FX's The Americans - Episode 2.07 Arpanet
Philip uses his agent Charles Duluth to help him gain access to an early precursor to the Internet so that the KGB can bug American government communications. Nina faces the threat of a potential FBI polygraph exam, bringing her closer to KGB colleague Oleg.
The Americans has gone pedal to the metal for the first six episodes of its second season. We are now at the halfway point of this great season. "Arpanet" feels like a breather for us to calm down before everything just completely implodes in the final episodes of the season.Kate sends Philip on a mission to bug the Arpanet - an early predecessor to the Internet. However, neither of them have a good understanding of just what this technology is setting out to do. That feels very much in-line with the time. Technology is changing and expanding during this decade. There are the people who embrace that technology and the impact it will have on the future. Then, there are those perplexed by how it works and how it plans to make things easier. Oleg knows this is the future but Arkady doesn't see it's importance. Philip is confused by it but recognizes that this is his mission and it's important to the Centre so he does it nevertheless. The missions that have personal stakes for Philip and Elizabeth are the ones that work the best. This assignment didn't have that. It was Philip simply following his orders. Which is a good thing to show because he and Elizabeth are always going about things their own way which bring great results. But they can fall in line with what their government asks of them too.
What's interesting however is the realization that dawns on Philip about how many people he has killed in this line of work. He's not remorseful about that fact. He had to kill those people in order to protect his cover and his family. He does it so coldly as well - taking out the student here. But knowing that he does feel something about it makes him a much more layered character and not a two-dimensional sociopath. His agent Charles Duluth is a wild card. Philip pulls him into this mission but his sobriety and the thrill he got during it could be very risky of exposure. The discussion about killing people makes it seem like Philip plans on taking out Charles as well. He lives to see another day but Philip knows he's lying. And liars can't be trusted.
Philip and Elizabeth are also struggling with their relationships with Lucia and Larrick. They are even riskier targets for them. Larrick claims he didn't kill Emmett and Leanne but the fact that he wanted to leaves both of them on edge. He's reluctantly going along with their plans but he's no fool. He can tell that they fear him. He knows that they worry being alone with them. They always have a plan to take him down if necessary. However, the more times they meet him the more dangerous he becomes. He did surveil Emmett and Leanne. He was close to discovering their location. If he came upon Philip and Elizabeth's home, who knows the destruction he could create? He may be leaving for Nicaragua shortly but Philip and Elizabeth still have plenty to worry. Especially since they have to also keep Lucia in check. She wants to use Larrick and then kill him. The potential help he may bring later doesn't outweigh the risks he also brings as well as what he did to the people of her country.
But "Arpanet" really is all about Nina. Annet Mahendru was the biggest discovery during the first season and this year the show has continued to use her well. She's been working Stan all season long. But she has to face her biggest hurdle yet when he asks her to take a polygraph exam before compiling with Oleg's demands. She's initially against the idea. Oleg and Arkady push her to do it and coach her on how to trick the machine. Stan rightfully asks her what changed in her opinion of the test. She doesn't give him a real answer. A plot Stan would have picked up on if he weren't so in love with her. But then she answers all his questions and passes. He becomes even more infatuated with her - plotting to get her out of there as soon as possible. She believes she can handle her own with Oleg and promises herself to Stan. And yet, the whole time she's imagining Oleg and how he was able to get her through this experience. Pairing them romantically was something I didn't really want when the season started. She could see right past him while she was the most complex woman he has ever met. But now, she needed him to get past this and she's very appreciative of that fact. She still surprises him but he loves that about her. It's a move that happens very organically and doesn't feel like the show pairing them together for no real reason.
Some more thoughts:
- "Arpanet" was written by Joshua Brand and directed by Kevin Dowling.
- I have no clue what to make of that Henry subplot. The show brought Paige forward in interesting ways but really haven't done much with Henry. Here they are trying to do something but I have no idea what that is. Maybe, it's just to show that he is acting out too?
- Elizabeth's father was a coal miner. Thank you Lucia for pulling that out of her.
- Philip to Kate: "You look like a spy... in an old movie."
- During his upfront press event today, FX President John Landgrad said a third season renewal is "expected shortly." That makes me so happy. The ratings may have dipped but it's been a big critical success this year.
