SusanSunflower

The pictures (and Elizabeth's interest in them) may represent Elizabeth's growing isolation and paranoia ... I took the cyanide pendant and warning that she could not be arrested less as "here's a handy way out" as a threat that "if this mission is blown, you will not be allowed to survive" ... there will be no spy-swap or espionage trial. Beyond the usual "mission impossible" disawoval, that she was expected to remove herself as a "problem" or "collateral damage" ... This then made her reckless almost-public killing of the security guard even closer to a death wish ... I wonder if the security guard additionally jotted down Paige's name and license plates or radioed in that same info (in that oh-so-bad neighborhood) ... Paige carrying false ID that would fail even the slightest data-base scrutiny seems like really bad spycraft 101 ... One can need to show identification for many reasons in many settings -- a traffic ticket or as a witness of something utterly peripheral or simply suspicious loitering (as happened). Why would Paige Jennings be taking courses and earning a degree under a pseud? In fact, a spycraft identity should probably direct attention away from her actual college, etc. etc. Yuppers -- I think Elizabeth killed the guard as a function of inappropriate paranoia ... (protecting her baby) eta: In response to the above, if Philip had mentioned what he knew, Elizabeth would have to consider him an enemy ... since for her to divulge anything about her mission functionally carries a death penalty if leaked. "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."

Kate Hepburn (due to my mother's admiration and certainly her beauty) was a goddess in my home growing up so I don't think I looked twice at June Allyson (with her overbite and slight hint of a lisp) ... and Elizabeth Taylor "stealing" so many scenes with her slow delivery and traffic-stopping beauty. I was stunned a few years ago seeing Allyson in a war movie -- "Battle Circus" -- paired with Humphrey Bogart -- by how effective she was as an actor. (It's one of the early Korean war / MASH not-a-comedy movies). I also will try to track Allyson-as-Jo down because although I love(d) Hepburn, her forthrightness and strength really didn't work for me with Jo's ambivalence and insecurity in New York with Mr. Bahaer. As a girl, I liked Little Men (better and better for Hepburn) and most of all "Eight Cousins" (also spunky). In the 1960's, there was a vast interest in utopian communities which led me to read a lot about Bronson Alcott -- a remarkable man -- and sympathize with Louisa in finding herself under the shadow of such a (bossy and fractious) man .... Anyway, I suspect Allyson may have been better casting (though she struck me as a goody-two-shoes) but she was -- in memory -- the most centered and grounded member of the ensemble. Thanks for the heads up.

Funny, but I just realized I've seen no speculation (that I remember) about a scenario in which Paige is revealed to be a spy -- independent of P&E -- bringing the FBI and others snoops (including Stan) to the Jennings' door. While most academics were more concerned (even paranoid) about FBI on-campus investigating supporters of liberal causes, Paige's snooping for the KGB might result in an inquiry by an already FBI-complicit professor or student as to who this new kid was working for.

Paige's interest in "doing good" and helping the poor at the Church seemed to hinge on Pastor Tim's approval, even as she smiled and was saintly to others in the vicinity. I'm not certain that she ever realized that Tim's interest and pride in her was because of the shine that reflected back on him. Paige met that vivacious curly headed girl on the bus and -- I thought at the time -- wanted some of "what she had" and followed her to Pastor Tim's door (she then sadly disappeared except for odd moments when she seems to have been channeled into -- the insecure but growing up and getting better -- Kimmie). Three years is a long time in a teenager's life. We can only hope that Paige has had a "growth spurt" into some kind of boundary-setting selfhood. (I still eyeroll over Paige telling Pastor Tim about the family secret and everyone being still alive)

I disliked Ninja Assassin Mary but really lost my appetite when it appeared that she was only-in-it-for-the Sherlock (making John Watson essentially a too-dumb-to-realize it cuckold) .... also hated the invented sister and all of the invented family (since solitary -- even virtually alone in the world -- Sherlock was essential to the development of his eccentricities (concentrated study without interruptions!) and Watson's need to protect the man from his bad habits and eccentricities ... madness and addiction to be prevented from destroying a singularly important and unique human being.

Some did it simply for the money but many did it because they believed in the communist experiment posed no real threat and that Soviet progress was being obstructed by Western powers ... The people around and including the Rosenbergs believed the world would be safer if the American monopoly on Nuclear Weapons was broken, that otherwise, U.S. power was utterly unchecked. Some really loathed the capitalist "consumer culture" that evolved after the war and their own government and many developed long term friendships with their handlers ... I got the feeling from LeCarre and others it was also an "ego boost" to be deceiving so many for so long.

What sort of life awaits Paige, unless the Centre can play matchmaker and make her a match. I guess that's why we needed an off-stage 3 years, however, when William's wife was sent back to Russia, he was crushingly lonely in part because he could not deal with the normal getting-to-know-you chit-chat sociability required to have a social life. Paige (and every 15 year old) is in need of social-life experience which she should be getting NOW in high school -- dating, doing things with school friends and activities that reflect her interests and/or aspirations ... even working for a political or social cause -- nada. Let her go to the local dojo for karate lessons, to develop a crush on her her instructor or (the alpha male among students_ only to discover that all "mentors" are not "Pastor Ted" and some are quite willing to cross those line ... blah blah blah Phillip and Elizabeth "had" each other long before they even liked or knew each other and they had a (cover) life to construct and inhabit, ... and in fairly short order, they had kids to parent and other parents to interact with, for better or worse, like them or not. Paige seems destined for a life of alienation, just acting like a cog in her parent's spy machine. We'll see how much autonomy she's been granted since we've seen her last and what she's (hopefully) seized ... she was a virgin last we saw her ... is she still? if not, are the circumstances of that "dangerous intimacy" relevant? Time to take wing grasshopper Paige ...

wrong thread

Sarah Lancashire has a new show, Kiri, premiered to excellent reviews 01/17/2018 .... plays a social worker, sounds like heavy dramatic role. https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/903324/Kiri-episode-1-review-Sarah-Lancashire-Happy-Valley

Caught this very brief, almost pointless video of Rhys talking about playing Daniel Ellsberg in "The Post" .... nice to see him so animated and healthy-looking ... so much better looking than has become standard in "The Americans" (where he appears to exist in an endurance contest). Salon video link

Yuck, in any event. I wasn't sure where Kate versus Claudia were on the organizational chart and/or who the Conner's had been reporting too. It was a long time ago but the fact Claudia said she didn't know about Kate's mission (which I only half believed), made Kate "rogue" in my book. ... She seemed awfully young and reckless since for many reasons, teenaged Jared could be anticipated to develop transference (or "love") for his handler (particularly if the relationship was extra-special grownup and super-secret-- think of regular teens who get seduced by teacher who seem to "really understand them") . I was confused and dismayed by Kate's apparent intention to salvage Jared after learning what he'd done. Jared worked out cleverly how to conceal his involvement in the shooting... that smacked of premeditation, but honestly I don't remember if Jared suddenly grabbed his dad's gun in anger or, again, had thought through shoot Dad, Mom and sister.

My impression was that Kate was continuing to recruit Jared knowing that his parents (Leanne and Emmett Connors) objected (and that Claudia was "in the dark" or claimed to be). I don't remember if the question of whether the Connors could have/would have continued working as "illegals" and/or if the the Centre realized that they might be gaining a "second generation" and losing two seasoned professionals. If the Center was "recruiting" Jared without consulting Leannea and Emmett (particularly since there were romantic/sexual carrots involved) that ability to claim "I had no idea" does not **magically** make them less morally compromised given the outcome. See also Claudia's claim of knowing nothing of Kate's doings. It didn't occur to Kate that Jared was responsible until ... until it did (and yet it was a rage-filled, carefully premeditated and planned family assasination. ) Again, if the Center didn't know that Emmett and Leanne strongly objected, they become more negligent, less competent, not less. (which is why I think the Center, now Claudia, should be more interested in the character and composition of young Paige than has been demonstrated) ETA: I don't remember and I'm not going to immediately re-watch, but were the Connors anxious about what the Center would think of their objecting to Jared's recruitment? One of the things that P&E do not share is that Phillip really understands that he's on Claudia's shit list and in the event of "problems" forgiveness and appreciation are unlikely ... while Elizabeth still sees the Center as her life-line and rescuer of last resort and even champion.

as well, what Paige's personal life is going to become, using Phillip and Elizabeth's "arranged marriage" as a template. Both Elizabeth and Phillip did have (Phillip before and Elizabeth after) spontaneous "love matches" which lingered. Paige is very young in the romance department, Matthew having been declared off-limits but who is going to be "good enough" or "safe enough" for mama bear's approval ... and how dangerous (and likely) a secret relationship (even platonic) seems. The catastrophe of Jared was written off (iirc) as a rogue operation by his over-zealous handler who was either not willing to tell him no and/or give up on recruiting him. (She continued to see him in foster care and he/she seemed to have plans for the future.) She died before I was clear what "really" was going on since Jared seemed to be an unreliable witness (being love-sick and passionate about the cause), but not in the throes of a psychotic break or first schizoid episode. And, to bring it back to Elizabeth, and most parents, they see what they want to see and disregard the rest. Jared and all those deaths might stir in some a bit of humility and "what was it worth it?" soul-searching rumblings, on top of the bio-weapon lie.

I'm more concerned about the Elizabeth's repeated assumption/statement that "there was no alternative" and not looking back. Half of the KGB assets who have died did not die at the hands of the "enemy" but because of fault/errors/accidents/bad luck .... and there have been a lot of deaths ... and "close calls" (remember how doom Martha appeared?) ... even Gaadst's death was a KGB fuckup ... and a number of deaths for the preservation of the mission were the result of bad planning or bad information (like the mail robot technician and the scientist in the wheat lab and other) and/or bad luck (for them that they crossed paths with P&E)... My impression of Elizabeth is that she's quick to say "no alternative" or "shit happens" or "oops, accident" or "it couldn't be helped" ... endless variations, rather than admit error .... and so it is likely to be when/if Paige hits a "bad patch" or wall or simply decides she's had enough -- even if she's just bored to death doing surveillance (and learning the tricks of the trade). I've said it before, but Paige's options are being constricted by her mother's ambitions and her desire to please her mother .... the "deeply embedded asset" plan most likely will mean that Paige should be attending college and pursuing a useful career path which will also involve classes wrt history and humanities (where she also would be exposed to not only campus activism but also kids with infinitely more freedom to question and find their own path). I doubt they'll go there ... and in part because I doubt Paige/Holly and Elizabeth/Kerri could carry that story line ... particularly, bright girl Paige taking Psych 101 or some PolySci/World Affairs class and bringing what she has learned home to the dinner table....

yes, it was her cold dispatch of the proteges (seemingly without a backward look) but I've also thought she was a chilly parent who often seemed (to me) to be going through the motions and saying the right things, cooking the right recipes, but more as a matter (also) of doing her job well and being that unassailable "good wife" and "attentive parent" ... and her reward was time-out to attend to her more important laundry room matters. I'll take it on faith that she was more able to be present when they were younger and the spy-stuff was curtailed, but those kids (as we first met them) seemed accustomed to "mom and dad behind closed doors are not to be disturbed" -- when in fact P&E were out of the house entirely. Leaving your kids unattended (while never "advisable" at any age in our overprotective society) can usually be done without mishap, the problem is when it's done on the sly and someone gets the stomach flu or trips on the stairs and needs help. I wasn't surprised that Paige was suspicious about the laundry room but more surprised that it wasn't a family joke about it being Elizabeth's "room of one's own" or secret spa ... Similarly all of Phillip's nights away from home "for work" ... with Elizabeth shouldering the parental burdens. Begs the question if Paige's desire to please Elizabeth by becoming her "partner" is an attempt to get attention and a meaningful connection now... after years of Paige being the blandly independent "perfect child" ... (I did like it when it looked as if Henry had gone coldly sociopathic in breaking to other people's homes to play video games).

Still, it reminds me of police shootings ... there are extreme dis-incentives in expressing any doubt about the righteousness of your actions ... and, it also does't "really matter" because for P&E and too many police officers, nobody else is doubting the righteousness of the act and, regardless, there are no consequences, so "why bother?" ... The police officer who feels "bad" or "funny" is not likely to find many people willing to do more than offer reassurance, and they need that job and that paycheck. Lots of disincentives. I agree that Elizabeth is portrayed as the perfect operative, limitlessly dedicated and able to bounce back ... from events that might stun someone else into needing a break or breather (real doubts, real emotional damage). My gut feeling is that Elizabeth's lifetime of repressed emotional reactions is NOT going to come down on her like a tsunami ... starting with childhood and then the rape and .... balanced tipped by some present day catastrophe. Meh, I don't think they could write that, nor would it serve some grand finale dramatic peak. It's one of my questions -- how much pain are they going to inflict Elizabeth this last season? Kerri Russell is still beautiful and strong and I think there may be an automatic rejection of "punishing" Elizabeth too much ... I'd guess she will be humbled, but not broken ... Phillip may not be as "lucky"

It's scary how little the reveal of William's true nature and true (if grumbling) self-less devotion failed to make an impression on Elizabeth -- as it did on both Gabriel and Phillip who had both written William off as an bitter person with a "bad attitude" ... when he was, actually, a dedicated life-long "embed" who had both a brain and qualms ... and who -- when close to the breaking point -- was not "well-taken care of" by the Center. You can suspect your lover might be "fooling around" (your employer might be screwing you over) but it all changes when you catch them having an animated / imtimate cup of coffee in a public space with the other person (or find a photo or exchange of intimate text messages) or discover that your coworker makes 1/2 again your salary (even 1/4 again is enough to realize your assumptions about equality and security and your standing in the organization gets rocked) In season one, the "malpractice" involved in recruiting (and seducing) the more than willing (underaged) "next generation" apparently never (really) fazed Elizabeth either ... She was concerned about the son of her friends ... but his actions were, as I recall "unfathomable" and personal. The Centre, wrt to Paige, seems unconscionably uninterested in exactly who this young woman is. Being smart (a conventionally diligent good student) and eager to please are minor qualities. I don't see Paige becoming outgoing, morally flexible and emotionally resilient. The first seasons, for me memorably, were punctuated with Elizabeth assuring doubting or troubled Phillip that he had done what was necessary --- there was no alternative ... when of course real life is never that simple and such reassurances are shallow. It's part of my mistrust and essential dislike of Elizabeth ... for her, "there is no alternative" ... even when obviously there is and was ... the pragmatic choice to remove all doubt and pull the trigger.

I think "being a doctor" was just the quickest "I want to serve the people" substitute she thought of ... because she's a young pioneer or whatever red-kerchief little soldier she was raised to be. Paige may have a certain "idealism" but it's not the same as being a hardworking self-less soldier in an endless battle -- real and ideological. I agree that I have seen nothing to suggest Paige either as a "good foot soldier" or a self-less career climbing wannabe embed (at the CIA or NASA or as an escort to powerful or useful men) ... there's nothing "knowing" or manipulative about Paige ... she's not even competitive and/or jealous with Henry, ferchrissakes. She's also not an standout student, marginally a standout church youth volunteer... except she wasn't even that. Although I cannot imagine her ever trying, I'd love to see Paige inveigle her way into Kimmie's circle, seek Kimmie's dad's advice ... or if not Kimmie's dad, whaddabout pressing Stan into some surrogate father role (much as Henry achieved naturally enough). The girl appears to have no ambition beyond being a dutiful daughter and pleasing her mom (and dad). I've been disappointed that both P&E have not been more frustrated at the drift of their "operations" towards wet work (remember the Afghanistan operation? remember the operation that recruited Gregory? Now they're snuffing aged war criminals and folks they've compromised through their own incompetence/"bad luck." I'm afraid the last few years have made Elizabeth a lock-step unquestioning true-believer ... including about things that should "really matter" ... like her unhappy husband Phillip and her dull-as-dishwater, eager to please almost adult daughter. Paige has issues that, approaching adulthood and independence, a "good parent" should be concerned with. She had seemed destined to be marry a bible-college graduate and follow him anywhere spreading "the good word" ... and being the self-less obedient wife. If she had any career interests, we never saw them. (see also friends, hobbies, sports, enthusiasms like crafts). Part of why I loved Matthew and his no-talent band ... he was exploring as high-school teens are supposed to do. Join the marching band or audition for the jazz band, or join the drama club, make costumes or maybe even try out for part ... take chance on drawing, photography, metal shop, or auto mechanics or the chess or robotics / computer club ... IRL, a teenaged girl as subdued and conspicuously inconspicuous as Paige would concern me. I don't think she's going to assassinate her family (that would be story malpractice) ... but who knows what lurks beneath those deep deep still waters (that actually seem pretty shallow and unintriguing).

I think you're are underestimating Phillip's dependency on Elizabeth's good graces in staying in the Centre's (and Claudia's) good graces and how much of a deal-breaker, marriage & career ender obstructing Elizabeth wrt Paige would be/is. Gabriel may have, in the last moment, agreed with Phillip's reservations/objections to recruiting Paige -- but Gabriel is now safely retired ... and that was -- apparently at the start of next season -- years ago. I thought the "real orthodox wedding" was in part of psycho-op by Phillip to get Elizabeth to cleave more fully to her husband ... (imho, fat chance)... as Martha cleaved to Clark. Phillip's options began dying when Elizabeth abandoned any concerns and went gung-ho for training Paige with little emphasis on the training that makes for a successful embed (think of William and several of Elizabeth's "marks' in the past -- people with genuine technical knowledge and experience and positions earned by years of proven service). I'm not sure how much they are going to be expecting us to have forgotten and who we're rooting for ... I've thought (all along) that Phillip favored peace in the partnership over asserting his preferences/opinion, even in a chauvinistic "Let her think she's in charge" (since Elizabeth places herself so far above Phillip). The loss of Gabriel and return of Claudia was baaaad news for Phillip (3 years ago). I can't remember if Phillip has expressed "nostalgia for the USSSR (as Elizabeth appears to have) or if his plans to return are based on the long held assumption that he would retire to there after his service was completed, to a comfortable retirement (like Gabriel) and that his thoughts of "going underground" in the USA were the stuff of existential threat (from the Centre) ... Elizabeth believes their team and historical achievements ensure a happy ending and a Centre eager to accommodate them fairly. We'll see. If it becomes E versus P, it may get brutal ... with or without Paige

Yes, and why would Caroline buy a house with only two usable bedrooms (one, per Celia, quite small and damp)? Were there unusable bedrooms that could be made usable? And why would a 2 bedroom house have that absolutely enormous gorgeous kitchen? and the outbuilding/garage/stable? Gillian's house which looks to be around the same size appears to have around 4 bedrooms (at least) ... not to mention, why was Caroline (who had just moved in and was about to start a new job) hosting Christmas as-always, the house transformed into Martha Stewart Christmas approved?

There's nothing glamorous about standing around in puffer coats, hats, earwarmer and scarves, stamping your feet to get warm ... It's not like the shows are terribly interesting when the weather is bearable .... Like the Pasadena Rose Parade on a cold, windy or rainy day ... there's only so much you can say. I think traditionally (say 30 years ago and even today) people from quite far out-of-town would make reservations to come to New York Times Square well in advance for packages at adjacent hotels with special dinners and entertainment .... it was an extravagance and cost real money ...

yes, I was thinking that New Years Eve shows "used" to suggest that the audience got to vicariously participate in the most exciting, best and even glamorous parties being held around the country ... Being in New York City's Time Square for the dropping of the being -- like a trip to Disneyland -- a "someday" bucket list item for many people ... My vague memory is that Dick Clark and others sort of switched to an almost "Jerry Lewis Telethon" or "Lawrence Welk" approach with a "1000 stars" but in a classy decorated New York soundstage, supplemented with live telecast from outside (the ball dropping) at the last moment ... Too much of what I saw had all the charm of the overnight lines outside the Apple Store before the date of some new product launch .... with the same grit your teeth and bear it "stoicism" ... nothing I saw make me envious of anyone I saw ... looked more like an endurance contest or a national broadcast of some local none-too-impressive painfully underwhelming Christmas parade ... I only have basic channels and actually was surprised by how few choices I found -- even at 10 p.m. (here in Central Mountain Time) when it was midnight in Time Square where everyone seemed to be huddled in puffer jackets .... after enduring almost 2 weeks of below freezing weather locally, it all seemed a bit over-done and theatrical, oh, and dull. eta: I just realized that the New Years Eve shows were a lot like the old late-night shows, like Carson and early Letterman, and likely involved the same "stable" of stars and professional guests (comedians, storytellers and "characters") ... sadly those shows -- which were often entertaining if not particularly exciting-- are also often, imho, are straining uncomfortably to hold the attention even of their (in studio) audience between "bits"

I think Darcy very quickly realized that Elizabeth Bennett was the perfect role model for his sister, particularly in contrast to Caroline Bingley (highlighted during Elizabeth's visits to Netherfield (and by extension even his dear friend Charles Bingley who he considers too amiable by half and a push-over, like his sister, for flattery and the appearances of "love"). Caroline's "presumption" of some claim on Darcy echoes that of Lady de Bourgh's wrt her runt of a daughter (as if!!!!). Charlotte Luca's problem was not her looks or even her lack of pedigree (her parents were Sir William Lucas and Lady Lucas, I think peers of the Bennetts) but her very real poverty -- she feared that her necessities would become a burden on her parents, quite as tight a budget as that facing Elizabeth after the death of her father and the loss of their home (to Mr. Collins). Charlotte had never received a proposal and at 27 her prospects were nonexistent. Mr. Collin's proposal to Charlotte was a very public snub to the Bennett's after he was refused by Elizabeth (which I think was fairly public knowledge) and after originally hoping for Jane (who Mrs. Bennett claimed was all but engaged to the very wealthy Charles). The other younger daughters were either/and too young or too wild to be acceptable in the eyes of Lady De Bourgh. Papa Bennett allowing Elizabeth to refuse Collins may have been the most fantasy element for contemporary readers of the book.

Gorbachev brought Yeltsin in to national prominence and considerable power. Gorbachev and his classy wife Raisa was worthy and pride-worthy in their extensively covered visits with Reagan under the umbrella of detente and peristroika (much as in the in nonUSA global press respect for Putin as most powerful in 2017 helps balance what I gather is extensive internal debate about his policies, particulary wrt to the USA). Reform and stamping out corruption is alway to be welcomed, isn't it ... who would nay-say stamping out corruption. It's like condemning sin, guaranteed crowd pleaser most of the time. I hope that the Rezidentura provides an insider view of those years ... beyond the so respectful and tasteful photo ops and glowing comparisons of Nancy and Raisa -- such exemplary wives of global leaders. Only the worst, most illogical Trump moves rival Yeltsen's follies for head-scratching bewilderment. In a sense, Gorbachev's sanity and adult frame helped avoid (as in denial) the out-of-control embarrassment that was Yeltsen. We'll see how "deep a dig" (a phrase I have seen in various permutations endlessly over the last days) the writers are willing to commit to ... Phillip's son is still adrift and -- god willing -- Gabriel is still alive and still righteous about doing what he can to right-wrongs. I think Elizabeth could be embarrassed or disappointed into an "existential crisis" particularly in trying to explain things to Paige.

The US bragged (Time Magazine cover) that it got Yeltsin elected in 1996 ... http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/09/world/moscow-journal-the-americans-who-saved-yeltsin-or-did-they.html American advisors strategically worked (covertly by aiding the Mujahadeen for several years) to incite the Soviet "invasion" of Afghanistan in 1979 ... the Soviet "Vietnam" (an American proxy war) lasted until Soviet withdrawal in 1989 ... We've already seen plot threads wrt the Afghan war ... which likely will be picked up in the last season. And then there were various economic and other "advisors" who worked to try to stabilize the spinning out of control, declining Soviet Union.... probably too complicated and too late to become plot threads.