I have neither a spouse nor a child but felt the answer was obvious enough: your kid.

I also just naturally assumed that everyone else would agree with me.

Of course, you prioritize the children.

Theyre the next generation!

They know more about pop culture than your spouse!

I had forgotten all about it until tonights episode ofThe Americans, Baggage.

You guys look after each other, you and dad, Paige tells her mother.

Its ok. Im glad you guys are…its a good thing.

In the moment, Elizabeth is taken aback.

She never expected such an answer from her daughter.

Paige, however, is picking up on the fact that her parents arent quite like other parents.

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This is whyThe Americansis knocking its Paige storyline out of the park.

So often on television, children are used as props for the adult actors.

In my world, that parents or children debate was absurd because it would never happen.

In Philips world, however…

Speaking of that women in a suitcase wow.

Elizabeth comes to Philips aid in disposing of Annelises body.

Soviet God taketh away a Swiss honeypot and giveth an Afghan diplomat.

Baggage reveals that Nina is still part of The Americans plans, but offers little else.

Shes in a Soviet prison with nothing but her thoughts and an increasingly panicked Belgian girl for company.

Olegs father, the Minister of Transportation finally visits her but doesnt offer her salvation…yet.

In her place, the C.I.A.

has gained another powerful source of intelligence: Zinaida Preobrazhenskaya.

She worked for the Institute but the grim situation in Afghanistan left her disillusioned and wanting to change teams.

Its interesting that she seems so taken and charmed by American life.

Like Zinaida, Stan is also keen to idealize institutions from afar.

He was a terrible husband and father when he and Sandra were still together.

*The Washington D.C. of The Americans universe has more dimly-lit back alleys per capita than any other city.

Hi, its Stan…Beeman.

Calling for Matthew Beeman.

Its dad, he whispers awkwardly into a pay phone.

His near-death experience doesnt inspire him to be a better man.

He tells his story to Sandra because shes the only person he wanted to tell.

But his sincerity cant be trusted anymore than Philip and Elizabeths.

Getting Yousaf was a coup but hell only be as useful as the number of C.I.A.

agents working on Afghanistan as he can get.

agents to a bar rendezvouz with Yousaf.

So far,The Americanshas handled it deftly.

Rating:

4 out of 5