The Americans

I usually don't get too caught up in other people's emotions, but when they practically dismantled poor Don, I found myself genuinely feeling sorry for him. This episode was pretty depressing because of that, but the gripping ending took everything to a whole new level. (17.10.2017)

The creators really went all out, launching several storylines that I assume will carry over into the fifth season. So, I guess I'll have to wait a while for those resolutions. The tension is definitely building, and I can't wait to see what happens with William in the final episode. (17.10.2017)

Exactly what I expected. Waiting for the fifth season is going to be a drag. This episode was packed with tension and had an amazing, suspenseful atmosphere, but instead of answers, we just got more questions. I'm really curious how the creators are going to handle Mikhail's situation. I can't imagine how he's going to find his way to his father without knowing the language. Well, we'll see... (17.10.2017)

Season 5 is slightly worse than Season 4, but still a hands down five stars. I did notice that the creators focused more on planning and executing long-term operations, shifting away from action which only took up a portion of one episode (with one exception). The noticeable lack of action could have been a disaster if all the planning and dialogue hadn’t been so incredibly intriguing. When I think back on how many action scenes I saw over the course of thirteen episodes, I can’t believe how much fun I had. This goes to show that quality writing really matters. (30.10.2017)

The episode wasn't action-packed, but it did a great job expanding on themes from the previous season. By the end, it really drove home the point that you can work yourself to the bone for your country. (28.10.2017)

A different episode from what I’m used to. It focused too much on family matters and relationships, almost neglecting the bigger picture. Still, I think I get where things are heading. (28.10.2017)

This episode brought back what I love about the show. I'm finally getting used to the divided American-Soviet setting that initially felt strange. The plot picked up significantly compared to the previous episode, and seeing Martha again was a nice surprise — I didn't expect her to reappear. (28.10.2017)

Season five has been a bit uneven so far, with excellent episodes mixed in with ones that are just "good." This episode felt like the second one — interesting plot, but it was missing something. (28.10.2017)

Just like I said in my last comment, this season has its ups and downs. This time, I can give a full five stars without hesitation. The whole episode was great, even though it focused mainly on the human psyche. A very solid episode. (28.10.2017)

Could this be more than a coincidence? If this pattern holds, the next episode should be a five-star hit. Honestly, compared to other shows, this episode deserves five stars, but I expect more from The Americans. They've set the bar high for themselves, and I know they can deliver. (29.10.2017)

All the conversations and preparations had me so engrossed that the end credits rolled before I knew it. Definitely didn't get bored, quite the opposite. (29.10.2017)

Another solid episode packed with interesting revelations. I was thrilled to see Martha back in action. Alison Wright brought so much emotion to her brief screen time, making her character completely believable. (29.10.2017)

The atmosphere in this episode was pretty bleak, but I loved it. Surprisingly, I didn't miss the action that's been sparse this season. (29.10.2017)

For the first time in season five, the plot focused entirely on a side mission, seemingly sidelining the long-term missions. However, by the end, it all tied together, proving it wasn't just filler. The atmosphere was perfectly tense, the ending brutally cold, and I thoroughly enjoyed the episode. (29.10.2017)

The penultimate episode delivered a fantastic dark atmosphere and plenty of tension. It’s clear multiple storylines are heading towards a climax. But knowing the creators, there’s bound to be a carryover into season six, leaving me waiting another year and hoping to see what happens next. Oh well... (29.10.2017)

I’m satisfied with the season finale, but none of my predictions came true. No plotlines were resolved, leaving this the most open-ended season finale yet. Now, it's back to waiting. The only clear resolution was about the move to the USSR. The outcome was predictable, but I was curious about the rationale behind it, and I must say, it was satisfying. (30.10.2017)

Well, I've spent six years with The Americans and I feel like I'm really going to miss them. I wasn’t thrilled about Season 6, only four episodes were worth five stars, but I wasn’t severely disappointed either. I think what bothered me the most was the unnecessary transformation of Elizabeth into a cold-hearted monster, when the creators had carefully built up both sides of her personality in the previous seasons. But it’s true that they managed to confuse me by that and the ending of the series was actually a surprise for me. (31.08.2018)

The Americans kicked off its final season in top form. As usual, the creators nailed the atmosphere, Arkady made a return (even if briefly), and the new developments with the Jennings family really got me. Fingers crossed they don't botch the ending like they did with Dexter. (29.08.2018)

The second episode didn't really do it for me. I have a bad feeling about how the creators are planning to wrap up the series, especially since they're quickly stripping Elizabeth of the emotions she displayed in the previous five seasons. Still, I'm quietly hoping I'm wrong. 4*- (30.08.2018)

Here's the thing — most of what makes "The Americans" great is still there, but with Philip and Elizabeth living practically separate lives, a big part of the show's atmosphere is gone. Plus, I can't shake the feeling that the creators are turning Elizabeth into a one-dimensional killing machine this season. Sure, the Jennings were never saints, but they were still human. Now, Elizabeth is more like the Terminator. 4*- (30.08.2018)