The Americans, Season 5
Paranoia is a family business.
MOVIES
This post is going up late, so it's pretty clear that I simply didn't leave myself enough time to write about Predator this week, so that'll be next week now.
I blame birthday celebrations and Halloween...
GAMES
Still Wakes the Deep
I've finished the game now and will, like with Predator, write about it next week.
Also currently playing: Baldur's Gate 3, Batman: Arkham City, EA FC 26
TV
The Americans, Season 5
Season summary: As the Jennings question their mission between increasingly hard missions, Paige moves closer to becoming a spy herself, forcing the family to confront choices between duty, loyalty, and survival.
Episode 1, “Amber Waves”
A strange season opener that skips over dealing with how the previous season ended, seems to have a time-skip forward to the Jennings are in the middle of a new long-term operation, but their family life seems to be continuing as if very little time has passed.
A very weird jumble to deal with as a season opener. [6/10]
Episode 2, “Pests”
A much better second episode, with Stan struggling at the FBI and the Jennings trying to make things work with Paige. [8/10]
Episode 3, “The Midges”
Wow, another late-night mission resulting in another murder – it really does feel like the Jennings have got sloppier with their work over the years, but I don’t know if that’s intentional on the show’s part or not. [8/10]
Episode 4, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?”
Another really enjoyable episode, although Paige starting to think and act more and more like parents – despite her distaste for it – could prove trouble in the long run. [8/10]
Episode 5, “Lotus 1-2-3”
Interesting to see how the Jennings react after finding out they were on a mission for the wrong reason, completely ruining Phillip’s mental health. [9/10]
Episode 6, “Crossbreed”
Another really good episode! Apparently, a lot of people didn’t like Paige’s arc when this was first broadcast, but I’m definitely enjoying it so far. [9/10]
Episode 7, “The Committee On Human Rights”
And that’s goodbye to Gabriel (Frank Langella) apparently, which is a real shame as he’s so good in his role, although he gets a great last scene with Phillip to go out on. [9/10]
Episode 8, “Immersion”
Guess what? Another really good episode! And the second in a row with a really good final scene - this time between Elizabeth and Paige. [9/10]
Episode 9, “Ihop”
A good episode focusing on the paranoia of espionage and suspicion of those who are supposed to be on your side. [8/10]
Episode 10, “Darkroom”
Paige is turning into quite the little spy, and a nice romantic moment for Phillip and Elizabeth that I didn’t even think about. [8/10]
Episode 11, “Dyatkovo”
This is one of my favourite episodes of the series, seeing just how dark Elizabeth can go in murdering a victim of the Nazis – where does that place her morally? [9/10]
Episode 12, “The World Council of Churches”
Another really, really good episode that, yet again, probably would’ve hit a lot harder when first broadcast, as it feels like it’s not just setting things up for the season finale, but putting pieces in place for the final season too. [9/10]
Episode 13, “The Soviet Division”
Probably the first season finale that actually felt like one, with a renewed purpose for the Jennings to stay in America, and clear directions ahead for both of their children. [9/10]
While this season might not have as many highs as previous seasons, neither does it have as many lows and is probably the strongest season so far when it comes to consistency?
It's a little hard to tell, thanks to both the show's serialised story-telling and consistent high-quality output, but it certainly feels that way.
I really enjoyed The Americans' fifth season, with it really feeling like how many difficult missions the Jennings have had is starting to take a heavy toll on their lives. [8/10]
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