The Americans Review: The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears (Season 4 Episode 8)
As Martha catches Philip’s eye in the mirror of the bathroom in the beginning of this episode of The Americans, “The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears,” all I can think about is how he ruined her life.
How can she even stand the sight of him?! She was minding her own business, made the mistake of falling in love, and now she’ll never see her parents again.
And for what? What has Philip ever truly given Martha? Nothing.
All she got from him was a fake marriage and a one-way trip to Russia. I’m pissed off for her.
Martha has a bow in her hair when she’s leaving and it’s ridiculous. She has absolutely nothing to be happy about, why the hell would she put a bow in her hair?! Bad choice, wardrobe department.
On second thought, maybe the bow shows Martha’s resilience in the face of her unchangeable fate. Either way, it’s still a poor choice.
Martha tells Philip not to be alone before she gets on the plane. She is caring right up until the end. Is there nothing Philip can do to her to make her turn away from him?!
She still wants the best for him even though she’ll probably be miserable in Russia. It’d be sweet if it wasn’t so pathetic. As you can see, I’m no longer team Martha.
Stan and Philip sure became friends again quickly. Philip should still keep his eye on Stan, though. He seems to be dangerously close to finding out who Philip and Elizabeth really are.
Also, how is Stan just going to come over to Philip and Elizabeth’s house, take a bunch of beers, and go home?! Has he never heard of a liquor store? God, he is so rude!
Wow, Philip’s taking Martha’s absence really hard. He actually has the balls to attempt to pick a fight with Elizabeth over her. He has feelings for Martha even if he’s not in love with her. Or is he?
He’s right, though. Elizabeth does think Martha is simple. She looks down on her and she thinks Martha’s weak.
But it’s the wistful way Elizabeth lists Martha’s perceived qualities that gets me. Elizabeth envies her. At times, she wishes she could live an uncomplicated life or could’ve chosen a different path.
Listening to Philip advocate for Martha to be able to see her parents calls to mind the image of an undercover agent who’s been undercover too long. Philip spent so much time with Martha, he forgot who he is.
Martha was a means to an end. Now that she’s served her purpose, Philip needs to forget about her and move on. If he continues to be this distraught, he’s going to slip up and make a mistake, which will spell nothing but trouble for him and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and Philip’s fight about EST (and other things) is a great moment in this episode of The Americans. The passion they display in this scene is riveting.
Elizabeth: I am stuck with you because I took you back after you slept with the woman who had your son and you lied to my face about it!
Tell him, Elizabeth! Whew! Keri Russell can act her ass off.
But more importantly, would it really have been an option for Elizabeth to leave Philip and continue on in America as a KGB spy? Wouldn’t a single person be much more suspicious than a married one? If the FBI had known Martha was married, I think it would have taken much longer for them to suspect she was betraying them.
Throughout this scene, one thing is very clear. Even if Elizabeth and Philip love their agents, they will always have to let them go because that’s the job. Nothing is permanent.
Elizabeth lets Paige have it too, and it is everything. Paige is somewhat of a brat and she finally gets what she deserves. She needs to understand what a precarious position she put her parents in and Elizabeth makes her see that.
Elizabeth is taking no prisoners, and I can’t wait to see how this attitude plays out as the season winds down.
Random thought:
- I freakin’ LOVE David Copperfield! It makes me so happy to see him in this episode!
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.
Sheena Bosket
Sheena is an attorney, writer, and Black feminist living and working in Atlanta. She can be found searching for an opportunity to date Jake Gyllenhaal and renovating her condo in Shondaland. She watches all of the Real Housewives franchises, and she's not ashamed. Sheena also occasionally writes about pop culture, politics, and feminism for Donatidaily.com.