The Americans Review: The Rat (Season 4 Episode 6)

“The Rat” is probably the most jaw-dropping episode of The Americans I’ve ever seen.

I’m going to get to “Clark’s” truth bombs but I want to discuss some other aspects of the episode first. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise.

I know the opening scene of “The Rat” is supposed to show the intimacy between Philip and Elizabeth. It’s meant to show even though their marriage started off as a lie, it’s become the truth. But this scene of The Americans is one of the few that doesn’t resonate with me. Elizabeth is jealous that Philip cares about Martha so much so she decided to give it to him good so he would remember who’s number one. That’s all this “intimacy” is. No more, and no less.

I’m struck by the scene featuring Stan and Agent Aderholt analyzing Martha. Is that all we are as people: just a sum of facts for others to dissect? We learn Martha was dumped by her fiancé after she got pregnant and she had an abortion. Is this why Martha is still with “Clark”? She’s just trying to heal her broken heart? Regain something she’s lost? This scene makes me much more sympathetic to her. I still want her to leave “Clark” but now I understand why she hasn’t.

Agent Aderholt says there’s something sexy about Martha. I am dying to know what that is because I don’t see it. Is he just thinking this because he knows she has a dog-eared tantric sex book? Ha!

For the third week in a row, I cannot STAND Stan! So because Martha’s single she’s lonely? So what she hasn’t had that many relationships! I don’t see anyone knocking down your door, Stan! Also, didn’t your wife leave you for someone else? Don’t you spend most of your free time with your neighbors’ adolescent son? Stan, get your life before you try to talk about someone else’s, okay?!

Wow, Philip is turning into Elizabeth right before my eyes! He’s telling Gabriel Martha is done and he shows his true self to her in front of Gabriel?! That is ballsy. I’m glad Philip is showing Gabriel he will not be handled and standing up for Martha but this seemingly erratic behavior may get him shipped back to Russia. He might want to hide his hand a little more. At least until he’s sure Martha is safe.

I really don’t think it was a good idea to ask Elizabeth to come to the safe house to bring Martha some clothes and toiletries. Martha’s world is crumbling even further because now she knows “Clark’s sister” is involved in his covert life and Elizabeth now knows Philip has shown himself to Martha. How do either of these things help anyone?! Martha just got a lot more fragile, and therefore susceptible to the FBI’s tactics, and Elizabeth is so jealous she can’t see straight. Great, this should turn out well for everyone.

Elizabeth: Did you want her to? To see you?

Yes, Elizabeth, he wants her to see him. He wants someone on the outside, who is normal and pure, who isn’t leading a double, sometimes triple, life to see him. That Martha knows “Clark” isn’t perfect but she hasn’t run away from him is comforting to Philip. Elizabeth is with him because she has a job to do but Martha is with him by choice.

Elizabeth is flabbergasted and furious about Philip’s decision to show his face to Martha and these are not things you want your fake, KGB-trained wife to be. The real Philip is for her and her alone.

Then he has the audacity to tell Elizabeth he thinks it’s better if he stays the night with Martha instead of going home to their children?! Elizabeth will punish Philip for this. It’s just a matter of when. She might even kill Martha to get back at him. Actually, no she won’t. She’s too level-headed for that.

Wait. Did “Clark” just admit he and Elizabeth aren’t siblings and they’ve worked together for a long time?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIM?!

Oh. My. God. Y’all, I literally screamed when “Clark” tells Martha he and Elizabeth work for the KGB. WHAT IS HE DOING?! He has lost his mind. He has totally gone off the deep end. He’s a liability and he needs to be handled immediately. Olivia Pope style.

Martha’s reaction to this news is perfect, though. The way she looks around the room in disbelief is everything. I’m surprised she manages to keep it together so well. I have to give Alison Wright props again for her acting chops.

I was about to be Team Martha…until she straddles “Clark.” Honestly, it really bothers me that part of Martha’s reaction to “Clark’s” deception is she wants to have sex with him. I mean, he just evaded a question about whether he and Elizabeth are involved for God’s sake! You know they’re involved Martha, otherwise you wouldn’t have asked. “Clark’s” member is not going to fill the void inside you, Martha. You know your “marriage” is as fake as reality television. I guess love really is blind.

Oh, you shouldn’t have let Gabriel know you know they’re all in the KGB, Martha! This is just the ammunition Gabriel needs to team up with Elizabeth and kill you or worse.

“The Rat” is monumental. “Clark” chooses to tell another American he and Elizabeth are in the KGB after they just went through that whole fiasco with Pastor Tim and his wife. This is literally an insane decision. Even if he does manage to get her out of the country alive, Martha could still tell their secret to someone before she leaves.

This episode just gave me the pick-me-up I need to get through the rest of the week. Five stars for “The Rat”!

Other random thoughts:

• What medicine is Martha taking?! Not knowing this is driving me crazy!
• The safe house is filthy! I wouldn’t put a single thing in my mouth that came from there. Also, did Elizabeth drink out of Martha’s wineglass? I think she did and that’s disgusting.
• William listening to Martha and “Clark” have sex is really creepy. Like, really creepy.
• I LOVE that this episode involves a figurative rat and a literal one. Even the titles of the episodes of The Americans have dual meanings. Everything concerning this show is multi-faceted. It’s amazing.

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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