The Americans S05E04: What’s the Matter with Kansas? Strongest episode of the season so far!Posted on March 29, 2017 by Kevin Boyle TV BlogsShare On: Tweet The Americans delivers its strongest episode of the season by focusing on the characters weak points Question: How are Philip and Elizabeth such effective spies? Answer: The can spot a weakness and use it to their advantage. It could be weakness of a facility they need to access, but more often than not it is the weakness of a person they have to utilize. What’s the Matter with Kansas shows how each character, as well as the Jennings duo, Have, and use these weaknesses to get what they want. It’s an episode that is rich with meaning so it’s probably best to take the characters pairings that accentuate this motif one at a time. Philip and Elizabeth As The Americans has grown as a show, so has the main couple. Philip and Elizabeth have never been closer which means they are each other’s greatest weakness. The episode, rightly, doesn’t make this entirely obvious. Instead Gabriel gives them a new assignment: infiltrate the lives of a male scientist and a female logistics expert connected with the bugs. Each of these people is single and lonely, giving the Jennings a weakness that they can exploit. The Jennings know that this will mean starting sexual relationships with their targets which is the reason that they try and back out of the operation. Sure, they say their workload is full, but it’s when we consider that workload that the truth is clear. They are still husband and wife in their other cover and haven’t had to be anything other than that since Martha left. The Centre doesn’t care and Philip and Elizabeth’s trips to Topeka, Kansas, become a complication for their relationship. Philip is clearly jealous, and Elizabeth’s little gift would be touching under normal circumstances, but the Jennings probably wouldn’t recognise normal. Paige and Pastor Tim As complicated as the plot is with Pastor Tim it is surprising that this episode marks his first appearance in season five. Pastor Tim and his wife are crucial characters to The Americans as Pastor Tim has the power to destroy the Jennings if he wanted to. That came from Paige’s weakness in telling him the truth about her parents. In this episode, with Paige knowing more about what her parents do, uses the fact that she is babysitting for the Pastor and his wife as an opportunity to look for some clue as to get her family out of the predicament she has caused. Paige has made the Pastor’s trust in her, and the simpler fact of them needing a babysitter, as a tactic to search his house for any leverage. Paige finds his diary, a fact that Elizabeth is horrified to learn when Paige tells her what happened. Elizabeth is right in a way: Paige is still inexperienced and a break in trust like that may show on her face. The scenes between Paige and her mother continue to be a highlight as their double-lives are the first thing they have bonded over in a long time. Elizabeth is right to tell Paige to be cautious, but the real truth of her reaction comes when she talks to Philip about it in bed. Elizabeth is more impressed with Paige here, as she wonders if the Pastor does have something to hide. Paige is both her daughter and her agent in this scene and the gap between those two personas for Paige is shortening. Stan and Oleg Stan and Oleg came together because of Nina, the woman they both exploited while falling in love with her. Nina became both men’s weakness as their secret pursuit of her freedom created a deeper relationship between them; not best buds but something more than enemies. As Oleg has returned to Russia he has been threatened by the CIA, who are using his treasonous tip off to Stan about the chemical weapons as a means of blackmailing him. Stan is sort of an honourable man, honourable enough to not want to damn another source like he did with Nina so he confesses to the murder of Vladimir in order to force the FBI to tell the CIA to back off Oleg. It’s unclear how this will work but through the plots of both men we see how the US and Russian government works. Stan knows that the FBI can’t have this kind of negative publicity which gives him the power to use his cold blooded murder for leverage. Oleg, who is shadowed by a no nonsense bureaucrat who is a much better interrogator than him, sees the way in which the administration he is part of hones in on their targets weaknesses: as Oleg’s mother puts it, they go after the wives before the husbands. Misha The Americans can be a slow paced show so I could be forgiven when I thought that Misha’s journey to America would have taken a bit longer. Instead I’m shouting “ooooohh shit!” at the screen as the intercom informs me that Misha has arrived at the JFK airport. Misha is a wildcard, and definitely a weakness where Philip is concerned. The beauty of his arrival is that it’s impossible to predict just who he will ingratiate himself into his father’s life, what will happen when he does, and how it will affect the Jennings as a whole. Has the countdown begun for when their secret is out? 9/10 – The way The Americans slowly and precisely puts all of its pieces in place may be the main reason I love it so much. The detail involved that means when one piece fails for the Jennings family, it will have a domino effect.
WWE Spoilers: Two title matches added to The Greatest Royal Rumble Cassidy April 22, 2018 Wrestling News Who will face off in a rematch for the WWE Title at The Greatest Royal Rumble? Who will go one-on-one with the United States Title on the line? Which team will face Cesaro & Sheamus for the vacant RAW Tag Team Titles at The Greatest Royal Rumble? WWE Spoilers: Two title matches added to The Greatest Royal Rumble Cassidy April 22, 2018 Wrestling News Who will face off in a rematch for the WWE Title at The Greatest Royal Rumble? Who will go one-on-one with the United States Title on the line? Which team will face Cesaro & Sheamus for the vacant RAW Tag Team Titles at The Greatest Royal Rumble?
Remembering Superman: The Movie, forty-years later… Matthew Martin April 20, 2018 Movie Blogs Before comic book movies reach a new level of "big" with Infinity War, let's look back on the one that started them all. Forty years after he debuted on the comic-page, Superman wowed us on the big screen. He's still wowing us today, forty years later... Remembering Superman: The Movie, forty-years later… Matthew Martin April 20, 2018 Movie Blogs Before comic book movies reach a new level of "big" with Infinity War, let's look back on the one that started them all. Forty years after he debuted on the comic-page, Superman wowed us on the big screen. He's still wowing us today, forty years later...
The Americans S06E04: Mr. and Mrs. Teacup – There’s something rotten in the Jennings house Kevin Boyle April 20, 2018 TV Blogs The Americans is the best show when it comes to table-setting. The Americans S06E04: Mr. and Mrs. Teacup – There’s something rotten in the Jennings house Kevin Boyle April 20, 2018 TV Blogs The Americans is the best show when it comes to table-setting.
WWE Spoilers: Full results of the 2018 Superstar Shake-Up Cassidy April 20, 2018 Wrestling News Who came to RAW and SmackDown LIVE in the 2018 Superstar Shake-Up? WWE Spoilers: Full results of the 2018 Superstar Shake-Up Cassidy April 20, 2018 Wrestling News Who came to RAW and SmackDown LIVE in the 2018 Superstar Shake-Up?
Riverdale S02E18 Review: A Night to Remember – Riverdale High gets musical Salome G April 19, 2018 TV Blogs Riverdale puts on Carrie: The Musical and just like with its inspiration, there will be blood. Riverdale S02E18 Review: A Night to Remember – Riverdale High gets musical Salome G April 19, 2018 TV Blogs Riverdale puts on Carrie: The Musical and just like with its inspiration, there will be blood.
Legion S02E03: Chapter Eleven – Roles reverse in a fantastic episode, and something about a cow… Kevin Boyle April 18, 2018 TV Blogs It's time for David to be a hero in a disturbing Legion... Legion S02E03: Chapter Eleven – Roles reverse in a fantastic episode, and something about a cow… Kevin Boyle April 18, 2018 TV Blogs It's time for David to be a hero in a disturbing Legion...
Killing Eve S01E02 Review: I’ll Deal with Him Later – The game gets underway Salome G April 18, 2018 TV Blogs On its second outing, Killing Eve establishes whom some of our players are going to be as the game gets underway. Killing Eve S01E02 Review: I’ll Deal with Him Later – The game gets underway Salome G April 18, 2018 TV Blogs On its second outing, Killing Eve establishes whom some of our players are going to be as the game gets underway.
WWE SmackDown LIVE Results: April 17, 2018 Cassidy April 18, 2018 WWE SmackDown Who made a big impact in the tag team main event? Which new champion was brought to SmackDown LIVE in the Superstar Shake-Up? Which NXT stars are coming to SmackDown LIVE? How was the landscape of the tag team division changed? Who came to the aid of Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch? What did Samoa Joe have to say upon arriving on SmackDown LIVE? WWE SmackDown LIVE Results: April 17, 2018 Cassidy April 18, 2018 WWE SmackDown Who made a big impact in the tag team main event? Which new champion was brought to SmackDown LIVE in the Superstar Shake-Up? Which NXT stars are coming to SmackDown LIVE? How was the landscape of the tag team division changed? Who came to the aid of Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch? What did Samoa Joe have to say upon arriving on SmackDown LIVE?
WWE RAW Results: April 16, 2018 Cassidy April 18, 2018 WWE Raw Who made their 'glorious' arrival to RAW in the Superstar Shake-Up? How did Jeff Hardy spoil Jinder Mahal's return to RAW? Who came to RAW as a unit, laying waste to Titus Worldwide? Which SmackDown LIVE trio came to RAW in the Superstar Shake-Up? Who won the Tag Team Eliminator to earn the right to face Cesaro & Sheamus for the vacant RAW Tag Team Titles at The Greatest Royal Rumble? Who did The Miz introduce as the newest arrivals to RAW and how did Kurt Angle respond? WWE RAW Results: April 16, 2018 Cassidy April 18, 2018 WWE Raw Who made their 'glorious' arrival to RAW in the Superstar Shake-Up? How did Jeff Hardy spoil Jinder Mahal's return to RAW? Who came to RAW as a unit, laying waste to Titus Worldwide? Which SmackDown LIVE trio came to RAW in the Superstar Shake-Up? Who won the Tag Team Eliminator to earn the right to face Cesaro & Sheamus for the vacant RAW Tag Team Titles at The Greatest Royal Rumble? Who did The Miz introduce as the newest arrivals to RAW and how did Kurt Angle respond?
Is the Star Wars sequel trilogy secretly a PREQUEL trilogy? Matthew Martin April 17, 2018 Movie Blogs What if the trilogy we think is telling the rise and fall of Kylo Ren is really just telling his rise? What if the story of redemption we think we're watching is really an epic tragedy? Let's talk about Episode IX and what might just be a humongous head-fake by Disney and co. Is the Star Wars sequel trilogy secretly a PREQUEL trilogy? Matthew Martin April 17, 2018 Movie Blogs What if the trilogy we think is telling the rise and fall of Kylo Ren is really just telling his rise? What if the story of redemption we think we're watching is really an epic tragedy? Let's talk about Episode IX and what might just be a humongous head-fake by Disney and co.
Lost in Space S01 Review: Reboot stumbles with a bland take on grimdark sci-fi Salome G April 17, 2018 TV Blogs Netflix's Lost in Space reboot stumbles with a bland take on grimdark sci-fi. Lost in Space S01 Review: Reboot stumbles with a bland take on grimdark sci-fi Salome G April 17, 2018 TV Blogs Netflix's Lost in Space reboot stumbles with a bland take on grimdark sci-fi.
The Walking Dead S08E16: Wrath – A special kind of stupid. Kevin Boyle April 16, 2018 TV Blogs The war is finally here... The Walking Dead S08E16: Wrath – A special kind of stupid. Kevin Boyle April 16, 2018 TV Blogs The war is finally here...
The Terror S01E05 Review: First Shot a Winner, Lads – Do Tuunbaqs have a gender? Salome G April 16, 2018 TV Blogs We get our first real look at Tuunbaq this week and the results are terrifying. The Terror S01E05 Review: First Shot a Winner, Lads – Do Tuunbaqs have a gender? Salome G April 16, 2018 TV Blogs We get our first real look at Tuunbaq this week and the results are terrifying.
Killing Eve S01E01 Review: Nice Face – Not just another procedural Salome G April 15, 2018 TV Blogs BBC America premieres its new series, Killing Eve, about a rogue government employee who becomes obsessed with a female assassin...and vice versa. Killing Eve S01E01 Review: Nice Face – Not just another procedural Salome G April 15, 2018 TV Blogs BBC America premieres its new series, Killing Eve, about a rogue government employee who becomes obsessed with a female assassin...and vice versa.
WWE Spoilers: Three matches announced for Backlash 2018 Cassidy April 15, 2018 Wrestling News Who will get their rematch for the Intercontinental Championship at Backlash? Who will compete for the United States Title at Backlash? Who will resume their rivalry with Roman Reigns? WWE Spoilers: Three matches announced for Backlash 2018 Cassidy April 15, 2018 Wrestling News Who will get their rematch for the Intercontinental Championship at Backlash? Who will compete for the United States Title at Backlash? Who will resume their rivalry with Roman Reigns?
The Americans S06E03: Urban Transport Planning – In which the zharkoye hits the fan Kevin Boyle April 13, 2018 TV Blogs If Elizabeth gets any more kill-happy she's going to get noticed... The Americans S06E03: Urban Transport Planning – In which the zharkoye hits the fan Kevin Boyle April 13, 2018 TV Blogs If Elizabeth gets any more kill-happy she's going to get noticed...
WWE Spoilers: Updated card for The Greatest Royal Rumble Cassidy April 13, 2018 WWE PPVs Who has been confirmed for the first ever 50-Man Royal Rumble Match at The Greatest Royal Rumble? Who will be returning to face The Undertaker in a Casket Match? Who will competing in a Steel Cage Match for the Universal Championship? Who will be competing for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles? WWE Spoilers: Updated card for The Greatest Royal Rumble Cassidy April 13, 2018 WWE PPVs Who has been confirmed for the first ever 50-Man Royal Rumble Match at The Greatest Royal Rumble? Who will be returning to face The Undertaker in a Casket Match? Who will competing in a Steel Cage Match for the Universal Championship? Who will be competing for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles?
Legion S02E02: Chapter Ten – It’s complicated, but good complicated Kevin Boyle April 12, 2018 TV Blogs Legion's second episode lays the groundwork for a fascinating season. Legion S02E02: Chapter Ten – It’s complicated, but good complicated Kevin Boyle April 12, 2018 TV Blogs Legion's second episode lays the groundwork for a fascinating season.
The history of the MCU, film by film! Matthew Martin April 11, 2018 Movie Blogs Get set for the biggest movie of the past decade, by going back over all the movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe! The history of the MCU, film by film! Matthew Martin April 11, 2018 Movie Blogs Get set for the biggest movie of the past decade, by going back over all the movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
WWE SmackDown LIVE Results: April 10, 2018 Cassidy April 11, 2018 WWE SmackDown How did Shinsuke Nakamura ruin a dream main event? Who did Shane McMahon introduce as the new SmackDown LIVE General Manager? How did an 'iconic' debut pave the way for a new champion? Who became the #1 Contender for the United States Title? Who will challenge The Bludgeon Brothers for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at The Greatest Royal Rumble? WWE SmackDown LIVE Results: April 10, 2018 Cassidy April 11, 2018 WWE SmackDown How did Shinsuke Nakamura ruin a dream main event? Who did Shane McMahon introduce as the new SmackDown LIVE General Manager? How did an 'iconic' debut pave the way for a new champion? Who became the #1 Contender for the United States Title? Who will challenge The Bludgeon Brothers for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at The Greatest Royal Rumble?