rocket1312

Alright, as someone who thinks this show is the best thing on tv and hasn't been afraid to say it, I will admit that I was a little disappointed with the finale. It was still a good episode of tv, but after last week I expected a bit more. Unless they have something really big cooking for the Martha storyline, to just sort of brush off the reveal from last episode and not even say Martha's name until 5 minutes left in the ep felt like a pretty big FU. I mean what could Philip have possibly told her that got him out of that situation?

The resolution to the double agent subplot was a bit underwhelming as well, but that story was always more about Stan and where he is in life right now. I know he ultimately came out of it alright, but I was glad to see Gaad dress him down and point out how stupid he was to think that anyone would give a darn about getting Nina back.

I really love the way the Paige story has played out. It makes perfect sense that she would just meltdown after everything she has learned. And you know her cries of "I just can't do this" (or whatever it was) is echoing what Philip is feeling right now.

One last thought, does anyone else think something big will happen with Henry at some point? His story has played out mostly in the background, but I sense something big percolating and I don't just mean that he feels alone and starts seeing Stan as his de facto new dad. Obviously that's where they are headed, but I can't help but think it's going to lead to something bigger than that.

PhantomStranger

Now that Paige is in on the secret, it's only a matter of time until Henry finds out. I imagine his reaction would be far different.

0073735963

Thought the finale was ho hum until the end with Paige, Reagan, etc. Looking forward to S4.

One thing that has always stuck out to me was why the Russians usually refer to another via first and last name. While I'm sure many of you know this, I learned something new today about patronymics :-)

For size...

Thrush

Philip's problem is he has a conscious. You can see hes getting more and more disillusioned. He couldn't even bullshit that Arab guy about how what he doing isn't wrong. He wants a better life for his children like most normal humans. Elizabeth on the other hand is basically a robot. Unable to stray in the slightest from her programming. She would eat Paige and Henry if the Center ordered her too.

creekdipper

Interesting to see if they'll eventually pit Liz vs. Phil in an ultimate showdown over the kids.

Decker

I also agree that it's probably the best show on TV (though I still like Game of Thrones more and will love Mad Men until my dying day), and I too was a little disappointed in the ending -- especially ignoring the Martha storyline after last week. It didn't feel fair or earned that they could just dance around her fate like that. I wonder if the show runners were aware of how invested fans are in her character. I did like the tension of the final scene. Paige doesn't strike me as secret agent material (though I think Holly Taylor has had anamazing season and should be on the Supporting Actress short list this year). I also liked the agency bringing Elizabeth's mother to West Berlin in that scene. Wasn't really sure what Nina and the scientist ended up agreeing to in that final scene there or where her story goes from here.

Here is the hour long Americans Season Three recap podcast that Andy Greenwald recorded with the show-runner Joel Field. I haven't listened to it yet but will soon :

johnnysd

Also ichna for women was well

johnnysd

I think the interesting thing is how similar Paige and Elizabeth are (blind devotion to a cause), and how instead of making her more suitable to become an agent it puts her in an ultimately adversarial relationship with her mother. I have no doubt the ultimate end game will be Philip vs. Elizabeth. If this final episode foreshadowed the ending, only the son is likely to survive.

mphtrilogy

I can see Phillip and Paige taking the brother and escaping
Leaving Elizabeth to her own devices....

Living under cover for the rest of there lives....

I would hate to see anyone get killed in a finale, but that's a very likely scenario...

creekdipper

Maybe they can take along Stan's ex since she's getting cozy with Phillip.

Henry would be a happy kid.

johnnysd

Stan's wife would be cleaning a bunch of stuck together socks I think.

DVD Josh

The Fender guitar was a late model American Standard not released until 1986. It would have been either a Smith strat or an elite at that time. Ruined the whole scene!

DVD Josh

I came here to post this. I think that the Centre found a way to get to Paige through religion and Pastor Tim. But there really are only two possibilities:

1) Pastor Tim and his wife are KGB agents; or

2) Pastor Tim and his wife are dead.

rocket1312

I would be willing to bet every penny in my bank account that Pastor Tim and his wife are nothing more than a pastor and his wife.

Decker

...and soon to be dead.

sleepyhead55

Yes, the lack of a payoff for the Martha was really frustrating to me. I did find the Sandra-Phil scenes interesting and am looking forward to see what comes of it.

They gave the Nina storyline more time that I would have thought.

The funniest part of the episode was when Gaad pointed out how stupid Stan's proposed exchange of Zenaida for Nina was.

Luds

Agreed.

Here's what I expect/hope for S4:

- Pastor Tim was just a pastor
- Paige's phone is tapped in case she reacted this way, Elisabeth will learn what she did and kill Pastor Tim & wife.
- Paige and Elisabeth will feud and that will mess up Philip and Elisabeth's relationship further
- Philip will grow further appart from Elisabeth while getting closer to either Martha or Stan's ex
- Philip will consider switching sides, maybe talk to Stan about it, leading up to a Philip vs. Elisabeth thing ending the series

albert_m

I was finally to able to watch it last night. While not as climatic as one would expect, it was still good and sets up the next season.

I think the writers will do something more creative with Paige. Realistically, for her to convert, she needs to become disillusioned with the church and that form of faith. I don't think simply killing the pastor will do that. It would have the opposite effect.

The last shot during the Evil Empire speech was great (and chilling).

bralph

It seemed to me that the pastor and his wife shared an odd look/glance when Phillip and Elizabeth came to pick up Paige from her attempted sleepover. I wonder if they may yet do something that sends Paige back to her parents.

Luds

Could be, and Paige would be happy that Mom pops a bullet in them afterwards...

tucker

the season finale was little disappointing
but still can't wait for next season


http://www.vulture.com/2015/06/vultu...est-drama.html

vulture just gave this show best drama award

Decker

Crazy as it sounds for a show that has miniscle ratings and zero major nominations in the first two seasons, I think it's the front-runner for the Best Drama Emmy come September.

rocket1312

I can't say I follow the tv landscape too closely, but I think that will be a tough nut to crack. All of the incumbents, aside from Breaking Bad, will be back this year. Or did True Detective not make the cutoff? Either way, they are adding another nominee slot, but the comedy and mini-series rules have become stricter, so something like Orange is the New Black would now be eligible for the drama award. Throw in new shows like The Affair, The Leftovers, Empire, Better Call Saul, as well as previous nominees like The Good Wife and Homeland and you have one packed category. Even if it got a nomination, there's pretty much no chance it's going to win. My guess is Game of Thrones or House of Cards (which by the way is inferior to The Americans in just about every conceivable way) gets the win.

Autotelik

I haven't seen The Affair or The Leftovers, but this season of The Americans was better than Homeland and just as good as Better Call Saul. The trouble with Game of Thrones is that they've had better seasons and people might feel it doesn't deserve it this year. I would have no problem with The Americans winning it this year, but I do recognize it is not a buzzworthy show and would be surprised if it did actually win.

I think the best show last year was Fargo (True Detective a close 2nd). Too bad Fargo is going to be on later this year, and I'm not sure if True Detective's 2nd season is going to make the cutoff for the Emmys this year.

Decker

True Detective does not make the cut as it premiered after June 1st. In addition, thanks to the new rules, it would be ineligible since it has a stand-alone story. It would only be eligible for Best Limited Series. Ditto Fargo.