The Americans
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Shes just a kid.
Let us remember that Sofia did all of this for her child.
Now we see the result of Sofias sacrifice: Her boy gets to find his parents stabbed to death.
In our last glimpse of him, hes being shuttled off into the night, careening toward destinations unknown.
The cost that children have to bear for their parents decisions is a common thread in this devastating episode.
Lets start with the chokehold.
My point was always that she shouldnt.
He was there when Paige was curled up in her closet in terror.
Theres more to it than that, though.
(This work can be too much for people, she told Paige in the last episode.
Even the best ones.)
Theres a certain sarcastic tone that slips into Matthew Rhyss line-readings when he senses this from Paige.
Yet what Philip does to Paige isnt exactly a gesture of tough love, either.
One big question is: Did he show up at Paiges apartment intending to fight her?
Watching the scene a few times, I have my doubts.
At the heart of all this, too, is a lesson in using sex as a weapon.
Does he say yes if she doesnt sleep with him like any other source?
(The look on his face during the sex scene could be described asMunich-esque.)
The key exchange:
Somethings wrong with you.
But Im trying my best.
Well see where Philips best gets him.
But shes also not like Philip, who drops the Kimmy operation the moment he hears about what happened.
Shor has played her so soulfully, iron-willed yet immensely vulnerable and reflective.
Erica doesnt have much time left, so she demands absolute candor of herself and the people around her.
And shes forcing Elizabeth into an uncomfortable position of self-examination.
The FBI is already monitoring his activities, but his encounter with Tatiana portends real danger.
