The great thing about The Americans is that even a slow, methodical episode like “Walter Taffet” can still be exciting based on the sheer talent in front of and behind the camera. It’s the exhilaration of great filmmaking. There was spycraft, sure, but it was less James Bond and more Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Noah Emmerich, making his directorial debut, proves to be a natural behind the camera. I hope to see his name pop up as a director more often.
Elizabeth is giving weekly updates about Paige to the Center, and their field trip to Kenilworth last week just serves to drive an even bigger wedge between her and Phillip. I have to ask, does Elizabeth really think Paige is going to sign up for this? Paige is a born-again Christian, what are the odds that she’s going to sign up for subterfuge, murder, and using sex as a weapon? The plan seems short-sighted, but it ups the dramatic stakes, so I guess I can’t be too mad about it. We have to live in The Americans‘ America, where someone could conceivably carry on the kind of relationship that Phillip has with Martha. But I digress.
A lot of “Walter Taffet” revolves around Martha, and Alison Wright rises to the task. Things start going to shit when the bug is discovered in Agent Gaad’s office. The next few minutes are basically Martha’s nervous breakdown, and Wright sells the shit out of it, doing some solid wordless acting as she frantically destroys the recording equipment in her purse. Good thing she did, too, because soon after the FBI starts sweeping for exactly that kind of stuff, and it’s not long before Gaad and the eponymous Walter Taffet of the OPR (Office of Professional Responsibility) are asking for her help finding the culprit. Taffet only appears in two scenes, and he only speaks in one, but the episode is named after him so I don’t think this is the last we’ll see of him.
Elsewhere, Phillip and Elizabeth go out with Lisa, mainly to lay the groundwork needed to turn her. They play a good couple – emphasis on “play,” because as soon as they get home they’re all business again. It’s honestly kind of sad to watch. Phillip goes to Martha, who decides not to tell him what happened at work. Guys, Martha has a terrible poker face. She’s also increasingly suspicious of her husband, and I think I’ve said this before, but I don’t see her making it to season four.
The rest of “Walter Taffet” was about South Africa. The Center wants Phillip and Elizabeth to apprehend a pro-apartheid Afrikaaner named Eugene Venter – which they do with surprisingly little hassle. Sometimes The Americans is pretty damn slick. The show is smart to touch up on the fall of apartheid, and will be even better than it already is for reaching further.
A Few Thoughts
-
I really need Noah Emmerich to direct more of this show
-
Speaking of Emmerich, he also did a great job acting. The way Stan’s voice broke when he told Sandra “You’re still my wife…technically” was crushing. Also, he has great Russian pronunciation
-
Phillip finally told Elizabeth about his other son Misha, stationed in Afghanistan
-
I’m sorry I’m so inconsistent about reviewing this show. I suck
About Author
