Comrades (The Americans)
| "Comrades" | |
|---|---|
| The Americans episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Thomas Schlamme |
| Written by | Joel Fields Joe Weisberg |
| Featured music |
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| Production code | BDU201 |
| Original air date | February 26, 2014 |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
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"Comrades" is the second season premiere of the American television drama series The Americans, and the 14th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on February 26, 2014 in the United States on FX.
Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) leaves a remote safe house to return home after recovering from her gunshot wound. As she drives down a forested road, she brakes the vehicle to avoid hitting a doe and two fawns crossing. Startled, she and the doe seemingly face each other, making eye contact. The doe and fawns then cross the road, and she continues driving home.
Meanwhile, Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), posing as an American agent, is arranging a weapons deal with two male Afghans in a Middle Eastern-themed restaurant; the younger Afghan is acting as an interpreter for the other, an older man who appears to be a decision maker, likely a village elder. The interpreter presents Phillip with a knife which he claims was used to kill his first Soviet soldier and remarks that killing them was difficult at first but gets easier with time. Phillip accepts the knife and then shoots both Afghans in the legs/knees with a silenced pistol held under the table; both Afghans fall to the floor. He then outright kills the wounded elder and gives the wounded interpreter a message: no one, not even Allah, can protect them as the KGB are everywhere. As Phillip then attempts to leave the restaurant, with the obvious intention of leaving the interpreter alive with the message, the interpreter attacks Phillip, pulling his wig off his head. Phillip then kills him. While then escaping the restaurant through the seemingly deserted kitchen, Phillip encounters a busboy hiding in a corner. He approaches and tells the busboy, "it's OK", and then begins to leave again. The busboy visibly relaxes, and Phillip shoots him in the head (presumably for betraying himself as a witness). Phillip returns to his vehicle and becomes emotional, nearly crying, before driving away.
The next morning, Philip drives Elizabeth home in time for Henry's 11th birthday party. During the party, Phillip gives Stan Beeman a refund for the trip he had arranged as a reconciliation attempt with his wife. Stan remarks that it is good to see that Phillip and Elizabeth are now back together; Phillip advises Stan to give their own relationship time. Henry receives a telescope as a birthday present but is somewhat disappointed; he had been hinting for a video game system. Henry then rushes off to set-up the telescope, but Phillip suggest waiting until tomorrow as the babysitter, Abbie, will be arriving soon so he and Elizabeth can go on a "date". Henry is initially disappointed they intend to leave on his birthday, but relents when Paige expresses acceptance of Phillip's and Elizabeth's need for some time alone together.
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