Elizabeth and Philip Experience Personal and Professional Drama In ‘The Americans’ Season 5

Char Little

“The Americans” returned to the small screen with its fifth season premiere called “Amber Waves.” Tuesday March 7 marked the premiere date and it’s safe to say the show didn’t skip out on the drama during its hiatus, as it pretty much picks up right where season four ended. Interestingly enough, it also comes as Russia’s alleged involvement in American politics makes headlines in reality. Still, the show didn’t use the actual Russian drama that the United States is facing as a storyline. This is almost refreshing, despite the many chances the series had when it came to pointing out the country’s alleged controversial relationship with Russia.

The episode kicks off with new characters Tuan and Pasha, two teenagers (Tuan is an immigrant who does all he can to keep Pasha from having an emotional breakdown) who push Elizabeth and Philip into fake parental roles. The couple, who has been posing as travel agents during the series, now double as fake parents of the teens as they meet with Pasha’s parents and tell an almost believable story of Tuan’s adoption. Pasha’s dad is more focused on telling how difficult the food situation is in the USSR. But Elizabeth and Philip are not moved as they point out they’ve been through tougher times than that on their way home. Meanwhile their actual daughter Paige is still in the rebellious stage as her dating life becomes a topic of conversation. Paige and Elizabeth share a special mother-daughter moment when she teaches Paige how to defend herself after the latter reveals she’s been having nightmares. But Elizabeth’s skills definitely leave Paige with more questions about her.

More than ten minutes of silence fill the episode as Elizabeth, Philip, and their friends try to make their way into the U.S. military base unnoticed during the intense Cold War that has been a major plot in the first four seasons. They hope to find the body of the dead bio-weapons pro, William, who used a fatal poison to take his own life last season. Things go wrong when Hans actually falls right on the body, exposing himself to the contaminant. Elizabeth reassures him that he’ll be fine just before she kills him and puts his body next to William’s. To say it this was action-packed episode is an understatement – but of course it doesn’t end there as Philip and Elizabeth take extreme measures to overcome their enemy. Meanwhile, Philip’s son Mischa gets closer to finding him as he’s seen traveling in Moscow. This could certainly prove to be a wrench thrown into Philip’s entire life.

Season five is the second-to-last for the series, which is slated to end after season six.

“The Americans” season five premiered March 7 ands airs Tuesdays on FX at 10 ET.