S05.E12: The World Council of Churches

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Quote

As Philip and Elizabeth grapple with a momentous decision, Tuan takes matters into his own hands in the Morozov operation. Back in Russia, Oleg’s investigation collides with the realities of the Soviet system.

Promo:

[sistermagpie]

Uh, so this promo also happened and it's MASSIVELY spoilery. We're apparently going to meet a character we wanted to know about it and...they're alive and well. 

[Umbelina]

Holy crap!  I wonder if he's telling the truth?

[sistermagpie]

I just checked IMDB and if the character names listings are correct,

Spoiler

we actually know Philip's real last name!

Edited May 18, 2017 by sistermagpie

[mattie0808]

WHOA. I mean, damn! Didn't see that coming!!!

On a separate note, why on earth are P/E having that particular discussion with that particular person at the beginning of the promo?

[Umbelina]

1 minute ago, mattie0808 said:

WHOA. I mean, damn! Didn't see that coming!!!

On a separate note, why on earth are P/E having that particular discussion with that particular person at the beginning of the promo?

My guess is to control him, not make him want to run to the FBI if he heard about it from Paige.

[sistermagpie]

1 minute ago, mattie0808 said:

On a separate note, why on earth are P/E having that particular discussion with that particular person at the beginning of the promo?

IKR? I guess he's the one American that they know who knows their situation so they're maybe asking him as an American who deals with American teenagers in general how hard he thinks that would be. They obviously don't have the perspective of what it's like to grow up in the US. They've watched how the Morozovs have been faring...

[Erin9]

On 5/18/2017 at 1:30 PM, Umbelina said:

Holy crap!  I wonder if he's telling the truth?

I know! I'm stunned. Wow. I did not see that coming. At all. I would think this is the real deal though. I can't believe they put that in a promo. I actually had to watch the promo twice for it to sink in I was so stunned. 

I'm surprised by P and E's choice of confidants too. Seems strange. I know they're limited, but still. 

Edited May 19, 2017 by Erin9

[Erin9]

23 hours ago, Umbelina said:

My guess is to control him, not make him want to run to the FBI if he heard about it from Paige.

Maybe......but I wonder how much advance notice they'd give her or Henry if they made the call to go home. 

[Moose135]

3 hours ago, Erin9 said:

Maybe......but I wonder how much advance notice they'd give her or Henry if they made the call to go home. 

I imagine it will be "Pack a bag, we're leaving...and make sure you bring your winter coat!"

[crgirl412]

I'm not sure I believe that is really what we are seeing.   Those promos can be very deceiving!!   

[Umbelina]

2 hours ago, crgirl412 said:

I'm not sure I believe that is really what we are seeing.   Those promos can be very deceiving!!   

Well, he flat out says it, so....

Spoiler

at least about Misha and Philip's brother. 

Do we need to tag spoilers of preview videos?  That seems...obsessive.  Ha.

Edited May 20, 2017 by Umbelina

[crgirl412]

10 hours ago, Umbelina said:

Well, he flat out says it, so....

  Hide contents

at least about Misha and Philip's brother. 

Do we need to tag spoilers of preview videos?  That seems...obsessive.  Ha.

I don't mean that scene, which is clearly what he is saying but the one with Philip and Elizabeth in Pastors Tim's office asking his advice about going back to the USSR.  I am not convinced that is what they are saying.

I'm not sure the preview videos need to be tagged either.  It's public info shown during other Fx shows. 

[mattie0808]

On 5/18/2017 at 2:38 PM, Umbelina said:

My guess is to control him, not make him want to run to the FBI if he heard about it from Paige.

Maybe. But I think it's a crazy risk to take. What if he feels this is wrong for Paige, and it makes him MORE likely to do or say something he shouldn't? What if he talks to Paige at literally any point after this conversation, and -- even assuming she's been given a heads up of some kind by her parents -- she can't convince of anything other than she's terrified/horrified at having to leave? Wouldn't the move be to get the four Jennings back to Russia without ANYONE in the U.S. know that they're leaving? Especially someone who knows they're spies? Hell, even Gabriel didn't tell P/E until damn near the last possible minute, lol.

Quote

I guess he's the one American that they know who knows their situation so they're maybe asking him as an American who deals with American teenagers in general how hard he thinks that would be. They obviously don't have the perspective of what it's like to grow up in the US. They've watched how the Morozovs have been faring...

Yeah, but the Morozovs are somewhat different in terms of the life and death jeopardy they are in...and, P/E don't trust or respect Pastor Tim at all anyway, especially when it comes to him overstepping (from their POV) his bounds in terms of what he thinks about Paige/what should happen to her/how she's treated. They know this is going to SUCK for the kids. I don't see what PT can offer them that would be of any actual help...

I'm trying to figure out a way for the promo to be a fake out, especially from Elizabeth's question, which seems very straightforward. Now, PT's answer has less than zero to do with that question, so maybe there's some wiggle room there after all, but there's no mistaking what Elizabeth is asking him...

Edited May 20, 2017 by mattie0808

[sistermagpie]

1 hour ago, crgirl412 said:

I don't mean that scene, which is clearly what he is saying but the one with Philip and Elizabeth in Pastors Tim's office asking his advice about going back to the USSR.  I am not convinced that is what they are saying.

Aren't they flat out saying it too? They're asking if he thinks Paige and Henry could adjust well to life back home for them.

 

13 minutes ago, mattie0808 said:

Yeah, but the Morozovs are somewhat different in terms of the life and death jeopardy they are in...and, P/E don't trust or respect Pastor Tim at all anyway, especially when it comes to him overstepping (from their POV) his bounds in terms of what he thinks about Paige/what should happen to her/how she's treated. They know this is going to SUCK for the kids. I don't see what PT can offer them that would be of any actual help...

Yeah, I'm not sure about that either. It does seem like neither of them would ever ask Pastor Tim for *anything* unless they were working some angle and thought it would get them on their side. They're already secretly looking to get him another job and can't know that fast if they're going to be able to go home. They also just read the guy's diary so would probably have even more insight into him. Maybe the line about the kids going home would be presented more as a hypothetical about something else, like they're presenting it as not something really happening now but just a hypothetical that related to something else? Plus they know that anything they tell Tim would go to Alice and who knows what her reaction would be. Pre-baby she might have thought Paige needed to be saved from life in the USSR. At this point, if I were her, I'd be relieved to see the back of the whole family.

I don't actually think we need to spoiler tag the discussion of the previews. I did it because I couldn't bring myself to flat out sat the thing in the second preview in case somebody had only seen the one on FX. But I don't think it would be wrong not to do it.

I'm trying to stop myself from thinking too much about what Pytor's story is. (That's the brother's name, according to IMDB.)

[Bannon]

Yeah, it'll be awesome to try to integrate yourself, as a teenager, into a society where you don't know the language, the culture is completely foreign, and the society is so fornicated up that it is on the precipice of a nearly unparalleled event in modern times, an industrialialized country, without widespread war, which experiences a huge jump in mortality rates among the non-elderly.

Way to make good choices P&E!!!!!!

[Chaos Theory]

I don't think the promo is a fake.  However I also realize that just because they ask a question or might want to go home doesn't mean it is practical or even possible.  Hell this is the last episode of the second to last season.  The answer to the question "Can the Jennings go home?  And is Russia even their home anymore?" may be what drives the final season.  

Edited May 20, 2017 by Chaos Theory

[Christina]

I think that we HAVE been asked to spoiler tag previews, but can't say for sure if it is from PTV or just individuals who don't want to see them. It has come up in the past on other threads I've read, and the video doesn't have to be if the caption isn't spoilery since someone can choose not to play it, but the descriptions are supposed to be tagged. I think. At least that is the mannerism in which I treat them, and that is because I was told to somewhere at some point in time. 

I also add video or photo links under the spoiler tab if there are several of them in my post because people have complained that it lags the computers and phone down when there are a lot of them and people quote them, too, but that isn't any type of rule. 

[skippylou]

The end of the first two seasons involved packing up the kids and getting out of Dodge due to real threats. Now they are going to end season 5 with a similar scenario because P&E have conscience pangs over collateral damage resulting from a hit on a Nazi war criminal? Has anyone done a body count of innocents from previous seasons? If season 6 takes place in the USSR the only viewers left will be those emotionally invested in one or more of the main characters. I am not one of those. I can't think of a story line that would keep me interested with a background of gray skies, gray buildings, empty market shelves filled with drably dressed, seriously unhappy looking people and cars that wouldn't qualify for "Cash for Clunkers". Tag me "S" for superficial but I think/hope the writers are better than that.

Edited May 21, 2017 by skippylou

[White Sheep]

For some reason. The movie Hudson hawk and how they got Bruce Wills to Rome in that movie. Keeps coming to mind on how. They will get the kids back to mother Russia.  

 

 

I am sure the Jennings family.  (What would there Russian last name be?).     Would be treated like returning conquering czars. But even at the top of the Soviet food chain. Will be awful for the kids coming from America. 

That preview means.  Mischa not in jail, mental hospital or dead!! 

Edited May 24, 2017 by White Sheep

[SlovakPrincess]

Is there actually a "World Council of Churches"?  Or is this a fake thing they're making up to convince Timmy he's being moved to a new parish, lol?  

I wonder if Pastor Tim will be all "ok, maybe y'all should move!" -- because he's clearly stopped caring, and the whole family moving to the Soviet Union makes his life easier.

I call bullshit on Elizabeth being naive enough to think Claudia wants to hear this crap right now.  "Sure, we've invested decades in you as spies and in your kid as the next-generation protege, but since you feel icky about killing a Nazi war criminal and no longer want to sleep with Mr. Wheat Zen Master, let's pack you up to go home!"  I will call even more bullshit if Claudia is at all sympathetic to this argument.

This will be a stupid disaster.  Henry will raise holy hell.  Philip doesn't even want to go back.  

Edited May 23, 2017 by SlovakPrincess

[sistermagpie]

36 minutes ago, SlovakPrincess said:

Is there actually a "World Council of Churches"?  Or is this a fake thing they're making up to convince Timmy he's being moved to a new parish, lol?  

Yes, it's a real thing. Still exists.

36 minutes ago, SlovakPrincess said:

 Philip doesn't even want to go back.  

Yes he does. Elizabeth is suggesting going back for him, not for herself. Philip wants to retire. He started bringing it up last season. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Claudia saw this as Elizabeth being influenced by Philip and acting accordingly in some way.

Edited May 23, 2017 by sistermagpie

[dubbel zout]

12 hours ago, sistermagpie said:

Elizabeth is suggesting going back for [Philip}, not for herself.

I disagree. Elizabeth has finally reached the point of exhaustion. Philip has been here for a while, but stuck it out for her. Now she's ready to hang it up.

[Bannon]

18 hours ago, sistermagpie said:

Yes, it's a real thing. Still exists.

Yes he does. Elizabeth is suggesting going back for him, not for herself. Philip wants to retire. He started bringing it up last season. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Claudia saw this as Elizabeth being influenced by Philip and acting accordingly in some way.

Not only was it a real thing, but it was heavily infiltrated by the KGB back in the day, effectively becoming a Soviet propaganda tool from about 1948-1989.

[Bretton]

3 hours ago, Bannon said:

Not only was it a real thing, but it was heavily infiltrated by the KGB back in the day, effectively becoming a Soviet propaganda tool from about 1948-1989.

Yup. And that's definitely the angle being played here.

By the way, back in the day I had some Orthodox friends who would bend over backwards to explain away/justify the politicalization of the Orthodox Church in Russia in the 20th century.

[White Sheep]

3 hours ago, Bannon said:

Not only was it a real thing, but it was heavily infiltrated by the KGB back in the day, effectively becoming a Soviet propaganda tool from about 1948-1989.

Even today it still working for the KGB.  According to a bunch of ex-KGB and FSB. Defectors from the past few years. 

[Primetimer]

Elsewhere, Oleg tries to be a force for good; Tuan escalates hostilities against Pasha; and Henry makes asparagus!

View the full article

[AimingforYoko]

Tuan, stay in your lane, dude. This could end really badly.

So, Misha's brother, alive and well. Interesting.

They've got Oleg dead to rights, and if his father wasn't the Minister of Transportation he'd be getting questioned a lot harder than they are now.

[benteen]

Very good episode.  A lot going on here.

I thought Philip was an only child but there was apparently a flashback.  Interesting stuff though.  I was hoping Gabriel was going to drop Mischa a visit.

I don't buy Elizabeth and Philip telling Pastor Tim about this.  All I have to say it run Henry, run!

On a minor note, that autographed picture of the 1976 Soviet Olympic team would probably be worth something now.

[TheRealWendy]

I don't get who was in the spy car at the end--Russian spy or American spy?

[Moose135]

1 minute ago, TheRealWendy said:

I don't get who was in the spy car at the end--Russian spy or American spy?

I assume it was a US agent keeping an eye on the defector and his family.  Earlier in the season, P&E and Tuan talked about surveillance at the house.

[AimingforYoko]

2 minutes ago, TheRealWendy said:

I don't get who was in the spy car at the end--Russian spy or American spy?

Pasha's dad is a defector, so the (American)Feds are keeping an eye on him in case the KGB tries to snatch or kill him.

[skippylou]

If Season 5 had been the first season there never would have been a second. Paige has transitioned from Jesus to Marx. She is ready to be the Center's precious 2nd generation illegal. If they figure this out they will not let the family return "home". They would have to drag Henry kicking and screaming. He has a GF, a school and they don't have anything close to a Camaro Z28 in the Soviet Union. Maybe Stan could adopt him. Good chance they (and Tuan) have butchered another innocent. I don't think the KGB was tipped on any of Oleg's treasonous activities, I'm guessing they are trying to frame him to get control of his father. So Sophia's fiancée is KGB? Or not? I guess I'm hooked enough to watch one more episode but I am not optimistic.

[Sarah 103]

On May 22, 2017 at 6:57 PM, sistermagpie said:

Yes he does. Elizabeth is suggesting going back for him, not for herself. Philip wants to retire. He started bringing it up last season. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Claudia saw this as Elizabeth being influenced by Philip and acting accordingly in some way.

I think Philip is torn between wanting out of the spy game, and at the same time wanting to stay in America. 

15 minutes ago, AimingforYoko said:

Tuan, stay in your lane, dude. This could end really badly.

Tuan is still young. Even if he's in his early 20s, he still doesn't understand how horribly wrong things can go, and can't imagine the impact the loss of a child will have on the parents. In addition, he can't predict how they will grieve.

There were so many scenes of Oleg tonight where he reminded me of a little boy. Oleg wants to do the right thing, but he isn't sure what that is anymore. He knows he's going down, but he doesn't know when, where or how, but he knows he doesn't want his father involved when it all goes to hell. 

Mischa was so cute with his cousin. There is something I don't understand, so I'm hoping someone can explain it to me. If Mischa was in prison or a mental institution, how did he get out? Was he issued some sort of day pass? Was he released into the custody of his uncle? 

[sistermagpie]

10 minutes ago, skippylou said:

I don't think the KGB was tipped on any of Oleg's treasonous activities, I'm guessing they are trying to frame him to get control of his father. So Sophia's fiancée is KGB? Or not? I guess I'm hooked enough to watch one more episode but I am not optimistic.

Why would they have to frame him? Everything they said was absolutely true and he probably is the best suspect.

9 minutes ago, Sarah 103 said:

Mischa was so cute with his cousin. There is something I don't understand, so I'm hoping someone can explain it to me. If Mischa was in prison or a mental institution, how did he get out? Was he issued some sort of day pass? Was he released into the custody of his uncle? 

He was let out forever because his father is Philip. Now he works in a factory like a regular worker. That's where he left from to go to the US. He was just at his job when Pyotr came to see him.

So Philip's brother is also in Moscow. As expected, they are paralleling Henry and Philip in their vague way. On one hand the obvious point of the St. Edwards thing is to show Henry having all these things the parents will take away if they leave (Henry and Chris practically seemed like they were planning to announce their engagement in that dinner scene), but I still feel like it would be more interesting for Henry to not get in and have reason to actually talk to his family. Philip's obviously conflicted about how he felt being plucked out of obscurity to be some kind of hero, as his nephew calls him. (If he remembers that, since he seemed to honestly think his father being a prison guard would recommend him for the job!)

Of course Tuan hasn't thought his plan through, but they really weren't ruining anything by going over there. They could just say that Tuan talked to Pasha that day in school and was worried he was going to do something and the parents thought they should make sure nothing was wrong.

Btw, note how many references there were to the family's real name--i.e. Philip's name--without a single person saying it out loud, though we did hear it once since apparently Mischa actually does have his father's name (because he and the uncle were listed with the same last name and obviously Philip and his brother would have the same name.) But we didn't hear the uncle's name either. Paige asked where Jennings came from, but not what her "real" name would be.

Kind of appreciate Pastor Tim being an adult who doesn't think the worst thing you could ever do to a teenager is take them out of the US or have them face a challenge...even if this challenge is way way extreme.

Edited May 24, 2017 by sistermagpie

[Sarah 103]

3 minutes ago, sistermagpie said:

Of course Tuan hasn't thought his plan through, but they really weren't ruining anything by going over there. They could just say that Tuan talked to Pasha that day in school and was worried he was going to do something and the parents thought they should make sure nothing was wrong.

I had the same thought. I didn't think the agent's car would be that big a deal. It seemed like their cover story would hold. Thank you for explaining Mischa's story. 

Speaking of parallels, we have Paige asking about where the name Jennings came from, and Oleg asking his mother more about her past. 

[jjj]

Holy, Cow, when Sofia came in with her new fiancé, I was as stunned as Stan and Aderholt.  I assume the thought process running across their faces went from "HUH?" to "What's the code word for yeah, shoot them both now?"  I was not sure who would end up leaving that room.  But it was all business for the fiancé, negotiating a danger pay raise for Sofia, and then tossing himself onto the "I too can be bought" shelf.  I thought Stan and Aderholt had been crystal-clear that Sofia was not supposed to talk about the FBI to anyone, particularly including the boyfriend.

[Knuckles]

I'm not loving the Moscow scenes, but Igor and Oleg's mom are really superb...I feel as claustrophobic as I would if I were sitting in their living room. Oleg has so little room to maneuver, and Igor and him mother must both know that. You can feel the dead weight of the past in that room

I did think that Paige was going to hang herself...but it was more interesting that Tuan schooled Pasha in suicide...and I suspect Tuan has no clue that Pasha has been pushed to the point of embracing that relief. He explained things to P&E as if it were a chess move...with no sense of the emotional consequences, or the possible reactions of the Morozovs. Whatever the horrors of his story in Vietnam, and his cleverness, Tuan is useless...he can't gauge human reactions. He's a short term player, with no view of a longer game. This move could hideously backfire, a concept he does not grasp.

Pastor Groovy hair was terrific in his final moments. Thoughtful, truthful and honestly concerned. Kudos.

And Sofia...this is not going to end well for you or your hockey boyfriend. My I add my crush on Alderholt is still going strong.

[Sarah 103]

2 minutes ago, Knuckles said:

I suspect Tuan has no clue that Pasha has been pushed to the point of embracing that relief. He explained things to P&E as if it were a chess move...with no sense of the emotional consequences, or the possible reactions of the Morozovs. Whatever the horrors of his story in Vietnam, and his cleverness, Tuan is useless...he can't gauge human reactions.

He doesn't have this skill set now, but assuming he survives, I think Tuan could learn. We see Philip and Elizabeth as almost super spies, but I'm sure they made mistakes (although probably not that big) and had close calls early on, because no one is perfect and everybody makes mistakes. 

[Erin9]

Very strong episode. 

Wow. Tuon is a fool. And cold. There are a million different ways that plan could go wrong. I don't think it's that dangerous for them to go to the home. They're supposed to be close friends. But it did heighten the tension and remind us what's at stake when we saw the agent in the car. I loved P and E holding hands as they walked over. They are united. 

Yikes. The walls are closing in on Oleg. That questioning honed in too close to what happened. That conversation between him and Igor about how hopeless everything in their country is was so sad. Oleg wants to not bring his parents down with him. I'm not sure his father will just sit back though. 

This thing with Sofia seems to have disaster written all over it. She's terribly naive. I have trouble believing this won't blow up in all their faces. 

Paige is FINALLY getting out of her depression. I thought PT leaving  would be a huge weight lifted off her and it has been already. Makes sense. 

And she finally asked a really good question: do her parents feel like P and E now? I liked their answer- yes- but as Philip said, he misses his old name. It makes sense, seemed very realistic that he would feel that way. How could he not? 

I like that P and E are really thinking about the reality of moving home- would the kids adjust, who would they talk to, what would their names be, etc? E is naturally more optimistic. Love that E said she'd take P's name. Sweet moment. I think PT was right about one thing- there's no way to know with absolute certainty what the right thing is. 

Henry made dinner. That was so nice and thoughtful. He's a good kid really. Of course, it happens just as his parents are thinking about going home and there will be no boarding school....no guilt there. 

I'm so excited that we got to see Philip's brother and that Misha will have some other family. It's something. But-how sad-they're not  even supposed to ask about Uncle Misha. His brother seemed both proud of how smart he was- and sad too. 

Edited May 24, 2017 by Erin9

[jjj]

Phillip and Elizabeth were not holding hands in unity -- they suddenly realized they had to look "normal" as they went around the corner and tried to cover their panic.  At least Tuan reminded them about the surveillance -- and that they all have to look like normal neighbors on a stroll.

5 minutes ago, Erin9 said:

I loved P and E holding hands as they walked over. They are united. 

[Knuckles]

Henry and his girlfriend made dinner, very nice but a normal dinner. Looked like a lavish spread, though.compared to all the food scenes in Russia . I suspect P&E being concerned about names, have not thought about food...or what dinner in Russia might be. They have been away a long time...Oleg's folks live in an apartment at the top of the food chain...I wonder if P&E would end up in Martha's building.

[Erin9]

14 minutes ago, jjj said:

Phillip and Elizabeth were not holding hands in unity -- they suddenly realized they had to look "normal" as they went around the corner and tried to cover their panic.  At least Tuan reminded them about the surveillance -- and that they all have to look like normal neighbors on a stroll.

True. But they are united. This is the strongest they've ever been as a couple. It was the cover- and real. 

[Umbelina]

Claudia has to be lying.  I mean seriously, it was such a huge fucking deal that they get second generation spies, and now she's all hunky dory with the entire family moving to the Soviet Union?

Then what was the damn point of all of this?

[Erin9]

15 minutes ago, Knuckles said:

Henry and his girlfriend made dinner, very nice but a normal dinner. Looked like a lavish spread, though.compared to all the food scenes in Russia . I suspect P&E being concerned about names, have not thought about food...or what dinner in Russia might be. They have been away a long time...Oleg's folks live in an apartment at the top of the food chain...I wonder if P&E would end up in Martha's building.

No way on earth would the KGB put them anywhere near Martha. That would be asking for trouble. Begging. I think given all P and E have done for so long they'd rate better accommodations anyway. 

They've been thinking about and talking about food all season. In Russia and the US. They know Imo. They're very clear that things are harder back home. How hard, it's difficult to say, but I don't think they have any illusions about food. They got an earful from Alexei, and the whole point of these long term honey traps is to better feed their people.

Edited May 24, 2017 by Erin9

[Erin9]

3 minutes ago, Umbelina said:

Claudia has to be lying.  I mean seriously, it was such a huge fucking deal that they get second generation spies, and now she's all hunky dory with the entire family moving to the Soviet Union?

Then what was the damn point of all of this?

Yeah. I had trouble believing she's all for this for many reasons- not just the kids. But I can believe she wouldn't just refuse them to their faces. She knows it's a serious thing given that it's coming from Elizabeth of all people. 

That said- the centre may actually be getting that their 2nd generation spy plan is pretty flawed. That kid in S2 and all the struggles with Paige may have driven that home. It should have. It's notable that NO ONE has brought up Henry spying. He's the right age now to start pushing it. But they haven't. 

[Sarah 103]

45 minutes ago, Erin9 said:

There are a million different ways that plan could go wrong. I don't think it's that dangerous for them to go to the home. They're supposed to be close friends. But it did heighten the tension and remind us what's at stake when we saw the agent in the car. I loved P and E holding hands as they walked over. They are united. 

I'm so excited that we got to see Philip's brother and that Misha will have some other family. It's something. But-how sad-they're not  even supposed to ask about Uncle Misha. His brother seemed both proud of how smart he was- and sad too. 

Holding hands was them being united. Whatever happens, we'll get through this together. I don't think it was for the agent who was watching. 

13 minutes ago, Erin9 said:

That said- the centre may actually be getting that their 2nd generation spy plan is pretty flawed. That kid in S2 and all the struggles with Paige may have driven that home. It should have. It's notable that NO ONE has brought up Henry spying. He's the right age now to start pushing it. But they haven't. 

The kid in season 2 and Paige are just the ones we know about. There may be a few other kids like Paige out there who haven't heard about. Either they've decided the second generation program is a bad idea, or they have no idea how good a spy Henry would be. 

[MisterBluxom]

1 hour ago, jjj said:

Holy, Cow, when Sofia came in with her new fiancé, I was as stunned as Stan and Aderholt.  I assume the thought process running across their faces went from "HUH?" to "What's the code word for yeah, shoot them both now?"  I was not sure who would end up leaving that room.  But it was all business for the fiancé, negotiating a danger pay raise for Sofia, and then tossing himself onto the "I too can be bought" shelf.  I thought Stan and Aderholt had been crystal-clear that Sofia was not supposed to talk about the FBI to anyone, particularly including the boyfriend.

I don't understand Stan's boss wanting to move so slowly. In a recent episode, there were several FBI agents discussing how couriers have a "weak spot" when they carry their pouches into a bathroom and one goes inside a stall. Remember? Well this hockey player is now a courier and he is offering his services for cheap. Why doesn't the FBI jump on it?

If some of you think the FBI may be suspecious this hockey player knows they are trying to get a courier and is trying to be a double-agent, I would say that's ridiculous. How would the KGB know that is the one exact spot the FBI is trying to set up for (a courier)? There is no real logical reason the KGB would ever know that was the single soft spot the FBI want and so if they want to "dangle" something in front of the FBI, it would never be a courier - especially if they knew.

Or am I not understanding this situation?

If I was E and Tuan started giving me lip about making that phone call, I would have said to him, "I told you that we had to come up with a new plan - not you by yourself. Who the *BLEEP* do you think you are? You don't have the experience to make this call yourself and if anything happens to this kid, we are going to see you are locked up in solitary ... (OK. I get a little carried away here. But I'm really incensed this Tuan could have made such a stupid decision - especially without talking it over with his boss. (assuming P&E are his boss)).

Edited May 24, 2017 by MissBluxom

[MisterBluxom]

I'd like to add something about the Pastor. Tonight, for the first and only time, I was really impressed that he gave some good and thoughtful advice to P&E. I never knew he had that in him. It was an amazing surprise.

[PinkRibbons]

Mistranslation of the week: what was translated as "shit" was in fact Oleg calling the crooked higher-ups "abominations".

It's a nice parallel in this episode that all the Jennings kids are suddenly better, as opposed to things getting much worse for Pasha and Oleg. I love that in all this, it wasn't being lied to that messed Paige up so bad, it was Pastor Tim. Holly Taylor's relief really contrasts with the constant anxiety she'd been playing all season, and very well I might add. Although ew Elizabeth for shit's sake don't take the necklace out of the garbage and put it back on Paige's neck without at least rinsing it!

I hope this is the wrap-up for Mischa Jr. this season. He finally has a family. I wish we'd heard more about Philip having a big heart as a kid more than how smart he was, but still. I wonder if the brother knows about Paige and Henry the way Elizabeth's mother knew?

I think Paige and Henry would have to be renamed in Russia, since they'd never hear their names pronounced the way they're used to it anyway. And Henry (Genrich) would sound German, which wouldn't look good in a fine upstanding Russian family at the time.

Last week's post-episode podcast made a point of saying that Elizabeth decided she wanted to go home because she could see how Done Philip is, and she's choosing him over the job. In this episode though...I really felt the entire reaction Elizabeth and Philip had to Tuan's plan was completely about them being parents and imagining coming home to Henry in place of Pasha. There are apparently lines they will never cross.

Oleg spent this whole episode looking too big for wherever he sat down, so slightly awkward. I wonder if that was intentional or it's just Costa Ronin being a giant guy?

It was so super sweet that Elizabeth wanted to take Philip's name. It wasn't common in the Soviet Union for a woman to change her name when she married, and in fact my mother would still be using her maiden name if it hadn't made things less complicated when they came to America for her and my father and sister to share a name. (Incidentally, my parent's were married May 24th 1984, and tomorrow's their 33rd anniversary. I like to amuse myself watching them both forget or I would have brought it up to them by now.)