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Old 03-30-16, 07:00 AM
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The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16



Episode 3 / Production #403 - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" (Airs March 30, 10:00 pm e/p) - Paige copes with new burdens that come with her family's secret - as Philip and Elizabeth struggle to contain their cover without destroying their daughter. Written by Stephen Schiff; directed by Kevin Dowling.
Old 03-31-16, 02:29 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

I'm actually surprised they did try to talk with Pastor Tim. Of course there's no way it ends well for him.
Old 03-31-16, 02:31 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

so what was up with the asian lady? another person they are trying to work? i don't recall her. i was thinking it was similar to that african american woman she became friends with because she worked at a facility they needed intel at. but i can't see the angle of needing someone who works for mary kay.
Old 03-31-16, 02:36 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

I don't know. She seemed kind of random. Just another person for them to eventually kill.
Old 03-31-16, 05:42 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by Deftones
so what was up with the asian lady? another person they are trying to work? i don't recall her. i was thinking it was similar to that african american woman she became friends with because she worked at a facility they needed intel at. but i can't see the angle of needing someone who works for mary kay.
I was wondering that too....whether it was a job or what.
Old 03-31-16, 05:57 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Anyone notice Paige had a TrapperKeeper when she was doing homework on her bed? I had one in grade school in the early 80's as it was the coolest thing at that time.

When does Paige spill the beans to Henry? That look she gave him at the end when he's playing video games seems to me she's thinking about it.
Old 03-31-16, 06:54 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by davidh777
I don't know. She seemed kind of random. Just another person for them to eventually kill.
I'm thinking the relationship is to either further Elizabeth's assimilation into American culture via "real" friendships and only-in-the-USA activities like selling Mary Kay, OR to set up some sort of espionage related to the Asian woman's younger brother (otherwise the extended bit about wines and ABV is super random).
Old 04-01-16, 08:37 AM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

That's what I assumed. Elizabeth is working the woman to get info from/about the other guy. I think the long term fallout will be that Elizabeth actually ends up with something resembling a friend and that will compromise her ability to stay detached. Will she be able to do her job if she is emotionally invested in one of her assignments? We've seen Philip grapple with that since the beginning, but it's new territory for Elizabeth.
Old 04-01-16, 08:48 AM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

speculation ...

Spoiler:
with Gabriel "incapacitated" & Philip and Elizabeth under quarantine, the EPCOT trip is off. I'm guessing that Gabriel's the only person that can call off the hit on Pastor Tim. And Paige will see her parents backing off on a trip to Florida and mysteriously disappearing the same time Pastor Tim gets into a car accident. Not only will Paige think that her parents had something to do with it, she'll think that they were the assassins. Unless Philip & Elizabeth can get a message to Tim telling him that there's someone coming to kill him.
Old 04-01-16, 09:12 AM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Pastor tim.. You are on the clock
Old 04-01-16, 09:23 AM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by davidh777
I don't know. She seemed kind of random. Just another person for them to eventually kill.
"I still don't even know what you guy exactly do. I mean, do people get hurt...?"

"Of course not, honey. You know us better than that."

(And yeah, totally noticed the TrapperKeeper. Classic.)

The look on Philip's face during some of Pastor Tim's comments should have made Pastor Tim very afraid.
Old 04-01-16, 11:46 AM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by mcnabb
Anyone notice Paige had a TrapperKeeper when she was doing homework on her bed?
It was almost all I could think about during that scene.

Originally Posted by TimeandTide
I'm thinking the relationship is to either further Elizabeth's assimilation into American culture via "real" friendships and only-in-the-USA activities like selling Mary Kay, OR to set up some sort of espionage related to the Asian woman's younger brother (otherwise the extended bit about wines and ABV is super random).
Pretty sure the younger brother is the mark, but this seems to be a longer con than usual. My only guess is that he has better access to the deeper levels of the biological weapons lab.
Old 04-01-16, 11:46 AM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Also: finally, an appearance from the mail robot! My favorite character in the show.
Old 04-01-16, 01:42 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by RoyalTea
speculation ...

Spoiler:
with Gabriel "incapacitated" & Philip and Elizabeth under quarantine, the EPCOT trip is off. I'm guessing that Gabriel's the only person that can call off the hit on Pastor Tim. And Paige will see her parents backing off on a trip to Florida and mysteriously disappearing the same time Pastor Tim gets into a car accident. Not only will Paige think that her parents had something to do with it, she'll think that they were the assassins. Unless Philip & Elizabeth can get a message to Tim telling him that there's someone coming to kill him.
That seems likely. They may try another thing or two also, but overall I agree.
Old 04-01-16, 02:37 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by Strapped4Cash
That seems likely. They may try another thing or two also, but overall I agree.
Why wouldn't they have access to a phone?
Old 04-01-16, 02:43 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

I think this may have been one of the top episodes in a the series. Excellent acting all around.
Old 04-01-16, 03:03 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by Astrofan
I think this may have been one of the top episodes in a the series. Excellent acting all around.
Most importantly, Margo Martindale made her annual 5 minute cameo which pretty much assures her another Emmy nomination.
Old 04-01-16, 04:14 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by The Bus
Why wouldn't they have access to a phone?
I don't believe that I mentioned a phone. But while they probably do have access to one in Gabriel's apartment, they might not feel it's secure enough to try to contact and discuss this matter with some of those that they would if they did have a more secure line of communication open.
Old 04-01-16, 06:33 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by rocket1312
Most importantly, Margo Martindale made her annual 5 minute cameo which pretty much assures her another Emmy nomination.
Hey it's worth it to watch two old pros--her and Langella--scene steal together.
Old 04-01-16, 06:59 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Great episode, I love this show.

The only negative so far this season has been the whole Nina story, but I'm hoping there will be some kind of payoff eventually.

I laughed out loud when the scientist took off running in the park. All it needed was Yakety Sax in the background.
Old 04-01-16, 10:24 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by Astrofan
Hey it's worth it to watch two old pros--her and Langella--scene steal together.
Don't get me wrong, I think she's great. It just seems crazy to me that the show gets almost no awards attention aside from Martindale. She won the Emmy last year despite only appearing in (I'm pretty sure) one scene. That tells me that the voters are just voting for the name and none of them actually watch the show.
Old 04-01-16, 10:36 PM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

I assume it's because they like the actress and want to keep her around, but to me the Nina stuff has felt disconnected to the show for two years now.
Old 04-02-16, 01:09 AM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

It's actually kind of fascinating to have a whole story, using one of the original cast members, taking place separating from the rest of the show. I can't think of a show that's so boldly done this before, and certainly not having everyone speak sub-titled Russian.
Old 04-02-16, 05:23 AM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Originally Posted by buckeyes8604

The only negative so far this season has been the whole Nina story, but I'm hoping there will be some kind of payoff eventually.
.
I believe there has to be some type of payoff coming with her. I remember being bored by the Martha storyline in the first 2 seasons, and then the big payoff last year was worth it as now she could bring down Clark/Phillip with Stan stalking her.
Old 04-02-16, 06:07 AM
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Re: The Americans (S4E03) - "Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow" - 3/30/16

Noticed the Trapper Keeper immediately and commented on it!

I was very confused by the Mary Kay lady too. I suppose she's a path to get the access codes for Level 4 containment, but I certainly don't recall any setup or conversations. Odd since this show gives so many details.

I have a feeling Stan is going to find out the secret by the end of the season. The confrontation in the season opener heavily mirrored the end of the pilot (both in the Jenning's garage), plus he's starting to follow Martha. Given Phil doesn't use a disguise any more, he'll be spotted immediately.

Did the FBI drop the manhunt for Phil and Elizabeth? They had that entire ops center setup.

I always thought the Travel Agency staff was a Russian front, but the comment from the guy booking the Disney vacation made it seem like he was a regular employee.

Oh, and Nina's dream was weird. I was surprised Oleg was not in it.


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