The Americans: the unnoticed one
‘The Americans’ is about a Russian spy couple moonlighting as American citizens. Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) disguise themselves as travel agents, whilst their secret crusade against American imperialism continues.
Nobody knows about 'The Americans'. Well, almost nobody.
First aired in 2013, the thriller series does not have much of a following. Even with low viewership, it was renewed for six more seasons on cable channel FX.
'The Americans' is about a Russian spy couple moonlighting as American citizens. Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) disguise themselves as travel agents, whilst their secret crusade against American imperialism continues.
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As the Jennings are spies, their actions naturally gravitate toward high stake suspense. Death, deception and ideology- the usual espionage tropes are well entwined in this series.
Philip and Elizabeth's partnership was arranged by the Russian espionage agency KGB. To fulfil the interests of their homeland, the duo pretend to be married. Strangely enough, they evolve to become truly wed and end up having children.
The spy couple poses as a regular American family. But in time, they strangle, shoot and butcher their targets. They never have to give a second thought for killing in the name of Russia.
We have been fed American movies and TV shows where Russians are evil and always are on the losing side, 'The Americans' breaks this stereotype with brilliance.
Each episode of 'The Americans' ends with heartbreak. It is reasonably melancholic, but this is why it is lovable.
Hit shows like 'Stranger Things' or 'Fuller House' shamelessly use nostalgia elements to attract the audience. This is where 'The Americans' scores over its contemporaries. The show is not pretentious to flesh out its 80s premise, at all.
Many stalwart TV shows like Breaking Bad, Narcos or House of Cards are about morally sombre characters. 'The Americans' also belong in this category. Just like Walter White or Frank Underwood, Philip and Elizabeth constantly tussle with their dirty deeds and its consequences.
The show has received rave reviews from major media houses. Vox called it the "Greatest show on TV." The New Yorker professed, "Possibly the best current drama out there."
Safe to say, 'The Americans' will surely get a spot in the TV hall of fame someday. So why don't you binge the 75 episodes and spread the fandom?
Bad news, it is not on Netflix. It can only be streamed on Amazon Prime. But there is always a way if you look for it in the right place, or more suitably, pirate bay
