The Americans: Rififi is French for “Henry opens his eyes”
The Americans continues toward a train wreck for the Jennings family, and ultimately for the USSR. Who ends up as a martyr?
What will the Jennings family do? Either they need to commit to being spies, or they need to escape. As Mr. Miyagi said in Karate Kid, standing in the middle gets you squished like a grape.
“Rififi” attempts to show how bonds can occur with the stability available. It’s a drastic contradiction to the turmoil facing our intrepid spy family.
Russian to Russian, there is an issue.
Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) have been building towards an argument. He tells her he’s not going through with the Brokedown Palace plan, and that sets her off. She counters with a pretty low blow, saying he just wanted to f**k Kimberly (Julia Garner) because there hasn’t been any boom-boom at the Jennings house. Elizabeth thinks she has the upper hand, and says she’ll handle it without Philip. Au contraire mon frère! He told her to go to no commie countries, and that really makes Elizabeth mad.
Enough with the smoking.
Not only does Elizabeth smoke with her new mark, she smokes at home, then has a conversation about smoking with Henry where she says, “I smoke. I have always smoked.” It’s clear to anyone watching this is not true. It just feels like lazy writing from such a creative show. Showing Elizabeth faux-smoking is not the only way to convey stress.
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Seeing his mother stressed causes Henry to pry a bit, and the flood gates of consciousness open. Welcome to the family, Henry! You finally have a slight freaking clue about the whole “my parents are Russian spies”-thing.
Are they paying Keidrich Sellati by the hour? Does he need to make rent or something? I only ask because this episode of The Americans is saturated with Henry. Apparently he’s in a study group at school (yawn), and is trying to figure out family financial problems. Additionally, he has an awkward conversation with Elizabeth, where it’s clear she realizes she knows almost nothing about her son. This could be the reason his eventually let the cat out of the bag, and perhaps even get him involved with a side hustle. I’m sure Henry could chirp the radios on a stake out.
Spy vs. Spy
Elizabeth gets a new mission to help out a fellow “American” in Chicago who is under government surveillance. While she’s away for “business,” Philip snoops in all of the drop spots he and Elizabeth have. Even the secret code deciphering equipment in the fuse box.
Russian on Russian crime.
At work, Philip finally has to drop the axe on three employees: Stavos, Lacy, Steve. He tells Stavos first, and the guy is flabbergasted despite having zero personality. He more awkward than a college-aged nerd talking to a hot chick about foreign films.
A Rififi viewing
Speaking of foreign films, Elizabeth goes to watch Rififi, despite Three Men and a Baby being in theaters. She strikes up a conversation about foreign films with a young nerd, and it’s nowhere near as interesting as when Shosanna met Fredrick Zoller.
Of course, she’s hitting on him. Flirting. But he’s awkward AF and is oblivious to the situation. Dude must be related to Henry. It turns out this kid is named Jackson Barber, and is an intern for Senator Nunn. I have a feeling Jackson is about to become smitten with Elizabeth’s “spy skills.” And by spy skills, I mean nasty, spy sex.x In Elizabeth’s mind, it will probably be a little payback for Philip and Kimberly.
FBI shenanigans
Aderholt approaches Beeman to break a new situation to him. Apparently, one of the secret airport missions was a success. The bag had a circuit board in it. Aderholt tracked it back to a guy, then to a contact, then to his best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw the Russian pass out at 31 Flavors last night. Turns out it’s the same guy Elizabeth is moving to help.
He thinks it will lead to the entire Russian network falling. Riiiiiiight.
Thanksgiving dinner
There’s an entire scene about Thanksgiving, where the Jennings, Aderholts, and Beemans get together. Minus Elizabeth of course. It’s a metaphor for American stability, family, and prosperity.
Stan gives a speech about the wrongs of communism and the greatness of USA. Paige (Holly Taylor) damn near has an aneurysm.
Next: Philip betrays Elizabeth
Even though Philip said he wouldn’t help nab Kimberly, he still worries. He was in the game too long for a hard separation. He calls Elizabeth and talks about her mission. It’s clear she’s worried, and she says she needs help. After a quick back-and-forth guilt trip, Philip tells her she has backup coming. The spy family is back!
The Americans airs Wednesdays on FX.