The Americans Review: The Day After (Season 4 Episode 9)

In The Americans, “The Day After,” we learn seven months have passed since the last episode and this time has helped Philip cope with Martha’s absence.

When William asks Philip if she’ll be able to adapt to life in Russia, his response, “She’s alive,” tells me Philip doesn’t think she will. I think he’s wrong about that.

I thought Martha would talk her way out of having to get on the plane but she doesn’t. She goes, knowing that she’ll probably never speak to her parents, or see Philip, again. Martha’s tougher than Philip gives her credit for. He may love her but he doesn’t really know her.

In “The Day After,” the movie the Jennings and Matthew watch in this episode, it surprises and excites me to see a black couple in the beginning of the film. Now that Elizabeth’s two black agents have been killed, there’s only one black character on the show. I would love to see more black characters on the show. The only thing that could make The Americans better is more diversity.

Elizabeth: I mean we can’t just sit in our comfortable house and pretend. This is why we’re here.

Every time Elizabeth gives Philip a spy pep talk, it feels like she’s speaking to a child. Philip needs so much coaxing and guidance. How did he ever convince anyone he was fit to be a spy?!

It’s interesting that Philip’s first reaction is always to have compassion for Americans before he has compassion for his countrymen. Philip seems to love America more than he loves Russia.

Philip showed his true face and told his real, Russian name to Martha. Philip got Martha out of the country against the wishes of The Center. Philip is a serious problem. I’m anxious to see if this problem will come to a head before the end of the season.

We finally find out what Elizabeth wants with Yung Hee! Thank God, the waiting was driving me crazy!

Speaking of Yung Hee, she’s way too trusting. I wouldn’t let someone I’d known less than a year watch my children.

She doesn’t even know if “Patty’s” good with kids. Yeah, sure, she’s been around them a few times and they all seemed to get along but is that good enough to leave her with them overnight? No, it’s not.

Also, does “Patty” know first aid? CPR? The Heimlich? Do your due diligence, Yung Hee! If your sister-in-law doesn’t want to babysit your three kids, isn’t it suspicious that your relatively new, single, gorgeous friend wants to?

Furthermore, it bothers me that Yung Hee and Don speak to their children in mostly English. Korean is the language of their ancestors and they should know it fluently.

Well, you’re awfully smug Pastor Tim! You’re being manipulated by a teenager but you think you know her better than her own father? I hate people like him, always thinking they’re one up on you when in reality, they’re the ones getting played.

Also, who is Pastor Tim to call a meeting of the four of them? Do me a favor, Pastor Tim, stay in Ethiopia. You’re out of your league.

Poor Don. He’s such a nice man. He resists Elizabeth’s advances as a proper husband should. Watching him tear up as he realizes what he thinks happened and apologize to Elizabeth, who just tricked him into thinking he slept with her, is heartbreaking.

In this scene, it’s striking how much women agents have to expose their bodies in the field. As Elizabeth lies in bed next to Don, she makes sure the perfect curvature of her buttocks is visible to complete the con.

I could never be a KGB agent. I never want to expose myself, physically or emotionally, when I don’t have to.

I’ve said in my reviews many times that Elizabeth is the better Jennings agent. She’s better because her job is harder than Philip’s. Sex is often the best card she has to play.

In situations where Philip could use violence to manipulate people, Elizabeth often uses her body.

It’s shocking to see Elizabeth feel so much remorse for what she did. It’s hard to imagine her missing anyone, let alone a mark, because she seems so laser-focused on her reason for being in America.

I enjoy seeing this side of Elizabeth. It helps me connect with her more.

Yung Hee is such a good woman. She doesn’t deserve what Elizabeth does to her.

I wasn’t really feeling this episode because I wasn’t even one when “The Day After” aired on television, but the last ten minutes of the show really got me. For those of you who do remember watching “The Day After,” how did its prominent placement in this episode of The Americans affect you?

Other random thoughts:

• I love Elizabeth and Philip’s master bath. Their tub is huge!
• I’m sick of Yung Hee always wearing the same hairstyle. Mix it up for a change, hair and makeup team!
• It’s weird watching Oleg have sex. I don’t think of him sexually and it makes me feel like I’m watching something I shouldn’t.
• There is no way on God’s green earth I would stay up all night searching someone’s house. Another reason I could never be a spy, I’m too lazy.

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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