tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post5938427068699153918..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: THE AMERICANS: My reviewBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12631147163056357142013-03-28T14:49:43.993-07:002013-03-28T14:49:43.993-07:00I agree with jbryant. Keri kicks ass! Her characte...I agree with jbryant. Keri kicks ass! Her character was raped as a trainee and sent away in an arranged marriage, so she's developed a bit of a protective shell. And just when she starts to soften, Phillip turns on her, so she retreats again. I think her character is quite interesting. But, yes, he's delicious to watch.Uncertain Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12123915657797299263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69477128020382758182013-03-28T11:42:06.684-07:002013-03-28T11:42:06.684-07:00Love this show (and agree with those who don't...Love this show (and agree with those who don't really see much camp value in it, no matter how farfetched some aspects are). <br /><br />I gotta stand up for Keri Russell though. I almost avoided the series because as much as I've always loved Russell, I wasn't sure that "badass" was in her wheelhouse. Well, it is. I think she's phenomenal in this. She pulls off all the role-playing stuff with the same aplomb as Rhys (who I agree is great), and is very convincing in the fight scenes (such as her epic beatdown of "Granny"). Also, a couple of recent episodes softened her character a bit (though it looks it may have been a short-term development).<br /><br />The show is often smashingly well directed, too, with action and suspense set-pieces to rival the best of 70s cinema. It really is a highlight of the season, and I hope it's remembered at Emmy time.jbryantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90414626340804738932013-03-28T04:44:24.120-07:002013-03-28T04:44:24.120-07:00There's an article on Vulture website about al...There's an article on Vulture website about all the wigs worn on this show, which I'm sure you'll agree is what the internet is for. <br /><br />Macnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5333734630483832212013-03-28T03:26:29.958-07:002013-03-28T03:26:29.958-07:00Terry: Phillip and Elizabeth speak in perfect Engl...Terry: Phillip and Elizabeth speak in perfect English to maintain their cover. As for the show, I like it (I was even an bg extra in the third episode).Roy Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816499735037160378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55485982286039253472013-03-28T00:06:06.679-07:002013-03-28T00:06:06.679-07:00I agree with the praise for Matthew Rhys & Noa...I agree with the praise for Matthew Rhys & Noah Emmerich. Rhys gets a lot of mileage out of a look or expression, while it's great to see Jim Carrey's best friend from the Truman Show get a big recurring role he Dan sink his teeth into.<br /><br />Sure, some of the plot holes are obvious, but it's not a documentary! Sit back, suspend belief & enjoy....!!;Jersey Petenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51195927897646170682013-03-27T23:16:09.706-07:002013-03-27T23:16:09.706-07:00Enjoyed the review, it it spot on.
The show is no...Enjoyed the review, it it spot on. <br />The show is not about spies really... The spy plot is just silly by all means <br />But, I am look forward to see the next episode anyway. Double agents, anyone?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2758602211779428022013-03-27T14:35:46.861-07:002013-03-27T14:35:46.861-07:00It's the 80s! They're latchkey kids.It's the 80s! They're latchkey kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85338463820471828692013-03-27T13:30:39.214-07:002013-03-27T13:30:39.214-07:00The BBC had a wonderful show called Sleeper where ...The BBC had a wonderful show called Sleeper where the two Soviet moles in Britain were accidentally reactivated after the Cold War was over. One was working class and wanted to comply; the other had turned into a wealthy Conservative. It was hilarious. Breadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4148241960910092402013-03-27T12:14:00.262-07:002013-03-27T12:14:00.262-07:00I'm waiting for the summer to watch all the S1...I'm waiting for the summer to watch all the S1 eps, I have a lot of friends who love it but no time to catch up right now.XJillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68151357234718867452013-03-27T10:58:45.382-07:002013-03-27T10:58:45.382-07:00I have enjoyed this series as well.I have enjoyed this series as well.chuckcdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76731472832869151262013-03-27T10:46:14.749-07:002013-03-27T10:46:14.749-07:00Well, I watched the first couple episodes of this ...Well, I watched the first couple episodes of this show, and it held my attention. I didn't find it campy--I thought it was a downer. I'm not really a stickler for "logic" in TV shows and I almost never figure out mysteries (not that I'm trying), but even I could not understand how the lack of Russian accents and who does take care of those kids when the folks are away? Mostly, I found the tone kind of depressing. I LOVE Justified, though! And Vikings has been a nice change of pace--just a new world of really dirty looking people. I even stuck with Dallas long enough for it to get surprisingly good--or not bad--and that is truly campy in my book. Terrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88741416373317220842013-03-27T10:23:07.428-07:002013-03-27T10:23:07.428-07:00Forgive me, but it's "derring-do." A...Forgive me, but it's "derring-do." As for the show: I've never heard of it. Maybe if they sold off abandoned storage lockers it would be on my radar.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17181665423607292792013-03-27T10:21:15.695-07:002013-03-27T10:21:15.695-07:00I kind of have a love-dislike relationship with th...I kind of have a love-dislike relationship with this show.<br /><br />I enjoy much of it. But I want to like it more. <br /><br />I'm with Ken on Noah Emmerich's character. I think he's far more compelling than the two Jennings, as is Nina, his pet Russian turncoat.<br /><br />What I find endlessly hilarious is the fact that at no point is it even addressed what the kids are up to (and who is watching them) when Phillip and Elizabeth are out of the house seemingly every night together for hours and hours at a time on their zany missions.<br /><br />Maybe they're spiking their juice boxes with ambien, but it's absurd. And absurdly consistent.<br /><br />And by the way, the missions they are sent on (and, by extension, a good chunk of the show's premise) are patently ridiculous an an extreme misuse of resources. You don't spend twenty years building an elaborate cover story to be sent out at night on these dangerous kinds of operations. Preposterous on its face.<br /><br /><br />-peterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48660607369712333792013-03-27T10:09:47.806-07:002013-03-27T10:09:47.806-07:00I LOVE this show!
The creator is actually ex-CIA...I LOVE this show! <br /><br />The creator is actually ex-CIA- Joe Weisberg. His bio says he worked in the Directorate of Operations in the 1990's. As much of a stretch some plotlines must are, you still have to wonder what nuggets of true stories may be imbedded.<br /><br />There have been some great moments of subtle humor in there when Kerri Russell's character down-plays the moon landing to her kids and a moment in the pilot when the husband and wife team looked uncomfortable during the national anthem. <br /><br />Too bad it takes place a year after Lake Placid. It would have been fun seeing the kid (who is a hockey fan) cheer hard for Team USA to beat the USSR in '80. We need a flashback episode to Feb. 22, 1980!Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74682014410560442322013-03-27T10:07:43.531-07:002013-03-27T10:07:43.531-07:00Brandon,
Honey East is a variation of Honey West ...Brandon,<br /><br />Honey East is a variation of Honey West which was a TV show in mid-60's about sexy female P.I.<br /><br />John Boy was a character Richard Thomas played in the 70's on The Waltons. From wikipedia: In the signature scene that closes almost every episode, the family house is enveloped in darkness, save for one, two or three lights in the upstairs bedroom windows. Through voice-overs, two or more characters make some brief comments related to that episode's events, and then bid each other goodnight.Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21652661609239195072013-03-27T09:39:24.762-07:002013-03-27T09:39:24.762-07:00Way off topic....Ken, get you tape and resume toge...Way off topic....Ken, get you tape and resume together. Fox says this is Tim McCarver's last season.bensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56487669665496687232013-03-27T09:24:12.027-07:002013-03-27T09:24:12.027-07:00Who is Honey East? Who is John Boy and what does s...Who is Honey East? Who is John Boy and what does saying goodnight to everyone mean?Brandonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64567125775802383522013-03-27T09:20:49.931-07:002013-03-27T09:20:49.931-07:00Ken - usually in sync with your thoughts, but you ...Ken - usually in sync with your thoughts, but you seemed to have woken up on the snarky side of the bed today. You make this show seem campy, when it really isn't. Sorry if the wrong boobs or butts are flashed for your taste.<br /><br />Very good show... not up to the level of Braking Bad, but it also does a great job in letting you root or sympathize with the "bad guy".Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74803944994395887102013-03-27T08:08:01.251-07:002013-03-27T08:08:01.251-07:00They showed way more sex on Nip/Tuck, and that was...They showed way more sex on Nip/Tuck, and that was on FX. So I don't think this show is at FX's limit yet. Maybe they plan to be in the future and are using the same warning for the whole series?DBAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26565169102737671142013-03-27T07:37:03.652-07:002013-03-27T07:37:03.652-07:00Yeah this is one I have up until now managed to av...Yeah this is one I have up until now managed to avoid despite my captivation with their promos. Thanks Ken for filling up my on demand time. You make it sound too campy to avoid any longer. Really like the actors so I am in for now.Chuck Warnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00118868209923095810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19319803163514568602013-03-27T07:33:31.791-07:002013-03-27T07:33:31.791-07:00Not everyone calls each other "darling" ...Not everyone calls each other "darling" and "honey" as much as english-speakers seem to. In my language those kind of nicknames are not very common. It's nearly always first names when speaking to each other. Just wanted to let you know.Anehttp://angelundercover.blogg.no/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49911405547234120802013-03-27T07:21:18.794-07:002013-03-27T07:21:18.794-07:00I've been meaning to watch this, mostly for Ma...I've been meaning to watch this, mostly for Martindale and Rhys.<br /><br />The way you tell it, the show sounds like THE SOPRANOS (crime/spy parents, family in the suburbs) crossed with NINOTCHKA (cold Russian stickler for rules) crossed with - damn, I can't remember its name - that 1980s play about the couple whose house was used as a spy station to watch their across-the-street neighbors, who were suspected of being Russian spies. PACK OF LIES, that's it - I saw it in London's West End as a play, but it was made into a movie in 1987 with Ellen Burstyn, Teri Garr, and Alan Bates (now, there's a weird mix).<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.com