Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys star as Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, KGB spies who have been living undercover in America for years. They have the perfect cover as a quiet, unassuming suburban couple with two children. However, they are really spending their days engaged in deadly espionage, ruthlessly pursuing leads, killing people who threaten to expose them, sleeping with people who can get them information, and trying to help Mother Russia as Reagan takes office and keeps escalating the Cold War.
While the spy stuff is obviously thrilling, the truly intense heart of the show is Elizabeth and Philip's marriage. We meet them at a crossroads, where it seems that Philip is much more invested in this relationship than Elizabeth, who views it more as her patriotic duty. Watching them fall in love after several years of living together is rather fascinating and creates many weird and intricate complications. Jealousy and betrayal are inevitable when your spouse is mandated to do whatever they can to get information from a source (to the point where Philip actually marries another woman who works for the FBI) and the delicate tightrope they walk as they try to reconcile their personal and professional lives is a marvel to behold.
Back to the espionage though. Noah Emmerich plays Stan Beeman, an FBI counterespionage agent who just happens to be Philip and Elizabeth's neighbor. His relationship with Nina (Annet Mahendru), a KGB officer who he turns into a double agent for the FBI is utterly bewildering, and as it unfolds, the writers and Mahendru are doing such intricate work that it is impossible to tell what Nina's motivations are and who exactly she is working for. Trust is the cornerstone of The Americans - everyone is betraying everyone else in some way or the other and the extent of that betrayal is what drives each story arc to its explosive conclusion. Each episode is a complex and captivating piece of work, probably thanks in large part to show runner Joe Weisberg's former experience as a CIA officer.
The Americans is yet another prestige cable drama that boasts intricate plotting, astonishing acting, and brilliant production design. The show feels so authentic, and you are completely steeped in its world from the minute you hear the jarring notes of the piano and cello in the opening credits that announce another compelling installment of the show is on its way. There's a reason for all the critical acclaim - The Americans is a simply terrific show and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
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