I Have A Problem With FX’s “The Americans”, But Critics Continue To Call It ‘Television’s Best Show’
Two spy agents from the Soviet Union pose as an American couple as they try to accomplish missions as the start of the Reagan presidency, while keeping their secret from their “friends” and kids.
That one sentence summary is the basis of currently the most critically acclaimed show on television: FX’s The Americans. Most reviews of The Americans from general television viewers to the highest of critics is extremely positive. While many of their points are valid — specifically the show’s extremely smart writing and characterization — there’s an argument to made about the newer television landscape where The Americans is at the forefront.
(For the record, I like the show. I don’t love it, nor would I put it as my favorite show on television right now.)
With all the television that exists via networks, cable and streaming, does a show being “good” really make an impression anymore?
For me, The Americans is good television. It is extremely well produced, written and acted. Philip Jennings/Mischa (played by Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings/Nadezhda (played by Keri Russell) are the main characters — the Russian spies — and both are tremendous in their roles.
Russell’s performance as a woman who is deeply rooted in Soviet beliefs and is a big believer of the Soviet cause is excellent and sometimes frustrating. Rooting for a Soviet spy is hard and when putting her communist beliefs before her kids does not help her case. Whereas her opposite, Rhys’ Philip Jennings, is more open to the United States, especially around their kids.
The sole reason why I keep watching this show is the family dynamic between the Philip and Elizabeth and their kids: Paige Jennings (played by Holly Taylor) and Henry Jennings (played by Keidrich Sellati). Watching the parents hide their other life, pretend to be a family (where deep down inside, I feel like Philip wants to be normal) and try to function in a country completely opposite of their past is riveting television. And when the secret starts to crumble inside the family, and Paige gets an idea that her parents are hiding a secret, the family drama gets increasingly more interesting.
To illustrate this point, the clip provided showcases Philip and Elizabeth getting frustrated over Paige’s donation to the church she started to attend. It is brilliant in showcasing the fear/anger the parents have toward their daughter, who is growing up and forming her own opinions. Philip and Elizabeth soon realize: they can no longer spoon-feed Paige the lies they live by.
Here is my problem with The Americans: I do not really care about the rest of the show. The other characters are bland, unlikeable and not worthy of my attention. Harsh, I know, but it is the truth. Most of the time, especially the scenes with the Russians, are so unbearable boring. I lose interest fast.
The missions Elizabeth and Philip go on (it is fun to see them with all their disguises) are hit and miss. Mostly, I do not get why half the time they feel the need to go on these missions. But the situation they are makes for meeting characters that are very banal. The couple’s “boss” — for lack of a better term — changes from season to season. The couple’s relationships and “friends” have yet to pay off to a point where I care about their lives. (Except Martha, Philip’s informant and one his disguise’s wife, after she started to get a sense something was off with Philip).
I can not really pinpoint one single fault onto why I am so bored. The writing is not corny, nor bad. The acting always excels. I think the main problem is the plotting. The Americans contains a big cast — at least it feels big. The story rotates to characters that do not deserve as much screen time as they do (the Russians!!). Rotating throughout all these characters eliminates some of the suspense and drama the show gets right.
Which brings me to my point: with the show being just “good”, is it worth the time to watch? There are sound arguments made by critics concerning this question that make the point not every character/plot line has to be likable for the show to be considered “good”. OK, I can agree with that. As previously said, The Americans does many things really well. Alas, even if the technicals are “good”, is the show watchable? The Americans is slightly above watchable, due to the family storyline. But, in this world where lots of television exists, you can do better.
And that is my point. The critics may love the show for its role in television today, but watchability needs to be accounted in reviews. In terms of show to watch, unless spy thrillers are your thing, you can do better.
