A Few of the Finer Things - November 2016

A great thing about all of these video streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, etc.) or your DVR is the ability to "binge watch" a TV series that you might not have watched since inception…and it seems like in recent years there have been many very good television shows. I am using this space this month to recommend one of my recent favorites. "The Americans" on FX is a fantastic show with a very intriguing storyline (Debbie and I are now up to date on the first four seasons and are anxiously awaiting season 5). It stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as two Soviet intelligence agents who pose as a married couple (Elizabeth and Phillip Jennings) in suburban Washington, DC, to spy on the American government. It is set in the 1980’s during the Reagan-era Cold War.

Elizabeth and Phillip appear to be a stereotypical suburban couple with stereotypical American kids whom you might find in your very own neighborhood. They work as travel agents as a cover and appear to have extremely normal American lives. There are great little nuances like meeting their new friendly neighbors and finding out that the husband happens to be an FBI agent who works in counter-terrorism.

Everything about the show is terrific—the clothes, the scenery, the cars, the technology (lack thereof), the disguises and the storylines are all incredible. Great acting, great writing and great character development makes for an extremely enjoyable show…I highly recommend!

The Americans IMDB

- Gary Weiss, November 2016

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