This hour highlighted the power of relationships within this world of intelligence. In keeping with the roller coaster metaphor, this hour was more of a descent into the dark in which the rider doesn’t know what is going to happen next. Philip and Elizabeth appear to be irreparably broken when a crisis causes Philip to react. Stan can’t seem to stick to his job assignment in the criminal division, especially when the puzzle pieces are finally fitting together. Paige and Henry are only lightly featured but both seem alarmed by the tension between their parents. Everything Elizabeth does has taken on an increasing tone of desperation. Elizabeth’s flirtatious recruitment of a new asset is yet another joyless task she must endure to complete her impossible mission. It’s hard to imagine the series not having a film noir ending as eluded to in the title of the episode.
The episode opens with Philip greeting Elizabeth who has arrived home after murdering Gennadi and Sofia. Her business attire belies her brutal deeds. Their conversation begins tersely, “How was work?” Elizabeth asks. “Nothing new to report.” Says Philip dryly. Elizabeth grabs a glass of water and states she’s tired and going straight to bed. Philip states Stan paid a visit and revealed that a defector couple had been killed in front of their seven-year-old son. Elizabeth retorts the child didn’t see anything because he was asleep. (Obviously, he did see the aftermath.) Philip sneers in disgust, “I’m not doing the thing with Kimmie.” Elizabeth nods hatefully, “Of course you aren’t, you were never going to do it.” Philip says he was, “You got me, somehow you got me.” (Philip confirms my suspicion that Elizabeth only slept with him to manipulate him to do the job.) Elizabeth digs in, “You just wanted to fuck her because you weren’t getting enough action here!” Philip disagrees but says she can think whatever she wants. Elizabeth says she’ll take care of Kimmie without his help. Philip states he warned Kimmie to not leave Greece, noting that he’ll never see Kimmie again. (Thus ending the operation with Breeland permanently.) Elizabeth leaves to go sleep in Paige’s room while Philip retreats to their bedroom. These first five minutes were masterful acting by Matthew and Kerri who are a real-life couple. The contempt and tension were palpable and seemingly irreconcilable.
Stan is having a group meeting with his criminal division partners when Dennis comes to see him. “You know Dennis, runs CI, the most screwed up division at the bureau, not that it’s his fault.” Dennis sighs at this stinging endorsement and asks if he can come with him. Stan observes, “Every time I go down there, someone winds up dead.” But Stan can’t resist his old partner and excuses himself to head down to counter-intelligence. Mail robot butts into the elevator to accompany the men downstairs. Dennis asks Stan if he’s “got anymore steam to blow off” before entering the division. Stan is still understandably upset by the failure to protect Mr. and Mrs. Teacup.
Down in the vault, the room is abuzz with activity. Sofia and Gennadi’s pictures are featured on one wall. Dennis notes that before he died one of Gennadi’s diplomatic pouches contained a radiation detection sensor! Dennis elaborates the local company which ships the sensor was the scene of a break-in where three security guards were murdered. But that is not where the sensor originated; it was from another Altheon plant in Chicago. The FBI picked up an engineer from the plant who confessed to having been recruited by a man whom he later slept with. The engineer wore a wire on his next “date” and they were able to discover “an illegal” to whom they've given the code name “Harvest.” They have had a team in Chicago follow him for the last two weeks. Dennis claims it’s been a “gold mine” of information and that they are using the information to “track down the rest of them.” (Oh, snap!) “I know you don’t want to be down here but look what’s going on Stan.” Dennis points to another board with information on the General Renhull and his suspicious suicide. It seems that the department is on the verge of a major breakthrough to the KGB operations all over the country. Stan notes Oleg’s reappearance might be significant too. “They’re trying to sit down with us and look all peaceful but in reality their still trying to screw us!” Dennis concludes. Dennis implores Stan to stop being mad about the past and be here for this momentous moment.
Philip picks up Henry from the bus station, he's coming home for Thanksgiving break. On the car drive home, Henry expresses dislike for his dad’s new affinity for country music. They make small talk and Henry bemoans the fact he has to read Thoreau. Henry says he really doesn’t want to leave school and he’s been exploring ways to stay on for his senior year, including scholarships and securing a good summer job. Philip is upset that Henry has discussed their financial difficulties with his friend’s father. Henry begs his father to consider these proposals.
Elizabeth has donned a blonde wig and thick glasses to attend a screening of Rififi. She chats up a young man, eventually sitting next to him during the film. He says, “It’s the greatest heist movie in history.”
Stan is working downstairs, pulled into the big tangled case. Another agent discusses how they are trying to track down abandoned warehouses around Chicago that the Soviets seem to favor to run their operations. (Much like the base kept by Elizabeth and Philip.) Dennis explains how they have tracked down some of the vehicles, which have been bought for cash using “Penny Saver” type ads and cross-references aliases used on the registrations. It’s hard to imagine how tedious this work was before the Internet! Stan is handed a stack of registrations to sift through, Dennis says he can bring in more agents to assist him.
The movie is over, Elizabeth gushes about the film and the nearly thirty minutes of silence that punctuates the action. (According to IMDB it’s a silent 31 minutes, the longest in any non-silent film.) They share a smoke. The man notes the director wasn’t French but moved to France after he was blacklisted in the McCarthy era. (Is she hoping this young film enthusiast will be a communist sympathizer?) Elizabeth offers to go eat but the young man says he has to get up early and walks away. Elizabeth may have to work harder to seduce this young man.
Henry goes outside to find Elizabeth smoking on the patio, he asks for a cigarette and she hesitates briefly before offering him one. “Are you joking, put them away! Are you trying to give me cancer?” Elizabeth reveals she’s always smoked because it “relaxes her” and she feels she doesn’t need to hide it from him any longer since he’s not a child. (She will hide her identity and profession though!) She offers to make her son food and they go inside. Philip leaves as Elizabeth enters the kitchen. Henry can sense the tension between his parents.
The next morning, father and son sit down to an all-American breakfast of cornflakes and raisin bran. (Cassette offer on the box for the music of the California Raisins!) Henry notes that his mom slept in Paige’s bedroom the previous night. Philip makes up an excuse that she had to work early. Henry notes that Philip is late for work; Philip notes he’s the boss and the scene cuts to them at a mini car racetrack. Henry talks about school shenanigans, Philip seems to become increasingly frustrated with the cars jamming on the mini-track. After his car wipes out repeatedly, Philip yells out “Fuck!” surprising the other patrons. Henry inquires whether he’s upset about work or mom, observing that his parents don’t seem to be on speaking terms at the moment. “Everything is fine.” Philip lies, it’s bad enough that Henry knows about the failing business, he’s not going to admit to a failing marriage.
Speaking of failing marriages, Elizabeth “bumps” into the young man from the film on the train. She asks what he does for a living; he’s an intern at Senator Sam Nunn’s office, one of the chief negotiators on the U.S. side! Elizabeth states she knows the Senator as she works for a consulting firm relating to corporate management. The pair sits down together. Elizabeth brings back the conversation back to foreign films and their “shared” love of the art form. The young man claims politics is just something he’s doing in conjunction with his university. He’s from Marietta, Georgia and his father owns a factory. Elizabeth offers to get him an interview at her firm and their management-training program. The man introduces himself as Jackson Barber. Elizabeth encourages him to call, “Us film nerds need to stick together.”
Philip summons his oldest employee Stavos into his office at the travel agency. Philip begins by describing the pressure on the business. “I know this, Mr. Philip, I see the stress on your face all the time.” Philip concedes he’s going to have to lay off some people, and because he considers Stavos a friend he wants to tell him first. After a pause, Stavos realizes he’s being fired, along with two other “underperforming” employees. If Philip was still “Russian” he would have prized the friendship and loyalty over productivity but Philip is trying to be a true American corporate man now. Stavos leaves the room silently, crushed.
Philip returns from a run when Henry implores him to help Paige and his mom in the kitchen. Philip tries to make an excuse but Paige insists he help them with preparations for the Thanksgiving meal. Henry notices how his parents don’t even greet one another. The phone rings and Elizabeth answers. She then states she has to “go to work.” Paige looks at her mother knowingly and states, “We can handle the rest.” Philip looks concerned.
Claudia meets with Elizabeth in the park to discuss an “emergency situation in Chicago.” The man needs to get out but he’s under heavy surveillance. Claudia notes that he and Elizabeth are working on the same project, which means he can’t be arrested. Will Elizabeth potentially have to execute a fellow illegal to protect her “Dead Hand” mission? Elizabeth reports that “Bulgaria” or kidnapping Kimmie isn’t an option because of Philip. Claudia shakes her head; she states they need to talk strategy about Nesterenko. The summit is approaching fast and there is still much to learn. Elizabeth has one bit of positive news, “I may have someone in Sam Nunn’s office.” Elizabeth walks off briskly.
Elizabeth packs hurriedly for her trip. Philip enters the bedroom and shuts the door. She says she’s going to Chicago. Philip points out how it will be hard to make a plausible excuse to miss the Thanksgiving meal at Stan’s. He demands to know what’s going on, stating that it’s better to not to let bad feeling fester. Elizabeth fumes, “You can take your Forum bullshit and shove it up your ass! One of us in trouble in Chicago, I’m going there to help him. Someone who is still doing his job, someone who still gives a shit!” She storms past Philip to go downstairs. Paige offers to come with her mother but Elizabeth states that it would “raise too much suspicion” as she gives Paige an alibi for her absence. Elizabeth hugs her daughter, promising to see her soon. But there seems to be real fear in Elizabeth’s eyes upon departing for this mission.
Stan and Henry catch up as the final touches are made to the Thanksgiving meal. The Aderholt’s enter the kitchen. Renee thanks Dennis for “putting in a good word” for her at the FBI. It appears she is serious about finding any job within the Bureau. Paige and Philip ring the bell. Renee asks about Elizabeth, Philip explains the “emergency” involves an irate CEO and a stranded group. Philip’s ease at lying seems to impress Paige. Stan understands.
Stan proceeds to give a very unusual Thanksgiving blessing. “I’m grateful for everything we have in this country. You know, not everyone around the world wants us to be able to live in peace and freedom. But aren’t those the things the Pilgrims came here to find in the first place? If you ask me we should all be willing to fight to hold on to them. Because there are people out there who don’t like our way of life, they’re afraid of it, of us. We have an administration right now, Reagan and his people, they know that the only way to get peace is to stand firm against those who wish us harm! And believe me now, they do wish us harm, no mistake about that.” During the delivery of this speech, Philip looks pained; Paige is trying hard to not roll her eyes while the Aderholt’s and Henry look inspired. It’s hard to read Renee’s face, it’s possible she’s American or perhaps she just has the best poker face of all!
Montage time! Philip lies on the bed as Tears for Fears “Ideas are Opiates” begins to play. He goes to search around in the basement, looking through their locker of spy craft and grabs a key. He drives to their warehouse location, sifting through fake passports, wigs and evidence of Elizabeth’s recent activities such as the nursing uniform and sketchbook. “”Cause I find, you think, what makes it easier? And lies spread on lies… Belief is our relief, we don’t care…” Philip starts decoding messages to try to find out what Elizabeth has been working on. Philip leaves a message in a grated window, presumably for Oleg.
In Chicago, Elizabeth works with a fellow “nurse’s aide”, also know as the older nameless woman whose been helping Elizabeth all season. They are looking over maps and plotting their strategy. Elizabeth is decked out in a long brunette wig with acid wash jeans with a satin jacket. She looks tired and frail. The other woman wonders what are the chances of success for this mission. Elizabeth concedes their chances of pulling off the extraction are “not great.” The woman discusses Erica’s enjoyment of patchouli oil foot massages. Maybe both women are secretly troubled by Erica's suffering for the sake of their mission. The other woman leaves. Elizabeth lies down on the bed appearing tense and tired. She looks at the television and begins to sketch it.
Stan enjoys another Thanksgiving meal with the counter-intelligence work team. Dennis asks about his progress with finding cars, “Don’t ever buy your car from Penny Saver.” Stan advises. Dennis mentions that they are beginning to look at local orthodox priests after noting “Harvest” had met with one in Chicago. (It looks like Father Andrei will be key in an upcoming episode.) Dennis thanks Stan for his “pro-FBI” blessing the previous day. Stan admits Renee is a bit baby crazy after spending time with Dennis's young son but notes they are “too old" to consider trying for another child.
Elizabeth calls home from a payphone to speak to Henry. They make small talk about the weather and Henry’s classes. Henry complains again about Thoreau, claiming it’s the most boring book ever written. Elizabeth asks about girlfriends, Henry just says he’s “working on it.” Elizabeth seems awkward throughout the conversation and ends it abruptly.
Oleg picks up the message from Philip.
Henry has a snack in the kitchen when Philip enters. Henry recounts the “weird” conversation he just had with his mother, noting they never really talk. “I really just don’t understand why she’s so unhappy.” Philip is taken aback by his son’s statement. Henry continues, “She has a nice life, right?” Philip can only affirm, “I think so.”
Oleg takes out some green liquid from a bottle that resembles aftershave. He uses it to apply to a special paper, revealing a decoding system. He begins to decode Philip’s message.
Philip calls Elizabeth from a payphone. “Just calling to see if everything’s all right?” Elizabeth concedes it’s not okay, that they might “lose the client.” “I’m not sure I can accomplish what I came here for without more help.” Philip wants to know if he should come. Elizabeth states she’ll handle “her side of the business.” Philip counters that “that hasn’t been working the last few months and he’s not the only client in the world. Why don’t you come home?” Elizabeth is upset, stating she’s not returning. Philip says he’s going to come and help. Does he really want to help or is he working another angle with Oleg?
A preview of the next hour shows Elizabeth opening the cyanide locket and vaguely explaining her mission to Philip. Stan recounts the time several years ago when they almost caught a woman (Elizabeth) in Philly. (End of Season 4.) Henry tells Stan about the unusual nature of his parents work. Stan seems to be feeling out Philip, perhaps even snooping around the Jennings’ laundry room! Philip admits to Stan, “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.” Is Philip going to turn on Elizabeth or is it merely a red herring to disguise the ultimate ending of the series? The tension is mounting with each passing hour. While I'm sad to be bidding the series farewell, I think it will be a satisfying but tragic ending.
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