NFT: The Americans... penultimate episode (SPOILERS)

In her teens she finds out that everything she knew about her parents was a lie. Think that would lead to some trust issues, maybe? Now she finds out that her mother has been repeatedly lying to her even though the "big secret" is long in the past.

Slight aside - amusing that Elizabeth's big accusation to Claudia is "You lied to me"....and then Paige says the same thing to her. Like mother, like daughter.

I'll be the creep who says I'm really bummed that we're not likely to get another shot of Kerry Russell's fantastic rear end.

Things I wonder if there will be any resolution of:

-Renee
-Misha - I still don't know what the point of all that was if he was never going to make another appearance after Gabriel sent him away.
-What the hell was going on when Gaad died? Why were the Soviets busting into his hotel room in Thailand when he was retired?

The writers have occasionally written themselves into a corner with storylines to where they didn't have any obvious path forward. The Misha storyline being one example. Nina, being another.

where the producers admitted the Nina-in-Russia storyline was a huge mistake. They liked Annet Mahendru (hey, who didn't? She's a knockout) and tried to come up with reasons to keep her in the show, which ultimately just dragged on and went nowhere.

seeming change of philosophy I still think it comes down to Elizabeth vs Philip and there will be collateral damage like Paige.

Paige was already concerned about the morality and how far "should" she go and questioned using her body to achieve her goals. I forget which episode, but Elizabeth said something like she'd give her life for the cause.

Philip escaping while another suspension of belief moment (especially after the debacle in Chicago) but was completely expected given the show's history. The moment he realized he might be being followed I knew he'd get away, and it was a perfect juxtaposition to Oleg who didn't make any attempt to flee.

Though he has less to hide.

It would be good to see Claudia get whacked, maybe Elizabeth covering her tracks, but she seems like a survivor.

Where would he go? With his accent and lack of documents, he can't blend in like P&E. He has no money, no car, no contacts.

I'm actually not really sure how this will play out. There would have been a Jennings family escape plan, of course, but now that there's no exfiltration back to Mother Russia where can they go? They go to NH to get Henry and then?

In comment 13974181 Greg from LI said:

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Where would he go? With his accent and lack of documents, he can't blend in like P&E. He has no money, no car, no contacts. I'm actually not really sure how this will play out. There would have been a Jennings family escape plan, of course, but now that there's no exfiltration back to Mother Russia where can they go? They go to NH to get Henry and then?

Oleg is a known Russian operative. So yeah, he wouldn't run anyway, just saying the reactions were predictable (Philip runs and of course evades the inept FBI and Oleg says take me in).

still has a role to play in the finale.

There's going to be a lot packed into the finale. On top of that, they're finally going to reveal that Renee is some kind of operative?

But impactful screentime. I dont think they set this character up for no reason. And if they decided she wasn't important to tje endgame, probably would jabe marginalised her more the rest of this last season

No idea how it plays out, loving this season, but she fits in somewhere IMO

Hate posting from phones. Text like an old man

In comment 13974204 Greg from LI said:

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There's going to be a lot packed into the finale. On top of that, they're finally going to reveal that Renee is some kind of operative?

Agree with this. I think she was put into the story as a misdirection. As a final nod maybe they have her "inadvertantly" delay Stan somehow in pursuing the Jennings and leave the question open about whether she was really a spy? I don't think there is any time to do a big reveal and involve her in the resolution.

When Stan was doing a data base search I totally understand why nothing or stolen identity info cam up on Phil and Liz, but why did nothing come up on the travel agency? It is a legit business no?

But it was a search of criminal case files. That's why nothing came up except a different Philip Jennings who was an arsonist.

In comment 13974247 Greg from LI said:

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But it was a search of criminal case files. That's why nothing came up except a different Philip Jennings who was an arsonist.

and he was a 23 year old black man.

In comment 13974247 Greg from LI said:

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But it was a search of criminal case files. That's why nothing came up except a different Philip Jennings who was an arsonist.

ahhh ok. Thats why nothing came up at all under Liz. Interesting I didn't realize that the episode was named "Jennings, Elizabeth".

In comment 13974201 Sneakers O'toole said:

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still has a role to play in the finale.

If she doesn't, then that was one gigantic waste of time.

They really didn't invest all that much in Renee as a character. She was mostly just background with the exception of a couple of episodes.

This season has been pretty tightly written, seems an odd thread to just be hanging. We'll find out soon 😁

not quite red herring, but not quite spy either - always leaving you wondering who out there might not be who you think they are.

so there�s more time to wrap up storylines.

Can save Stan from Renee? I mean Liz has to kill someone in The finale, she�s a killing machine. Has there been an episode where she hasn�t killed someone?? and I don�t trust Renee!😂😂

Maybe he contacts Paige and tells her that Stan was asking about them.

Maybe that's who Elizabeth is referencing when she asks "Can we trust him?"

Maybe they flee to Buenos Aires?

Pastor Tim lying to the FBI, there is no chance in hell I see him realistically (even for this show) tipping off Paige.

a good one at that because there was genuine drama as to what he was going to say. Doubt he's involved any more. The "can we trust him? " line from Liz was about Burov i'm pretty sure.

In comment 13973879 jcn56 said:

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In comment 13973843 Stu11 said: Quote: I don't usually critique writing and wrapping loose ends up but I have to say I'm a little disappointed in how they are playing out Liz. I mean her dedication to the USSR and its way of life and the cause and her stone cold resolve has been the bedrock of the show. Suddenly the 2nd to last episode she turns on them and goes full on Phil? She knew damn well when she met that guy in Mexico what the plot was all about, and suddenly she has a come to Jesus moment? On the Paige thing, yea her reaction was a little over the top, but I have to say I really saw her as a young adult there for the first time and not some kid. Interested to see how it ends up for Oleg, does it end with him headed to jail in America? probably. Stan called in an IOU for him once before with the CIA, can't see him getting away with it again. Yeah, the Liz thing is a little hackneyed. She instantly had a 'come to Jesus' moment and does a complete about face. I do think it's more about patriotism than you do - I think initially, she didn't question the logic of a black op kept secret from the rest of her organization, but ultimately decided that her policy of just following orders might not be unethical, but not patriotic as far as serving her country.

Elizabeth had second thoughts earlier. She was shaken when she killed Gennadi and Sofia and stood face-to-face with their child. I thought Claudia was toast. Pastor Tim couldn�t say anything. Pastor or not, he withheld information that jeopardized national security. I like the way the final episode has been set up. People will die and we have no idea who they will be. Elizabeth, Philip, Stan, Paige, Oleg.

In comment 13974289 shockeyisthebest8056 said:

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In comment 13974201 Sneakers O'toole said: Quote: still has a role to play in the finale. If she doesn't, then that was one gigantic waste of time.

Renee could be dispatched to kill the Jennings. I could see both her and Stan tracking them down and then coming face-to-face in the process. Or she doesn�t even get a line.

for me its up there with the great one hr cable tv dramas of this golden age.

In comment 13974603 UESBLUE said:

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for me its up there with the great one hr cable tv dramas of this golden age.

Agreed easily my favorite show in at least the last 10 years. Not one episode ever dragged.

What argues against the idea that she's been a spy all along is that Philip and Elizabeth both thought it was possible from the moment she came into the picture.

What argues for the idea that she's been a spy all along is that, in terms of the story, that question hasn't been explored or discussed in quite some time. And she just so happens to have an FBI interview just as the series is winding down.

So my theory is, when Renee was introduced, the plan was that she would be a red herring for the audience. But later on, the writers realized the opportunity to actually follow through on the idea. So they may be kicking themselves for having ever given that theory any oxygen. Now, if it turns out like that, people will say they saw it coming for years.

an agent - it would be unimaginably risky for an illegal to apply to work at the FBI. Even applicants for Personnel have to pass a background check, I'd imagine. How would she do that? She'd have no family - that would be an enormous red flag.

I do not believe the show will end with Phil and Liz getting caught and tossed into jail. One or both die. The Americans won�t kill them.....so who will?

RENEE

In comment 13974848 5BowlsSoon said:

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I do not believe the show will end with Phil and Liz getting caught and tossed into jail. One or both die. The Americans won�t kill them.....so who will? RENEE

My bet is Elizabeth takes her poison pill.

when she was collecting stuff for their bugout bag

In comment 13974883 Greg from LI said:

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when she was collecting stuff for their bugout bag

Interesting....I didn�t catch that.

I can't swear to it. She packs the license plates, passports, and weapons, then she looks at the counter for a second and picks up what looks like a necklace. I just assumed it was the locket....however, now that I'm thinking about it, when she went for her final meeting with Claudia, she left an object on the table in the hallway before walking in to talk to her. That might have been the pill locket, too.

In comment 13974903 Greg from LI said:

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I can't swear to it. She packs the license plates, passports, and weapons, then she looks at the counter for a second and picks up what looks like a necklace. I just assumed it was the locket....however, now that I'm thinking about it, when she went for her final meeting with Claudia, she left an object on the table in the hallway before walking in to talk to her. That might have been the pill locket, too.

I�m impressed Greg. Yes, I do remember she left something at Claudia�s. I didn�t give it much thought, but the Lockett makes sense.....or her key to Claudias apartment. She won�t be needing that any longer.

In comment 13973902 Greg from LI said:

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She was a true believer through and through, right? A committed Communist whose sense of duty stems from absolute belief in the righteousness of the Party. This is in contrast to Philip, who is a Russian patriot but NOT committed to the Party. Elizabeth realizes that the things she does are horrifying but assuages her conscience with the knowledge that she does them in a noble cause. Now she finds out that the real motivation behind her most recent mission isn't noble at all. In fact, it's flat out murder of a man she knows to be innocent. If her handlers assigned her to do that, how many of her other missions were also based on much more venal motivations than pursuing the glories of Communism? IOW, she's not turning on the ideal of Communism. She's turning on the integrity and honesty of the people she works for, and by extension the Soviet system itself. Now, you and I know the true horrors of the USSR, but she does not. Remember, she left for the US at a very young age, around 20 years old. Her knowledge of life at home is pretty limited. As Philip said to her, while they do what they do because they're following orders, they are the ones who actually kill people and destroy lives. They bear the ultimate responsbility. Elizabeth was fine with that when she believed those orders were righteous. Now she knows they weren't, and the enormity of what she's done over the course of 20+ years is weighing heavily on her. She understands now how Philip feels and why he removed himself from operations.

Another very good analysis here Greg. It seems to me also when she had to kill those two Russians and left the child without parents, this was the big moment for her to come to grips with who she is and what is she really doing this for?

But yes, the killing of Nesterenko made no sense to her and that clearly put her over the top and hardened her heart away from the Commrads.

Especially the military ones lol pick up on these things I miss. Good analysis on Liz its clearer to me now what she chose. The locket thing is interesting, I wish I didn't erase the epi I'd like to go back and watch that again.

In comment 13974293 Greg from LI said:

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They really didn't invest all that much in Renee as a character. She was mostly just background with the exception of a couple of episodes.

The actress alone, tells me that she will have a part in the finale. She�s fairly well known to just serve a roll of a woman with 6-7 total lines in the series.

I think she�s CIA, not KGB.

I think it's safe to assume that every new element introduced this season (like the poison pill) was brought in with a very clear understanding of how it would ultimately be used.

So I think it's a near-guarantee that Elizabeth still has the pill, and it's going to have a part to play in the finale.

I think it was a key....too big to be the locket. Just re watched that scene.

When she is packing the go bag she collects the wedding rings from when they officially got married and you can see a necklace around her neck...presumably the pill.

They have about 75 minutes of screen time to close out the story if it is a 90 minute episode. That is plenty of time to bring things to a close and tie up loose ends. Not sure how they can hope to get Henry in NH as the FBI should have things figured out quickly. Collecting Paige who is in this deep already would seem necessary at this point. Their options are pretty limited now that they betrayed the Center and can no longer going back to Russia.

Can they turn themselves in somehow? Do they go down in a hail of bullets? Will we see Martha, Misha? Will Oleg get a pass as he was trying to protect Gorbachev which is clearly better than the alternative. And is Renee anything other than a red herring? Should be a fun show.

know what Philip and Elizabeth look like without disguises?

I'm blanking on this. I think he does, but I forget if they were disguised when they met. Even if they were disguised he may be able to still tell what they look like undisguised.

Just wondering if Oleg recognized them from Stan's picture and if there's any chance he flips on them.

They are basically blown anyway at this point. The priest does know what they look like and I imagine he would quickly flip. Oleg certainly knows what Phillip looks like...do not recall if he knosw what Elizabeth looks like.

In comment 13975889 AnnapolisMike said:

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They are basically blown anyway at this point. The priest does know what they look like and I imagine he would quickly flip. Oleg certainly knows what Phillip looks like...do not recall if he knosw what Elizabeth looks like.

It only matters to validate Stan's hunch, sure the priest may identify them but Elizabeth or Philip could also eliminate the priest first.

In comment 13975893 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 13975889 AnnapolisMike said: Quote: They are basically blown anyway at this point. The priest does know what they look like and I imagine he would quickly flip. Oleg certainly knows what Phillip looks like...do not recall if he knosw what Elizabeth looks like. It only matters to validate Stan's hunch, sure the priest may identify them but Elizabeth or Philip could also eliminate the priest first.

You have to assume the priest is already in custody. They are completely on their own with Elizabeth having betrayed The Center. The FBI is closing in on them and they are running.

START is the title of the last episode. So I am going to guess that the Episode will revolve in some way around the START Treaty. You could weave an ending that involves a coming together of the FBI, Jennings and Oleg to protect Gorbachev and the continuation of negotiations of a treaty.. The conversation between Oleg and Stan in the cell is probably important in this regard.

said the priest was coming in "tomorrow" or something like that. Didn't they? Or did they say they were interviewing him tomorrow?

I didn't get the sense he was in custody. could be wrong.

In comment 13975893 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 13975889 AnnapolisMike said: Quote: They are basically blown anyway at this point. The priest does know what they look like and I imagine he would quickly flip. Oleg certainly knows what Phillip looks like...do not recall if he knosw what Elizabeth looks like. It only matters to validate Stan's hunch, sure the priest may identify them but Elizabeth or Philip could also eliminate the priest first.

Would Oleg flipping ruin things for him back in the USSR?

In comment 13975902 pjcas18 said:

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said the priest was coming in "tomorrow" or something like that. Didn't they? Or did they say they were interviewing him tomorrow? I didn't get the sense he was in custody. could be wrong.

They were chasing Phillip...I am sure they nabbed the priest at the same time.

I think they said he was coming in in 10 minutes