S03.E13: March 8, 1983

[ElectricBoogaloo]

SEASON FINALE!

 

Elizabeth and Paige take a trip that lands them in treacherous territory. After an emotionally charged mission, Philip turns to an unlikely source for solace. Stan's plan to save Nina culminates in unforeseen ways.

[PinkRibbons]

Promo!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0GF4NlP9og

[John S]

If Paige gets to meet her grandmother in Russia, I wonder if she will also be able to meet her older brother.

I wonder if she would consider that a good thing or just another lie that her parents told her.

[sistermagpie]

If Paige gets to meet her grandmother in Russia, I wonder if she will also be able to meet her older brother.

I wonder if she would consider that a good thing or just another lie that her parents told her.

 

 

Her older brother, if he even exists at all, is in Afghanistan, not Russia. We don't even know what he knows about his father-or if he was even raised by his mother, since she was apparently also an Illegal.

[John S]

Her older brother, if he even exists at all, is in Afghanistan, not Russia. We don't even know what he knows about his father-or if he was even raised by his mother, since she was apparently also an Illegal.

IF they wanted to impress Paige, they could find a way to bring him home.

I'm not saying that it will happen, but it would be possible.

Eventually, Philip, or maybe even Elizabeth, will tell her that she has a brother. The only question is when - days, months, years.

[sistermagpie]

IF they wanted to impress Paige, they could find a way to bring him home.

 

 

Philip was offered the alleged chance to bring him home and he respected him as a human being who should make his own choices. This seems like a cruel way to use him, to drag him home like an object to be shown off for some American teenager he doesn't know, in the service of the father who has never met him. 

 

Elizabeth's mother is family because they have a relationship. She knows about Paige and really does have feelings for her. Mischa Jr. might not even exist, but if he does he's been used as a pawn every time we've heard about him. I think if he was going to meet anyone he ought to first meet his father and settle a lot of emotional stuff there first before being used as a pawn for the Jennings family.

[John S]

Unfortunately, both Paige and Henry have also been used as pawns - conceived to make the Jennings look legitimate.

If the Soviets, or any government, including the U.S., saw an advantage to having brother and sister meet, you can be sure that they would move Heaven and Earth to make it happen.

 

My main question is this - If she were to meet her brother, how do you think that she would react? She MIGHT greet him with open arms but hate her father for telling more "lies".

[Crazy8]

My main question is this - If she were to meet her brother, how do you think that she would react? She MIGHT greet him with open arms but hate her father for telling more "lies".

I doubt they'd hit it off. Their upbringings have been so different that I'd imagine he'd see her as a spoiled, Western brat and she'd find him too cold. As it is Paige is in for a huge culture shock in Russia. I'd be interested if Elizabeth, as the true believer in the cause, has a hard time too after spending so long in the US.

[sistermagpie]

Unfortunately, both Paige and Henry have also been used as pawns - conceived to make the Jennings look legitimate.

 

 

They are not ONLY pawns, which Mischa Jr. would be in Philip's eyes. And Philip is the one who tries to keep the pawn-age to a minimum.

 

My main question is this - If she were to meet her brother, how do you think that she would react? She MIGHT greet him with open arms but hate her father for telling more "lies".

 

 

This is why it seems like such a non starter. Philip has no idea if this kid exists, even if they produce somebody, so in this case it's PHILIP and not Paige who has reason to suspect lies--and has openly suspected them. It should be more about Philip being weirded out and mistrustful than Paige. If she was going to get angry I think it would be less about her father for telling lies (since this doesn't fit in at all with the lies he's told) and more about being judgy about her father having an illegitimate child and not knowing about him or whatever.

Edited April 17, 2015 by sistermagpie

[John S]

I doubt they'd hit it off. Their upbringings have been so different that I'd imagine he'd see her as a spoiled, Western brat and she'd find him too cold. As it is Paige is in for a huge culture shock in Russia. I'd be interested if Elizabeth, as the true believer in the cause, has a hard time too after spending so long in the US.

I agree with you that Elizabeth could have been "spoiled" by living in the U.S. for so long.

As brother and sister, MAYBE they would make an attempt to get beyond their differences - but you could be right.

Whether they like it or not, they ARE blood. He may not have any other siblings, so he MIGHT be in the market for a sister and a younger brother - and we already know that Paige wants more family.

[Umbelina]

I keep picturing something simple happening.  For example, Paige asks for Orange Juice with her breakfast, and they probably wouldn't have that, let alone at that time of the year.  Fruit was extremely expensive and not usually available.  If not that, then something else that is an everyday convenience here, nothing special, but considered a luxury there, or so normally unavailable that they forget to have it handy (if they are sugar coating the USSR, as I assume they will.)

[kikaha]

Umbelina, what, then, will that lead to? 

 

btw, I'm pretty sure a)  the Soviets can put on a dog & pony show for Paige, if they want, b) Elizabeth will prepare Paige for what to expect.  She can even spin it to her advantage, blaming shortages on the west, that oppresses the rest of the world so it can enjoy the good life. 

[Umbelina]

I don't really know, the momentary embarrassment of Elizabeth, that Paige would certainly notice.  Possibly that it is just what you said, a "show."

 

As I said, I had friends that traveled during the eighties, and they told me of long menus in empty, but decorated restaurants but nothing was really available that was on the printed menu.  After a while, the group was used to it and simply asked "what do you have?"  (Often beets, cabbage, and a mystery meat if lucky.)  My high school Russian teacher also occasionally took groups of students, I couldn't afford to go, but that was mostly to museums, still they were told about the "handlers" that watched every move they made.

 

It will be different for Elizabeth of course, but still, I just want to see a rip or two in the facade I assume they will present to Paige.  Perhaps the lack of medicines?  I dunno...something.

[sistermagpie]

I don't really know, the momentary embarrassment of Elizabeth, that Paige would certainly notice.  Possibly that it is just what you said, a "show."

 

 

I wonder if the embarrassment would go both ways--Elizabeth embarrassed by something not being available for Paige, but also embarrassed that Paige is asking for something not available.

 

 

Of course, it's also possible that this will be less of an issue because she's not going on a tour, she's going to see her grandmother. So maybe they'd just be sticking close to home with people cooking. A Russian in their own home hosting someone could produce a beautiful meal with the ingredients they could get. (Not that I would think her mother would be doing the cooking if she was ill, but somebody might be there for that.)

 

When I was there as a high school student we weren't given menus, just whatever our meal was going to be.

[bluebonnet]

Of course, it's also possible that this will be less of an issue because she's not going on a tour, she's going to see her grandmother. So maybe they'd just be sticking close to home with people cooking. A Russian in their own home hosting someone could produce a beautiful meal with the ingredients they could get. (Not that I would think her mother would be doing the cooking if she was ill, but somebody might be there for that.)

 

When I was there as a high school student we weren't given menus, just whatever our meal was going to be.

Surely Elizabeth/Center will set this up so that it looks like a tour, meaning Liz and Paige will have to do tour things in between visiting E's mom.  They can't really just go to stay with the grandmother and make it so apparent that they are in Russia to visit family.  

[sistermagpie]

Surely Elizabeth/Center will set this up so that it looks like a tour, meaning Liz and Paige will have to do tour things in between visiting E's mom.  They can't really just go to stay with the grandmother and make it so apparent that they are in Russia to visit family.

 

 

Why not? That's what they are there for. Who do they need to fool with a tour?

[Umbelina]

Yeah, that and I doubt they plan on an extended visit.  In/out maybe with one little side trip to see something else.  sistermagpie, the story with the fancy restaurants was from the two professor parents of my friend, and I think it was more of a deluxe trip than the ones my high school teacher took kids on, also a few years later.

[bluebonnet]

One doesn't need an extended visit to look at the sites.  Can be done in an afternoon.  I guess I just assumed they were traveling as Paige and Elizabeth Jennings, a mother and daughter who have no familial connection with Russia.  The preview doesn't really indicate that either are using disguises but I suppose it's possible. 

[sistermagpie]

One doesn't need an extended visit to look at the sites.  Can be done in an afternoon.  I guess I just assumed they were traveling as Paige and Elizabeth Jennings, a mother and daughter who have no familial connection with Russia.  The preview doesn't really indicate that either are using disguises but I suppose it's possible.

 

 

But wouldn't it be crazy to travel as themselves? Neither Paige nor Elizabeth need any record of having gone to Russia.

[PinkRibbons]

I think there's a decent shot at Elizabeth getting disillusioned with what she sees. She left in the optimistic, happy '60s. People thought a better life in Russia was right around the corner. She'll be returning in the turbulent, cynical '80s, when everyone is seeing that things aren't getting better, won't get better the way things have been going, and the country is gradually falling apart at the seams and has been since the 70s. And it isn't foreign powers being oppressive -- the USSR was firmly pulled down from within, by its disgusted citizens.

[bluebonnet]

But wouldn't it be crazy to travel as themselves? Neither Paige nor Elizabeth need any record of having gone to Russia.

I wouldn't think it would be crazy.  I'd assume it would be desirable, especially if the Center wants Paige in something like the CIA.  This Russia trip would be a pretty good way to describe how she became interested in foreign policy as it relates to the Soviet Union and what she saw that made her want to do blah blah blah for her country.  

Though, I agree with your point.  If they aren't traveling as themselves, they have little reason to disguise their trip.  However, if they are traveling as themselves, they would need to disguise their trip in some way.  Paige and Elizabeth Jennings can't just roll up to some apartment bloc and stay for a couple of days.  

Edited April 18, 2015 by bluebonnet

[Umbelina]

They could travel as themselves to another country.  It would be very easy for the KGB to arrange their travel to, and in Russia.  Or not, there are many different ways they could go in without any record. 

[sistermagpie]

I wouldn't think it would be crazy.  I'd assume it would be desirable, especially if the Center wants Paige in something like the CIA.  This Russia trip would be a pretty good way to describe how she became interested in foreign policy as it relates to the Soviet Union and what she saw that made her want to do blah blah blah for her country.

 

 

It just seems like it would be far safer to avoid it entirely. Explaining that this is how she got interested in foreign policy is all well and good (but also unnecessary--she's already interested in politics) but she'd also have to explain why her mother suddenly decided to take her to Russia of all places.

 

They could travel as themselves to another country.  It would be very easy for the KGB to arrange their travel to, and in Russia.  Or not, there are many different ways they could go in without any record.

 

 

Yes, this is more what I assumed. They don't need to be traveling in disguise. Just traveling to a less red flag country. They've mentioned the possibility of Paige going abroad, particularly to Europe, before, so that would make sense. Given the flashback with Zhukov her parents apparently also do that on occasion, go abroad. Just not behind the Iron Curtain. Once she gets to someplace there she can be whisked away any number of ways. Or maybe they don't even go to Europe via commercial airlines.

[John S]

Someone mentioned that they saw a German word in the previews. That could mean that they fly to West Germany or West Berlin, sneak into East Germany, and then from there go to Russia.

There is a scene in the previews where they are being followed. This COULD be West German police. It wouldn't make any sense that they would be running from East German, or Soviet, police - but previews are often deceptive.

[Cardie]

Secure trip logistics are surely one perk of running a travel agency!

 

We have to remember also that in the 80s American citizens weren't being monitored by the NSA the way they are now. And even now people go to suspicious places and return without the FBI doing anything about it. That said, it's hard for me to imagine the Russia jaunt actually takes place, even though the episode summary implies that it does.

[sistermagpie]

I think Elizabeth says she's looking to see if they're being followed so they might not be. I suspect it's more just Paige getting a sense of how her parents move around when she's not looking--they take precautions.

[Couch Sweet Potato]

If they are going to see Grandma in her home, it is likely to be in a village somewhere. Village life didn't really change much while the main cities of Moscow and St Petersburg were going from boom to bust.

[sistermagpie]

If they are going to see Grandma in her home, it is likely to be in a village somewhere. Village life didn't really change much while the main cities of Moscow and St Petersburg were going from boom to bust.

 

 

I assume she's still in Smolensk. That's where Elizabeth grew up with her.

[Umbelina]

Wow, so I had to Google earth that.  Interesting place.  I hate that google earth is now blurring faces.  It's weird that some people think they saw Germany on the previews.  I would have thought that was the last way they would go in, so many spies there!  From all kinds of nations especially back then.  The chances of being spotted seem higher to me there than anywhere else in Europe, especially if they go through Berlin.  Seems odd.

[John S]

A German word doesn't have to mean Germany or Berlin. It could mean Austria, where they could then be escorted into Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, or Hungary. - and then to Russia.

Edited April 19, 2015 by John S

[Quando]

In case it was not already mentioned, this episode's title, "March 8, 1983," is the date on which Ronald Reagan gave the now-famous speech in which he referred to the Soviet Union as the "Evil Empire."  Interestingly, Reagan gave that speech at a convention of the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida.  Maybe Paige decides to go down to that convention with Pastor Tim, and gets to hear Reagan's speech in person?

[John S]

In case it was not already mentioned, this episode's title, "March 8, 1983," is the date on which Ronald Reagan gave the now-famous speech in which he referred to the Soviet Union as the "Evil Empire."  Interestingly, Reagan gave that speech at a convention of the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida.  Maybe Paige decides to go down to that convention with Pastor Tim, and gets to hear Reagan's speech in person?

Paige and Elizabeth are supposedly going on a trip to Russia. I doubt that she will have time to go to Florida.

[Cardie]

On that same day the US House of Representatives passed a resolution recommending a nuclear freeze, that America and Russia should both agree not to add any more weapons to their respective nuclear arsenals.

[ToastnBacon]

In case it was not already mentioned, this episode's title, "March 8, 1983," is the date on which Ronald Reagan gave the now-famous speech in which he referred to the Soviet Union as the "Evil Empire."  Interestingly, Reagan gave that speech at a convention of the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida.  Maybe Paige decides to go down to that convention with Pastor Tim, and gets to hear Reagan's speech in person?

That was the theory I posited in another thread, and it was mightily crapped upon by a brigade of Reagan-bashers who insisted that Pastor Tim was too groovy to listen to a Reagan speech.

However, it doesn't look like they are headed for Orlando to hear the Reagan speech in the promo spots that were released.

[crgirl412]

I am getting ready for work and my hospital doesn't get FX so I'll have to watch it after I get some sleep tomorrow.  :( 

[Cardie]

NYTimes synopsis confirms Elizabeth and Paige get as far as West Germany. Perhaps mom is smuggled in there so that the Jenningses have no record of traveling to a communist country.

[TimWil]

I still think, as I've posted in previous threads, that the rendezvous will be in East Germany. We'll know soon enough!

Edited April 23, 2015 by TimWil

[JennyMominFL]

That was the theory I posited in another thread, and it was mightily crapped upon by a brigade of Reagan-bashers who insisted that Pastor Tim was too groovy to listen to a Reagan speech.

.

He does seem to be part of a left wing church and unlikely to go see Reagan. I'm not sure how that's Reagan bashing to state that.

Edited April 23, 2015 by JennyMominFL

[AimingforYoko]

Well, that happened. It's either going to be a short fourth season or a lot of people are going to die.

[Superpole2000]

I liked the ongoing tension in this episode...all types of tension. For a second there I thought Philip and Stan's wife were going to have a little fling. Same with Nina and the scientist.

 

I still don't understand why P&E trust Paige to keep their secret. She has never once looked comfortable keeping this to herself, and her speech to her mom at the airport should have put Elizabeth on high alert.

 

As for Paige spilling the beans, I was hoping she would have done the opposite...at least for a little while longer. I enjoyed the Paige/Elizabeth scenes in Germany and don't know if I am going to enjoy the Paige against her family scenes that are sure to come soon enough.

[Primetimer]

As Elizabeth and Paige head off to see Nadezhda Sr. one last time, Philip...does not do great alone.

Read the story

[JennyMominFL]

I assume pastor Tim is going to have a terrible accident next season.

[Umbelina]

They should have listened to me when I told them it was idiotic to try to bring in Paige.

 

East Germany!  Really?  Spy capital of the world back then.  I wonder if they were spotted?  At least Philip and Elizabeth arranging this on their own (with their own passports!) pissed off their handler, and I can't believe the KGB is happy with them either.

Holy shit!

[ToastnBacon]

That was an awesome ending!

Both Paige and Phillip backed up what Reagan was saying about the Soviet Union with their misery.

Showing Henry and Stan happy both happy being Americans, and only Elizabeth clinging to "the cause".

Phenomenal!

The only disappointment was no Martha, but I suspect that she might have turned herself in.

Could that be why there was no investigation of Stan?

[Irlandesa]

This episode was filled with tension and yet I wantend more to happen.  I am ready for the next season, that's for sure.

 

I was okay with Paige spilling the secret as I think it's really in character for her.  Because Elizabeth and Philip aren't religious, they don't take her religion as seriously as they should have.  Right now, she's in the throws of newfound religion and she does take it very seriously.  What I didn't like is that she told Pastor Tim.  Pastor Tim is no fun.  Now had she told Stan, that would've been fun.

 

That last scene was brutal.  So Martha is still alive and Philip is reaching the end of his rope.  I wonder what this means for Philip next season.  But it was a great contrast seeing him despondent in the corner and Elizabeth getting all steely listening to Reagan's speech.  Such a well acted moment by Mathew Rhys and Keri Russel.  So chilling.

Edited April 23, 2015 by Irlandesa

[bluebonnet]

Holy shit, holy shit.  I didn't really think Paige would go there.  

 

There were so many cliffhangers.  Where's Martha?  I sure as fuck don't trust that she's off visiting her parents.  What else is Philip up to?  There has to be some sort of extra scheming he was doing.  I almost felt like he was recruiting Sandra for something, like maybe as leverage against Stan, just in case.  Are Oleg and Arkady really not working together or are there layers upon layers upon layers going on?  

 

So many questions.  Can't wait till next year.  

[DrSpaceman]

So she told pastor tim they are russian, but not spies. Just half the truth

Still not sure why Stan as not fired. He was sleeping with someone he was handling and was completely compromised over it

So I assume he made it look like a suicide with the one guy to make it seem like he planted the bug, but still doesn't solve the whole problem with Martha. She still knows he is not Clark

The trip had the opposite effect on Paige they were hoping, but at least I was wrong and she made it back to the US.

Martha and Pastor Tim look to be in serious trouble.

[JennyMominFL]

They should have listened to me when I told them it was idiotic to try to bring in Paige.

 

East Germany!  Really?  Spy capital of the world back then.  I wonder if they were spotted?  At least Philip and Elizabeth arranging this on their own (with their own passports!) pissed off their handler, and I can't believe the KGB is happy with them either.

Holy shit!

They were in Kreuzberg, I thought. West Berlin, right near the border with East Berlin. I was just there last fall

[RedHawk]

This show is totally going to bring EST back into vogue. Look what it's doing for Philip. Seriously. Biggest surprise of this season, Philip attending a seminar on his own. Matthew Rhys was a-maz-ing, especially sitting there at the computer. "I had no choice. I'm sorry." Woah. I don't think the FBI will just let the case be closed, however. And I think Elizabeth was right in that Martha should hear the news first from Philip. I can't imagine her learning at work or even a phone call at home. How can she stand it when she learns, or at least suspects, Clark had something to do with it?

 

Poor Oleg. I was kinda hoping he and Stan would get a crime-fighting spin-off that begins in the year 1990. There's still time for them to be true friends. Maybe via EST?

Edited April 23, 2015 by RedHawk

[ToastnBacon]

So she told pastor tim they are russian, but not spies. Just half the truth

Still not sure why Stan as not fired. He was sleeping with someone he was handling and was completely compromised over it

So I assume he made it look like a suicide with the one guy to make it seem like he planted the bug, but still doesn't solve the whole problem with Martha. She still knows he is not ClarkThe trip had the opposite effect on Paige they were hoping, but at least I was wrong and she made it back to the US.

Martha and Pastor Tim look to be in serious trouble.

I think there is an good chance that Martha has turned herself in.