The Americans Season 2 Episode 1 Recap: Comrads Shouldnt Have Friends Or Children (Season Premiere)

The first episode of season 2 of "The Americans" went off with a bang (well quite a few bangs actually). For those not familiar with the show, it airs on Wednesdays at 10 ET on FX. Thirteen episodes are scheduled for season 2. See my previous reviews of season 1 here: The Americans Season 1 Recaps

When we last saw Phillip and Elizabeth, she has been shot and was near death. If that wasnt bad enough next door neighbor Stan continued to be hot on their heels. Their oldest child (Paige) was growing suspicious of their night time activities. And their marriage looked beyond repair. Geez, and I thought I had problems.

Now Elizabeth has recovered and is back at home. The kids and Phillip seem genuinely happy about this. The Jennings join up with another spy couple who is also deep undercover. When they all go the amusement park, things go downhill fast. The couple and their daughter are shot in the head. The son happened to be at the pool and found their bodies. Rough stuff for sure. If you want to be a spy that's one thing, but why bring innocent children into the mix? You know the situation is not going to end well.

Other Notes:

Phillip shooting the kitchen worker during the Afghan operation effectively reminded me that he is a trained killer. That guy was an innocent bystander. Couldn't you have let him live? I guess not. Obviously I wouldnt be a very good spy.
Stan is still fooling around with Nina. I'm still not sure who is pumping who for info-- maybe neither, maybe both.
Claudia (ie Granny) is still lurking around somewhere. That's never good. Did she have somethign to do with the couple's deaths? I just dont trust her AT ALL.
Paige opens the door on Liz and Lip while they are having "relations". And if that wasnt embarrassing enough, it is in the 69 position. My eyes...a hole has burned through my retinas. Who wants to see their parents having sex... NO ONE! And why cant they lock the door and threaten her with death? That's what my parents did and it worked on me.
Poor Sandra Beeman. She needs to join one of those 80s women empowerment groups and kick Stan to the curb.
Phillip has set up house with fake wife Martha. He put a recording device in her purse so her calls at work are recorded. Maybe she should join Sandra at the women empowerment group cause she needs to grow a backbone.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys continue to be a joy to watch. I had low expectations when I saw the first episode of "The Americans" last year but I've been hooked ever since.