The Americans (TV Series) Safe House (2013) User Reviews

Strong and well plotted episode

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 10 January 2021]

The Jennings' make a big announcement to the family and Phillip gets caught up in a dangerous misunderstanding.

I enjoyed this one for the intricate plotting of a number of coincidental events that lead to some ironic situations with implications on the Cold War battle.

The Jennings' marriage problems have a knock on affect on many lives in this one and as a result several characters have memorable moments. Most of these events unfold in a compelling way. There's almost a parallel between the effect is has on the world of US/Soviet espionage and their own family.

All cast are excellent with Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich and Maximiliano Hernández giving some of the best performances.

The only parts I struggle with are the scenes where Stan had to question and intimidate someone. As good as Emmerich is I don't think these scenes were particularly well written. One monologue is meant to be scary but to me it comes across like something somebody who's not very intimidating would say when trying to scare someone. His final scene with the prisoner is for me, and should be for anyone who's seen The Sopranos, a bit clichéd and predictable.

Overall a strong episode.

Review of Season 1: Episodes 7-9

[851222 · 9/10 · 15 February 2015]

Greetings from Lithuania.

For the last three episodes "The Americans" are starting to suck me in. The story is very good and intriguing, acting is very solid, and each episode manages to surprise you a bit - and that's a very good sign.

In the last three episodes nothing groundbreaking didn't happen, but it will - evens told in 7,8,9 episodes are important and they will lead eventually to a showdown.

Overall, "The Americans" are on a very solid road so far, and with each episode i start to like it more and more.

My votes for last three episodes: episode 7 - vote 8, episode 8 - vote 9, episode 9 - vote 9.

The Americans Safe House

[dalydj-918-255175 · 4 April 2013]

Philip makes one stupid mistake which he borough Elizabeth in on which will not work out well for them. This mistake was a misunderstanding when Philip as Clarke was confronted by Chris and after a fight Chris was stabbed and the two just kept him alive for such a long time only for him to die in the end. The character of Chris was OK when on the show but I felt they handled his death well through the flashbacks with Stan and also the scenes Elizabeth and Philip wanted information off him. This decision on the show could be a changing point for the main characters and I wonder how they will handle it further on from now. Chris's death was the main part of the episode but another good point is how the show handled the separation of Elizabeth and Philip from Paige's hatred to Henry facing depression. Overall a nice episode with a game changer and some nice scenes between characters.

EPISODE GRADE: B (MVP: Matthew Rhys)

not bad

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 16 April 2013]

The K G B grabs a F B I agents, and the F B I grabs a K G B agent. I believe the unsanctioned F B I activity will come back to haunt many of the agents. The K G B has no idea of the deep cover agents. More soap opera of the K G B family split. The viewers gets a feeling that a forced marriage for deep cover has negative effects on the K G B agents. The Americans tries to show the K G B agents as human. Are the agents effected by living in the U S for so long? Well acted and directed series, which is trying to find itself. I believe The Americans will become a good show when The Americans hit full stride. I give Safe House a six out of ten.