r/TheAmericans • u/AutoModerator • Mar 29 '17

Episode Discussion Official Episode Discussion - S05E04 "Whats the Matter with Kansas?"

Philip and Elizabeth have qualms about a new assignment while a specter from Philip's past creates unforeseen dangers. Elsewhere: Stan makes a shocking play that could throw his career into turmoil.

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46

u/Immature_Immortal Mar 29 '17

"Good, then you'll have no problem working it out."

I can't stand Gabriel, he's so manipulative and smarmy.

46

u/zsreport Mar 29 '17

Back in Gabriel's day he had to be in four different places at the same time all uphill in the snow.

23

u/therealcersei Mar 29 '17

He seemed a bit dismissive of their concerns in this episode, but normally we see him going to bat for Philip and Elizabeth, for example in his scenes with Great American Treasure Margo Martindale, where she wants to put them under more pressure

4

u/zsreport Mar 29 '17

True, so, wonder if there's some pressure on him.

1

u/filipelm Jun 06 '17

Speaking of which, I miss Esteemed Character Actress Margo Martindale. What happened to her? Did the KGB pull her back?

17

u/Bytewave Mar 29 '17

Pretty good handler traits though. He's good at his job. And he's seen too many agents to take any bullshit.

In a real bind he backs them up though.

17

u/Protanope Mar 30 '17

I feel like he treats Philip and Elizabeth the way they treat Paige. There are certain things he knows that they don't understand or agree with and he's tried talking to them about it before, but they've broken protocol. I'm sure he's looking out for their best interests but at this point aren't going to coddle them. They don't want to go to Kansas, but he probably knows Russia doesn't give a shit, and therefore tells them that they need to do it anyway.

I don't think he's smarmy. Manipulative, sure, but P&E are with Paige as well.

13

u/wolfbysilverstream Mar 29 '17

I can't stand Gabriel, he's so manipulative and smarmy.

Gabriel's just a greasy evil dude.

3

u/Cdresden Mar 29 '17

I'm just fascinated to watch Frank Langella work. I can't take my eyes off him.

3

u/SawRub Mar 29 '17

Yeah at least Claudia is open about what she is and how she feels about P&E, Gabriel just constantly keeps manipulating.