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If you read my review of Covert Affairs, you will recall that I find the program inconsistent with the reality of intelligence. The Americans is not only produced by a former CIA officer (Joe Weisberg), but the producers engaged H.Keith Melton as a technical consultant.
Melton is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, an intelligence historian, and a specialist in clandestine technology and espionage “tradecraft.” Among Melton's many works is The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception, of which Worldcat said, "The manuals reprinted in this work represent the only known complete copy of Mulholland's instructions for CIA officers on the magician's art of deception and secret communications written to counter Soviet mind-control and interrogation techniques." (Melton, H. Keith, and Robert Wallace. The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception. New York: William Morrow, 2009. ISBN 978-0-06-172589-0 [3]). He also has what is widely reported to be the largest collection of spy equipment in the world, and he is a founding member of the Board of Directors for the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. (Check before showing up; I'm not sure it's open to the public.)
The Americans, unlike Covert Affairs, gets the tradecraft right. But, it goes far beyond that.
The series is the story of two Soviet KGB officers posing, with their biological children, as a married couple who own a travel agency and live in suburban Washington, D.C. during the 1980s. They are part of the Russian "Illegals Program" (Directorate S) under which KGB spies, often "sleeper agents" placed decades before, operate NOC (that is, without official diplomatic cover) when called upon. Allegedly the idea for the show originated with the arrest of 10 Russian "illegals" in 2010. While Russia obviously maintains the program, the conflict between the U.S. and Russia was much greater - thus, the need to call on NOC agents much greater - in the 1980s than currently. The intelligence projects assigned to Elizabeth and Philip Jennings in the series are right off the front pages of the major newspapers of the period.
This series is much more than a spy drama, however. Intelligence involves deception. Elizabeth and Philip did not choose to work together, let alone marry and raise a family. They were assigned together by the KGB. The psychological dynamics of their relationship - Have they come to love each other? Should they love each other, or will that only lead to operational error? To what extent do they, can they, control their feelings for one another? - is a critically important element of the series. These questions are complicated by their obvious love of, and devotion to, their children (who know nothing of their parents' true occupation).
By coincidence, an FBI counterintelligence agent and his family (Stan and Sandra Beeman) move next door. Interestingly, there are emotional parallels between the two families. The Beemans' children know what dad does for a living, at least generally. Yet, Stan's world also involves deception, and Sandra is left - necessarily - in the dark about what her husband does. This is in distinct contrast to Philip and Elizabeth, who each know almost entirely what the other does. Philip and Elizabeth are called upon to be sexually unfaithful; it is simply part of the job. Each knows of the other's professional infidelities (with few exceptions). Beeman is no less a spy, and he is also called upon to be unfaithful professionally. Yet, because Sandra can't know of this, there is as much strain in the Beeman marriage as in the Jennings marriage.
I don't know where to put this point, so I'll put it here. Deception destroys trust. Outside of the family relationships, all of the characters have "trust issues." None of them can truly trust anybody (except that none of the characters' children has reached an age where inability to trust has become an issue - a situation that I suspect will change in a season or two). And, the characters are routinely betrayed by their colleagues, superiors, and subordinates, which causes them to have to betray others. This cascade of betrayal - intentional, unintentional, or coerced - pervades their lives and corrodes their relationships. This series is an intense psychological drama.
The writing is stunning. Far beyond the thrilling adventures of spies, this series delves into the emotions of characters in very difficult circumstances, some of whom are unintentional pawns in the Great Game. Each character is carefully drawn and distinctly presented. There is no ideology here. The viewer identifies with, understands, even cries for, each character.
The Americans won Outstanding New Program in the 2013 TCA Awards, and was nominated, along with its cast, for numerous other awards. It has been renewed for another season, which will begin in January.
Again, television trumps the silver screen. This series is worth buying at twice the price. Don't miss the next season.
Regards,
MDS
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Reviews with images
Sexier than Mr. Smith & Mrs. Smith
Great show, love that it's not American perspective as much as its a Russian one. I'm 28 and people my age really don't understand $h¡+ about the cold war. Glad this show has been picked up for 2 more seasons, (5 & 6). Can't wait. Also, for anyone looking for a binge worthy show, this is it. I started season 1, episode 1 on Thursday night, watched 4 episodes, went to bed and am now finished with season 3, (7 days later). Keep in mind I have a full time job, otherwise I'd be done with this show in 3 or 4 days, all 4 seasons that are available.
Top reviews from other countries
Seibel Arnaud
une série qui gagne à être mieux connue
Reviewed in France on March 4, 2017
