A few excerpts from the Martindale interview. More via the link:
Could we see you as a series regular?
No, no. I wanted to be, but they have to stick with their story. They have gone a whole season really without me, and they had Frank Langella all season, who is just wonderful. They have the story to play out with Frank and everything thats happened on the show currently. They had to break their story for next season already now, too, so theyre writing. Ill be able to pop up here and there on the next season. At least, I keep my fingers crossed that I will.
You wouldnt want to get viewers' hopes up for nothing.
Joe and Joel know that I would love to be there, and its a mutual love society between us. But, again, they also are committed to where theyre going right now story-wise. So I dont really know, but I have a feeling Ill be there absolutely.
Whatd you enjoy the most about the way you resurfaced in this episode?
The thing that you havent seen from Claudia is that she really has a human side. Gabriel and I have been friends for years and years and years. Actually, we came up the ranks together. So theres a real camaraderie and support between us, and I really enjoyed that, the fact that there was no hidden agenda.
Whats the extent of Gabriel and Claudias relationship exactly? Were there not some romantic vibes in that diner?
Its not clear. I tried to cram as much into it as possible. There could have been a relationship. Im not privy to this, but I tried to leave it open that if they wanted those things to have happened, they could. Its fun to be able to leave possibilities and a way for the writers to make what they want. Also, I actually replaced him originally. When the show started, I was stepping in for their old handler, Gabriel, because he was not working out.
Why is Claudia so intent on recruiting Paige?
It was good for me as a solider. I think it was good for Gabriel as a solider. For me because Im so trained I can only see the good of being with the KGB. Elizabeth, too.
Any predictions about where the Paige storyline is going to go?
Ive thought that maybe something would happen, and Id have to come in and save the day (laughs), or maybe Gabriel will just follow through and do exactly what I believe hes capable of. I dont know, but they are such great storytellers that it will be fun to see.
So, is Claudia supposed to be in the U.S. now? Do we know where she is?
When Joe and Joel and I went to breakfast, I dont even think we talked about that. But I think that Ive been home [to Russia] and Ive since come back [to the U.S.], and now you could maybe think that I could be around any corner. That's what I like to think.
On an intellectual level I know and understand these points, and they make sense. It does not change the fact that for two episodes now her scenes have consisted mostly of her barging into a room to ask questions in an increasingly shrill manner. I feel bad for feeling this way, but I'm starting to dread the Paige scenes because the character as written has become so obnoxious.
(Everyone watch Rectify and The Honorable Woman please)
A few excerpts from the Martindale interview. More via the link:
I’ll be able to pop up here and there on the next season. At least, I keep my fingers crossed that I will.
I think Phillip has feelings for Martha. Not like he's in love with her as a husband, but they've still shared a life of sorts together. I think he feels bad that he's used her and essentially ruined her life, and he's trying to be honest with her and reveal his true self before the inevitable happens (whether that's her death or being arrested I'm not sure yet). I think that's part of it, and I think the other part is he's trying to buy time until that inevitable end game, so she doesn't leave and have a change of heart and turn him in. He's trying to get her to stay by being more open with her.I don't see what's Phillip's angle here. To me it seems an un-salvageable situation and he should just off her.
Everyone can see Martha is rattled. Stan's visit's pretty much cements the FBI's suspicion over her. Now Martha is going to look even more fraught at work after this reveal. It's the end of the road of her usefulness. What's the indication for a different take? How is the FBI not going to go after Martha and thus put her out of the picture of the Center's interest? Are they going to frame someone else for the bug out of the blue? Phillip and Elizabeth haven't been seen doing anything that would allude that they had this contingency plan in the pipeline.
So really, what spy-reasoning is there left to keep Martha in the game? You could say that by killing her and the police finding her body or she goes 'missing' that it's a confirmation she planted the bug and was being worked on by 'illegals', but that's it. Another dead-end for the FBI. Instead of having Martha imploding and spilling the beans or forgetting to hide away 'Clark's' photo the next time Stan visits, or she just straight up does a sketch for them of disguise-free Phillip..
Oh, i agree. I'd assume after the next talk with Elizabeth he'll know there's no other way around it unless the Center provides a good reason why not, which i can't see.And back to the first point, I think he is trying to prevent her necessary death or imprisonment as well. By having her go into hiding and assuming a new identity like he proposed. I don't think his motivations in that last scene are just "spy-reasoning" but way more personal and caring than anything.
I don't see what's Phillip's angle here. To me it seems an un-salvageable situation and he should just off her.
Everyone can see Martha is rattled. Stan's visit's pretty much cements the FBI's suspicion over her. Now Martha is going to look even more fraught at work after this reveal. It's the end of the road of her usefulness. What's the indication for a different take? How is the FBI not going to go after Martha and thus put her out of the picture of the Center's interest? Are they going to frame someone else for the bug out of the blue? Phillip and Elizabeth haven't been seen doing anything that would allude that they had this contingency plan in the pipeline.
So really, what spy-reasoning is there left to keep Martha in the game? You could say that by killing her and the police finding her body or she goes 'missing' that it's a confirmation she planted the bug and was being worked on by 'illegals', but that's it. Another dead-end for the FBI. Instead of having Martha imploding and spilling the beans or forgetting to hide away 'Clark's' photo the next time Stan visits, or she just straight up does a sketch for them of disguise-free Phillip..
I'm no expert, but a communist party in Afghanistan staged a coup in 1978. Soviets immediately provided support and advisors because well, communism. Opposition within the country formed quickly, sparking a civil war, and the Americans jumped in to support that opposition. The communist party in Afghanistan also found itself with its own major internal strife, with some political assassinations occurring and the Soviets stepping in even more to fill the power vacuum if only to prevent the country from spiraling further out of control, although there was no stopping that.Why did The Soviets invade Afghanistan again?
Oh, i agree. I'd assume after the next talk with Elizabeth he'll know there's no other way around it unless the Center provides a good reason why not, which i can't see.
Perhaps the return of Clark's sister?
When he took off the wig, I was so upset the hour was pretty much over. He has pretty much no option to kill her, unless he can weave some type of crazy story. Im figuring shell OD or some other type of staged suicide that will pretty much tell the FBI she did it and leave no witnesses.
I think Phillip has feelings for Martha. Not like he's in love with her as a husband, but they've still shared a life of sorts together. I think he feels bad that he's used her and essentially ruined her life, and he's trying to be honest with her and reveal his true self before the inevitable happens (whether that's her death or being arrested I'm not sure yet). I think that's part of it, and I think the other part is he's trying to buy time until that inevitable end game, so she doesn't leave and have a change of heart and turn him in. He's trying to get her to stay by being more open with her.
And back to the first point, I think he is trying to prevent her necessary death or imprisonment as well. By having her go into hiding and assuming a new identity like he proposed. I don't think his motivations in that last scene are just "spy-reasoning" but way more personal and caring than anything.
I think it's more likely she ends up "committing suicide."That can't possibly be an option for Philip/Elizabeth/Centre. Either someone kills her(I don't think Philip wants to do it) or they frame someone else for planting the bug. Killing her is their best option. They cant have Martha falling apart the way she is and working there. Also I don't see her going into hiding she already lives this miserable lonely life.
I'm still waiting for that gun she owns to come into play. Does anyone think she'll end up committing suicide?
I see what you're saying, but I don't think Paige acting like that for 2-3 episodes is too outrageous. Now, if we come back next year (after the inevitable time jump) and she's still doing it in every episode, then I think it'll be a problem.
I just noticed this part of your response. This definitely seems like a lock, especially if they're going to go through with making Paige a spy.
71 minute time slot, so it'll be a little longer than usual. Probably in the 50-55 min range.I gather it will be a regular ~45mins episode, not longer?
71 minute time slot, so it'll be a little longer than usual. Probably in the 50-55 min range.
March 8, 1983
Elizabeth and Paige take a trip that lands them in treacherous territory; Philip turns to an unlikely source for solace; Stan's plan to save Nina culminates in unforeseen ways.
I am very worried for Stan.Season finale tonight:
The Americans remains one of the best-written shows on television, and quite simply the best at the constructing intricate, layered plots. Every episode, every scene, gives the impression of a gun being cocked and placed carefully on a wall. It helps to keep the pacing tight even if the immediate details are obscured. While Nina remains a tragic figure, her struggles overseas dont immediately seem to have much to do with anything elseyet it is still possible that some other shoe will drop in the finale and pull everything together. (For that reason, its worth keeping an eye on Henry. The number of times his parents and sister have pointed out how oblivious he is this season might be leading somewhere.)
But that intricate plotting would not be nearly as effective if it werent for the strong undercurrent of feeling that powers it. While there were several horrors throughout the third season, none hit quite as hard as the panicked, furious look on Paiges face when she demanded to know if any of the photos of the family album were real. (It doesnt hurt that those earlier catastrophes all served to reinforce how easily situations in the Jennings lives can get out of hand, and how getting out of hand nearly always means someone dies.) The greatest genre shows use their genre to dig at universal realities, and this season has uncovered a bitter one: childhood doesnt end, it shatters. And in the wreckage that follows, no one escapes without injury.
Darn, why did I think there were two episodes left? Still, excited. Is it a longer episode tonight?Season finale tonight:
71 minute run time.Darn, why did I think there were two episodes left? Still, excited. Is it a longer episode tonight?
Oh boy!71 minute run time.
Heres another spy storage question: Earlier this season, in the episode where Elizabeth drops a car on the guy in his driveway: WHERE DID THAT DOG COME FROM that shes walking?
Oh my god, everyone was wondering that. I know that I, personally, have been lobbying for a Jennings spy dog. So maybe hes a candidate? Maybe they keep him with the wigs and hell be revealing himself soon. Maybe it wasnt even a real dog. Maybe its a robot dog.
I fully recognize that Im focusing on the wrong thing in that sequence, but I have not been able to let go of the idea of a covert dog locker somewhere in the neighborhood.
A lot of people were shocked by the dog. More people were shocked by the dog than her dropping the car on the guy.
I mean, you expect her to kill people at this point. You dont expect to see her interacting with a cute animal.
Exactly. I dont know where that came from, but I know where I hope it leads.
Its a good showsometimes even a great show. The season ending Wednesday evening is to my mind the series best yet