The Americans on FX

Martha will be brought back for Phillip's and Elizabeth's trial in the series finale, like all those rudely treated folks who testified against the Seinfeld gang.

 

Random thought/prediction: At some point, one of the four - Phillip, Elizabeth, Paige and Henry - is going to die. Probably not this season, maybe closer to the end of the run, but eventually it will have to happen to force the family's hand.

If I had to guess, I'd say it is going to be Phillip. This whole time, the show has felt more like Elizabeth's story than anyone else's. She has been the most dynamic character, I think - from staunch, unwielding soldier to caring mom and concerned wife.

 

I agree that elizabeth will be fine.

She's a boring character to me because I know she'll be fine.

 

Fascinating story on sons of the real life "Americans."

The day we discovered our parents were Russian spies

 

From the "Center's" view point, what is the expected end game for Philip and Elizabeth? Ultimately aren't they expendable, to be used up and killed when they are no longer viable? And their kids can be left behind without thought.

I wonder if Gabriel was one of the men that 'raped' Elizabeth during her training. Philip is right not to trust him

 

This isn't the 1930s Soviet Union. Yes, you will be killed if you are viewed as a threat and are/were a traitor. But you are not killed just because your usefulness as a spy has run its course.

 

I think they would have no problem eliminating them if they felt like it was necessary, but I doubt it comes to that

 

Besides, somehow Gabriel and Claudia are "viable" into their 60s. As highly trained and skilled agents, there would always be a place for them.

 

I think that probably shows a potential job progression for Phillip and Elizabeth - from solider to handler. But ain't no way it comes to that. Phillip would trade in his spy card to be a genuine beer-drinking American right now. Probably another reason he's the most likely to get folded up into a duffle bag.

 

As well written, acted and directed as the Martha scenes were, I still didn't buy them for a minute. Once she was brought in, she served no usefulness to the KGB and she would have been killed. At worst, they could have made an effort for Philip's well being that plans were being made to have her leave the US, but why risk boarding her on a plane?

 

You don't think somebody who worked inside the FBI for years could continue to be valuable for information and propaganda?

 

They loved propaganda wins like that. Teach her to say "it is so much better here" in Russian and take her on a tv tour.

They also wouldn't have a problem killing her. Depends on the mood of some random guy in the hierarchy that day.