The Americans — TV and MOVIES

So I previously wrote a post about the best new TV shows of the year and for a while, I wanted to discuss the best overall TV shows of 2018, but I realized a bunch of watch-worthy series would be left out. So, I decided to go with the best TV episodes of the year.

Some of the series I’ll be discussing bellow started off great (amazing, even) but failed to pan out. That being said, some episodes were so astoundingly good that they deserve to be mentioned and watched.

Babylon Berlin - Season 1, Episode 2

Babylon Berlin is a tour de force. Co-written and co-directed by Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries and Henk Handloegten, this German crime drama set in pre-World War II Berlin is incredibly ambitious, visually stunning, and probably the most expensive German TV show ever made. The visuals are breathtaking and they alone make Babylon Berlin worth a watch. In my opinion, there were some major plot holes that I find a bit too distracting after a while, so my interest waned towards the end, but I must say that the nightclub scene in the second episode was in-cre-di-ble! One of the best TV moments ever!

Maniac - The chosen one (Season 1, Episode 1)

Every once in a while, you watch a TV show and immediately fall in love with it. You watch it, cannot keep your eyes off it and know you will be watching every single episode until the end. That happened the first time I watched Breaking Bad and it also happened the first time I saw Dexter and Lost. Breaking Bad was good from beginning to end and never let me down. Dexter and Lost, on the other hand… Maniac falls in the same category as Dexter and Lost. I was instantly drawn as soon as it started playing. It was unbelievable! Where does the show take place? And more importantly, when does it take place? This visually extraordinary series about two social outcasts (played by Jonah Hill and Emma Stone) who participate in a beyond risky drug trial was written by Patrick Somerville and directed by Cary Fukunaga. It started out fantastically (the first episodes being the best ones) and ended on such a weird note that I did not know what to think of it. As soon as they entered the dream sequences, they began to lose me. There were too many of those. Thumbs up, though, for all the visual designs and effects.

The Haunting of Hill House - Two Storms (Season 1, Episode 6)

I am a horror maniac. But lately, I find that horror movies lack imagination and creativity, but most importantly, they lack the understanding of what is scary and why. I can’t stand watching another “horror” where a character is dragged by the leg by an unseen force. That is not scary. It was scary once in Paranormal Activity and that is it. Horror deals with psychology. It plays with your mind. I was glad when we started watching The Haunting of Hill House. I would not go as far as saying that it was scary but it was at least different. It was dark and slow, and did not stoop so low as to use cheap tricks. The story is intriguing , we the viewers are emotionally invested in the characters and the build-up is engaging. It all culminates with Two Storms, a masterfully produced episode that looks like one continuous traveling shot. Some critiques have even called the episode a technical marvel. The making-of of the episode is showcased in the clip above. Unfortunately, the show went downhill from that episode on, in my opinion… Still worth a watch though!

The Americans - START (Season 6, Episode 10)

One of the best series finales EVER! That garage scene will be talked about for the years to come. I still think about it. That and the whole episode. WOW. They have managed to write an episode that no one had anticipated. Who ever said they saw it coming, lied. When The Americans ended, I was left both heart-broken and satisfied. I have seen so many amazing shows end with horrible finales, I feared that would also be the case for one of my favorite series of all time. But, they did not disappoint! I am so surprised that The Americans does not have a bigger following. Though critically acclaimed, it does not have the fan base it is supposed to have, that it deserves to have. It’s been great from season one to the very end, and will go down history as one of the greatest shows ever.

Little Drummer Girl - Episodes 1 and 2

Little Drummer Girl is a superb 6-part mini series directed by Park Chan-Wook that was aired as three 2.5-hour movies. Adapted from John le Carré’s novel by the same title, this series is visually captivating. The first episode sets the tone and wheels the viewer in with its beautiful bright colors, out-of-this-world art direction and wonderfully played characters. Once you saw movie 1 (episodes 1 and 2), you won’t be able to turn away from the following ones.

Westworld - Akane No Mai (Season 2, Episode 5)

I fell in love with Westworld last year. I have always been a sucker for series about enigmas, conspiracy theories, hidden games or messages, or the likes, and it has been a while since we were treated to a good show of that kind. Then Westworld happened. And to think that I was reluctant to watch it in the first place! I remember the movie and was convinced they will not be able to adapt it to modern times. To my amazement and great joy, Westworld exceeded by far my expectations. When season 1 ended, I wondered “what now?”. How will they be able to follow up such a strong and powerful season? I was convinced season 2 would be a disappointment. I was certain they will not be able to write a strong enough story line that can measure up to that of season 1. Once again, I was wrong! And I am glad I was. What worried me the most about season 2 was hearing they will explore other worlds. There were rumors about a samourai world and I was seriously concerned they will be spreading the story a bit too thin. As it turned out, the episode covering the samourai world, Akane No Mai, was my favorite episode of the season. It was brilliantly written and beautiful to watch. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? And if you have, watch the making-of, above, and you’ll want to see the episode again!

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia - The Gang Solves the Bathroom Problem (Season 13, Episode 6)

Alright, changing range here! I only discovered It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia very recently, around the time they finished airing season 12! We binge watched all 12 seasons in no time and laughed so hard the whole time. I still cannot believe it took so long for me to give this show a try! The 13th season aired this year after a brief hiatus and though weaker than the previous seasons (season 12 was the absolute best!), it had some pretty good moments. Episode 6 was one of the funniest of season 13. I did hesitate, though, between episode 6, The Gang Solves the Bathroom Problem (shown here), and episode 7, The Gang does a Clip Show, where the cast recreated to perfection an iconic scene from Seinfeld’s episode, The Contest. Both episodes were hilarious but episode 6 was funnier overall, but regardless, I must say that these guys are comedic geniuses!

Future Man - Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)

Future Man’s first episode was so great! It was packed with references to a bunch of time-travel movies and TV shows that any movie and/or TV buffs would surely appreciate. I was so enthusiastic after having seen the first episode because there was finally something different, smart and funny to watch. However, the rest of the season was highly irregular, with a few good jokes here and there. The overall result was mediocre. The few good episodes they had, as great as they were, could save the whole season. That being said, the pilot as well as the episode in James Cameron’s house are definitely watch-worthy!

The Good Place - The Worst Possible Use of Free Will (Season 3, Episode 7)

I hate that I could not find a proper clip for this episode! But it doesn’t matter. The Good Place if one of the most underrated sitcoms out there and it should not be. A lot of people see its quirky, bright and almost slapstick-y exterior and shy away from watching it but truth be told The Good Place is one of the smartest series there are! How many shows do you know tackle philosophy in an approachable and unpretentious manner? And here, not only did they achieve that but they also manage to make it funny! You learn while laughing, without realizing you are learning! How great is that?? The Good Place is so smart and absurd at the same time that it is just a joy to watch. Episode 7 is about whether our actions and decisions come from free will or are they already predetermined (in which case, we cannot escape who really are), but most of the episode takes place in the Tostitos Presents A Public Library Brought To You By GoDaddy, and two of the main characters, Eleanor and Michael, debate it while referencing books like “Philosophy for Dingdongs…For Morons” and “Roses are red…and so is my neck!” by Jeff Foxworthy. It’s brilliant!

Runner-ups

Killing Eve: Nice face (Season 1, Episode 1) - The series started out great but there were too many distracting plot holes and Sandra Oh’s character, who was so likable in the beginning, ended up annoying the crap out of me.
Game of Thrones: Beyond the Wall (Season 7, Episode 6) - Viserion… I am still devastated.
Silicon Valley: Fifty-One Percent (Season 5, Episode 8) - The last few seasons of the show struggled to stay relevant and funny but the fifth season really pulled the show back together! Getting rid of Erlich was a gamble that paid off and really set the series and the remaining characters free. The season’s finale is my favorite episode of the season solely for introducing us to “kiss my piss”! Don’t think for a second that it’s vulgar; it’s actually one of the weirdest, lamest, most awkward and unexpected clap backs ever!

I am racking my brain to think of another episode worthy of being mentioned in this post. I hate it when I leave something out. It’s also during moments like these that I realize how much TV I actually watch… Not being ashamed at all, but it’s a lot, so something is bound to be forgotten!

If you haven’t seen the episodes or the shows mentioned above, I really hope you give them a try. They are worth it.

In 2010, the FBI made a startling announcement: after several years of investigation, they uncovered what they called the "Illegals Program" and arrested 10 Russian sleeper agents. These agents were trained in Russia, spoke perfect English and were planted in the US by the SVR (successor to the KGB), posing as regular american citizens, in order to gain access to American intelligence through any means possible. They entered the United States, usually through Canada, assumed the identity of already deceased individuals and lived seemingly normal lives for several years. Some of these agents even had to marry each other for efficiency and realism, had kids together, held regular day jobs, all the while carrying out deep-cover operations.

If I wasn't aware of this bit of news, I would say that the plot of The Americans was way too far-fetched to be believable. But, as it turns out, the 2010 arrests were the inspiration behind FX's spy-drama. The series premiered in 2013 and its sixth and final season began last week, on march 28.

Instead of setting the story in the present time, Joe Weisberg, a former CIA operative and the show's creator, decided that it should take place in the 1980s, in the midst of the Cold War. The stakes were higher then and the relationship between the 2 nations could not be any more tense. This gives place for more drama and suspense in the story line.

The real-life sleeper agents or "illegals" were not successful in gaining access to valuable american intelligence (at least according to the FBI), but that is not the case for Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, the series' 2 main characters, who have manipulated, tortured and killed people in order to send crucial and top-secret information home.

Elizabeth and Philip are both undercover agents trained by the KGB to become illegals. They were paired together to be planted in the United States posing as a young married couple. They are not in love, they are colleagues who, when the time came, had kids to be shielded from suspicion and to further their cover. The 2 of them and their 2 unsuspecting children, Paige and Henry, were the perfect all-american family, living in the suburbs of Washington D.C. During the day, they run a travel agency and they spend the rest of their time raising their kids and carrying out operations and orders sent to them by Directorate S, the department of the KGB responsible for the Illegals Program.

The series began as Stan Beeman, an FBI counterintelligence agent, and his family moved next door to the Jennings. The 2 families quickly became friends and the Jennings use their relationship with Beeman to stay one step ahead. And Stan Beeman, on the other hand, specializes in investigating and hunting down Soviet spies on American soil. He's actually looking for two illegals who are wrecking havoc, without even realizing that these two illegals are his best friends.

Espionage aside, The Americans is also about family dynamics. The Jennings may be spies but they are also two parents who are trying to raise their children to the best of their abilities. How are they going to instill their set of values to their children without blowing their cover? How can they fight western culture and its way of life when their own children are growing up in it? Husband and wife rarely ever see eye to eye about anything. They disagree about how to raise their children, how to carry out operations, how to deal with issues, and they also disagree about their purpose, thus straining more and more their already fragile relationship.

I don't want to reveal any spoilers but I'll say this: The Americans is the best cat-and-mouse TV drama since Breaking Bad. Will there be an epic showdown between Stan Beeman and the Jennings like the one between Hank and Walter White? Will the already strained relationship between Philip and Elizabeth finally take its toll?

Personally, I believe that the final showdown will not be between the Jennings and Stan Beeman. Instead, I think it will be between Elizabeth and Philip: they have diametrically opposing values. He wants peace when she wants war. He doesn't believe that all the sacrifices they've made for their missions are worth it while she thinks they don't do enough. He wants to stop and leave espionnage behind, she can't seem to be able to exist without it. They'll probably both keep pushing each other further and further away until they ultimately find themselves in opposing sides. That's my opinion but who knows, really, what will happen! The show runners have been masterful, so far, at keeping the plot unpredictable and the viewers on the edge of their seats! Can't wait to see how it all ends but at he same time, I'll be sad the show's over...