The Americans (TV Series) In Control (2013) User Reviews

In Control gives perspective of the era.

[mm-39 · 8/10 · 24 May 2013]

In Control gives perspective of the 1980s era. The In Control episode is about the Reagan assassination. One experiences the paranoia of the era with the F B I wondering if the K G B was responsible. The K G B wonders if the U S government attempted a military coup! The K G B characters of Phil and Liz represent the different opinions of the Soviet Union. Phil is pragmatic, and believes life is not so bad in the U S and the people are not that evil. Phil will do his job, but uses logic in the decision making process. Liz is indoctrinated with propaganda about the U S and believes Heig could be attempting a military coup. The two K G B agents go through an insane pre-war procedures, but holds off on some of the process because Phil realizes how different the C C C P and U S operate. A strong episode which creates a good setting for the T V series. I give In Control an eight out of ten.

More intriguing character moments

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 1 January 2021]

The Jennings' contend with the fallout of an assassination attempt on the US President.

I enjoyed this episode for the implications the main incident has on all involved and the character moments of Phillip and Elizabeth.

The plot is based around the factual event of the attempt on Reagan's life but the focus is on the fallout from it and the reactions of all involved. The 'what if' concepts are quite thought provoking though not suspenseful as we know WWIII didn't kick off. Importantly this is a good way for the writers to delve deeper into the main characters and their relationship.

All performances are as excellent as usual, particularly the two leads and in this one contains a strong scene for Noah Emmerich that develops his character a bit further.

Bang! You're dead!

[bongoz · 22 February 2013]

I know lots and lots of things happened in this episode, important things, but Elizabeth shooting dead that security guard was a real eye-opening experience. Sure, she had poisoned that maid's son, Phillip had even smothered him in front of his mother, but you could see the relief on Elizabeth's face when she gave the son the antidote. She doesn't want to be a killer, no matter how well trained she is.

(I doubt that Phillip is a natural killer, either. "Please stay out of my blind spot.")

But when she had to do it, when the guard was going to ruin everything, she was quick and unhesitating, like Phillip with the defector. No nonsense, slip into the driver's seat, and head off.

In the pilot, the FBI boss guy said they were in a secret war with the Russian spies. Now we know - both sides are at war.

This series is serious about espionage. This is no James Bond or Jason Bourne flash-fest. It reminds me of the adaptations of Len Deighton's Bernard Samson stories ("Game, Set, and Match"). Well, maybe a bit faster paced then those.

I wonder if Elizabeth will feel remorse. Right now, it seems like the guard died for nothing. I doubt this is the last we hear about him.

The Americans In Control

[dalydj-918-255175 · 24 February 2013]

This was the episode where I felt myself change for the better for the performance given by Kerri Russell as I felt her passion and pride in her country and the way she wanted her husband to support her during the Regan shooting. The episode was the best they have done so far for me because of the Regan assignation that was the drama for the episode as both the KGB and FBI had to deal with everything with no one really knowing who was responsible. I must say that there was one short scene between Paige and Stan's son as it reminds me of Dana on Homeland and how they made some of the show so hard to watch. The character of Stan is not a good one for me as I find him boring and that he gets scenes opposite the Russian women is just not interesting to me at all. Another quick scene of Margo as Claudia was sweet but the whole episode was all about a revelation for me of Russell on the show.

EPISODE GRADE: B (MVP: Kerri Russell)