The Americans, Season 3 premiere “Est Men”

“The Americans” is currently my favorite show that is NOT airing on HBO.  I think what sets it apart from many other political dramas is the emotional depth of the characters.  We feel for Phillip and Elizabeth as they navigate through their despicable acts.  We feel lost and hopeless as Stan loses his marriage, even though he cheated.  This season is setting the stage for the battle between the Centre and the children of the Directorate S.  While Phillip and Elizabeth are prepared to do anything for the cause, what will Paige and Henry think when they know the truth?

The episode begins with Elizabeth in the bathtub, as she submerges she remembers “teaching” Paige how to swim by throwing her in the water.  As the more emotionally detached parent, she is prepared to sacrifice herself and her daughter for the Centre.

The scene changes to Elizabeth in glasses and short hair, meeting with an ex-CIA operative. The woman confides that she was under utilized and passed over for promotions while based in Nigeria.  She thinks this was based on her gender.  She is ready to give up information to KGB to get back at the CIA.  I think Elizabeth is genuinely disgusted about how this woman was treated, perhaps feeling a bit smug about her accomplishments as an operative.  But, after Elizabeth moves to end the meeting, the woman sneaks upstairs and calls the FBI.  Elizabeth is followed from the bar.  She turns her coat (literally!) and removes her glasses, but two FBI agents soon spot her.  She fights them off, and throws one agent in the path of an approaching motorcycle.  She gets some nasty bruises but escapes.

Meanwhile, Stan and Phillip are attending an “Est” seminar. The speaker explains most of us don’t experience anything in our lives because we’re not in the “now." I’m not sure either man is buying this speech.  I think it’s just a desperate attempt for Stan to try to win back Sandra.  I’m not sure why he even wants her back, except because he feels guilty about his affair with Nina.

Phillip and Stan go home to discover Elizabeth in the kitchen, tending to her wounds. She offers some lame excuse about hurting herself with the groceries! (She should have said she fell off a bike or something more plausible!)  Stan takes Phillip’s hint, and leaves.  Elizabeth confides in Phillip that she almost got caught, but also lost the list of names the woman gave her.  She’s angry and determined to set it right.

The staff of the Soviet Embassy is watching a movie of a Soviet man being executed by the U.S. backed Afghani fighters.  It is startling to see the similarities between that video and the ones made by ISIS today. (Same crazy, different decade!) There is a new face in the room and I assume she is Nina’s replacement.  Oleg makes a comment that the Soviets should leave Afghanistan before their losses increase.  The ambassador pulls him aside privately and tells him to watch himself around the new employee.  The message is clear; she may not approve of dissention and report back to Moscow.

The next morning we see Stan arrive at work, only to find Frank Gaad has suffered a broken nose.  Stan is informed that Nina has been tried and found guilty of treason in Moscow.  They both know this means she will be executed.  Frank explains how they got close to catching a possible target, Elizabeth.  He gives a description of her and also states that she may have injuries to her face and jaw.  I think Stan might have just connected this to his neighbor!

We see Paige and Elizabeth attending church together, then volunteering afterward. (How is this working for atheist Elizabeth?) Elizabeth reunited with Phillip, visits a “friend”, or operative, Gabriel.  He is very interested in Paige.  Elizabeth discloses she feels Paige is nearly ready to learn the truth about her parents, and start to be recruited for the Centre.  Elizabeth feels the liberal teachings of Christianity can be turned into communist thinking.  I have my doubts and so does Phillip.  After the meeting he fumes at her, stating Paige is only fourteen and he doesn’t want this life for her.  I think here begins the power struggle for the future for their daughter.

Stan and Martha are at a shooting range. He helps her with her aim. What would Martha do if she knew the truth about her “husband”, Clark?

Oleg and Arkady discuss Nina.  The ambassador notes there were at least two meetings with Stan that were not reported.  Oleg thinks Nina was perhaps just sloppy with the paperwork. (Nina seemed very meticulous, so I doubt he truly believes that).  Arkady suggests Oleg speak to his father, a high-ranking party member.  Oleg shakes his head in sadness to indicate “nyet” and admits, “I begged him.”  Oleg accepts that he loved Nina, she may have loved Stan and now there is nothing to be done to save her.

Annalise and “Scott” are debriefing in a car about the Afghani source Yousef.  She tells Phillip that the intelligence in the region does not trust the CIA.  This snippet of information gets Phillip aroused and they are intimate in the car.  Annalise is an amateur and has developed feelings for Yousef, even though she feels he deserves better.  She leaves to meet Yousef.

Stan arrives at Sandra’s new house with some of her things.  He looks pained.  He tells her he went to “Est” to try to understand her perspective.  She doubts he enjoyed it.  He confesses he thought it was b*llsh*t and she storms off to her new house and man.

“Clark” and Martha are doing the Kama Sutra.  Then we see Phillip in the kitchen the next morning as Elizabeth asks if the night was “productive."  It’s hard to imagine one’s husband actively sleeping with other women.  I think it illustrates the level of commitment/brainwashing that both spies possess.  Elizabeth is off to a church function and takes the brownies Phillip was about to cut.  At the office, she brings one to him in a rare moment of tenderness.  She tells Phillip her mother recorded a message for her and she is dying. The Russian on the tape was not directly translated.  From the little Russian I was able to understand, she was telling Elizabeth that she was proud of her.  I think these words, at this time, have a great impact on Elizabeth as she tries to direct her own daughter to the “right path."(Which is becoming like Elizabeth.)

The FBI is briefed regarding a high level defector coming to the States from Canada. Their mission is to keep her safe from the Soviets.  Elizabeth is being followed, but this time it is a young man whom she is training.  Paige watches TV and we learn that Brezhnev has died.

“Scott” is listening through the wall, as Annalise and Yousef are intimate.  Yousef implores her to leave her husband and move to Swizerland where he could visit every two weeks.  She says yes, and declares her love for him, and then she tells him that they are being recorded.  Yousef begins to choke her; Scott finally enters the room after she is dead.  

This scene reminded me of Breaking Bad when Walter doesn’t assist Jane as she overdoses.  I think that Phillip knows that Annalise was too risky an asset to save, so he let her be murdered.  “Scott” now has control of Yousef.  When he tells Elizabeth what happened later, she replies she should have been the one to work with him. This mistake of emotional involvement wouldn’t have happened to her.

The game is set for this season. Will Paige learn the truth about her parents?  Is Elizabeth good enough to recruit and train her own daughter against her father’s wishes?  Will Stan figure out his neighbors are the Directorate S?  Will Martha learn that “Clark” and their marriage is a hoax? I’m anxious to see where this season takes us!

Justified Season 7 Episode 2 summary, notes

The tangled web is being spun and there are a lot of threads starting in this episode. I neglected to note the arrival of Garret Dillahunt last week.  It’s nice to see the cast of Deadwood reunited at last, but I’m not sure what he’s up to, yet.

I think I will organize this episode thematically and hopefully the threads will start to shape the greater plot picture.

The Ledger

The ledger seems to be the most important find from last week’s heist.  It begins the episode in Ava’s barn, where she finds it easily after hearing Boyd banging around. Ava then takes it to Raylan, they discuss the circumstances of finding the item and Raylan becomes suspicious and tells Ava to put it back.  Later, in a fit of feigned outrage, Ava confronts Boyd about leaving it on her property and demands he take it back. Boyd has figured out that the ledger belongs to Calhoun and details his shady real estate dealings. Boyd sends Calhoun a text that he has the ledger, hoping to exchange it for money. Unfortunately, Raylan has also deduced its owner.  In the hallway near Calhoun’s office, Raylan threatens Boyd and intercepts the ledger. 

Ava returns to Boyd latter disclosing that as she examined the book, one deal stood out; and it’s the one for the newly purchased “Pizza Portal.” Near the end of the episode we learn that location used to be a bank.

Tiger Hawk Security

The mysterious Ty Walker has been strutting around town in his Mercedes trying to buy a ton of land for cash.  He visits one family and tries to intimidate them into selling.  The man calls him a “peacock.” Walker leaves after wiping his nose on their clean sheets.  

Tim and Raylan are being followed until Raylan steps out in front of the car to confront the man.  He’s not too bright, and is called “Choo-Choo” because of his hard punches.  Raylan “borrows” his car, while Tim scoops up Choo-Choo hitchhiking.  Choo-Choo takes Tim back to the “Pizza Portal” where another man named Sea Bass is waiting.  They bond over being veterans, until it’s clear that Choo-Choo wanted to kill Raylan but couldn’t figure out the logistics. Tim reveals he’s a US Marshall. The other man says that they work for “Tiger Hawk Security.” Ty Walker arrives but won’t reveal their employer’s identity. (Maybe Avery?) Near the end of the episode Walker (aka Peacock) and Sea Bass approach the home of the family who wouldn’t sell their home.  It looks like there will be blood, as they walk in with two large plastic tarps.

Boyd, Katherine and Wynn

Katherine and Wynn Duffy have a meeting regarding Boyd’s recent activities.  Their concern is that Boyd is stealing from them and can’t be trusted.  Wynn tells Katherine he can handle “that redneck.” Wynn seems to forget all the times that Boyd has outsmarted him.  We later see Katherine in bed with a man named Avery Markham, who knew her ex-husband.  When her ex-husband went to jail for his crimes, his “friend” left.  She tells him she’s having loyalty issues with an employee.  He advocates a few tactics, buy loyalty or gouge both their eyes out!  I hope Katherine isn’t double-crossing him; he’s the real mean deal.

Other thoughts

This episode was rich in tension and dialogue. I’m really starting to worry if Ava will be able to out-smart Boyd. We also had the first scene with Raylan and Boyd together. The more Raylan talks about leaving Harlan, the less likely I think he will leave alive.  It’s hard to know Boyd’s long plan. But I don’t think it will include Katherine or Wynn Duffy.  Will the evidence come out regarding Dewey’s murder? (Someone will notice his absence eventually.) I hope to learn more about Tiger Hawk security, and their employer.  What is the big plan for Harlan?  Is this the new home base for an organized crime ring?  Will Boyd ever fall into the RICO net and have to answer for his crimes?  I know I can’t wait to find out!

Downton Abbey season 5 episode 4, recap and musings

Let’s cut some lemons for the tea and see what our favorite characters are up to this week at Downton.

We begin with Barrow returning from his mysterious trip to London.  (We know that his father’s health is not his reason for sneaking out.)  As lunch is served, we are informed of the family’s itineraries for the day.  Lord Grantham will go out to check on a potential real estate development.  The return of “Shrimpie,” Rose’s father, is imminent.  Rose is continuing her exiled imperialists charity.  And, Edith says something and is mocked.  Why does she even try with these people?

The Dowager Countess and Lady Crawley make their way to the Russian house. The Dowager apologizes to the Prince. (That maybe the first time we’ve seen her apologize to anyone)! The D.C. seems genuinely shocked and saddened about the squalor that the exiles find themselves in England.  The Prince tells the ladies that his wife is still missing.  Lady Crawley pipes up, “We must not give up hope!”  To which the Dowager says, “Hope is a tease designed to prevent us from accepting reality.”  Lady Crawley calls her on her nastiness,  “You only say that to sound clever.”

“You should try it sometime.” The D.C. always has to get the last word in.

Later, when Lady Crawley and the Dowager are alone, the Dowager softens. She tells cousin Violet that she was going to run away with the Prince, but Lord Grantham subtly won her back by giving her a locket containing pictures of her children.  It seems that Mary was correct in her assumption that there was definitely a story between those two.

Lord Merton creeps up to find Lady Crawley gardening. After very little preamble, he proposes to her. (I liked how he said if he got down on one knee, he worried he wouldn’t be able to get up)! The proposal doesn’t surprise Violet, but his declaration of actually being in love does shock her.  Of course, she’s going to say no.  But, out of kindness or pity says she’ll think about it.  Later when she tells the Dowager about it, she is also incredulous that Lord Merton included the idea of love with marriage. How improper!

In another quick set up scene we learn that Mary is going to London for a fashion show and to break off her “engagement.”  Mr. Bliker, aka “the flirt,” is coming to Downton to discuss “art.”  I’m surprised that Lord Grantham would allow him to visit after what happened in London last episode.  Downstairs, a groaning is heard. Ms. Baxter discovers Thomas doing something in the loo; it looks like drugs!

Then we head to the study to find Lord Grantham and Edith having a rare tender moment. Edith states that she has discovered that Michael was likely a victim of “brown shirts” in Munich.  She asks her father whether it is better to “keep him alive with hope” than to know the truth. Lord Grantham is kind about it, but says it will be better for her if she knows the truth, that he is likely dead. The unspoken message is that knowing what happened to Michael will at least allow Edith some closure.

The “Dress Show” in London was an opportunity for the viewers to see all the beautiful dresses that were popular at the time. Unfortunately, the scene is cut woefully short by Mary’s siting of Mr. Charles Blake.  He winks at her, and as the “bride” waltzes out we realize that he’s not alone.  Mary is introduced to Ms. Fox, Lord Gillingham’s spurred fiancé.  She’s having none of this pretend politeness and exits. Mr. Blake offers to take Mary to dinner.  During dinner, he realizes that Mary is tossing Tony.  Blake cleverly offers himself as an excuse to break it off with him.  I don’t think Mary takes the hint, as she is too busy trying to perfect her bored look for tomorrow.

Anna has to deliver a message to tell Tony where to meet Mary. (You’d think they would have had phones at this time in London.)  Someone near Gillingham’s flat spots Anna.  She then ventures over to where Mr. Greene died.  I’m not sure how she knows this detail and it looks suspicious.

Back at Downton, Mrs. Patmore is able to plead her case to Lord Grantham about including her nephew on the war memorial. Lord Grantham is sympathetic, but must follow the rules.  Mrs. Patmore seems heartened that then his lordship is somewhat more progressive then Mr. Carson.  Mr. Carson is truly a dying breed!

Edith and the Dowager have a rare conversation.  It is about her relationship with Marigold, but that is not mentioned directly.  The Dowager states that it is in her best interest not to see her anymore.  Edith retorts, “My best interest or the families?”

“To me they are one and the same!” replies the Countess.

“That is where we differ.” exclaims Edith.

I think this scene is a good illustration of desires of the new generation (happiness & self reliance) under the constraints of the older generation, which values propriety and appearances.

There is another touching father-daughter moment, this time with Rose and “Shrimpie.”  He explains that he has decided to divorce her mother.  Even though this will leave him impoverished, he stands firm that he must leave her.  Rose has been thinking about marriage and wants her father’s support because she hopes to marry for love.  Shrimpie seems to really love his daughter and agrees to support her decision on a spouse.

Downstairs, Ms. Baxter is handed a magazine belonging to Mr. Barrow.  I had to pause my screen to read the ad, which read, “Choose your own path!” It shows a picture of a man and woman. Is this early “reversion” gay therapy? If so, what in the heck was he injecting?

Their uncomfortable dinner is underway upstairs. Some idiot, (Lady Crawley), invited Ms. Bunting to dinner. (Maybe she was trying to piss off Lord Grantham). The debate of Daisy’s schooling is brought upstairs.  Mrs. Patmore and Daisy give Mrs. Bunting praise for helping her.  Instead of just saying, “Thank you.”  Rose has to add that famous last word, muttering about the control Lord Grantham has on his serfs from “cradle to grave.” Already agitated by Mr. Blicker’s flirting, and Rose’s mere presence, Lord Grantham storms out asking that Ms. Rose Bunting NEVER return.  For once, I’m with the Lord. She may have her opinions; but if she wants sympathy for them, there are much better ways and places to express these sentiments. Lord Grantham will not change into a communist just because some teacher enlightened him to his imperialist ways!

Lady Crawley meets Lord Gillingham at the Peter Pan statue. He refuses her refusal! Mary is stunned. She thought she’d just show up, say she’s “rather fond of him,” and that would be that. I think she has seriously misjudged his ego.  He could make things difficult for her since she was intimate with him.  However, men who go for Mary seem to meet curiously cruel ends.  Maybe, a hike to Dover is in order!

Lastly, we learn that the person watching Anna was a plainclothes officer who was staked out in front of Lord Gillingham’s house. They are curious about her because she seemed to retrace the murder’s steps around Piccadilly Square. (On no!)

Next week’s preview shows Anna being questioned.  It doesn’t seem that they really have any evidence in this case.

The episode ends with Lord Grantham and Branson coming to a compromise about the land deal in the village. I think he realizes that compromise will ensure what he cares for most, Downton and it’s survival.

American Horror Story-Freakshow, Curtain Call ,Season Finale

I said last week that I don’t think that AHS could top last week’s show, but I was pleasantly surprised. This season of AHS was similar to others in plot holes and non-sequitors, but overall I enjoyed it as my favorite since Asylum.

We begin with Paul, Lizard Girl and the Fat Lady hanging new signs for Dandy’s new headlining act.  Paul is grumpy, “Our world is dying, and this is the last stop on the line.”

The troupe returns to the tent to report no tickets have been sold.  Dandy throws a fit and Paul and the others descend on him.  With Dandy on the ground, Paul spits in his face and they all quit.

Elsa’s story continues with her arrival in Hollywood.  It’s a tough sale, she’s not in twenties and her act is not very original or good. (Remember her singing, egad!) She hopes to wear them down by sitting down in the lobby all day.  Her patience pays off, when she loses it with the receptionist; a man comes to her defense.  He happens to be the casting director of the network.  Elsa is in.

Dandy is primping for the show, but not it’s not Cole Porter tunes.  With his golden gun and humming a tune, he begins his rampage.  (I’m not sure, but I think it was the Waltz of the Flowers?)  He begins with Paul, then Lizard Girl, Toulouse, and Legless Sue a random carnie, then the Fat Lady. So far, no one has offered much resistance. Their last looks are ones of shock.  Then he heads into Desiree’s trailor, she hides and seems to go undetected. Then Dandy spins around to find Amazon Eve ready to fight him with an axe.  She gets some good licks in, and I was really hoping she’d end him right there.  But, it’s not to be, and Amazon Eve is shot.  (How many bullets does this golden revolver have? I count about 7 dead without reloading.)  The scene cuts to a tied up Bette and Dot.

Jimmy returns at almost the worst time ever. He calls out “Hello” and reminded me of Tony from the West Side Story. (“Come on and shoot me too, Chino!”) He finds the stage filled with the bodies of the entire troupe, except Desiree, who appears and holds him.

After the break, we see the wedding of Bette to Dandy.  How that works, I have no idea! (Dot says she’ll just close her eyes and leave her body when they want to be alone.)  It seemed like it might be another “dream sequence” as we’ve seen before this season.  But, they are married, and celebrating at that ridiculously long table, when the maid comes in to pour more champagne, it’s Desiree!  Dandy’s vision starts to blur as Dot explains their ruse and that they have a special performance planned in which Dandy will star. Death by poison would have been too easy.

Dandy returns to the freak show, in tightie whities, chained in Houdini’s tank.  Jimmy, Bette, Dot and Desiree gather around to taunt him.  They begin to fill the tank with water.  Desiree delivers a scathing speech, “You might look like a motion- picture dreamboat, but you are the biggest freak of them all!”

Screaming, “I hate you!” with his dying breaths, Dandy dies while his “audience” munches popcorn and declares it a hell of a show.

The “flash forward” device is utilized to arrive in 1960, where the Elsa Mars getting her very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her successes are on television and recording.  However, she’s just as evil as ever, when it comes to demeaning her staff and her husband. (The casting director who discovered her.)  She fights with the network about her refusal to perform a Halloween special.  Elsa leaves, fuming, to head home, when Massimo appears. They reminisce, and he tells her he has a month to live. Her response is one of pure selfishness, “Then I shall have no friends.” Whose fault is that?

Elsa’s past catches up with her, finally.  The CEO of the network shows up, and it’s not good news.  They have discovered her old Berlin film and her husband is incensed that she lied about how she lost her legs. (How that film would have survived a World War in the pre-digital age is pretty far fetched.) Then Freakshow baggage drops. Elsa learns of the massacre seemingly for the first time.  She does seem genuinely horrified.

Elsa decides to do the Halloween show in hopes of be taken by Edward Mondrake.  Elsa sings David Bowie again, this time it’s “Hero’s”.  Mondrake arrives with Twisty and others in his collection of dark souls.  He realizes that she wants to die and says he cannot take her with him. Elsa falls down, dying on live television.

I had hoped that the ending would provide a happy ending for Dot and Bette. We see them pregnant with Jimmy and his wooden lobster hands.  Maybe they will have a “normal” life after all. Desiree and her husband and their two children are out trick-or-treating when she sees Elsa on the television in a window display.  She walks on; content with the life she has created beyond Dell and the Freakshow.

Elsa returns to the Freakshow tent and is greeted by Ma Petite.  Ethel comes to embrace her, and all is forgiven.  Ethel is shown as her younger self, red haired and happy.  Elsa takes the stage and the show will go on with her and her troupe, together forever.