The Americans Review: Chloramphenicol (Season 4 Episode 4)

When Stan walks into the Jennings’ house with only Paige there to deal with him, you know things are about to get good…and tense.

But let me back up a bit. As I’m watching “Chloramphenicol,” I start wondering why Stan spends so much time alone with Henry.

And why is Henry talking to Stan about all the things he should be talking to Philip about? It feels like Henry is betraying his father. I was just starting to think, I hate Henry’s relationship with Stan, when Stan asks him if he ever talks to his father about girls and other things in his life. Two points for Stan. He’s still my least favorite character on The Americans.

Now back to Stan and Paige. Paige is very intuitive given her youth. She knows Stan’s offer of a ride to school is just an excuse to gain information about her parents. When Stan asks about Elizabeth and Philip going out of town, Holly Taylor impresses me with her acting yet again. I love the way she looks startled at first, then confusion and wariness drifts onto her face. You can see her thinking, why is he so concerned about what my parents are doing? Furthermore, Paige is quick on her feet. She provides a great reason for her parents sudden departure.

I’m beginning to think Paige would make an excellent spy and is perfect for the KGB.

Honestly, this entire scene makes me hate Stan. I know he works for the counterintelligence unit and all but Paige is a child. In this game of cat and mouse, children should be off limits. It disgusts me to watch Stan pretend to be genuine with her. Neither Elizabeth nor Philip has ever tried to manipulate Matthew (this isn’t to say they wouldn’t, I definitely don’t think they’re above it) so Stan shouldn’t try to manipulate Paige. Plus, when Elizabeth gets wind of what he’s up to, she’s going to break his face, which frankly, I’d enjoy.

Oh my God, Elizabeth is vomiting! Does she have Glanders?! Obviously, Glanders isn’t going to kill Philip and/or Elizabeth. This isn’t Game of Thrones. Right? If Elizabeth dies, I’m done with this show!

Elizabeth is simultaneously mother and spy in this scene, and I love it. Again, she’s the practical one telling Philip he should blame her for Pastor Tim’s and Alice’s deaths before Paige gets suspicious. This will enable Philip to continue to raise Paige and Henry in America. “Be Americans,” Elizabeth tells him. She says this is what he always wanted, to be American, and I believe it. The look on Philip’s face confirms it. When she says this to him, he’s forced to admit it to himself.

This is a good plan, Elizabeth is right to give Philip this out. I don’t think Henry would adjust well to life in Russia. He is so American. Paige would be fine though. Learning her parents secret is forcing her to grow up. Fast.

Whew! Elizabeth doesn’t have Glanders. Thank you The Americans for asking and answering this question in one episode, unlike some other shows we know. (Cough, The Walking Dead, cough)

Martha’s date with Agent Aderholt looks boring as hell. He can tell she’s not interested and he just keeps right on talking. Check please!

Why in the world did Martha tell him she’s seeing a married man?! Where is this going? This is a huge mistake and Stan is combing through her apartment while she’s at dinner. Philip needs to get control of this situation ASAP.

Martha: There are no false promises or lies. No unrealistic expectations. He’s not going to leave his wife. I’m not waiting for him to.

Hearing Martha say this breaks my heart. Her relationship with “Clark” is almost entirely false promises and lies. No unrealistic expectations? For Martha to expect anything from “Clark” is unrealistic. She doesn’t even know the man’s real name.

For God’s sake, she doesn’t even know she doesn’t know his real name! She’s sitting there trying to convince a man she doesn’t want to be on a date with that her relationship means something, that it’s real, while trying to convince herself of the same thing.

Martha goes on to say her relationship is grownup and honest. It’s not.

The way Martha clings to this sentiment is what’s so depressing. It makes sense that Martha would compare her relationship with “Clark” to an affair because even though they’re married, their relationship operates much like an affair because no one can know about it. You can see Martha’s resignation to her plight all over her face as she says her relationship with “Clark” is the most honest relationship she’s ever been in. She’s wondering how she got herself into a situation that doesn’t benefit her but she’s not willing to leave.

The Americans has so much depth because everyone on the show wears a mask, even the minor characters. Just when you think they’re done, the writers add another layer of complexity to a character. The show grows and evolves every season and I am so here for it!

Other random thoughts:

• When Martha looks at the phone when she’s leaving “Clark” a message, I’m not sure if she pauses because she’s kicking herself for leaving so many messages or if she thinks the phone is bugged. What do you think?
• One of the beauties of this show is that Philip and Elizabeth are in America to serve their country and their government at the expense of ours, but their characters are so rich and complex, you don’t hold it against them.
• “If you have to touch each other, use gloves,” William says. Gee, that’s romantic.
• Aww, man, they’re not going to kill Pastor Tim! I was looking forward to that!
• OMG, they killed Nina! I love her and am distraught over her death. I literally am so shocked by her death I don’t know what else to say. I’m just sitting here open-mouthed. For that, “Chloramphenicol” gets another star.

What did you think of this episode of The Americans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Americans airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on FX.

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