The Americans 1.4 FAQ
What’s it called?
“In Control.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to Joel Fields (“Rizzoli & Isles”) and series creator Joe Weisberg, the same duo who scripted last week’s episode.
What says FX?
“When an assassin attempts to kill President Reagan, Philip and Elizabeth scramble to handle the fallout within the KGB. Meanwhile, Stan pressures his source within the Rezidentura to find out if the KGB was responsible for the attempted assassination.”
The big news?
Something the KGB calls “Operation Christopher” is readied for an interesting reason.
What else is FX not telling us?
The episode’s title comes from Alexander Haig’s famous “I am in control” remarks immediately following the president’s shooting. They stop calling the Margot Martindale character “Granny” this week.
How does it start?
Elizabeth Jennings has difficulty hiding annoyance when her daughter describes Poland as “a part of Russia.”
What’s good?
The dark skill with which Elizabeth overcomes an obstacle. The all-important conversation Philip and Elizabeth share in their laundry room. The ongoing Mad Man-ish aspects of this series. (We’re reminded that initial news reports indicated that White House press secretary James Brady was killed in the assassination attempt. He actually became a big gun-control advocate, regained his higher cognitive fuctions and ability to walk and turned 72 last August).
What’s not so good?
Philip doesn’t get to smash a pair a goons with a suitcase full of money this week.
How does it end, spoiler boy?
“I won’t tell if you won’t.”
10 p.m. Wednesday. FX.
