The Americans (TV Series) The Clock (2013) User Reviews

A strong and relatively dark episode

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 30 December 2020]

The Jennings' are given a tough assignment to plant a bug in the home of the US secretary for defence.

I enjoyed this episode for the decent caper and the interesting character focus on Phillip and Elizabeth.

As a story about Russian spies plotting against the US and doing pretty nasty things to achieve their objectives, it does a reasonable job of getting viewers emotionally invested in the main protagonists. However, it only goes so far with me as I found myself empathising with their victims more here, as unlike the the pilot, these were innocent people who happened to be associated through employment to a particular character. Nevertheless, the plot unfolds in a compelling way and runs alongside something of equal significance on the opposite side of the spy game. I think this indicates that anything will go in the world espionage and counter-espionage presented by The Americans from both US and Soviet perspectives.

Mixed in with the main events are interesting character moments for both lead characters with some focus on Elizabeth's relationship with Paige and Phillip's potential longing for a different life.

As in the pilot all performances are excellent, with Matthew Rhys in particular doing some very dark things and managing to come away without being completely despised.

The use of technology is a positive as it is interesting to see what types of equipment were used and it helps to reinforce the period setting.

Gripping thriller. Fascinating set-up.

[axlrhodes · 8/10 · 22 November 2021]

Is this show the sexy version of Homeland? I'm here for Keri Russell but I'm getting so much more. The poison plan with the clock is gripping. The scene where Phillip bribes the mother was spellbinding in its calculated cruelty, and the ensuing way that story plays creates great suspense along with enticing viewer conflict of interest.

pressure mounting fast causes extreme actions

[belaidinazim-57060 · 9/10 · 8 December 2022]

This episode focuses on a close to impossible mission which requires from Elizabeth and Philip to take risks they might have not taken before by asking a woman they know nothing about to put a bug in defense secretary office. Yes, they poisoned her kid, but still if she tells the cops or the secretary, they are basically screwed. So, we passed the whole episodes afraid that something bad will happen, especially in the end when she just refused to do it, even though her son is going to die. And btw she had an outstanding performance, I really felt for her. We won't see her after this episode, but still she impressed me. For this to get done Philip was ready to kill the boy even before the poison kills him, that just proves how desperate they are. The writer invested some minutes on kids issues, I don't care right now, but I am sure it will be important in the future.

On the other side, we see stan's violent side when he took information from a guy and took information as extra. He also could scare a Russian agent into flipping to Americans side, that proved how much skill he got. It also gave him appreciation form his colleagues.

As a conclusion, interesting episode that results in both sides gaining something big.

We will see what happens next.

A great episode!

[mm-39 · 10/10 · 22 May 2013]

The clock episode is a great episode. The realism and grittiness of the K G B is displayed. The deep cover agents are given an impossible assignment to bug Casper Weinbergers' residences. How can the agents achieve their bugging goal in a two day period? They achieve the sinister plot by infecting the maid's son, and forcing her to steal a clock and return it to the Weinbergers so the maid's son can get the antidote. The portrayal, methods, and thinking must have been influenced by real life events. I love how the storyline is plausible. The couple next store can be the most ruthless people with a hidden agenda resonates with the viewer after watching the Clock episode. The Americans is a winner for new t v shows. I've never seen any show quite like The Americans. I give The Clock episode a perfect ten.

Philip:'...it's not such a bad country, the electricity works...'

[jwsanfrancisco · 10/10 · 8 November 2017]

yes, I just caught episode 2(this is a belated review, the episode came out in 2013!); I will reserve additional comments( how this series is linked to me personally, although, I seriously have never worked in intelligence, though)for episode 3. Unlike most TV series I have watched, IE, Alfred Hitchcock hour, Breaking Bad(tense scenes between Walter white-Gus Frimg),Gof Thrones(subdued, yet ruthless Daenarys Targaryen), these dramatic fare is offered for entertainment purposes; while 'THE Americans' must have been written by those who had prior experience working in the spy business. As such while watching the series, I have learned an enormous amount of information about the now defunct KGB, IE, what is a 'dead drop'?; the difference between a 'legal resident spy', & an 'illegal resident spy'? ; what is a 'residentura'?; how spy agencies can 'turn' a KGB operative into a 'mole;?; what is a mole?; etc, etc. 'THE CLOCK' had one telling scene, when Nina Krilova was walking through a farmer's market, & the unrecognizable man standing next to her, measuring the tomatoes, & onions, calmly tells her he is an FBI agent. She slowly realizes the 'gig is up', & nods her head reluctantly, after the agent cajoles her into the consequences, if she refuses to cooperate(all the while, being videotaped from a van by Frank Gaad, & Chris Amador). The pained expression tells volumes, as they have probably determined through cloak & dagger work that she is a suspected KGB operative using diplomatic employment as cover at the soviet consulate(residentura) on Wisconsin avenue. Rewind back to July, 1960, in Gryazi, USSR, when 2 Russians are recruited by the KGB. Then they travel overseas during the Reagan administration years(80s) to take up residence in Fairfax, Va. posing as a married couple, 'Philip & Elizabeth Jennings' . This then is the backdrop for 'THE Americans'. I found that scene with Nina, & Stan Beeman, a little implausible( like the one in movie,PHOENIX, directed by Christian Petzold); are FBI agents really that skilled that they could 'turn' a KGB officer into a mole(FBI informant) in less than 2 minutes? This has been the best episode I have ever seen, but I have not seen the other seasons,except season 4(about mostly episodes about dangerous chemicals used as bio-weapons...)

The Americans The Clock

[dalydj-918-255175 · 9 February 2013]

Philip is testing a women, she then goes into the field getting the right photos. Philip drops by her home and while she believes he is Scott she was able to get the right photos. The FBI investigate a women which leads to a record store, Stan is involved taking some rich caviar. Elizabeth and Philip are sent their new mission which seems quite quick but must be done. Philip and Elizabeth drop by the home of the boy they poisoned wanting the mother to steal the clock from the secretary of state's home because she is the made. Philip still worries about Stan looking into the couple. Elizabeth worries about the futures of the kids especially her daughter. Philip goes to get the clock and the brother of this women shows up with a gun which makes Philip have to fight him. Elizabeth wants to connect with her daughter but struggles unlike Philip with his son. Rosa is given the clock back to return for the antidote. Stan once again visits the store and must torture the owner to get the information he needs. Rosa did not put the clock back which is a big risk for everyone. Stan goes after the girl and she agrees the help the FBI. Philip as Scott picks up the blonde girl from the start of the episode and she seems angry ready to reveal all she knows, he is able to came her down but she leaves the car. Philip threatens the kill the boy with a pillow which causes Rosa to agree to put the clock back he next day and save her son. The radio is placed back on the shelf and the boy is saved soon. Elizabeth seemed for the first time to worry telling Philip this. Elizabeth finally connects with her daughter while Philip watches his son. The Russian embassy get the radio message of a missile being stopped. A step down in quality. Keri Russell is not believable in this role compared to Rhys. The story was boring and jumping back in time has me confused.

EPISODE GRADE: C+ (MVP: Matthew Rhys)