The Americans Review: Persona Non Grata (Season 4 Episode 13)

The Americans, “Persona Non Grata” is a quiet, but at times emotionally powerful, finale.

A big death or surprise in a finale is much more my speed.

Well Paige has had a sudden change of heart. She went from thinking her mother was a monster to wanting her to teach her self-defense.

I agree with Paige’s new line of thinking. If my mother was as badass as Elizabeth is, I’d want to learn everything I could from her.

When William contaminates himself with the Lassa virus, I was expecting him to contaminate the agents who arrest him by touching them when they attempt to cuff him. But instead, he just tells them to take him to a hospital. Why?

If he had run at them, of course he would’ve been shot but why would he sacrifice himself if he wasn’t going to take one of them with him? This choice doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

Moving on, I think what Philip expresses at the EST meeting is incredibly poignant.

When was the day he woke up and realized he hated being a spy? The day after Martha left? The day after he and Elizabeth told Paige who they really are?

I love when the EST counselor asks Philip why he hasn’t quit his job. I think this entire conversation resonates with so many people. So many people have jobs they hate but they don’t quit.

It struck me that Philip says he’s made commitments to people who trust him and that he loves. Is this true?

In my opinion, no. I don’t believe The Center or Gabriel trust him and he sure as hell doesn’t love them.

Did Philip ever actually make a commitment to Elizabeth? They were assigned to each other. That’s different from actively making a commitment to someone.

In fact, I would argue Philip hasn’t made a commitment to any person. He’s made a commitment to his country.

EST leader: But it’s ok to let yourself down.

This is so powerful. We let ourselves down all the time without even realizing it.

This scene on The Americans is so compelling because it allows the viewer to watch Philip struggle, as we all struggle, with the big questions in life: what is the right thing to do? How much more of myself can I compromise before I disappear? What do I truly want?

EST leader: Do you think the world would stop spinning? Cuz I got news for you. You ain’t that important.

If this ain’t the truth! When it comes to The Center, Philip is completely replaceable. If The Center thought Philip was jeopardizing their mission in America, they wouldn’t hesitate to cut him down.

So let’s say Philip did want to quit being a KGB agent. How would he even do that?! Fake his death? Go off the grid?

At this point, if Philip wanted to leave this way of life, I think Elizabeth might help him. But I think she would take issue with having to help Paige cope with her newfound knowledge alone.

Interestingly, when Gabriel offers Philip a way out, he doesn’t seem that eager to take it. Does he truly want a different life?

Going back to taking issue, did Philip just call William an asshole?! How quickly we forget, Philip!

William is the one who saved you and your wife’s lives when you were exposed to Glanders. Clearly, William isn’t on Philip’s holiday shopping list.

Oh my goodness, Philip’s son is coming to America to look for him! I was wondering if the showrunners were ever going to introduce him to us. I can’t wait to see all the trouble his presence is going to cause next season!

If wondering whether the Jennings’ are going to flee to Russia is supposed to be a cliffhanger, it’s a poor one. I can answer this question for you right now. They’re not going.

The whole premise of the show is that Elizabeth and Philip are pretending to be Americans while they gather intel on what the American government is doing. Obviously, they can’t do that in their home country.

As finales go, “Persona Non Grata” is a weak one. The only question I have going into next season is what will Stan and Agent Aderholt deduce from what William said on his deathbed? What questions are you hoping will be answered next season?

Wait, I have one more question: is Paige playing Matthew or does she actually like him? I can’t lie, I hope she’s playing him.

Other random thoughts:

• Man, William is fast for his age! Glad to see he’s keeping himself in tip-top shape! Too bad he ruined all that by infecting himself with a deadly virus.
• Stan would’ve had a completely different reaction to walking in on Matthew and Paige if he was Paige’s father. But I guess if I were him, I’d be happy too. Paige is SO out of Matthew’s league. Who else would be into him with that haircut?! And Matthew better be thanking God Philip can’t afford to upset Stan. Otherwise, Philip would’ve dragged him outside by the throat.
• I love the final shot of this episode! And the accompanying musical score was beautiful. They’re both so ominous!

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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