I suspect thats one of the reasons it hasnt caught pop cultures rabid attention like other shows have.
it doesnt feel like an actor delivering a deeply philosophical line.
It feels like exhaustion…well-earned exhaustion.
I cant do this one, Philip, he says.
The pathogen is just too dangerous.
Philip asks William what he should tell Gabriel and William says the truth.
Later Philip and Gabriel sit down with William to discuss the situation.
William agrees to do it.
Its all about the fatigue.
Gabriel acknowledges as much after William leaves.
He cant make it to the door and has to sit down on the stairs, exhausted.
He talks about how he never wanted to have a partner when he was doing his work.
It would only distract him from his mission, keep him down.
But then he opines in the end you go to shit anyway, and youre still alone.
This isNo Country for Old Menwhere every country also happens to have a nuclear arsenal.
The longer you stay in this spy game, the more your psyche corrodes.
Season four remains to date the shows best season because it acknowledges this fact more than any other.
Its central characters even had to go on vacation at one point!
And now we see the effects this supposedly Cold War is effecting each generation.
But season four has served him well.
In Roy Rogers we get our most complete and sympathetic view at Oleg yet.
Oleg has a hard time making his decision.
Hes comfortable in America.
More importantly, he has work to do in America.
Its brief and they mostly talk about seeing the specter of Olegs dead brother wherever they go.
How are you, mother?
he asks to which she just responds I have you.
Its melancholic, and yes the sign of fatigue.
So Oleg makes a drastic decision.
We have the best scientists in the world but no money.
Its a dangerous combination.
Oleg isnt a turncoat, he doesnt become a double agent for the FBI.
Hes just a guy who is concerned about the end of the world.The Day Afterstrikes again.
As for an even younger generation?Also not great, Bob.
Now it seems like the hour is only going to grow closer.
but if you dig a little deeper through her trauma youll find a kernel of excitement.
Also: kissing him (SWEET!)
Paige gets to kiss Young Beeman because Old Beeman is hard at work at the FBI.
The FBI finds a recording machine shoved away in our little mail-slinging buddy.
They should tear this building down and fire all of us, Stan says of the discovery.
Its a sudden and staggering level of accomplishment for the FBI but it also feels earned.
Or as Matthew tells Paige about his fathers career: it taught him how to truly be patient.
Moments of excitement that the FBI experience reveal just why all these players continue to play this War Game.
When youre winning, you really start to feel like youre saving the world.
One day soon Paige may want that feeling too.
*Shout out to my boy FX Prez Johnny Landgraf for grantingThe Americans a final two seasons.
Rating:
4 out of 5
