# The Americans; season 5 (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 3, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255 "2017-03-03T01:15:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/341 "2017-05-10T08:41:17Z")
Well, that flew past for me. Big week for family values! Hey Ollie, don’t worry bout a diner invite anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![golffan1963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4af34b/32.png) [@golffan1963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/golffan1963)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/342 "2017-05-10T17:22:11Z")
Well, well, well…Paige is turning into quite the spy isn’t she? She’s starting to become as duplicitous as her parents. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as they say. Interesting how she is swallowing all of that junk about P and E “making a difference” and that it’s sad that no one will ever know. Aren’t Mom and Pop great? Hey P and E…how about telling her how wrong you were on the “evil wheat scheme” and that you waxed an innocent person for nothing? Paige is becoming quite tiresome… she’s becoming very close to being a willing accomplice to espionage. She’s no longer 14, so youth cannot be cited as an excuse for her as she goes forward. Not to mention how she wants to have it both ways…she **literally** plays the aggrieved daughter and devout Christian by day while being the burgeoning spy by night. Did you see the mesmerized expression on her face when they were developing the pics? Just wondering, by the way…that final scene where they are looking at the diary entries…was Paige turning on Pastor Tim, or was she in reality sending a subtle message to P and E saying “you’ve really screwed me up…possibly permanently.” ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/343 "2017-05-10T17:38:28Z")
I thought this one started a bit slow, but by the time of the secret wedding I was digging it. Great Bauhaus song in the closing sequence. > [@Quimby](#): > > This series is going to end with one of the Jennings dead and the other defecting and telling the US Government everything. Dramatic irony says that Philip dies and Elizabeth sings. I predict, and hope, they defy expectations by ending the series with Philip and Elizabeth going back to Russia (post-USSR) and living a reasonably happy retirement, while Stan remains blissfully unaware his neighbors were spies. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/344 "2017-05-10T17:45:59Z")
Maybe there’s a little over- invested in the Paige thing. Religion was interesting this week; in the 2000 and teens, we have developed ways to get married that don’t involve church people but back then … non-believers (the maj in most developed countries) had to go through this nonsense because religion had been historically so very good at embedding itself in society. It was very sweet though. So Paige has chosen family over her religious guide. Finally. It was underplayed but seemed a very significant moment in her development for me - and not only choosing family but choosing to try and _vanquish_ her former mentor. Those of a religious bent may know of a biblical ref … And Philip reaches for the text on EST in trying to help Paige put her issues with the Pastor in context, and that trumps olde religion, as well. Even Tuan is on the redemption trail, in his own very non-religious way … Is P gong to follow Stan’s lady friend when she’s _away_ next week and discover something … And Tatiana … there is definitely something about that woman … she would really get it. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/345 "2017-05-10T17:46:59Z")
I never noticed the resemblance between Phillip and Pastor Tim until the scene with Tim and Paige at the food pantry. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/346 "2017-05-10T18:20:04Z")
Forgot to mention, the wheat thing; it’s quite amusing that the Centre still has so much faith in P&E’s ability as honey traps yet they both know things ain’t what they were - E was surprised he was dating other women, and Philip simply got blown off (until she believed he was married man). Both their dates are super casual, and P is worried about Stan being Marth’d. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/347 "2017-05-10T18:30:26Z")
I loved the wedding scene. Everything from Philip surprising her to the way the priest barked at them to take off the “Jennings” wedding rings so that they put on the “Mikhail & Nadezhda” ones to the fact that it was way too religious for them (btw, does anyone know what Soviet weddings were like? Did people still go through the whole Orthodox thing with crowns and the works? Or was it all civil weddings?) Even at the end where they stuffed the rings in the wall with the rest of the stuff that cannot be seen. I also loved the darkroom. First, I believe that’s Paige’s first time down there seeing them pull random chemicals from behind the washing machine. But second - the way they set up that room, it was almost like a dance (there was a moment where she ducked without looking right when he was pulling the line over her head), they’ve done it so many times. Pastor Tim’s words were brutal. I also think he’s overstating the effects on Paige. (I wonder what happens to kids who are born into WitSec or move in when they’re very, very young. Wouldn’t they have many of the same issues?) ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/348 "2017-05-10T18:34:26Z")
Yep, that would surely have been the first time Paige saw her parents at work (as professional spies … and national heroes). She slotted right in. Indeed, ‘worse than sexual abuse’ … E’s mouth dropped open a little at that. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/349 "2017-05-10T18:50:33Z")
I think the thing that finally turned Paige on Pastor Tim was his apparent hypocrisy. He’s telling to her face that she is wonderful and will do great things. He’s writing in his diary that she’s broken and permanently fucked up. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/350 "2017-05-10T19:09:25Z")
I wonder if someone is going to accidentally die, say under a car as the jack collapsed, in South America in order to create a vacancy … ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/351 "2017-05-10T19:31:08Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I think the thing that finally turned Paige on Pastor Tim was his apparent hypocrisy. He’s telling to her face that she is wonderful and will do great things. He’s writing in his diary that she’s broken and permanently fucked up. Yes, my thought exactly. Which is why it was so weird that one of the recappers (for the _Atlantic_, I think it was) picked this episode to state that Pastor Tim’s words in public and his private words in his diary were not in contradiction. I was like “whaaa?” ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/352 "2017-05-10T20:02:34Z")
I can’t see it as a contradiction; what was the Pastor supposed to say when Paige went fishing so determinedly ‘You’re a write-ff. You’re fucked up worse than if your parents sexually abused you’? Tim advised her to put her faith in God and reassured her she was fine. What else would an adult do in relation to a questioning child. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/353 "2017-05-10T20:25:49Z")
I don’t remember the exact words, but I’m pretty sure he said more than that she was fine. Wasn’t it more along the lines of her being the greatest ever? ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/354 "2017-05-10T20:55:42Z")
It’s what a father says. You have to say that stuff. Paige: “I dunno, sometimes I feel like … … …” Pastor: “Look to you faith, your faith will keep you strong” \ “You’re going to do great in life there’s not a doubt in my mind about that” ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/355 "2017-05-10T21:03:56Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > I wonder if someone is going to accidentally die, say under a car as the jack collapsed, in South America in order to create a vacancy … Very unlikely… because if Pastor Tim told his congregation “an amazing opportunity just opened up for me… although for tragic reasons, a poor guy died”, Paige would flip out. No way she’s cynical enough to overlook cold-blooded murder yet. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/356 "2017-05-10T21:22:07Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Very unlikely… because if Pastor Tim told his congregation “an amazing opportunity just opened up for me… although for tragic reasons, a poor guy died”, Paige would flip out. No way she’s cynical enough to overlook cold-blooded murder yet. That makes sense. I have to say though, I wonder if, in 3 epi’s time (the end of the season), if Paige will take someone out - maybe as a victim in a public street or something, and she uses the skills her mother taught her. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/357 "2017-05-10T21:36:19Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > I can’t see it as a contradiction; what was the Pastor supposed to say when Paige went fishing so determinedly ‘You’re a write-ff. You’re fucked up worse than if your parents sexually abused you’? > > Tim advised her to put her faith in God and reassured her she was fine. What else would an adult do in relation to a questioning child. I don’t think it’s a contradiction either. That’s why I said _apparent_ hypocrisy. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/358 "2017-05-10T21:48:15Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > That makes sense. > > I have to say though, I wonder if, in 3 epi’s time (the end of the season), if Paige will take someone out - maybe as a victim in a public street or something, and she uses the skills her mother taught her. I don’t see that at all. (But I’ve been wrong before). I’d like Henry brought in this season. Not sure how - but I’d also like him to react in a much different way than Paige does. ---
**Author:** ![Sefton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/359 "2017-05-10T21:59:14Z")
It was good to see Tatiana again, but if a Soviet diplomat came up to me and told me not to be afraid of returning to the USSR, I’d be particularly afraid of returning to the USSR. Only three episodes left to find out if Tuan can bully Pascha enough to force his parents to return to the USSR. The suspense is (yawn) killing me. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255/360 "2017-05-10T22:03:51Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > I never noticed the resemblance between Phillip and Pastor Tim until the scene with Tim and Paige at the food pantry. I mentioned the resemblance in the Season 3 thread–it was more pronounced, then, I thought (the actor was a bit slimmer then and Matthew Rhys had more hair or something). [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18265877&highlight=Pastor#post18265877](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18265877&highlight=Pastor#post18265877) > [@amarinth](#): > > …Pastor Tim’s words were brutal. I also think he’s overstating the effects on Paige. … I agree; worse than sexual abuse, \*really? \*That leads me to believe that Pastor Tim hasn’t had much to do with actual victims of sexual abuse (despite his claims). Paige is a moody teen whose parents haven’t been honest with her about something very important, but I don’t see how “a severe psychic injury” is an accurate observation about her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-americans-season-5-open-spoilers/781255.md?page=19)