Philip and Elizabeth find out the Mujahedeen are no joke and Gabriel marvels over American dining options…

This review of The Americans contains spoilers.

Fellow FX-er and all-around uber-mensch Louis C.K.

has a recent stand-up bit about teaching his nine year old not to lie.

Of course good parenting dictates that you teach your kids not to lie, but as C.K.

Philip and Elizabeth have been lying for as long as they can remember.

Their whole existence is based on a lie.

They arent suspiciously attractive American travel agents.

Theyre suspiciously attractive Russian secret agents.

We knew this would have big repercussions in Paiges life.

One morning she went from her childhood photos being important talismans of her past to propaganda.

Naturally she does not respond well.

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Philip and Elizabeth case the Pastor Tims and promptly take Paige home.

The truth has been devastating for Paige, at least in the short term.

For so many years, secrecy and lies were necessary to do his job.

He helps defuse the Paige situation with more of the truth this time, actual physical evidence of it.

He presents Paige with pictures from her and Henrys childhood.

Later he convinces Elizabeth to invite Paige to come see Elizabeths dying mother in Russia with her.

Meanwhile Gabriel senses that Philip might be close to something drastic.

Its driving Philip and Elizabeth apart.

*Always nice to have you back Margo Martindale.

I dont mind The Americans bringing Martindale back for largely thankless appearances because A.

It keeps the world of characters the show is building intact and B. Martindale is awesome.

Based on Philips actions by episodes end, Gabriel may have every right to be concerned.

Its possible that Philip may be going too far on his truth-telling spree.

Take his other wife, Martha (I mean kindly take her!

Philip yells from the stage in Rodney Dangerfield make-up.)

Shes been a dutiful soldier for Clark in this most recent crisis.

I Am Abassin Zadran finally pushes her to her limit, however.

Its only a matter of time before the C.I.A.

finds out she planted the pen in Gaads office.

So Philip does his new favorite trick and tells the truth.

*I cant say enough about Alison Wrights performance on this show and this episode is an example why.

Witness how much shes able to communicate with one side of a phone call.

One thing thatThe Americansis undeniably good at, however, is believable espionage.

To a certain extant, thats true.

Thats why Arkady and Olegs conversation about Operation Zephyr rings true.

The KGB has been blessed with almost too much information to the point that its become useless.

This is also evident by Elizabeths Northrop Grunman operation.

But when one mission succeeds it can lead directly into another and eventually lead into something big.

This led to Philip blackmailing Yousaf to call a meeting with C.I.A.

is meeting with the Mujahedeen.

Only then are Philip and Elizabeth able to pose as C.I.A.

And Zadran responds to this news with the famous understanding and restraint that the Mujahedeen are known for.

Maybe someone will make it out of a hotel room unscathed.

Rating:

4 out of 5