The Americans

A spy series set in the cold war – right up my alley. Plus, it's very well-made and well-cast. I never claimed to be a pure soul or a defender of the light side, so I immediately took a liking to both protagonists. I found even Arkady more likable than Agent Frank Gaad most of the time. I guess it’s because the Soviets were explicitly evil, while the American fighters for democracy always played clean, with exceptions that occurred once, twice at most... But seriously, I think it was a win for the series that Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys hit it off in real life, the chemistry between them was amazing and contributed to a great overall atmosphere. At first, I found the character of Stan Beeman irritating, but Noah Emmerich gradually won me over and Season 6 wouldn’t have been half as good without him. Since I'm praising individual characters, I can't forget Alison Wright as Martha Hanson who was really excellent. Finally, a shout-out to the writers who maintained a high level of storytelling throughout the seventy-five episodes. I had a great time. (20.07.2016)

After watching the first season, I must say I like the show a lot. Cold War espionage is one of my favorite topics. The creators managed to perfectly capture the 1980s vibes, so there’s practically nothing to complain about. On the contrary. A special mention goes to the excellent soundtrack, which made me really enjoy the show. (08.10.2017)

I really enjoyed the pilot episode. I'm a fan of stories about sleeper agents, double agents, triple agents, and beyond. The cast was spot-on, and the production quality was top-notch. This show is off to a very promising start for me. (06.10.2017)

The second episode made it clear that the creators aren't sticking to just the main plot. They're giving us a chance to really get to know the characters, and that's definitely a good thing. (06.10.2017)

Both sides have their own cards to play, and the operatives and informants are feeling the heat. This depiction of the Cold War works for me — the atmosphere is perfectly tense and paranoid, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. (07.10.2017)

The creators did a great job following up on the previous episode, this time splitting the story into two equally compelling lines. We also get more insights into the past and emotions of the main characters, which kept me thoroughly engaged. Absolutely satisfied with this one. (07.10.2017)

Even though this episode felt a bit weaker than the last two, it still kept me engaged with plenty of action and solid plot development. I must say, I wouldn’t want to be a spy — it would be way too intense for me. (08.10.2017)

The weakest episode so far. Despite a packed plot with plenty of action and atmosphere, Beeman's reminiscing about the brave, heroic, and jovial Amador just didn’t work for me. Perhaps it’s because Amador was such a peripheral character up until now, so the writers' attempt to make his death feel like a significant loss came off as a bit forced. (08.10.2017)

Much better. The off-notes that bugged me in the last episode are gone, and even though there was less action this time, the plot was engaging enough for a solid rating. I just didn’t get why Gregory turned down such a great offer — Moscow is beautiful in the spring! (08.10.2017)

Another solid episode, mainly setting the stage for future actions and putting "Clark" under a lot of pressure. I have to say, except for the somewhat unconvincing ninth episode, I'm thoroughly enjoying this series so far. (08.10.2017)

Hats off to the creators for the second season. It's true that there were a few weaker moments, but the last three episodes made me forget all the negatives. I'm glad there hasn’t been a single filler episode that didn't contribute to the whole. On the contrary, each episode develops the story as well as the individual characters and the relationships between them. Plus, the positives from the first season are still there – the atmosphere, great story and soundtrack. (10.10.2017)

A pretty decent episode although not as good as the last one. The most intriguing developments this time happened right at the Soviet embassy. The pace slowed down a bit, so I'll give this one a 4*-. (09.10.2017)

There were some bright spots — Elizabeth was as tough as nails during the propeller factory move. But overall, this episode didn’t really impress me. (09.10.2017)

Both sides are dealing with their internal issues, there’s new development in family dynamics, and I’m starting to get the feeling that Paige’s new interest is going to get on my nerves soon. It was such a nice "church-free" show until now. Nonetheless, the episode ended with an action-packed and surprising twist. (09.10.2017)

The episode might seem unassuming at first glance, but it surprisingly worked for me. While there wasn't much action, the episode stood out due to its numerous intriguing conversations happening on both sides of the barricade, and even across it. I found myself thoroughly engaged and entertained. (09.10.2017)

The plot moved a bit slower this time. However, I did learn that diligent sphincter training can outsmart a polygraph, and I got a good laugh from the debate on when a bug becomes a rat. 4*- (10.10.2017)

Much like the previous episode, nothing groundbreaking happened, but it did provide some interesting insights. I learned that some people are surprisingly tolerant, even when a brat messes with their gaming console without permission. Personally, I’d handle that with a blunt object. Anyway, I'm hoping for more action in the next episode – it's about time. 4*- (10.10.2017)

This time, the creators dived back into pure espionage themes, all while Captain Larrick looms in the background like a deadly threat. I also find it amusing how a long-term spy operation kicks off in one episode, only to be completely ignored in the next. I'm curious to see when the storyline with the Northrop employee will resurface. (10.10.2017)

A fantastic episode! The atmosphere was thick as fog, with personal and professional tensions escalating on all sides. Captain Larrick turned into a truly terrifying character. The creators really nailed it with this one. (10.10.2017)

As the second season nears its end, each episode gets better and better. Here’s hoping the creators can stick the landing with the finale because they’re definitely on the right track so far. (10.10.2017)