This week’s installment featured the long goodbye to the beloved character Gabriel. Paige makes a decision about her relationship with Matthew and Stan trusts Renee with more of his secrets. Meanwhile, the grain mission continues but with a different focus. Oleg’s predicament resolves, but thankfully not through his suicide, as I had feared last week. Elizabeth continues her solo mission, with a tie-in to the title of this week’s episode.
Phillip offers to help Gabriel in the kitchen during their final meal together with Paige. Paige asks Gabriel frank questions as he pours tea and offers them dessert. She learns he met her parents before she was born and he too is a spy. He offers her insight on them, “To you, they are just your parents, but to us, they are honestly heroes. They have saved a lot of lives.” (He doesn’t mention all the lives they’ve taken!) Gabriel waxes poetic, quoting Marx describing his admiration for Phillip and Elizabeth. He then directs his advice towards Paige. “You asked for the truth and faced it. That’s courage!”
After they leave Paige shares her thoughts about Gabriel with her parents. She deduces that the home they visited was not where he lived because there were no pictures or personal effects. Elizabeth confirms it is a “safe house.” Paige muses how strange it is that he knows everything about her but she didn’t even know he existed until recently. Phillip informs her a beloved stuffed tiger from her childhood was actually a gift from Gabriel. “Because he wanted you to grow up strong, like a tiger,” Paige notes that Elizabeth and Phillip are like a family to Gabriel. It is still unclear why Gabriel would want to leave them.
Phillip and Elizabeth study surveillance pictures of the greenhouse in Illinois. Since the “disappearance” of the lab manager, they have increased security around the greenhouse including fences with barbed wire. They agree they have to work on their respective “marks” to find out how to obtain a plant. Elizabeth observes that Paige liked Gabriel, she hopes it’s a start to “get her past this.” Elizabeth still hopes to bring her daughter around to being proud of her parents, possibly even joining the cause one day.
At the FBI, Dennis receives a call from the Soviet mother he spoke to the last episode. He instructs her to meet them at a public park later that afternoon. It’s the first person they’ve got to call them back after months of “fishing.”
Elizabeth dons a blonde wig to break into the psychiatrist's office at night. She signs in at the desk while the new African-American asset distracts the night manager by pretending to need directions. The guard doesn’t notice as Elizabeth walks past the security cameras. Elizabeth uses the key she made to enter the office. Using a red flashlight she breaks into his filing cabinet. After a moment of looking, she pulls a folder labeled “The Committee on Human Rights, Moscow.” For perhaps the first time, Elizabeth is using her resources in the United States to spy on people in the Soviet Union. The Human Right’s committee was considered an “enemy of the state.”
Phillip is in Topeka again dealing with the Lotus loving Deidre. Phillip asks her if she’s ever lived with anyone before. Deidre scoffs at this suggestion, it’s clear she’d like to keep things casual and let their relationship “run its natural course.” She notes, “You NEED, a lot.” She then asks him if he’d like to have sex! I swear Deidre is a man in a woman's body.
Oleg walks alone at night back to his parent’s apartment. He finds his mother at the table polishing silver and greets her warmly. He explains, “The people who were after me, I went to meet them, twice and they didn’t show. I don’t know why.” His mother concludes that whatever the reason this is a positive development. Oleg looks at the framed photo of his deceased brother in uniform. He says, “I’d give anything to talk to him again. About how Dad is driving me crazy, about anything at all…” His mother is the one person who understands his grief.
The Soviet mother arrives at the park to meet with Dennis and Stan. Her eyes dart around nervously assessing each passerby, worried about being seen talking to the FBI. When she meets up with the agents she expresses her fears. “My son needs a mother to become a man if I end up dead or in prison…” Dennis tries to ease her concerns, stating they just need some information from time to time about how TASS works. He adds she will receive huge financial compensation. TASS is a Russian news agency founded in 1902 and is the fourth largest news wire service in the world. It is wholly owned and controlled by the Russian government. Stan notes that it maybe possible to grant her asylum in the United States in return for her cooperation. The woman is wary, “Possible is a word Americans use when they can’t promise.” Dennis tries to assure her she’ll be safe but the woman walks away. Dennis is frustrated with Stan, fearing his realistic assessment of the danger has scared her away.
Elizabeth joins Paige on the couch to talk. She asks her mother, “Are you going to miss Gabriel?” Elizabeth confirms that she will. Phillip arrives home from Kansas. Paige asks her father if he’s still working on “the grain thing.” Phillip notes they are “making progress.” Both parents are careful to not tell Paige what they learned last week, that the United States isn’t trying to sabotage the grain but create a “super-grain.” Paige is troubled by the idea, “I knew America did terrible things but people’s food!” Paige wonders why they don’t try to go to the media with this damning information. Paige recalls how the media helped to expose Watergate. Elizabeth replies, “No one would believe us.”
In the privacy of their bedroom, Phillip and Elizabeth share information about the grain mission. They might able to procure a plant from a farm in Mississippi. (Time to dust off the cowboy hats!) Elizabeth notes the psychologist operation went well, she obtained names of “some people back home.” Phillip doesn’t question her further.
Paige meets with Pastor Tim. She explains that things are getting better between her and her parents. Paige notes that it has made her realize “that there are bigger and better things in the world than me.” Pastor Tim notes that she is wise to think that way, noting it creates the ability to have empathy. Pastor Tim notes Jesus is an ultimate example of self-sacrifice for the greater good. He asks Paige if she has been praying. Paige is ambivalent. “Sometimes.” Have Marx and her parents made her lose her faith?
Stan is called for a meeting in the “vault” with his boss Agent Wolfe. Wolfe informs him that the Deputy A.G. was not pleased with Stan’s attempt to interfere with the CIA’s plans for Oleg. However, “For what it’s worth, the CIA has backed off Burov.” Stan’s insubordination has come with a price; the A.G. wanted him transferred out of counter-intelligence immediately. Wolfe notes that he bargained with him, stating he couldn’t transfer Stan due to an active mission. (The TASS woman.) Stan thanks Agent Wolfe but there is little warmth between the two men. Stan tries to determine if there will be a job for him after his current mission is complete. Wolfe says, “We’ll worry about that later.”
Bolivar, Mississippi is a flat expanse of farmland. Elizabeth and Phillip ride together in a pickup truck. Phillip wears a long blonde wig and baseball hat; Elizabeth sports a frizzy red wig. The spy Ben in a nearby field, he is taking notes on the crops. These fields are unmarked and unguarded. Elizabeth decides they’ll return to the site that night.
Paige goes over to the Beeman’s to see Matthew. He’s relieved to see her and asks if she wants to go to the movies with him. Paige declines. Matthew is hurt, “Why would my girlfriend want to spend time with me?” Paige utters those dreaded words, “I have to talk to you.” She claims Matthew doesn’t know her. He is confused. She continues, “I don’t want to make out anymore, I can’t be your girlfriend.” Matthew tries to bargain with her. He reminds her he’s not like his father; he wants to know how he can improve their relationship. He tries to embrace her but she pushes him away, hard. “Let go!” Matthew is bewildered and hurt. Paige mutters, “I’m sorry.” She leaves him alone.
Elizabeth and Phillip are on a busy street in a town. Marilyn, one of their new assets, patrols the street following Ben to a place called the “Grass Feed Club.” There is a line outside. Ben greets a woman who exits a cab with Tennessee plates. (Perhaps they are on the border with MS?) He embraces the blonde woman and kisses her deeply. Elizabeth and Phillip observe him from a pay phone across the street. Phillip asks, “Who’s that?” Elizabeth states she doesn’t know but adds, “Let’s go get it!”
Paige returns home from her breakup. She turns on the lights in her bedroom, resigned to loneliness. She looks at her bookshelf, the Marx book is now crowded with other “books on the subject” as her mom had promised. Is her new faith in Marx?
Elizabeth and Phillip work digging up the plant in the field. She explains, “I didn’t think he was like that.” Phillip observes that she liked him and that’s okay. (He too had feelings for Martha and others.) Elizabeth rejects this; “It’s NOT okay for me!” She returns her focus on the plant, hoping this mission will help create better food for the Soviets. Phillip admits he “feels like one of the guys on the posters.” This is likely a reference to the huge propaganda posters featuring proud proletariats in industry and farming. Phillip is desperate to be a hero for his daughter and perhaps himself.
The next day, Elizabeth delivers the young plant to Gabriel. He notes, “Perfect, I have strict instructions for its care, I must tend it like a baby!” Gabriel is happy to be ending his service with this positive mission. He says he enjoyed meeting Paige. “ You’ve done well, she doesn’t think the world owes her happiness which is no small accomplishment growing up in this country.” Elizabeth again tries to figure out why Gabriel is leaving. He is vague, “It adds up, some good, some not, but it adds up.” Elizabeth wonders what they will do without him; she reaches for the old man’s hand tenderly. Gabriel states he leaves that night and to please send Phillip to say goodbye.
Elizabeth finds Paige home alone, mourning her breakup. She tells her mom, “I broke up with Matthew. It wasn’t fair to him.” Elizabeth wants to know how he reacted. “Not so great,” Paige admits. “I know how hard it must have been but I’m proud of you.” Her words aren’t necessarily comforting to a teenage girl going through her first breakup. It’s hard for someone like Elizabeth to connect with her own emotions, let alone the feelings of others. It’s how she’s coped so long with her career.
Renee and Stan watch a movie together. (I believe it is Breaking Away, an awesome flick from 1979. Check it out if you haven’t seen it.) Renee notices Stan is preoccupied and pauses the movie. After a few seconds, Stan confesses. “I had a meeting with my boss, I thought I was getting fired. I had asked my boss’s boss to do something, make something happen. It happened but he wasn’t happy about it. But they can’t fire me yet.” If Renee is an agent, it’s impossible to glean much from these vague statements. Renee states, “Good.” They return to the movie. Renee may be the perfect woman for Stan.
Phillip returns home and learns from Elizabeth that Paige broke up with Matthew. “Thank God.” (Funny, because Paige was the one who believed in God.) Elizabeth informs him that Gabriel is leaving that night and wants to say goodbye.
Phillip approaches Paige in her bedroom. She is lying down staring at the walls. He tells her gently, “I’m really sorry but I have to go back out. Gabriel is leaving and I have to see him.” Paige asks her father to say goodbye from her. Phillip sits down on the bed next to his daughter. “I know how you feel, you’re different from everyone else…” Paige is miserable, “It’s a million times worse! I felt that way before all this!” In other words, all teens feel awkward and different but for Paige she really is different. Phillip tries to comfort her, “You’re a beautiful girl, and in time you’ll get used to it.” This reminds me of something my stepdad told me as a teen, each of us is uniquely alone. It’s not comforting but there is love in that type of honesty.
In Moscow, Oleg goes to a records vault to request a file on his mother’s incarceration. She was in a camp from 1945-1951. Oleg opens the file to see a black and white photo of his mother as a young woman. Will he learn what she endured there and what the “charges” were made against her?
Phillip meets with Gabriel for the last time. “I’m sorry you’re leaving.” Gabriel remarks that it’s kind of him to say as they haven’t always “seen eye to eye.” (Is Gabriel feeling guilty for denying Phillip a chance to meet Mischa?) Gabriel notes he’s happy returning the plant home will be his final duty. The old man is frank, “I doubt we’ll ever see each other again.” Phillip wants more information on Elizabeth’s mission. “It’s a list of people in opposition to the Party at home.” (The Human Rights Committee was hoping to open the books on the secrecy of the regime and its political prisoners.) Gabriel confesses he did many terrible things when he was younger. Phillip knows nothing about that period of time when he was a small child. Gabriel continues, describing the prisoners in the camps who were shot or worked to death. “Some were counter-revolutionaries but some hadn’t done anything wrong.” (This mirrors what Alexie said about his father, he was sent to a camp and died after sixteen years of hard labor.)
Gabriel continues with his confession. He justifies some of his actions as “setting an example” in order to maintain disciple and order. He remembers everyone was scared but he believed he was acting for the “higher purpose.” In the end, he admits he too was scared about what might happen to him if he didn’t comply with his orders. He thinks about the people he knew from that time and notes “a lot of us didn’t make it out.” His exposition is reminiscent of Nazi soldiers, they may not have agreed with what they had to do but were too fearful to resist. Stalin mirrored those tactics of terror. Gabriel sighs and touches Phillip over his heart, “I have to go.”
Phillip has one final question, “Is Stan’s girlfriend one of ours?” Gabriel scoffs, “You’re losing it!” However, the old man notes that he may not be privy to that information since he was planning on retiring. Gabriel concludes, “You may be right about Paige, she should be kept out of all this!”
This hour was filled with emotion and old versus fresh wounds. Paige experiences her first big loss by breaking up with Matthew. She may also be losing her faith and hope for a better world which is tragic for someone so young. Stan nearly lost his job but is enjoying a life outside of work with Renee. Gabriel reflects on a life of loss, perhaps more than he can bear alone. He is losing his surrogate children by leaving but perhaps feels he deserves to be punished for his past dastardly deeds. Elizabeth allowed herself to have respect for Ben only to learn he is a womanizer. Even though she’s using him, the realization hurt her. Will Phillip be able to navigate Paige away from their complicated lives as Gabriel wished?
Next week shows Claudia clashing with Elizabeth and Phillip. The TSSA woman is of interest to Elizabeth, she is shown spying on her when she meets up with Stan. The paths between the FBI and the KGB might be about to intersect with potentially explosive results.
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