Tit for Tat. Review: The Americans – “Safe House”

Season 1, Episode 9

Air Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 10 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

What a game changing episode! “Safe House” takes us on a series of highs and lows and gives us an ending that shocked me to my core. The Jennings’ marriage suffers greatly from past events; one of the FBI agents meets an unfortunate end; and another agent does something that utterly stuns me. What a shame it’s all because of a stalker’s lover’s misunderstanding.

Paige is having a hard time dealing, especially with her mother, who she blames for her parents’ separation.

It’s hard to watch the anguish and despair children experience when learning their parents are separating. I know; I’ve been there, done that, and my children were much younger than Paige (Holly Taylor) and Henry (Keidrich Sellati). But when Paige exclaims, “Bullshit!” and Henry asks, “Will you still love us?” after Elizabeth (Keri Russell) tells them, “Dad and I need some time to figure things out,” it is just heartbreaking. I must give recognition to the writers for their superb realistic dialogue about the Jennings’ separation, and to Jim McKay, the director of “Safe House,” for his outstanding direction of Taylor and Sellati, but especially during Paige and Elizabeth’s conversation about making Chinese food, and Henry’s explanation to Elizabeth about his homework assignment. And kudos to Taylor and Sellati for their convincing portrayal of how sad and angry these children are.

The Beemans sure do know how to throw a party.

I know Agent Gaad (Richard Thomas) is beyond pissed that three FBI agents lost their lives in last week’s episode, “Mutually Assured Destruction,” but I never expected him to retaliate the way he does. Stan (Noah Emmerich) not wanting to go along with the plan that is hatched in the middle of a party at his home, however, doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s a play-by-the-books kind of man who doesn’t want to be involved in taking someone out if it’s not sanctioned. Chris Amador (Max Hernández), on the other hand, is all for the job, which is totally in keeping with who he is.

“Ooh, shoot yourself into me, Clark!” As a Valley girl once said, ‘Gag me with a spoon!’ I’ve never heard such improbable dialogue during a sex scene. Who says that? And that’s not the worst Martha (Alison Wright) says to Clark/Philip (Matthew Rhys). Wright is to be commended for this scene—first, for not laughing when uttering the unrealistic dialogue, and second, for her honest portrayal of Martha as pathetic and needy, especially when she practically begs Philip to love her the way she loves him. She‘s like putty in his hands, telling Philip she’ll do anything he wants. It’s tragic, really, that she offers herself up the way she does.

With Amador stalking Martha, it was only a matter of time before he ran into Philip leaving her apartment. I expected it, yet I was flabbergasted at what happens when the two men begin fighting. After stabbing Amador in the stomach, Philip dumps him in his trunk and takes him to the dark, dank basement of a building where he and Elizabeth try to nurse him back to health in order to get information about which KGB agent the FBI plans to kill. What doesn’t ring true to me about this scenario is Amador not recognizing Elizabeth after lusting after her at the Beemans’ party.

Stan remembers Amador in a flashback where Amador jokes around about enchiladas and “pussy.”

I am not normally a fan of flashbacks but they are used effectively in “Safe House” to allow Stan to reminisce about his times with Amador. As a matter of fact, we learn more about Amador in the flashbacks than we’ve learned all season. They also serve as the impetus for Stan’s decision to join Gaad and the other agents in their unsanctioned operation. Hernández demonstrates what a fantastic actor he is throughout the episode. Too bad he was never really given a chance to prove his mettle before now.

Memorable lines:

Philip, to his kids about separating from Elizabeth: “We’re hitting the pause button.”

Max: “Who’s the babe? Not your wife, the other fox.”

Stan: “That’s my neighbor.”

Max: “That’s your neighbor? I’d borrow some sugar if I was you.”

Martha: “I’m his secretary, not his potted plant.”

Stan, on the phone with Arkady: “If anything happens to Amador, Vlad is dead. I will personally send you his balls to wear around your neck at your next May Day parade.”

After finding out Amador is missing, Stan searches his place for clues and finds a picture of them in happier times.

The mission doesn’t go as planned, and Vlad (Vitaly Benko), Arkady’s (Lev Gorn) assistant, becomes the unwitting target. The dog story Stan relates to Vlad serves not only to put Vlad at ease, but it’s a metaphor for Stan’s plans. Stan is such a straight-laced guy, I could hardly believe what he does, especially how he does it. Another brilliant piece of directing, Mr. McKay. What Stan does is totally out of character, and I am left to speculate how this will affect him going forward. I also wonder what will happen next for Elizabeth and Philip. Will he move in with Martha and if he does, where will that leave Elizabeth?

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 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!