This is the best show I’ve ever seen. Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad are up there, but, in my subjective opinion, nothing even remotely compares to The Americans. It begins with quite an impression—and only continues to improve and improve all the way to the finale (the best episode). What struck me first is the acting. Matthew Rhys’s lead performance as Philip is, again, the best I’ve ever seen—though his co-stars Keri Russell and Noah Emmerick aren’t far behind with their performances. Little did I know how captivating and excellent this show gets.
The next thing that stood out is the plot. The Americans revolves around the Jennings, a seemingly normal suburban family in 1980’s Washington D.C. But the parents, Philip and Elizabeth, are top secret Russian spies. Born in the Soviet Union, they trained for years under the KGB and were placed in an arranged marriage, where they had to have kids to blend in and hide their identities—even from the kids, Paige and Henry. The nature of their marriage causes problems; we see its ups and downs each episode, as the question of whether it is “real” is tested. They pose as travel agents, but at night they gather intelligence, eliminate targets, sleep with important people (FBI, CIA, State Department, contractors, scientists, diplomats, defectors, double agents) to gain intel, and do countless other things. The story gradually expands to the hundreds of people intertwined with the Jennings—and their own lives. A prime case is Stan, an FBI agent, who coincidentally moves in across the street. The families become close, but Philip & Elizabeth can’t afford to get caught doing anything suspicious (a nearly impossible task, indeed).
The density, scope, and expansiveness of the plot take viewers into all sorts of wild, tricky, and unforeseen situations. Set in the Reagan era and based on real events—from Reagan’s “Star Wars” to the fall of the Soviet Union, including various summits and arms agreements—the show gradually exposes other factions from around the world too. Likewise, it covers the many factions fighting for power in the Soviet Union. And for either side, allegiance is rarely black and white, as love and friendship often blur the lines. Moreover, from the disguises used to the veracity of the historical operations, the show boasts widespread acclaim from experts (the main writer Joe Weisberg is a former CIA officer). The show is quite intellectually stimulating too, as we see the clashing of ideologies like marxism & atheism with U.S. evangelicalism. *Check out Matthew Rhys’s brilliantly acted scene below.*
In the end, The Americans is excellent in every possible way. The set design is thoughtful, realistic, and consistent—enchanting us with all of the little details, ambiance, & characters needed to facilitate a convincing setting. The costumes, makeup, and outfits are true to the time and place. The camera work, panning, and shots are novel and artistic. The score and soundtrack are absolutely magical. The stunts, fights, etc. are always executed perfectly. The acting is insanely good all around. The philosophical and religious contrasts, as well as the actual historical events taking place in the show, are stimulating; they engender provocative conversations. Most importantly, the show sucks you into its universe. You get so invested in so many characters, regardless of allegiance. You get attached. The first season is great, the second is even better, three is when the show reached its unanimous rating of 100% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and from three to the finale in season six it’s almost too good. You can’t stop watching, you can’t stop thinking about it, and it sabotages your life (in a beautiful way). Plus it’s free to stream on Prime Video. Give it a shot! One day it’ll be considered one of the best shows ever not just by critics—which it already is—but by the public. If I could give this show more than a 10/10, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Rating: 10/10
just finished the episode w the intercept scene that u included in ur review. amazing!
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i like how this post doesn’t have as many likes as like 80% (or even more) of ur reviews n yet it still has so many comments. shows how valued it is by ppl who do indeed know about it.
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Oh just saw this other comment about the likes & views. I really appreciate that! Great observation.
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😉
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I still go back and watch scenes like that on Youtube sometimes. Legendary.
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wow
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Ha this show often got me saying the same thing. So dang good.
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haven’t seen it. on my list now tho
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Let me know what you think if you give it a shot!
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ya
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is it on netflix
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Nah but it is free on Prime Video
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i don’t have that
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You can also rent each season in HD on Amazon for $14.99. Or you can rent one episode at a time for $2.99 in HD if you want to test it out first. Also, are you a college student? If so, you can get a 6-month free trial of Prime Video and that way the show is free.
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yes i’m in uni. okay thank u luke
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Just look up Amazon Prime Student on Google and make sure you put in your personal university email so that they can confirm your enrollment. Let me know if you have issues!
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🙂
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I got Prime figured out. Watching the pilot rn
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Lit. Just gotta watch the first 6 episodes or so and then you’ll be hooked.
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Got it
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True. I was hooked after 6 or 7
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The latter seasons even better like u said
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🔥
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Ditto
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🤓
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Terrific show, I watched all six seasons over a couple of months during lockdown and was gripped from start to finish. And nice review as well Luke.
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Love that so much! And thank you!
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Underrated show. I’d take it over breaking bad like you said but not the sopranos or the wire
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Ha funny that you mention that because The Wire is #1 on my list of next shows to watch. Really need to see The Sopranos too!
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And I’d love to see what you have to say about The Sopranos.
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Need to check out The Sopranos indeed.
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I hear that seasons 3 and 4 of The Wire are some of the best seasons ever in television.
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I can’t argue with that. You know your stuff.
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Great review. I’m so glad you got me on this. Great seeing ya last week too bro
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At the part where Paige finds out about the parents.
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Love it! Excited for you to see the next few seasons.
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P.S. Shoutout again to Hope Latta for sending this to Joseph Melendez, who played Agent Ganzel in The Americans, and to Joseph himself for taking the time to read and enjoy my review. Cheers to the powers of the internet!
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http://www.sagaftra.org/iactor/josephmelendez
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1645332/bio
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dang man that’s actually pretty tight
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Just started s2. this is fire man
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Yess!
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Season 5 now
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Yesss. Get ready for greatness.
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Season 6 >
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gr8!
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Wow, just saw that you shared all of these other articles of mine in addition to Spirited Away. I appreciate that more than words can express. About to finish an assignment and then I’m reading all about your new festival and website. Cheers!
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I really liked this show too. It started off well, maintained it’s standards and ended effectively. Aside from the plot and the acting, I liked the soundtrack too.
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Nice assessment. Love that soundtrack too!
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Great show but not the single best
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Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I respect that. Just curious: What do you think is the best?
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Breaking Bad
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Fair enough. I def respect that!
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I need to see season 6 though
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Oh dang ya hope you get to it soon!
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With all due respect to you and to Breaking Bad, I gotta say that you can’t compare them without seeing Season 6
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Fair enough. I’ll lyk
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Dope
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Damn. Really good sixth season after 3 episodes. Excited for the rest
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Lit. The latter half of the final season is far better than even the already-amazing first half, so you’re in for a treat!
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no. the americans rly is the best
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Haha sorry but I have to agree with David.
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😦
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🤪
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lol love it
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sorry for the late reply
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No prob🤠
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This really is a nice flex rn
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Indeed. Sorry just now seeing this
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Just started the series… yay
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Lmk what ya think!
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