[S02.E13: Echo]

I'm confused about the Stan scenes. He photographed a screen or two and that was supposed to be Echo? And then he dropped it off? So why didn't he wait for Nina? Just chickened out?

Stan, you suck.

The show's got you rooting for the bad guys. ;) Like Tara said, he didn't drop of the code, instead leaving the message for Nina. He apparently was going to do it initially but eventually came to his senses. 

 

I assume that's the last we'll see of Nina, which is a shame. Annet Mahendru was amazing in the role. Conversely, hopefully we've seen the last of Mrs. Beeman. Her scenes were always the least interesting part of the show for me. 

 

Paige is a great character and the possibility of wrapping her up in everything at the age of 13 is fascinating. Can't wait until next season. 

[The Americans in the Media]

Anyone know when the first season appeared on Amazon Prime? After the season aired, or maybe when season 2 began? I just got in to the show and am currently forcing everyone I know to watch it so I'm wondering when season 2 will be available for them to catch up. :) 

[S02.E12: Operation Chronicle]

Between that and trying to figure out Nina -- what she actually wants, what will happen to her, etc. -- this show has me kind of turned around and exhausted in the best possible way, lol. I have no idea if Nina actually truly cares for either Stan or Oleg (I kind of think both, a little), I do think she is a true-blue lover of Mother Russia (otherwise she was crazy to admit her betrayals to Arkady last year, I thought that was a move of conscience after Vlad was killed), but such a consummate survivor that probably none of it matters at all. Snaps of respect to her for having one guy on each side so willing to risk everything to her (unless Stan or Oleg or Arkady is running yet another angle here!). She's still in an impossibly tight bind, but she knows how to keep those options available!

 

I've liked Arkady since he was spray-painting cars in the Season 1 finale. He was a boss in the episode for sure. More of him (and him with Gaad, when possible) please!

My favorite part of the show this season has definitely been the scenes between Arkady, Oleg, and Nina. I'm going to whimper like Mrs. Beeman when they're inevitably split up by whatever happens (no spoilers here, only assumptions based on what has been building up). All three actors have knocked it out of the park in my opinion, and the lead up to what will happen in the finale was expertly done. I can't wait for next week. 

[S01.E05: Six Ungraspables]

Also, since the doctor told her that the shotgun pellet stuck in his hand had fabric on it so likely passed through something (or as Molly stated "someone") else before it hit Lester she should be able to deduce that Lester did not shoot the chief. Yes, we all know he killed his wife and Molly is aware of that as well but she needs to do a much better job of making her case if she wants to see him held accountable for it.

 

Is she aware of that, though? If I recall her current theory is that Lester hired Malvo to kill Hess, then something went wrong when Malvo came for his payment (which was interrupted by the Chief. 

 

I wondered why Molly didn't ask for the pellet. At least dumbass Don got locked in a room with food in it.

 

I'm pretty sure it's coming her way. I can't imagine the hospital extracts pellets like that out of someone's hand a week after they were shot. Any explanation for that injury that wouldn't arouse suspicion would have him in the hospital immediately after it happened. 

 

I like Molly, but I also thought her heading right for the washer was highly improbable and not very smart given the lack of warrant.

 

She's a good cop. :) As others have said, the washer being pulled out aroused her suspicion. And looking at the back - it just looks like a great hiding spot. Agreed that she shouldn't be there without a warrant, though. Nor should she be questioning a non-mirandized Lester, especially in front of someone else. I think we're seeing her frustration with this case (and maybe her career in general) build up to the point where she's making some poor decisions now. 

[S01.E04: Eating the Blame]

I loved this episode. Really I can't believe how good this series is all together. I agree with thuganomics85 that the arrest/release of Malvo was pretty low stress, but I assume it was done to show us a little more about why Malvo seems to think he's invincible. Answer: It's because he pretty much is, at least for now. 

 

Poor Lester continues to  shoot himself in the foot. First he didn't report his car stolen when that would have obviously been a much better story than what he came up with. And second he didn't concoct a way to explain the gunshot wound in his hand. One of the main characters being a bad liar is a nice call-back to the movie. 

 

Speaking of which, I loved the scene with Milos finding the stash from the movie. It's the perfect discovery, as (spoiler from the movie) 

the only person who knows where it's located is in the wood chipper.

That of course explains the Jesus-like picture of the ice scraper hanging in Milos's home/office (I forget where it was specifically): http://i.imgur.com/0j5XY8I.png 

 

I watched 24 last night, and while it was OK, overall it just seemed silly. I think shows like Fargo, Breaking Bad, The Americans, etc have set my expectations so high that a lot of shows that would have been more enjoyable a few years ago just aren't working for me now. This is the first show in a long time that I absolutely have to watch on Tuesday night. I can't wait for next week. I skipped the "next time on" clip to stay fresh. :) 

[S01.E03: A Muddy Road]

Agreed on all points with LGGirl, especially Billy Bob. I was hesitant about him, but he is just nailing it every week. I loved that Lorne asked about the specific figure on the blackmail note, and his line about finding a smaller room to talk in was hilarious. I'm laughing while watching this show a lot more than I thought I would. 

 

If I had to complain about something, I'd say the police-chief-who-won't-listen shtick is a little tiring. Hopefully the new evidence Molly received from Gus will put an end to it soon. 

 

I love the little things that color the world around the story, like Molly's dad passing out the milkshakes.

 

"I put bourbon in one of them. Whoever finds it is the winner."

"He's just kidding. Wait, no he's not. I win."  

 

Can't wait until next week. Man I haven't had a reason to say that in a long long time.