This second episode of season 3 of FX’s “The Americans” gives us our first look at Nina since we left her in season 2. Oleg still plans on trying to find a way to save her. Other than that, Philip and Elizabeth are still arguing over Paige’s future and Stan fights to get his wife back.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com
At the end of the season 3 premier, Yousef (who works for the CIA) killed Annelise and Philip offered his help. Elizabeth comes to her husband’s aid and the break down (literally) Annelise’s body into a suitcase. This incident doesn’t help change Philip’s mind about having their daughter join the KGB. He can’t and won’t see her do this kind of work.
Stan and his FBI team pick up Zinaida who is delivered to them in a box with an oxygen tank to use for breathing. She works for the US Canada institute and is wanted by the KGB so security around her is strong. She goes to a press conference where she tells the horrible truth about Soviet Russian rule.
Philip meets up with Yousef where they discuss a meeting with the CIA Afghan group. Yousef tells Philip about his feelings for Annalise and says that there is a missing person’s report on her. Changing the subject, Philip tells him that he needs names and Yousef agrees to help.
A heartbroken Oleg meets with Stan and threatens him for what happened to Nina. Stan confesses that he did love Nina and Oleg points a gun to Stan’s head. Stan walks away with Oleg’s gun still on him but Oleg doesn’t shoot him and instead disappears. Stan meets up with his wife and tells her about Oleg. He begs for her back but she says that she will not return to him. He goes to kiss her back she backs away.
Philip and Elizabeth watch Yousef in plans to spy on his meeting with his CIA group. Elizabeth rushes the plan upsetting Philip. Elizabeth hates failure and she already lost the list once and she tends to make up for it. In the end, everything works out and Philip manages to get photos of the meeting.
Zinaida is talking with Stan as she buys a milky way from a vending machine. She wants to see the sites of Washington D.C. but Stan says their security for her is too low. This shocks her and she is confused as to why these security measures must be taken seriously. She asks Stan if he really thinks anyone will hurt her and he informs her that he has no idea what anyone will do. Risks will not be taken.
We then visit Nina in prison over in Moscow. She has a roommate who is pleads she is innocent. By the looks of it, Nina wants nothing to do with her. Nina gets a special visit from Oleg’s father. Oleg wants his father to talk to Nina and help her. Nina tells Oleg’s father that she wants Oleg to know her love for him was real.
The episode ends with Elizabeth confronting Philip yet again about Paige. She admits that it was her mother that wanted Elizabeth to serve Russia. This is one reason as to why Elizabeth stands for letting Paige join. The episode ends with Philip looking off in the distance in silence.
What would Philip and Elizabeth end up doing about Paige? Will the fact that Elizabeth’s mother is dying affect Elizabeth? What will become of Nina? And can Stan win back his wife? These questions and more will be answered in this season of “The Americans” … hopefully.