TV. They say it is the Golden Age. Shows like Game of Thrones, True Detectives, The Good Wife, Mad Men, Breaking Bad — they all have (or had) two things in common: they’re wildly popular and critical darlings.
I watched all of these shows. Some of them were riveting, others were clearly made with quality and care by their creators. They all honor their audiences, and that always brings me back for more. In my — mind you, amateur — analysis, I’ve ascended to a level of discerning per my viewing habits and I like to think I have good taste. Bottom line: I’m loyal.
If a show pushes me further and further off the ‘suspension of disbelief plank’, I will begrudgingly tiptoe to the edge and even drop and hang on from my fingernails if I feel as if the show has engendered some good will. But, if the blatant disregard for audience believability shoves me over — I don’t swim back aboard to give the next episode just one more chance. I sink. And I disappear forever.
And recently, that is what has happened with The Americans. Here are my 4 reasons that it frankly… Blows.
1. Russian spies dressed as janitors don’t break into American army bases and kill people
If ever writers and/or show creators have asked people to just ‘go with it’ for the sake of “drama” — this would have to be one of those instances. The episode, titled “Arpanet” had the lead character of Phillip dressed up as a janitor, break into a heavily guarded US Army base (one would assume Fort Meade, Myer or McNair) kill a man, then literally walk out of the base completely unimpeded AFTER a full base alert went into affect. Um……… No.
2. Main characters immediately do things that they earnestly claim to hate
In the first episode of Season 2, “Comrades”, at the 3:23 mark, Phillip speaks vulnerably, sympathetically even about hating “all of this killing”. Then, within 90 seconds he whacks three people he is working WITH, walks into a kitchen and kills a young, innocent bus boy. I’m quite certain this was not a situation where the writers and/or creators are exhibiting a character’s moral dilemma and inner conflict. Because in the very next scene, Phillip walks into his beautiful home, kisses his hot wife, sits down and eats a huge meal. That’s contentment — and it’s also crap.
3. Characters change in and out of elaborate disguises in mere seconds (or apparently, nanoseconds)
This is a pervasive issue with The Americans. At least 3 times during every single episode, a character will slip into an extremely elaborate disguise, perform some task where they are NEVER caught or recognized because their disguises are so incredible (and bulletproof mind you) to only then reappear at home with bags of groceries before their children notice they were even gone. This is not dramatic or creative license, this is completely implausible in every way imaginable. Have you ever tried to properly put on a wig or fake facial hair? Apply a prosthetic? According to the experts, it takes up to an hour and a half when including entire routine (shaving, cleaning). And then to remove with zero noticeable evidence of it ever being worn — another hour (most of the time, showering or washing glue off, powder or make up removal). And if that isn’t enough…
4. They’re just plain lazy!
Please see below. In the final episode titled, “The Kids are Not All Right” I noticed something very troubling. These photos were taken with my phone, and they took place in back to back scenes at the end of the final episode.
1. Here is the entrance to the Jennings’ home — Elizabeth is coming in the front door. Please notice the staircase, wall shape, door position (where handle is) and floor.
The Jennings’ foyer.
2. Here is the entrance to the Beaman’s home — Stan (in mirror) is coming in the front door. Please notice the staircase (exact same), wall shape (exact same), door position (exact same) and floor (exact same).
The Beaman’s foyer.
The only thing they changed was the mirror on the wall and the table underneath it. And they added fake flowers in the Beaman’s home (unlikely, he’s separated). That is all they did. Even the lighting configuration (notice hot spots) is the exact same.
THEY MOVED TWO THINGS AND SWAPPED ANOTHER. That’s it.
Are you kidding me??? Really??? Is this not network TV??? It was at this moment I realized that we are in the middle of the Golden Age of TV. With one exception…
The Americans. If 1,2 or 3 didn’t leave you gasping for air — sinking to a watery grave, number 4 is the anchor around your leg.
Luckily, I’ve found dry land. I’ve stopped watching.
4 Reasons... By PK Lassiter 
4 Reasons The Americans on FX blows
Posted by P.K. Lassiter in Celebrity, Commentary, Television on June 1, 2014
TV. They say it is the Golden Age. Shows like Game of Thrones, True Detectives, The Good Wife, Mad Men, Breaking Bad — they all have (or had) two things in common: they’re wildly popular and critical darlings.
I watched all of these shows. Some of them were riveting, others were clearly made with quality and care by their creators. They all honor their audiences, and that always brings me back for more. In my — mind you, amateur — analysis, I’ve ascended to a level of discerning per my viewing habits and I like to think I have good taste. Bottom line: I’m loyal.
If a show pushes me further and further off the ‘suspension of disbelief plank’, I will begrudgingly tiptoe to the edge and even drop and hang on from my fingernails if I feel as if the show has engendered some good will. But, if the blatant disregard for audience believability shoves me over — I don’t swim back aboard to give the next episode just one more chance. I sink. And I disappear forever.
And recently, that is what has happened with The Americans. Here are my 4 reasons that it frankly… Blows.
1. Russian spies dressed as janitors don’t break into American army bases and kill people
If ever writers and/or show creators have asked people to just ‘go with it’ for the sake of “drama” — this would have to be one of those instances. The episode, titled “Arpanet” had the lead character of Phillip dressed up as a janitor, break into a heavily guarded US Army base (one would assume Fort Meade, Myer or McNair) kill a man, then literally walk out of the base completely unimpeded AFTER a full base alert went into affect. Um……… No.
2. Main characters immediately do things that they earnestly claim to hate
In the first episode of Season 2, “Comrades”, at the 3:23 mark, Phillip speaks vulnerably, sympathetically even about hating “all of this killing”. Then, within 90 seconds he whacks three people he is working WITH, walks into a kitchen and kills a young, innocent bus boy. I’m quite certain this was not a situation where the writers and/or creators are exhibiting a character’s moral dilemma and inner conflict. Because in the very next scene, Phillip walks into his beautiful home, kisses his hot wife, sits down and eats a huge meal. That’s contentment — and it’s also crap.
3. Characters change in and out of elaborate disguises in mere seconds (or apparently, nanoseconds)
This is a pervasive issue with The Americans. At least 3 times during every single episode, a character will slip into an extremely elaborate disguise, perform some task where they are NEVER caught or recognized because their disguises are so incredible (and bulletproof mind you) to only then reappear at home with bags of groceries before their children notice they were even gone. This is not dramatic or creative license, this is completely implausible in every way imaginable. Have you ever tried to properly put on a wig or fake facial hair? Apply a prosthetic? According to the experts, it takes up to an hour and a half when including entire routine (shaving, cleaning). And then to remove with zero noticeable evidence of it ever being worn — another hour (most of the time, showering or washing glue off, powder or make up removal). And if that isn’t enough…
4. They’re just plain lazy!
Please see below. In the final episode titled, “The Kids are Not All Right” I noticed something very troubling. These photos were taken with my phone, and they took place in back to back scenes at the end of the final episode.
1. Here is the entrance to the Jennings’ home — Elizabeth is coming in the front door. Please notice the staircase, wall shape, door position (where handle is) and floor.
The Jennings’ foyer.
2. Here is the entrance to the Beaman’s home — Stan (in mirror) is coming in the front door. Please notice the staircase (exact same), wall shape (exact same), door position (exact same) and floor (exact same).
The Beaman’s foyer.
The only thing they changed was the mirror on the wall and the table underneath it. And they added fake flowers in the Beaman’s home (unlikely, he’s separated). That is all they did. Even the lighting configuration (notice hot spots) is the exact same.
THEY MOVED TWO THINGS AND SWAPPED ANOTHER. That’s it.
Are you kidding me??? Really??? Is this not network TV??? It was at this moment I realized that we are in the middle of the Golden Age of TV. With one exception…
The Americans. If 1,2 or 3 didn’t leave you gasping for air — sinking to a watery grave, number 4 is the anchor around your leg.
Luckily, I’ve found dry land. I’ve stopped watching.
Breaking Bad, commentary, FBI, Fort McNair, Fort Meade, Fort Myer, FX, Game of Thrones, Golden Age of TV, Mad Men, Phillip Jennings, Russian spies, Stan Beaman, television, The Americans, The Beamans, The Good Wife, The Jennings, True Detectives
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