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Spoilers ahead for the series finale ofThe Americans.
The Americansis a series typically uninterested in the vocabulary of dreams.
The scene takes place after a series of tremendous losses for Elizabeth and Philip (Matthew Rhys).
Theyve severed themselves from their brutal reality as Russian spies.
But as this dream suggests, everything that once defined Elizabeth has now turned to ash.
Throughout the series, Elizabeth has proven to be exceedingly skilled at hardening herself against the world around her.
This is why the dream proves to be so revelatory.
Elizabeth wakes in bed with Gregory laying next to her, plumes of smoke curling from his lips.
Its clear, even though he doesnt say a word, the strength of the bond between them.
I dont want a kid anyway, she says with nonchalance.
Its at this point that Gregory disappears entirely from the dream, as if he blinked out of existence.
The scene starts to operate even more on dream logic.
The edges grow hazy.
Cuts feel designated more by emotion than logic.
The Americanshas dealt with the dreams and reveries of its characters only a couple times before.
It would be easy to view the dream Elizabeth has as uncharacteristically blunt in its revelations.
The dreams of people fictional and otherwise can often feel indulgent.
Whats profound in someones personal experience can seem ridiculous and laborious when spoken aloud.
Elizabeths dream scene lasts only for about one minute and 30 seconds.
I think for Elizabeth, her dream operates at a similar tenor.
Its both a reconstruction of past memories and the emotion of her present concerns.
On a larger level, this dream operates as an index of losses and sorrows.
Its etched into the sound, the visuals, and the appearance of Gregory.
