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FX 'The Americans' previews, Noah Emmerich shines in ensemble (VIDEOS)
By April MacIntyre Feb 8, 2013, 2:27 GMT
Keri Russell (Elizabeth Jennings) is admirable in her starring role as a Russian agent schooled the hard way in American life, planted for future ops, but for me the star is Noah Emmerich, the savant FBI agent who winds up moving next to the Russian spies.
FX's new "Americans" is a study of deception and hurry up and wait.
The Americans is a period drama about the complex marriage of two KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington D.C. shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected President. The cold war Reagan years were ripe for the picking without a doubt.
Keri Russell (Elizabeth Jennings) is admirable in her starring role as a Russian agent schooled the hard way in American life, planted for future ops, but for me the star is Noah Emmerich, the savant FBI agent who winds up moving next to the Russian spies.
The arranged marriage of Philip and Elizabeth Jennings grows more passionate and genuine by the day, but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War. Tensions heighten upon the arrival of a new neighbor, Stan Beeman, an FBI agent.
The show continues to tease out the whys these two seemingly bright young things were lured into spy service. Elizabeth’s line about never having caviar before because her family was poor was interesting. We imagine caviar is commonplace for the lucky people anywhere near the Caspian sea. Not so.
The episode also introduced Annet Mahendru as Nina, a Russian spy who has been turned by the FBI. Next week the great Margo Martindale is introduced to the cast as Claudia, the KGB agent doling out assignments to Elizabeth and Philip.
