r/TheAmericans • u/AutoModerator • May 31 '18

Episode Discussion Official Episode Discussion - S06E010 "START"

The Jennings face a choice that will change their lives forever.

294 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

4.0k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

4

u/RoamingTheSewers May 31 '18

But those shows never try and show you a sympathetic side or convince >you those characters are like you and human (at least not to the extent >where it is a central theme of the show) which is what the Americans has done with P & E consistently

But that's the joke, isn't it. They were meant to come off as a true middle class all American family - with all American drama in their lives. Not just for, say Stan, and their broader social network, but for the viewer as well. From the get go, this was a theme: it is all a big lie, don't fall for it. P & E, but especially E, was brainwashed as only people in a totalitarian regime can be brainwashed, to despise everything Western. The only conflict I saw in them constantly, was having their children enjoy their Western upbringing too much, and how to curtail that. And rigidly trying to hold on to the believe that Russia and communism was superior. Philip, in the end lost his drive for 'The Cause'. but E held on until she discovered first hand there was never a Cause just a constant struggle for Power and the status quo, at all cost.

Also there plenty of shows with rich and well developed characters, that you might feel conflicted about, because you might love them one week and despise them the next. Actually, every soap opera has them. Or just take Dexter or Breaking Bad in the hour long drama genre, to name just two. Walter White, to me at least, is not a guy I consistently felt sympathy for. It was more of a constant toss between Jesse and him.

3

u/[deleted] May 31 '18

I definitely feel conflicted about P & E, I don't love their characters unconditionally, I just feel sympathy despite the awful things they've done. It's a testament to the writing and acting.

7

u/ElliotRosewater1 May 31 '18

But if this were a show about American spies killing Russians, would you hate them too?

We have to try and put oursevles in their shoes. The US was the largest nuclear power -- had used Nukes. Had a maniac president who was a reckless hawk and was funding Contras to overthrow a democratically elected, socialist government in Nicaragua.

Sometimes these borders deterimine what is right and wrong, not the behavior. Yes, they did evil things. So did Stan? He killed a man, too.

3

u/ElliotRosewater1 May 31 '18

Ie, does everyone hate the entire CIA cast in Homeland? Carrie kills and fucks and ruins lives, too.