to America years ago. Turns out the thug is an Israeli Mossad agent (guest star Cliff Marc Simon), which leads me to wonder why Israel is interested in Baklanov. We also meet Claudia’s (Margo Martindale) replacement this week, Kate (Wrenn Schmidt), who brings food and medical supplies to the “unsecure safe house” where the Jennings have stashed the injured Mossad agent. She couldn’t be more of a polar opposite to Claudia if she tried. She’s young, pretty, and willing to do what it takes to get the job done. With the FBI also hunting Baklanov, it’s a race against time between America and Russia to get to Baklanov first.

The Hunt

Agent Gaad and Stan listen to a briefing on their mission.

With the Mossad snatching Baklanov right from under the Jennings’ noses last week, the FBI is alerted that Baklanov is MIA. After last week’s shakeup at the FBI, Acting Director Hallowell (guest star John Bedford Lloyd) isn’t exactly pleased when Agent Gaad (Richard Thomas) walks in. Gaad may have been relieved of his duties but Stan (Noah Emmerich) knows what an asset Gaad can be at a time like this. Unfortunately, across town, Arkady (Lev Gorn) swears he’ll get “Moscow to make a deal with these people [the Mossad] if it costs me my career.” I wonder which country will be the first to get its hands on the missing scientist.

The Green Monster

Elizabeth dons her disguise as Jennifer, Clark’s sister, when she visits Martha (Alison Wright) after hearing Martha’s voice mail message about the job application form. Even though the two women have met only once or twice since Clark and Martha’s wedding, they sit around drinking wine and discussing Clark like long lost best friends. That is, until Martha begins talking about Clark’s proclivities in the bedroom. It’s not just curiosity at work here when Elizabeth/Jennifer wants to know exactly what Clark does in the “sack” that makes Martha say, “He’s wild.” For the first time since The Americans began, jealousy is raising its ugly head. As Rhys pointed out during a conference call at the beginning of season two, jealousy is going to be an unpleasant theme this season, and I think Elizabeth/Jennifer’s conversation with Martha is just the tip of the iceberg. Wright is perfection in this scene. I can almost imagine her blushing like a young teenager when Martha talks and giggles about sex with Clark. Martha isn’t the most experienced woman and Wright portrays her more like a young, blushing bride confiding in her best friend about her honeymoon night. Russell also shines in this scene. The constant grin on her face and the nervous fiddling with her pearl earring belie the jealous feeling Elizabeth/Jennifer is experiencing. The woman knows how to keep her cool when necessary.

Oleg Igorevich

Igorevich (Costa Ronin) remains an enigma to me. I can’t quite figure out what his end game is. Does he want to take over Arkady’s position in the Rezidentura? Have his feelings for Nina (Annet Mahendru) evolved beyond lust, or does he want to use her exploits with Stan for his own selfish purposes? On the other hand, maybe he has some ulterior motive that hasn’t come to light yet. No matter which, I love the way Arkady puts Igorevich in his place. You can almost see Arkady’s blood boiling right under his skin each time Igorevich challenges him.

Philip’s Beliefs

Philip’s beliefs are challenged during “The Deal,” causing him to do a fair amount of introspective thinking. Is his life all he expected it to be? What kind of man is he? One of the most interesting scenes in “The Deal” is the thought-provoking conversation Philip has with the Mossad agent about their value to their respective countries. I think the Israeli spy opens Philip’s eyes a bit with his honest depiction of who he is, causing Philip to think about the importance of his own role in America.

Random Thoughts

The safe house bathroom is the most disgusting bathroom I’ve ever seen! I don’t know how the Mossad agent can “take a shit” in a room like that.
The flower wallpaper in the safe house—ugh! Need I say more?
Who didn’t see the dustup in the bathroom coming? Amazing how polite the Israeli is afterwards.
Check out the decor in Paige’s room!

Why doesn’t Elizabeth try harder with Paige (Holly Taylor) when Paige comes in to talk to her? She’s missing a great opportunity to connect with her daughter.

This Week’s Bits of Nostalgia

David Copperfield – Baklanov’s wife refers to Baklanov as this famous illusionist because “he makes things disappear.”
Refuseniks – A term referring to those, mostly Soviet Jews, who were denied permission to emigrate abroad by Soviet authorities.

Overall

“The Deal” is a very interesting episode as it gives us an inside look at the political workings of three powerful countries, each with its own reason for wanting the Soviet defector. It also delves further into Elizabeth and Philip’s marriage, and leaves you feeling sorry for Baklanov, the pawn in the game the world powers are playing. Leave me a comment below or tweet me @SeasideTV after you’ve seen “The Deal.” I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially about the wild goose chase Igorevich leads Stan on.

Tune in to The Americans Wednesdays at 10:00 pm ET/PT, only on FX.

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You can also follow these cast members on Twitter:

Philip @MatthewRhys, Stan Beeman @NoahEmmerich, and Nina @AnnetMahendru.

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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!