The Americans, Season 4, Episode 11, Dinner for Seven

Last week saw the emotional loss of former Agent Gaad, Elizabeth’s crisis of conscience of Young Hee, and the loss and return of Pastor Tim in Africa.  These events ripple out to further muddy the waters in which all our characters swim.  This hour focuses on Elizabeth trying to connect deeper with Pastor Tim, while Phillip finishes the mission with Don.

Elizabeth answers a bell at the front door to find Pastor Tim. She invites him in.  After some polite pleasantries, they meet with Phillip in the kitchen.  Pastor Tim first assures Henry is out of earshot, then delivers a speech.  “I don’t feel right about what happened.”  Elizabeth views this as an apology for Alice’s threat of blackmail against them.  She calmly replies, “She was scared.”  Pastor Tim notes that when he was lost he thought about his unborn baby, Paige, and “all the things being a parent can mean.” Pastor Tim apologies and moves to leave.  Elizabeth invites him and Alice for a dinner, and the Pastor accepts.  Once alone, Phillip and Elizabeth share a knowing glance.

Elizabeth arrives at Gabriel’s home, the safe house where Martha stayed since his apartment became contaminated.  Gabriel offers Elizabeth perogi, and she jokes he must be missing home.  Gabriel informs her the Centre denied her request to find another way to obtain the codes.  Elizabeth looks unsurprised and resigned.

Dressed as “Patty”, Elizabeth observes Young Hee herd her children into the family Volvo.  After they drive away, Patty knocks at her friend’s door.  Don answers predictably, and he informs her Young Hee isn’t home.  Patty pushes inside and announces, “I’m pregnant!”  Don is flustered and asks why.  Patty scoffs, “Because we had sex!” She begins to cry crocodile tears.  Don says, “You can’t have this baby, it would destroy everything!”  Patty spits back, “For you!”  Don explains this would hurt Young Hee; an abortion is the only way and he offers to pay for it.  Patty becomes angry and declares she doesn’t want anything from him, “I’ll take care of it myself!”  She storms out of his house into the snow.

Stan and Phillip share a beer.  Stan is troubled and explains how his former boss was killed while on vacation in Thailand.  Stan is confident Gaad was murdered, even though the official report states it was a robbery.  Stan theorizes, “I think the Soviets killed him.  The KGB, they’re animals.  I could tell you stories, except I can’t because they’re classified.  Things you can’t imagine.”  Phillip hides his shock well at these statements.  Elizabeth arrives home and Stan leaves promptly.

Once alone, Phillip asks her how the mission went with Don.  She is vague, stating he is devastated and it’s “all yours now.”  The teens arrive how and the tension diffuses. Elizabeth grills Paige about Youth Group and she mentions she has signed up to volunteer at the Food Pantry.  Dinner will be grilled cheese sandwiches.  The kids head upstairs.

Phillip tells Elizabeth Stan’s boss was killed while on vacation in Thailand.  He notes he put that information in his report, learning it while he and Stan played racquetball.

Pastor Tim works in his office, the sound of the choir in the background.  Elizabeth stops in stating she was there to pick up Paige from choir, but they are still in session.  She adds she has bought Alice’s favorite dessert, strawberry ice cream for their family dinner.  Elizabeth is silent for a moment and looks pensive. She admits, “I think I’ve, we’ve, been under a lot of pressure.”  Pastor Tim encourages her to go on, that it’s safe to talk to him.  Elizabeth continues to note how hard it was when Alice thought they had something to do with his disappearance in Africa, and how she felt like she was falling apart.  It seems like she is trying to make Pastor Tim feel as guilty as possible about Alice’s threat, to keep him under their control.

Two cars pull up to an abandoned industrial area at night.  Stan and Oleg exit their cars to talk. Oleg remarks that Stan looks rough.  Stan explains he hasn’t been sleeping much and “keeps thinking of you.” Oleg flashes a coy smile, “I’m flattered.” Stan continues to explain that many people have expressed interest in their meetings and implied he should use Oleg’s fondness for Nina, and his deceased brother, to try and turn him into an U.S. asset.   Stan recalls his partnership with Chris Amador and how they developed an unlikely friendship.  When Amador was murdered, Stan states he “lost his mind” and ended up committing an act “just as bad.” Stan concludes, “I haven’t been the same since.”  Oleg asks, “What do you want me to say?”  Stan states he doesn’t want to have Oleg on his guilty conscience, therefore this is the last time they will meet.  Stan leaves in his car, Oleg watches, staring out in the distance.

It’s the night of the dinner with Pastor Tim and Alice.  Elizabeth has made lamb and Alice joins her in the kitchen.  Alice tries to explain she’s not a vindictive person, but she was frightened by Pastor Tim’s disappearance.  Elizabeth reassures her she would have acted the same in a similar situation. (Except Elizabeth would have probably followed through on the blackmail or killed to get Phillip back.)  Stan arrives to bring Henry a movie on VHS.  Henry invites Stan to dinner.  Introductions and pleasantries are exchanged awkwardly.

The seven tuck into the lavish meal.  Pastor Tim asks Stan what kind of work he does, and Henry answers excitedly, “He’s a FBI agent!”  Poor Henry, he and Stan are the only ones at the table who don’t know the truth about Elizabeth and Phillip. Paige immediately steers the conversation to more benign subjects, talking about her passion for her newly found faith and social justice.  Pastor Tim seems embarrassed when it’s mentioned he was arrested for civil disobedience protesting a nuclear weapons site.  The mood remains uneasy for the dinner party.

Phillip, Gabriel and the communist librarian have arrived at the Foster Medical Group.  Phillip wears a shaggy blonde wig.  He tells the security guard they are “The Rawlings family” and request to see Don.  Don arrives in the lobby, perplexed by this group of visitors.  Phillip says forcefully, “We are Patty’s family and we need to speak to you.”  Don knows this will be a sensitive conversation and invites the group to his office for privacy.

Once in his office Don asks why have they come.  Phillip sneers, “Patty is dead!  She killed herself after you told her to get an abortion.”  Don weakly offers his condolences, which further enrages Phillip.  Gabriel coughs and appears ill.  The librarian has been introduced as Patty’s stepmother.  They make a convincing family.  

Phillip shows Don a death certificate.  He demands he pay for shipping her body to California and all of her funeral expenses.  Don agrees, but he doesn’t have the cash on hand and will need to go to the bank.  Phillip insists on going with him.  Gabriel continues to feign weakness and cries, “You killed my beautiful girl!”  The “step-mom” states her husband is weak and they request to wait in Don’s office.  The shamed man reluctantly agrees, due to his need to keep this meeting private.

The minute Don and Phillip leave, Gabriel and the librarian go to work.  She accesses his computer while Gabriel works to open the filing cabinet.  Their goal is to locate the access codes to the “Level 4” division of the lab.  Don is the administrative director and should have the access codes somewhere in his office.

Pastor Tim meets with Elizabeth again at his church office.  He thanks her for the dinner and remarks Stan has an “interesting profession.”  Elizabeth remarks on how they can’t choose their neighbors, and that they were there before the Beemans.  She continues by remarking how they didn’t “choose” to have Pastor Tim in their lives, but it has been good for their daughter.  She credits Tim for bringing their family closer. Tim remarks that he’s pleased to see them opening themselves up.  He notes it took faith to tell Paige the truth. Elizabeth looks at him oddly. He comments, “You act like you’ve gone out on a limb and handed me a saw.” Elizabeth says, “I’d suppose people like you would say it’s all in God’s hands.”  Pastor Tim acknowledges her lack of faith, but notes faith makes life better.

Don and Phillip return from the bank.  Don says he’s deeply ashamed and very sorry. The trio leaves in silence.

At the FBI, Dennis has made a “curious” discovery.  Dennis confides when Agent Gaad broke the mail robot, Martha covered for him. (He assaulted the machine by kicking it repeatedly.)  The robot received a “911” repair, which resulted in the death of the warehouse’s owner. (The old lady who Elizabeth coerced into talking a fatal dose of heart medication, so as to cover their tracks and leave no witnesses.) The woman’s death was listed as “natural causes”, but it looks suspicious.  It could appear Agent Gaad was working with Martha by breaking the robot.  If the KGB killed him in Thailand, it could be inferred it was to ensure his silence because he was a spy.

Elizabeth is getting ready for bed when Phillip returns home from his errand with Don.  She asks how it went and Phillip replies, “He went for it, he looked scared.” Elizabeth continues to look emotional about the whole affair and betraying her friend.  Phillip notes that the codes were not in the physical files, but they hope to find them on the computer files they duplicated.  Elizabeth wonders if Don will tell Young Hee Patty’s dead.  Phillip looks weary, “It’s hard to know.”

Elizabeth uses a payphone at the park to retrieve her messages.  Young Hee has left an emotional message crying, “Why don’t you call me?”  Elizabeth looks shaken, knowing she can’t ever speak to Young Hee again.

Elizabeth arrives at the church’s food pantry to pick up Paige.  Pastor Tim is surprised to see her, and hints next time she should come earlier so she can help their efforts.  Elizabeth asks him what to do about obsessive thoughts she’s having. He advises her to pray.  Elizabeth admits she doesn’t believe in God or religion.  Pastor Tim counters that it’s not the important thing; the important thing is how we treat one another.  

Elizabeth has spent a lot of time with Pastor Tim this episode.  Is she flirting with him, trying to garner his support after the near disaster with Alice?

Paige is ready and they leave to walk to her car.  Paige asks if she needs to keep up her relationship with Pastor Tim and Alice forever.  Elizabeth explains that Alice’s guilt over her actions is a powerful tool to exploit.  Paige wonders about the tape Alice made, and her mother thinks maybe it’s okay to let them keep it if it makes them feel better.  Paige confides Matthew has been opening up to her about his father’s work.  She has learned Stan had dinner with the father of his secretary, whom they suspect was a spy. (Martha.)  She also learned that the spy disappeared. Elizabeth seems impressed with her daughter’s budding proclivity for the family business.

Suddenly, two men approach and ask for cigarettes.  Paige suggests they find a nearby market.  Elizabeth, sensing danger, offers the men her wallet and says,  “We don’t want any trouble.”  One man sneers at Paige and asks how old she is.  Elizabeth springs into action striking him.  The other takes out a knife and she turns it on him, stabbing him in the neck!

The man who was hit, sees his friend bleeding to death and flees in terror.  Paige looks dumbstruck by the rapid succession of events.  Elizabeth grabs her daughter by the arm and hastens her to the car.  But, did she leave her wallet behind? 

Will Paige ever believe her mom and dad “don’t hurt people” after witnessing her mother murder a man?  (Even in self-defense?) There are two episodes left this season.  The preview for next week shows Paige questioning her parents after the attack.  Oleg and Stan appear to meet one more time, and the bio-weapons mission that has been building all season is near completion. The lingering threat of exposure looms like the moon in the background, distant but ever present and changing.  I wish the season didn’t have to end!

The Americans, Season 4, Episode 10, Munchkins

Only two more episodes remain after tonight.  This season has been one of the most cohesive yet, exploring our protagonist’s careers under the hard light of their teenage children’s ideals.  Elizabeth and Phillip have had to explain their choices to their daughter and Pastor Tim and Alice.  Stan is also opening up to Matthew about his secret life in the FBI.  The main thing that makes The Americans unique is its focus on relationships not morality. Both sides have shown to be capable of both good and evil.  In a decidedly gray world, the lack of steering the audience to draw a moral conclusion is refreshing and important.  In the Cold War Era, an “eye for an eye” certainly would have lead to the destruction of the world.  I’d like to think the actions of the individuals like both Stan and Phillip prevented that destruction.

The episode opens with Patty having dinner with Young Hee and her family, including a nervous Don.  Young Hee is acting completely normal so it is likely she doesn’t know or suspect anything is wrong in her marriage.  Elizabeth does her best to act nonchalant, given the circumstances.  Don excuses himself from the dinner table.

At the Jennings residence, Paige is busy preparing dinner.  Her father enters the kitchen and she asks him about his family. “Was your mom a good cook?” Phillip responds she made a soup he liked, perhaps like the borscht the dispatcher served him several weeks before.  Paige wants to know more and asks Phillip about his father who died when he was six years old.  Phillip informs her they lived a small town in Siberia, his father was a logger.  Paige asks, “Did he like it?”  Phillip attempts to explain people didn’t think like that during that era.  He notes his mother was a very tough person and life was very hard after the war.  Life was simply hard work.

Young Hee and Patty say goodbye after their dinner.  Elizabeth knows it may be the last time she will enjoy the company of her friend.

Phillip continues to tell Paige about his childhood.  He worked sweeping at a collective farm.  The boss owed him back wages so his mother went to speak with him and he paid up.  He implies that people knew better then to cross his mother. The opening credits play.

Gabriel and Phillip play Scrabble at his house.  He discloses he has recruited a new assistant for them, a librarian whom he noticed reading a communist magazine.  He hopes with her and Hans help, they will be able to move forward with the operation with William.  Gabriel asks if Elizabeth has gained access to the codes yet. (This is the intel she’s blackmailing Don for.)  Phillip expresses concern regarding the operation; given what happened last time he handled a biological pathogen.  Gabriel quotes Ronald Reagan, “The best deterrent is strength.”

Stan is on the phone at his desk at the FBI.  A man comes up to Dennis and is reprimanded for an error in his margins.  After the man disappears, Stan says to his friend, “Welcome to Munchkinland.”  Stan refers to his new boss’s “yes men” as munchkins.  Dennis jokes he should have retired with Agent Gaad.  Stan confirms their scheduled meeting with Martha’s dad later that evening.  Dennis doesn’t feel good about it and tells Stan it feels like “entrapment.”

The Jennings family is in the kitchen having dinner.  Henry excuses himself to study and his mother scolds him for not finishing his dinner.  The doorbell rings and Paige lets Pastor Tim’s wife Alice inside.  She informs them Pastor Tim is missing in Ethiopia.  He went to a small village near the border and disappeared.  She looks at Phillip and Elizabeth, “If you have anything to do with this!”  Elizabeth becomes defensive and notes Ethiopia is a dangerous place.  Alice has called the State Department and learned Ethiopia is a client state of the U.S.S.R.   She continues, “I know how the world works, my husband only wants to see the good in people.  But I made a tape about what you do and I’ll turn it over to the State Department if Tim doesn’t return.”  She apologizes to Paige and leaves in a fury of emotion.

Tatiana and Oleg have sexy time; this time she is the one who makes most of the noise.  He playfully covers her mouth like she did to him previously.  Oleg teases her that she can’t understand American culture since she has never tried a “Twinkie.” The conversation shifts when Tatiana states, “I need something from you.”  She explains they are looking for a woman from the technology department in Moscow. The woman must be between fifty and sixty years old, proficient with computers and speak perfect English.  Oleg notes that is quite a specific request but Tatiana insists that she can’t tell him more.  Tatiana asks him, “You know why I’m here, what department I work for?”  Oleg acknowledges he knows she works for section twelve, the department they aren’t supposed to know about. (Bioweapons.)  Tatiana notes even with all the secrecy of the United States government’s program, their weakness is “They can’t stop being American.”  The U.S. government contracts with a private company and that has been their “in” to the industry.  Oleg is impressed and notes, “You’re good at this.”  Tatiana admits she is good at her work.

Phillip has returned to the kitchen after checking on Henry.  They are all concerned what exactly he heard from their conversation with Alice.  Henry was rocking out with his Walkman and the family secret appears safe, for now.  Paige questions her parents, “Is there any way?”  Elizabeth presses her daughter to finish her accusation. Paige hesitates but then wonders what kind of Russian spies they might have in Africa.  Phillip notes that Pastor Tim’s disappearance is a “disaster” for them.  But Paige sees through their lies and counters, “It’s actually pretty good for you, in a Russian controlled country he disappears, how would I know!”   She storms out angrily.

Once alone, Phillip asks Elizabeth if there is anyway the Centre had something to do with this.  Elizabeth notes if Paige’s accusations were true, they would have been pretty stupid to not “take care” of Alice too.  Phillip wonders if there might be a plan to “take care of Alice” here in the U.S.  He states he will check with Gabriel to see if there is anyway they can offer Alice some information to appease her.  Elizabeth admits she fears they may have to run.  She thought they could live like this, with their secret partially exposed, but now she doesn’t know.

Paige goes to her church where many people have gathered in the wake of Pastor Tim’s disappearance.  The secretary informs Paige they have found Tim’s Jeep but it was empty.  Paige requests to speak with Alice but is informed she’s busy.  But Alice steps out of the office and is lead inside.  Alice appears very uncomfortable in her late pregnancy.  Paige tells Alice she loves her and Pastor Tim very much and they embrace.  Alice admits she’s very scared and begins to cry.

Dennis and Stan have a beer with Martha’s dad.  The old man is confused and skeptical that Martha could have been involved with the KGB.  He believes “Clark” was some kind of con man and fears his daughter is drugged and kidnapped somewhere.  He describes Martha as being honest and kind hearted.  In first grade she collected money for victims of a tornado in her home state of Kansas.  Dennis offers that perhaps those traits made her vulnerable to manipulation.  The old man implores the agents to “not give up” on his only daughter.  Dennis assures him they will remain on the case to look for her.

Elizabeth cuts vegetables for the Crock-Pot in the kitchen.  Phillip enters and informs her of the chatter from Pastor Tim’s office phone line.  So far, there has been no mention of their family.  Henry is outside beating a tennis ball on the garage door, the noise is annoying Elizabeth.  Paige enters and her parents want an update on what happened at church.  Paige is still frustrated with her parents and says she prayed with Alice.  Phillip informs his daughter they are trying to use their contacts in Africa to help find him.  Paige wonders what will happen if Alice sends the tape. Phillip notes they would leave.  At first Paige thinks her parents would leave, but then realizes that her father means the whole family.  Paige asks urgently, “Where, to Russia? You can’t be serious!”  She notes that Henry would obviously need to be told and wonders how she would live in a country without speaking the language. Increasingly angry and scared she shouts at her parents, “Who will you spy on in Russia? Who will you make disappear?”  Elizabeth tells her calmly they have nothing to do with this.  It’s clear Paige doesn’t think so.

In Thailand, Gaad shaves while his wife gets ready to go to the market.  They agree to meet in thirty minutes for lunch.  Gaad tells his wife not to buy him anything.  He seems genuinely happy and relaxed.  Moments after she leaves, three men appear in his apartment.  A large man with a Russian accent states he has a “proposal” for him.  Gaad replies, “What if I don’t want to listen!”  The men approach and Gaad makes a run through the glass door, shattering it.  Gaad falls down, a large piece of broken glass severs an artery and he dies within a minute.  The large man looks at him and apologizes before the trio makes a hasty exit.  A disgruntled former FBI agent would have made an ideal person for the KGB to turn.  Gaad however was loyal to his country to the end.  It’s a terribly sad and shocking death of a character that has been a major part of the series.

Kimmy smokes a joint on her front porch.  Phillip is inside her father’s office, hastily changing the bug in the man’s briefcase.  He comes out to rejoin the teenage girl asking, “What did I miss?”  Kimmy says she heard an owl and compliments “James” on his great marijuana.  Phillip asks him how things are going with her current boyfriend.  Kimmy sighs, and notes he was her age but “too young” so they broke up.  Phillip offers, “There are plenty more fish in the sea.”  Kimmy tells him “High school is pretty much fished out!”  Kimmy wants to tell him a secret; she has recently learned her dad works for the CIA, not the State Department. “Everything in my life makes sense now.”  She has an explanation for all the travel and secrecy in her father’s life.  Phillip asks her if she has told anyone, like her ex-boyfriend.  Phillip thinks she should have kept her father’s secret because it breaks the trust between her and her father.  Phillip is obviously thinking about Paige and perhaps trying to prevent Kimmy from making the same mistakes.  Whatever the country, outing an agent can be deadly.

Paige knocks on Stan’s door, looking for Henry but only finding Matthew.  Matthew asks her if she wants to “hang out.”  He seems to be attracted to her.  (Maybe my previous questions about his homosexuality were wrong.)  Paige reluctantly agrees.  Matthew offers her a beverage and Paige requests coffee.  She makes a sarcastic comment about the lack of decoration in their house.  Matthew jokes interior decorating is all they think about.  Paige asks him whether he thinks it’s cool his father is a FBI agent.  Matthew notes his father used to never talk about work but now he does.  He tells her Stan told him about having drinks with the father of a possible spy, which he thought was cool.  Wanting to avoid a conversation about spies, Paige informs him she needs to leave for church soon.  Matthew asks about her church and Paige explains she joined for the youth group and that neither of her parents is very religious.  She tells him about Pastor Tim and how stressful the situation has been for her.  Matthew offers to give her a ride to church.

When they arrive, the church is filled with people milling around.  A young man informs Paige the Pastor has been found, they ran out of gas and got lost.  She embraces the man and introduces him as “Zach” to Matthew.  She notes both guys play guitar and asks Zach to tell him about youth choir.  Paige is an impressive young adult in her poise and mannerisms. She may have her mom’s knack for putting people at ease.  Paige goes to find Alice in her office.  Alice requests some privacy to speak with Paige and she cries.  Paige exclaims, “I’m so relieved, when is he coming home?”  Alice tells her the next day and admits she’s never been so afraid.  She asks Paige to tell her parents she’s sorry for threatening them.

Elizabeth uses a payphone to retrieve her messages from Young Hee.  Young Hee is crying and states something is wrong between her and Don but she doesn’t know what.  Young Hee tearfully asks Patty to return her call.

Once Paige returns home she tells her parents the good news about Pastor Tim and about Alice’s apology.  Paige apologizes for her own accusations and notes the whole situation was “just so weird.”  Elizabeth states, “The hardest thing we do is trust.” Phillip adds that they must tell each other the truth and Paige is now a part of that.  Elizabeth notes she may not always be able to tell her daughter the details of their work but they must trust each other.  Paige informs them she didn’t asks Alice for the tape back yet because it didn’t seem like the right time to do so.  Her mother appreciates her insight.  Paige asks when they are going to tell Henry about their true identities.  She feels they have to tell him.  Elizabeth doesn’t really answer, “A lot of that depends on Henry.''

Tatiana and Arkady are speaking in his office when he is interrupted by a message. He looks pained and tells Tatiana, “An operation didn’t go as planned. Maybe it shouldn’t have been planned.”  This likely is a message regarding Agent Gaad’s accidental death.

At the FBI, Dennis takes Stan aside and leads him into the vault.  He is somber and says, “They are going to make an announcement soon. Gaad is dead.”  He admits he doesn’t know much else at this point.  Stan is shocked and saddened and wonders if he died on vacation.  A “munchkin” pops in the vault, ordering them to get “on deck” because their director Wolfe has an important announcement.

Gabriel tells Elizabeth, “We did have people looking for him.”  Gabriel is pleased at the luck of Pastor Tim’s return.  He asks Elizabeth when she will have the codes. Elizabeth is ambivalent and Gabriel asks her if there is a problem.  In typical Russian fashion, Elizabeth replies, “No problem.”  Gabriel notes that, “People like us can give everything to our country and the world and forget ourselves.” Elizabeth laughs and notes that the comment sounds like something from “EST.”  Gabriel asks what Young Hee’s family is like.  Elizabeth sighs, and says he’d like them; they are big, close and loud.  Elizabeth wonders, “What if we couldn’t get in this way?”  Gabriel notes she has “done the hard part” of the operation already.  Elizabeth believes the family won’t recover.  Gabriel says he can ask the Centre if there is another way, if she wants him to do so.  After a long pause, Elizabeth says, “Yes.”

With only a few episodes left, it’s hard to know how this season will end.  Next week’s preview shows Gabriel ordering Elizabeth to go through with her blackmail of Don.  She is seen telling him she’s pregnant, which of course is impossible since they didn’t have intercourse.  Don is horrified and says having an abortion is the only way.  Stan informs Phillip he thinks the KGB killed his ex-boss Gaad.  Will Stan know the truth about his neighbors before the season is over?  Will the bio-weapons mission end in disaster? Will Paige consider joining her parent’s profession?

The Americans, Season 4, Episode 9, The Day After

Like last week, this week’s title comes from a major television event from the early eighties. “The Day After” was a made for TV movie depicting the aftermath of nuclear attacks on the United States.  It was heralded for it’s realistic depiction of a nuclear attack and it was made intentionally ambiguous as to which side launched the nuclear weapons first.  It is said to have influenced Ronald Reagan’s decision to curb the nuclear arms race with the Soviets in the latter years of his presidency.  It aired in November 1983, making it roughly seven months after David Copperfield’s stunt with the Statue of Liberty.  The Jennings “vacation” is coming to a close.

Phillip takes Paige to an abandoned amusement park parking lot for a driving lesson.  Paige is a nervous but competent student.  She hints at wanting to try to drive Phillip’s car, the white Chevy Camaro.  Phillip laughs off her request.

Elizabeth enjoys tea and conversation with Young Hee.  The Korean woman complains how with her mother-in-law on vacation to Korea, the kids have become very sassy.  Young Hee describes her own strict upbringing and Elizabeth (as Patty) shares her mother was also very strict.  Young Hee’s husband Don walks through the kitchen.  Elizabeth eyes him with new interest.  Patty explains she got along better with her father. (Because in her real life, her father died in WW II.)

The driving lesson wraps up with Paige navigating the station wagon in front of the house.  Even after braking hard, Phillip praises his daughter for being a good driver. Paige requests her parents attend a “send off” party for Pastor Tim who is traveling on a mission to Ethiopia. “It makes him think we’re more normal.”  She exits the car. Pastor Tim’s trust in Paige is all that is keeping the family free and together.  The opening credits roll.

Stan and Phillip enjoy an intense game of racquetball.  Phillip is in great form and mentions to Stan he’s been getting more sleep due to a cut back in some clients.  Stan admits his life hasn’t been going so well, he and Tori broke up, mainly because “she wasn’t Sandra.”  Stan also complains about his new “hard-ass” boss and his group of brown-nosing “munchkins.”  Stan misses his old boss who “Didn’t care how we got the job done as long as we stopped the Russians.”  Phillip smiles, awkward!

Elizabeth comes home with groceries.  Phillip is in the kitchen.  Elizabeth states there was a “signal” from William, but it didn’t come through Gabriel.  Due to Martha’s absence, they haven’t been able to meet with William. (She was providing information about William’s surveillance team.) Phillip feels that it could be important.  Elizabeth suggests they use Hans for surveillance and go meet with the biologist.

Elizabeth wears a dark wig and checks around the meeting sight in the park.  Phillip wears a dark wig and large glasses.  William greets Phillip stating, “That may be your best look yet!” (He looks like a dark haired Jeffery Dahmer.) Phillip explains his source at the FBI was extracted to Moscow.  William is impressed they succeeded in getting her out and wonders how she’ll adapt to Soviet life.  Phillip remarks only, “She’s alive and free.”  William ponders what “freedom” would feel like.  William explains there are new teams and schedules at work.  He stops his narrative and asks where has Phillip been for the last seven months.  Phillip explains they’ve “had a break.”  William describes a new modified strain of the “Lassa” virus, which causes a hemorrhagic fever.  It is on the restricted “level 4.”  William hasn’t told the Centre or Gabriel about it because; “I don’t trust us with it.”  He notes the Americans are just testing it for research, he fears the Soviets may actually use it if they had it.  William obviously trusts Phillip to contemplate this information before acting on it.

The ABC network presents “The Day After.”  It warns there will be graphic content of nuclear war and it’s aftermath. (100 million viewers tuned in, a network record at the time.)  Stan and Matthew have come over to watch it with the Jennings.  Oleg and Tatiana watch it from his bedroom.  Arkady smokes as he watches the program alone.  Young Hee and her husband watch it without their children.  Paige looks up as the mushroom cloud explodes at her neighbor Matthew.  Paige looks troubled by the program.

Elizabeth gets ready for bed in the bathroom.  Phillip asks if she’s okay and Elizabeth admits the show was intense.  Phillip relays William’s plea to not share the new virus information with the Centre.  Elizabeth disagrees, “They are making it for us, to destroy us! They dropped the Atom bomb, twice. We can’t pretend.”  Elizabeth outlines the next phase of her plan with Young Hee.  She must search for some blackmail to use against her husband Don. (It is implied that Don works at “Level 4” at the biotech firm.  She hopes to blackmail him for access.)

Don and Young Hee are exited to leave for an overnight romantic getaway.  Patty has generously offered to babysit their three rambunctious kids.  Elizabeth waves as the unsuspecting couple leave in their white Volvo station wagon.  Elizabeth starts by winning the kids over with pizza.

Oleg and Tatiana make the “beast with two backs.”  Oleg is very vocal in his passion and Tatiana urges him to be quiet, at one point she even covers his mouth with her hand.  Afterwards, Tatiana confides she feels uncomfortable about them being heard.  Oleg grew up wealthy, with thick walls but Tatiana had to wait until the dead of night to make love to her boyfriend in a crowded house.  Oleg concedes he was lucky his dad had a good position.  He tells her a frightening story his dad relayed to him recently.  An officer thought he saw the United States had launched five missiles towards the Soviets.  Thinking the situation was highly unlikely, the officer decided to classify the information as a false alarm.  It was later revealed the “five missiles” were sunlight off the clouds.  Oleg notes, “Our technology is way behind!”  Tatiana notes, that is why Oleg’s position with the technology sector is so important.  Oleg wonders what he would have done if he was that officer on duty.  (Fun 1980’s trivia, Nena, a West German band had a 1983 hit describing balloons triggering a faulty warning system and starting a nuclear war.  Did something like this actually happen? We’ll probably never know.)

Elizabeth tucks Young Hee’s “spoiled” children into bed.  Once confident they are asleep, she begins to search the house.

Paige and Phillip do the dishes together.  Paige admits she was troubled by “The Day After” and asks her father if it could really all end like depicted in the movie.  Phillip notes that is why they do their work.  Paige persists, “Do you really think it makes a difference?” Phillip, ever honest says, “I don’t know.”  Paige is grim but pragmatic, “I hope we’re all together when it happens and that it’s quick.”  Phillip seems surprised by her assessment but she counters, “Don’t you think about it?”  Phillip admits he does.  

Elizabeth continues her search of her friend’s house.  She looks at their VHS movie collection, which includes classics such as “Sophie’s Choice” and “Rocky.”  She finds an unmarked tape, which turns out to be pornographic.  She watches the movie on fast forward.  Elizabeth searches Don’s desk, Rolodex, and day planner but finds nothing unusual.  At six fifteen in the morning, Elizabeth stares at the sunrise, defeated.

At the travel office, Elizabeth loses her patience with a call and slams the phone down angrily.  She tells Phillip she’ll need to rebook a group, but it isn’t her travel job that is upsetting her.  She tells Phillip her search of Young Hee’s was fruitless and she’ll be home late.  Phillip sees that Elizabeth doesn’t want to betray her friend and suggests they tell the Centre they “failed” forcing them to find another way. Elizabeth is resigned to implementing her “Plan B” noting there is no other way to complete her mission.

William and Phillip meet again. Gabriel is still not aware of the situation.  Phillip wonders why William confided in him.  William notes, “It’s a big decision to make on your own.”  Unlike Phillip, William has mostly worked alone and wanted Phillip’s perspective, especially when he wants to deviate from strictly following orders. Because of Martha, William knows Phillip has and can stand up against the Centre to get what he wants.

Elizabeth calls Don from a payphone.  She fabricates a story about having a big fight with her boyfriend and needing a ride.  Don offers to come and pick her up.

Phillip and Paige attend Pastor Tim’s send off party.  Phillip sends his regrets that Elizabeth couldn’t make it due to work.  Pastor Tim and Phillip exchange pleasantries while Paige goes to see how the now greatly pregnant Alice is faring.  Pastor Tim notes Paige seems “sad and burdened.”  Phillip tries to attribute her mood to being a typical teenager.  Pastor Tim insists when he returns, they all sit down together and “See where we’re all at.”  It’s amazing Pastor Tim has been silent so far, thanks to Paige.  But how long are they willing to remain silent?

Elizabeth manages to manipulate Don easily, asking him to move furniture for him and then offering him an expensive glass of wine “to see if it’s good enough to give as a gift.” (Wine is one of Don’s few vices.)  Elizabeth drops a pill into his glass.  Don swishes and swirls the wine but fails to see anything suspicious, he drinks it with relish.

Phillip checks in on Paige.  Paige complains of having increased homework in addition to all her church activities.  Trying to cheer her up, Phillip offers her a driving lesson in the Camaro.

Elizabeth drinks and works on seducing her good friend’s husband.  She states, “I don’t know many happy couples.”  Elizabeth complains all the men she dates are jerks. Don is sweating from the pill.  He suggests Patty is being too hard on the men she dates; one of those “jerks” could be the “one”.  Elizabeth leans in and kisses him on the lips.  Don stands up to leave and then suddenly complains of “not feeling so well.”  He falls to the floor.

The final moments of the episode weave Paige’s Camaro driving lesson with Elizabeth’s framing of Don to the phrenic beat of “Major Tom.”  The song’s intro plays as Elizabeth undresses Don.  The driving lesson commences with the lyrics, “Standing there alone, the ship is waiting, all systems go, are you sure?”  Elizabeth struggles to remove Don’s pants and places him face down on the bed.  Paige is nervous but Phillip encourages her to stay slow and allow another car to pass her.  The chorus comes in, “Floating, weightless…” Elizabeth undresses and lies down next to Don.  She takes a small bit of lotion and rubs it under his private parts, mimicking a consummation of the act.  Phillip encourages his daughter to blink.  The song’s beat intensifies as Don wakes up to realize he’s slept with his wife’s best friend.  Phillip congratulates Paige as they reach home, “You did it!”  Don looks at Elizabeth in horror as the song’s chorus continues, “Earth below us, floating, drifting, weightless, falling, calling home…” Don grabs his clothes and whispers, “I’m sorry.”  He exits quickly and Elizabeth almost has a look of pity for him.

Paige and Henry play Atari when Elizabeth returns home.  Paige triumphantly informs her, “I drove the Camaro!”  Immediately, Paige can see something is wrong, Elizabeth feigns a headache and excuses herself.  Phillip goes to check on his wife.  Elizabeth sits up on their bed, she says quietly, “I’m going to miss her.”  The camera zooms back at Phillip comforting his wife on their bed.  Elizabeth has rarely had a female friend and even though it was based on lies, her affection for Young Hee was genuine.

New week things take a disastrous twist when Pastor Tim is kidnapped in Ethiopia. Alice threatens to expose the family unless her husband is returned safely.  Paige questions if her parents could be behind the kidnapping.  Phillip again considers whether the whole family must leave the country.