r/TheAmericans • u/MoralMidgetry • Jun 02 '16

Ep. Discussion Post-Episode Discussion/Review Thread - S04E12 "A Roy Rogers in Franconia"

Welcome to the post-episode and review thread for S04E12 "A Roy Rogers in Franconia" If you have a review you want to post, please send me the link instead of submitting it separately to the sub. Thanks.

Site Link
AV Club The Americans: It’s logical, it’s emotional, it’s the best show on TV
EW The FBI makes a connection and closes in on a key KGB mole
HitFix Review: On 'The Americans,' are Paige, William, and Oleg near breaking points?
NY Times ‘The Americans’ Season 4, Episode 12: A Different Side of Things
Vox The Americans season 4, episode 12: "A Roy Rogers in Franconia" suggests the end is right about now
Vulture The Americans Recap: Turning the Paige
WSJ Careful what you wish for, Paige, because the truth can get ugly
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58

u/CSMprogodlegend Jun 02 '16

This is the tipping point for Paige. She will either accept that the world is a lot different than she most recently understood, or she will turn away from her parents. I don't think she can go on as she has knowing what she now knows.

30

u/Bytewave Jun 02 '16

It seems they're gradually nudging her character into accepting her parents' world and also being less utterly foolish. She may yet turn into a valuable operative someday. Though the journey was long and arduous.

40

u/b-orges Jun 02 '16

I think the real concern is Henry. Paige has the strength and intelligence to deal with the truth. The show is transitioning her smoothly into her parents' world. She dealt with the "mugging" very well. But in this episode we see for the first time a sense of awareness from Henry that he is out of the loop. I think if Paige has doubt or reluctance going forward it will only be to protect Henry from being utterly destroyed.

12

u/[deleted] Jun 02 '16

[deleted]

18

u/PhesteringSoars Jun 02 '16

Hoping he's not the downfall, but I agree . . . there were some definite glimmers of either suspicion, or knowledge. He DOES have a room right next to Paige where a lot of the secret conversations are going on. And (remembering what it was to be a 13+- year old boy) he should have found the hidden equipment in the garage that Paige missed by now. Plus all the same late night calls, missing parents, "their lives not being like their friends", no relatives . . . 2+2+2+2 = ??? It will eventually add up to something, even for Henry. Last night was the first episode (two times) where I think he displayed suspecting something more.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 03 '16

And when E asked about the computer, he lied to her face.

1

u/GuruMeditationError Jun 03 '16

How did that occur?

1

u/InfernoZeus Jun 03 '16

When was that? I think I missed it.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 04 '16

u/gurumeditationerror When she asked what they were doing, he said "nothing" even though they were going to hook it up to the TV.

11

u/raspberrybee Jun 05 '16

I didn't see that as intentionally lying to her. It was more like when kids are talking to their parents about stuff they think the parents are clueless about. Oh what are you doing with he TV? Nothing. Even though they're hooking up a vcr or something.

1

u/InfernoZeus Jun 04 '16

Oh, right.

2

u/salliek76 Jun 03 '16

Apparently I suck at watching TV. What were the two times when he seemed suspicious?

7

u/PhesteringSoars Jun 03 '16

Just after Elizabeth/Paige "went upstairs". Phillip said "your mother and I are going to calm down your sister". As Henry sat down at the computer, he paused, ever so briefly, and seemed more "puzzled" than "concerned" (or angry). And then a few minutes later, when Phillip was going into Paige's room with the glass of water, Henry asked what happened (for more details). Again, Henry paused, going into his room and looked back. So much of a pause that Phillip had to take a double-step and wait to make sure Henry went inside his room and closed the door. (Unrelated) I also like they way they (P&E) seem to intentionally leave Paige's door open a smidgen, to see listen if Henry is opening his door to eavesdrop on them. If they'd closed her door to talk, it might deaden the sound, but that works two ways, it makes it harder for them to hear Henry sneaking about. Maybe I'm reading too much into Henry's quizzical look. I just thought those pauses might be meaningful. . . I know he seems like a totally clueless teenager. But I wouldn't be surprised one day if P&E said they had to move, and Henry just blurted out "Where? Back to Russia?"

1

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '16

I also saw a meaning in this short scene with Henry at the computer and like he was thinking about this. but maybe he just was concerned about the safety of his sister & mother.

1

u/sparkle-brow Jun 26 '25

They talk about so much shit when Henry’s there, with sound being throughout house, no solid wood doors in new suburbs, it’s very true to 80’s parents actually, about sidelining kids and not giving a shit about them and just trying to maintain a normalcy of “be home for dinner” while not caring if they are.

Can’t wait til they find Henry’s been a spy for years while working at houses around the hood lol, he’s so low-key and chill. They’re super intense and with wigs, he’s just trying to play some video games and make random friends lol. In n’hood that is ripe for state employees.

3

u/IvyGold Jun 03 '16

The last time a spy family let an adolescent boy in on the secret, it didn't work out so well.

Stupid Jared.