Pink-n-Green

Perhaps (although, you know Elizabeth; she doesn't tend to sugarcoat things!), but just the fact that she was telling Paige she had been starving and was forced to do something that would be nearly inconceivable to an American teenager... and Paige had no reaction at all! Reminded me of a couple of episodes ago when they were making zharkoye (I think?) and Paige asked her mom if she ever got tired of eating that. She's just not getting it.

I'll tell you one thing: if my mother casually mentioned that she used to eat rats, I might have asked a question about it. Maybe even two!

Oh man, was Elizabeth honey potting Phillip early on in the episode to make him plant drugs on poor hapless Kimmy?

I would bet my house, my cars and my daughters' college funds that Cerstan knew she wouldn't get into an American medical school and applied to the Mexican school because she had an "in" there. But, it's not as much a reflection on Cerstan as it is a reflection on how unbelievably competitive medical applications are. Although, I have to admit that, in a snarky moment, I had a Legally Blonde flashback to the scene where a bemused professor said about Elle Woods, "Do you think she woke up one morning and said 'I think I'll go to law school today'?" International Medical School graduates historically have a harder time matching for a residency. According to the National Resident Matching Program's website, US citizens who attended a foreign medical school are matched into a residency around 48 percent of the time whereas those who attended U.S. medical schools had a match rate of around 94 percent. Cerstan almost certainly knows these odds but she's moving ahead with pursuing her dream and I give her props for that and wish her the best of luck!

Watched this episode with my daughter, who interned for a representative last summer. She laughed at Paige's honeypot attempt; apparently interns aren't exactly privy to sensitive information. "What is he going to tell her," said daughter. "Where the Chief of Staff keeps her secret stash of gel pens? Oh, and does anyone else think that Paige and Kimmy are going to meet soon? I find it hard to believe that St. Edward's would let their hockey star go because his family can't pay the tuition. Places like that always have huge endowments and I'm sure arrangements could be made.

The only thought I have about the series finale is please, please don't go the Sopranos route. Whether we like these characters or not, we've invested a good amount of time in this show and we deserve to know what happens with them!

Funny you should mention Stavos! I don't think in any way that this could possibly be a spoiler, but I'm going to hide it anyway... Yeah, probably a dumb idea. But then, I'm also the one who thought they could send Paige to USNA and she could spy on weekends and holidays.

I hadn't thought of that but, yeah, that definitely makes sense about the danger to the family members still in the USSR. I'm sorry that happened to your friends; that's terrible. Did things get better for them after the cold war ended?

Is that what happens to people who seek asylum in America; they're put into Witness Protection? I'm honestly curious. I had always assumed they're just given permission to live here and then they're on their own. But Witness Protection does make sense, although I don't think Sophia will ever be able to pass for "Susie Smith from Buffalo"! PS I think it's terrible that Elizabeth won't share her snazzy wig collection with Paige. That lame "disguise" with the beret sucks.

jjj for the win! My eyes are leaking.

In a Nelson DeMille novel called "The Charm School", the American intelligence officer correctly pegged a supposed American journalist as a deep cover Soviet spy because when the guy held his cigarette he kept a finger underneath it. Apparently, Soviet cigarettes tended to droop. Not that this has anything to do with anything; I just thought it was interesting :)

My husband had an excellent suggestion; Paige could be that lady who sits in her apartment and takes phone calls for the spies!

Remember, though, Elizabeth was asleep when Haskard's wife was sketching her so probably Elizabeth has no idea that she's been immortalized in charcoal.

I don't know how, but that idea never occurred to me. I like it!

Can I just thank you for giving me big laugh on a cold, rainy morning? I'm picturing him right next to Lenin!

I know this topic is dangerously close to being beaten to death. But... A couple of years ago, I was speeding (just a little bit) on the Naval Academy grounds. I got pulled over and, to be honest, was a little bit pissy with the guy because I thought that the Department of Defense police were basically rent-a-cops and I'd get a talking to and then be on my way. So imagine my surprise when I was given a $125.00 ticket. Yikes. So my point is, if a thirty-something, well-educated woman can be confused about who does and who doesn't have authority on or near federal land, a not-too-bright 21 year old definitely could.

That's a good point, but remember a few seasons back when the Centre thought Phillip might be up to something so they had him and Ellizabeth kidnapped and interrogated? Maybe they sent Renee in to keep an eye on them.

Speaking of moles, the mole on Oleg's wife's neck was very distracting. I kept expecting it to start talking. And I don't like Oleg's beard. Does anyone else think that, although she encouraged him to quit the business, Elizabeth resents Phillip for line dancing, visiting Henry at school, etc. while she's murdering sailors and sleeping with gross old guys? Paige looks really pretty with her new haircut but, geez, I'd forgotten about how eighties shoulder pads made even a petite woman look like a linebacker! I wonder if we'll ever see Tuan again? Those of you who think Stan's girlfriend is an illegal; do you think the knows who Phillip and Elizabeth really are? I seem to be in the minority, but I liked the scene with Elizabeth, Paige and Claudia watching the Russian movie. Paige and Claudia seem to have a nice, warm relationship. I was originally going to TiVO the entire season and not watch until it was over. That lasted until about 15 minutes after this episode ended :) One more thing: P and E were pretty mentally check out when Paige and Henry were growing up (especially E) I think Paige is thrilled that her mother is finally taking an interest in her and if spying for the Soviet Union is a way to keep Elizabeth's interest, she'll do just that.

I've heard that he was a really nice guy (except for when someone lit up a cigarette around him and he'd apparently take out a small fan and blow the smoke back at them. But that's actually kind of hilarious!).

Weirdly enough, Kalyssa has always reminded me of one of my college sorority sisters; tiny stature and pretty face. When you mentioned print modeling, a lightbulb lit up over my head and I remembered that college sorority sister had also modeled. In the Girls of the Big East issue of Playboy! I hope at least Kalyssa is keeping her clothes on! :)

Well, I guess if Lucy Ewing (played by Charlene Tilton, who stands at 4'11") can be a model, I guess Kalyssa can as well! (PS I am severely dating myself with this reference. Probably 90% of you are like, "who??")

How can Kalyssa be pursuing a modeling career? She's certainly lovely but isn't she a tiny little thing?

I've been away from this board for awhile and now that I'm trying to get caught up, I remember what a major time suck it was for me! (not that I mind, of course). I'm trying to get caught up but I have one question I haven't seen addressed yet. Does anyone know if Brianna is trying out this year?

Ok, so maybe that would be suspending belief a little TOO much. But won't you be surprised when what I predicted actually happens??? (J/K what I predicted will definitely not be what actually happens) ;)

Well, her plebe year, yes. But by the time she was a Firstie she'd have a lot more leeway and free time for, um, spy activities. Oooh, and maybe she could join the Glee Club and, even as a plebe, would get to travel for concerts. She could do missions in the cities where they're performing! But I don't think they had a womens' glee club in the eighties. So I guess not that. I like my idea; crazy as it may be :)