Thats why its exciting that this episode was named Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep?
Thats some fun word play!
The mail robot, everyone likes that guy!
Hes like R2-D2, except he spits out mail for the FBI.
And wouldnt you know it, thats a reference to Philip K. Dicks Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
*
*Thats Russian for What the hell, Americans?
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Whatever.
This is sad, brutal stuff.
And its also wonderful, near-perfect television.
Its not just wonderful because its bleak and subsequently the buzzword for disposable modern TV: gritty.
Its wonderful because its human.
It knows what makes humans both powerful and vulnerable and is able to articulate that superbly.
One of the major themes inherent toThe Americansis how love is both a curse and an asset.
But when those two loves begin to intersect and conflict with each other, it makes both institutions weaker.
Philip is a far worse spy now than he ever was.
And Elizabeth is a much cruel person than she ever was.
Even when Philip succumbs to merely sentiment it just leads to more pain.
This leads indirectly to…well, you know.
Stan and Oleg are still in love with Nina and are bound into an uneasy partnership because of it.
Even young Hans behaves monstrously when he senses something he loves is about to be taken away from him.
Whether that something is his cause or Elizabeth is debatable but the end result is the same.
Still, characters onThe Americanscontinue to love through the pain.
Much like we all do.
Thats what evil people tell themselves when they do evil things.
Betty describes a life with her husband that isnt perfect.
But they could talk about enough.
They werent together forever but they were for 27 years, which is close enough.
She describes, in short: Philip and Elizabeth.
Earlier this season Elizabeth asked Philip if he ever had to fake it with her.
Sometimes, he replied.
But not right now.
Thats what matters: right now.
In her dying moments, Betty asks if Gil sent Elizabeth to her to ease her transition.
As far asThe Americansis concerned, there may be no such thing as real love or true love.
There is something close enough, however, just like Gil and Betty.
Theres intimacy, like pulling your partners shattered tooth out.
And theres time spent together and theres trust.
Its love or something like love.
Its beautiful and destructive, just likeThe Americans.
Philip is beginning to understand that.
Over their weekly Scrabble game, Philip finally cracks and tells Gabriel: Whats the problem?
The problem is you, Gabriel.
All this talk because you think you’re free to wrap me around your little finger.
I wonder who that love will get killed this time.
Rating:
5 out of 5
