TV: The Americans

[Animeniax]

The Americans is a new spy series on FX about Russian agents living among us during the cold war era. For those of us who grew up during those times, there is a lot of nostalgia from an age when we thought the world could end any day.

I wonder how far FX will push the envelope, as their is plenty of sexual innuendo and violence, but they won't be able to match premium cable levels. Of course there will be comparisons drawn to Homeland, but the only similarities thus far are the spy work and double lives. So far it seems like a promising series.

Full pilot episode available here:

http://vod.fxnetworks.com/watch/theamericans/16771651586

[Munsu]

I had not heard from this series before, thanks for pointing it out, looks good.

FX pushes the boundaries quite far for cable television, you can see examples with The Shield, Sons of Anarchy, Wilfred, etc. particularly since they usually air late at night.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-qEGs-3lnk

[rockmanj]

I enjoyed the first episode a lot and it looks like it could go for a while. With a lot of great shows ending next year, maybe this can pick up some of that slack.

[Munsu]

I liked it plenty myself, soundtrack was amazing with Tusk by Fleetwood Mac and Phil Collins' In the Air Tonight.

[Animeniax]

Yeah the 80s vibe was pretty well done with props and music. I liked the Guess jeans on Elizabeth (Keri Russell's character). Like you said, FX did a good job with suggestive sex and violence. Seeing Phillip break that guy's neck was subtly gruesome.