The Americans Season 3 Episode 11 Day in the Life of Anton Baklanov

The Americans will be divided into two parts from now on, before and after the big reveal.  How will Paige hold in the massive secret?  Will she envy Henry’s ignorance? The name of this episode is a homage to the novel "Day in th Life of Ivan Denisovich" by famous exiled Russian author Solzhennitsyn. The novel describes the  typical bleak day in a Siberian gulag in the 1950's. Anton may be better of then the novelist protagonist but he's just as trapped.

The episode opens in the kitchen where Paige asks her cut the crap “normal” routine.  She asks about the “spontaneous vacation” they took, and if they really work as travel agents and why don’t they have accents?  Paige asks her parents real names, she can’t pronounce her mother’s name.  Paige realizes Mr. Beeman next door could find out and arrest them at any time.  Henry enters, clueless as ever. Paige tells him to shut up and eat his breakfast.

Gaad is combing through documents as Stan enters.  Gaad admits he made mistakes by talking about classified information in his office instead of the “vault.”  Stan agrees that they all thought they were safe.

Elizabeth and Phillip are waiting for Gabriel as he returns to his apartment. Elizabeth begins, “Paige knows.” Gabriel tries to assess the damage, “How much?” Phillip says she know who we are but none of the details.  Gabriel thinks it’s a good turn of events in light of the Centre’s interest in Paige.  Phillip hopes the Centre will back off on her recruitment. (Probably wishful thinking.) Gabriel obtains updates about the hotel operation and Yusef's visit.  Gabriel hands Elizabeth another envelope from her mother.  He tells her regretfully there may not be many more.

Elizabeth and Phillip pause in the car to review their situation.  Phillip asks if she’s okay with the hotel situation.  Elizabeth urges Phillip to use Hans to ensure his planned overnight stay with Martha is not being monitored.

Nina and Anton discuss his lack of progress on the weapon’s project. He states he can’t make progress until he receives photographs.  Anton reveals he thought Nina was one of a series of attractive women sent to entice him to “work harder.” He admits he slept with some of them.  Nina says she understands. Anton looks at her searchingly, “Maybe you do.” He proceeds to tell her about his son and his son doesn’t even know whether he’s alive or dead. “That’s what hurts the most.”

Lisa and Maurice speak to “Michelle.” (This is confusing, I thought Elizabeth squashed his head like a grape a few episodes back.) Maurice is forceful about wanting “in” on her operation.  Maurice seems hip to the fact Elizabeth is in charge of the business.  Elizabeth is stuck working with both of them to obtain the Northrop intelligence.

Walter tracks down Martha stating he needs a “few hours” of her time.  Gene, the computer analyst has just finished his interview with Taffet.  Gene is amazed by Walter’s intelligence and understanding of computers.  This information makes Martha more nervous than ever.

Yusef and Phillip discuss the dearly departed Annalise.  Phillip says, “She really loved you.”  Yusef reveals he was willing to change his whole life for her.  He shakes his head and asks, “How do you do it?”  Phillip states its not easy but comes back to the idea that his actions are making the world a better place.

The conversation changes to the problems in Afghanistan.  Yusef reports the U.S. is flying in three elite mujahedeen fighters to train with the “new technology.” (Stealth bombers.) Yusef reports one of these men has beheaded Soviets. (Sounds a little like ISIS!)  Phillip wonders if the other two men are more malleable.

Paige waits for her mother in car parked in the garage. “Going somewhere?” Elizabeth asks. Paige reports she’s super annoyed with Henry’s antics. Elizabeth sighs, “That kid is crazy.”  They laugh for a second together.  Elizabeth says she knows Paige must have a thousand questions but it’s important she never asks these questions unless she’s certain they can talk PRIVATELY. (Using her scary “I’ll cut you bitch!” voice.) Elizabeth tells her about her father who died fighting in WWII when she was two years old.  She goes on to talk about her mother and how Paige reminds her of her mother.  Paige turns to her and asks, “How can I believe anything you say?” Touché.

Arkady is drowning in paperwork as well.  He calls Oleg and Tatiana to his office for help.  Arkady explains they have a bug in the FBI office know as operation Zephyr.  He needs them to translate the mountains of transcripts.

Clark waits in his car for Hans to give him the signal its okay to go inside Martha’s house.  Martha is nervous, she says Taffet wants to interview her.  Clark assures her he knows how to train her to get past his interview. He instructs her to look at his nose while she’s talking to give the illusion of sincerity.  Martha is unsure but rehearses, “I don’t know who put that bug in Gaad’s pen.”  She’s ready.

Elizabeth is flirty with the hotel manager Neal.  She finishes a meal he says he had made especially for her.  They begin to flirt and become physical. Neal wants to know she’s ready for him.  Is it harder for her knowing that Paige knows her true profession?

Nina searches Anton room. Its unclear what she is looking but she finds a cache of letter addressed to his son Jacob.

Elizabeth pauses in her car alone in the garage.  She is on the verge of tears. Perhaps she feels guilty or grieving for her dying mother. Or maybe she is thinking about her daughter.

Gabriel and Phillip meet on an icy bench.  Phillip is frustrated at his opposition to Elizabeth visiting her dying mother. Phillip recounts how he had to murder the woman he slept with for three years. Gabriel tries to calm him with “I understand.” Phillip fumes, “Do you? Do you really?” Gabriel asks Phillip if he’s “falling apart” because of Paige.  Phillip says no, but he wants to here a “yes” from him soon.

Martha is in her meeting with Taffet.  He asks her about her dating history and marital status.  Martha is calm as see recounts her relationship Amador. (Killed by none other her Clark.) He asks if she knows anything about his death.  Martha denies any knowledge about his demise.  She’s surprised when she’s dismissed.

Anton tells Nina the Israelis traded him to “thugs.” Anton says the worst thing is all his son knows is he didn’t come home one day.  Anton is tortured by the thought his son thinks he abandoned him. “I lived here all my life but I never someone who would do this.”  Nina says they traded her too, back and forth until she didn’t know who she was.  Anton asserts he won’t let them decide “Who I am.”

Nina slips saying, “Jacob would be proud.”  Anton is shocked because he never spoke his son’s name.  Nina reveals she has read his story and to keep writing his story is “beautiful.” Nina promises she won’t tell anyone.  Anton is incredulous but grateful.

Neal leads Elizabeth to the hotel’s security room featuring state of the art personal computers. He leaves her alone as he’s called away. (Big mistake.) She quickly looks up the name of the visiting operative. She opens the cubby of keys, takes one out to make a quick impression of it for future use. Neal comes back ready for a rendezvous, but Elizabeth says she has to go. Is she trying to draw some moral line or just keep Neal wrapped around her finger.

Oleg and Tatiana work late combing over the FBI documents. They share some laughs but there doesn’t seem to be any useful information. They do discuss a reported five hundred and thirty two “beeps.” Could this be a significant clue?

Elizabeth enters her bedroom where Phillip is sleeping peacefully.  She undresses and climbs into bed with him. Phillip wakes up but looks far removed from his wife’s administrations.

It’s morning and Phillip tells Elizabeth he thinks he’s found a way for her to see her mother again. Paige knocks on her parent’s bedroom in the morning.  She remains agitated and asks what they were talking about.  Phillip informs her grandmother is sick and Elizabeth wants to go see her.  Paige asks her mom if this is true.  Elizabeth says she can’t go see her.  Paige, confused and disgusted shuts the door.

There are two episodes left. Is Martha really in the clear? Will Henry notice nobody likes his Eddie Murphy impressions? As fantastical as the plot becomes it’s hard to not root for all the characters on both sides of the Cold War.