Great pilot! To begin, what's not to like about a spy thriller set in the 80's with a huge twist. It actually had me, a patriotic military member, routing for the Ruskies. The character relationships are off to a great start and will no doubt become more in depth as well as a huge part of the show. I can't wait for the next episode! I still don't know if I should be routing for the FBI or the sleeper agents!… Expand

Brilliantly written, acted, and directed. Russel and Rhys are perfect in their roles, and the dynamic between their characters is excellent. "The Americans" is a top tier, prestigious show, that only comes around once in a blue moon. It will fit in perfectly with shows like Homeland, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Justified, and Mad Men.

I disagree with some of the reviews below. This show is not like Homeland at all, Homeland and The Americans have different plots (Homeland is about the CIA, The Americans is about KGB officers). I think that if you give the show a little time, you will find that it is an interesting show and is very enjoyable. The performance of the actors is amazing as well. This show is definitely a must watch.

I think this one's a lot of fun. It reminded me (very broadly) of "I Led Three Lives," the mid-50s TV drama about Herbert Philbrick, an ad executive who got inside the Communist party as a spy for the FBI. My only complaint has to do with the contrivance of the next door neighbor who just happens to be a counterspy, not to mention that neighbor's brazen move to scope out the spy couple by breaking into their garage just a bit too soon in the series. S'OK though. I'm not going to nit pick the script any further. Much better to just lie back and enjoy the capers.… Expand

Weak show a version of Alias meet Homeland without the good parts. Russel and Ryhs are flat and not believable and Emmerich scares the audience with every appearance on screen. All in all a must miss.

Excellent pilot. Russel and Rhys are excellent, as is Emmerich. The first ten minutes are extraordinary, and while the rest of the episode fails to match those opening segments, it's still a great start. Easily the best new show this year, and I'll be looking forward to each episode eagerly.

What a great show it has a lot of historically correct action and drama, I feel it has a great cast and fx did a wonderful job on it. I am looking forward to what is to come on what of the greatest spy shows of our time.

This show present a unique concept. The casting and acting are very good perhaps I am biased towards actors who are mostly unknown (beside Keri Russell, but she more than makes up for it by playing a totally different character from her other roles) and not cutesy. On top of all that 80's nostalgia what's not to love?

Six episodes in, and I think that The Americans is one of the best new shows this season. Kerry Russell and Matthew Rhys do a terrific job playing Russian spies posing as an American husband-wife couple during the 80s. The show has just the right amount of action, espionage and family drama. and the fact that they have two kids (born in the USA), also adds to the complexity of the plot. Also, for two actors who generally star in dramas, I have to say that Russell and Rhys pull off some pretty bad-ass fight scenes!… Expand

Only two episodes in, I'm sure this is a show I'll look forward to every week. The three main characters are absolutely brilliant and the flashback segments blend in perfectly with the show's overall narrative. It's tragic that the ratings fell so drastically in the second week and I really hope they recover in the subsequent weeks. It would be truly terrible to lose such a promising series so early on.… Expand

THis show has come on slowly but has me almost entranced. I grew up in the 80's and the paranoia is definetly identifiable. Which the show portrays well. There is also something about watching the hatred for America thru these characters, although some more than others. The storyline has become more intense, and although the show is only 4 or so episodes deep, I have no idea where it is going to lead.Which leads me to continue watching it.… Expand

Overall a good show so far. It is an episode one so we will have to see where it goes from here. Not quite as strong as the Shield, Sons of Anarchy or Justified. But still pretty good.

Shockingly good. If you're expecting another 1-dimensional jingoistic action-adventure where all the characters do stupid things all the time, look elsewhere. The acting is brilliantly downplayed, the plot is engaging and clever and the juxtaposition of the US and Russian characters, hopes, dreams and beliefs is very perceptive. You end up caring about *all* the people involved, and yet it's exciting enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. We're only at episode 4, but so far this show is the The Wire of the spy world.… Expand

Another one bites the dust, great premise but lacks all heart. It went for an hour but I literally felt like I was watching it for days, so tedious and dragged out boring. The casting is horrible, Russell is completely miscast in the role and does not ever come across as being able to defend herself, let alone beat up someone bigger than her. Her acting is flat and lifeless. It's trying to ride the hype of the recent terrorist shows out at the moment and in this case no amount of Phil Collins music will help it succeed.… Expand

At first I wasn't sure how I felt about "The Americans", but the last two shows have made me realize how much I like it. The episode of March 6 was the best one so far. The first few episodes had major holes and was not very believable. The last two episodes were well crafted with a tightly woven script. The dialogue was better developed and now feels more like the way people really talk. The twists in the last two episodes were surprising and exciting. Whether there was a change in writers or they realized the errors of their ways I now look forward to watching "The Americans"… Expand

I'm starting to think FX does no wrong. Their programming has been incredible lately. I decided to watch The Americans for two reasons, 1. American Horror Story season 2 came to an end and I needed to fill that void. 2. I love history, and the idea of Russian spies intrigued me. It's a quick show. A bit hard to grab at first but if you stick with it, It's one hell of a ride! The fighting scenes are terrific and the dialog is incredibly smart.… Expand

I really don't see too many similarities between the Americans and Homeland beyond the obvious fact that both shows are dealing with espionage and the toll it takes on it's practitioners. The Americans is far more interested in the family dynamic and the strain that a life of double dealings, violence and lies puts on the agents' loved ones than Homeland in my opinion, whereas Homeland has more of a knack for the procedure and artistry of doggedly pursuing it's targets. Both are excellent shows and are marvelously written, acted, and directed, but I think they are disparate enough in tone and are interested in different if not similar themes. I find the Cold War fascinating so maybe I'm just an easy mark for this material, but it has quickly ascended to my personal top five current television dramas alongside Breaking Bad, Mad Men, GoT, and Justified. If you like edge of your seat suspense and great acting then this show fits the bill. Noah Emmerich especially turns in a tour de force performance. I can't recommend this show enough. I have to question the attention span and overall IQ of the tiny handful of complainers on here who claim the show is boring or slow, but to each their own I guess. How about the genius who thinks the 80s are too recent to be historical and too old to be interesting? That is one top-notch perspective. Ah, but I digress, just watch this show if you like insightful, intelligent drama with a highly original point of view and a fascinating premise.… Expand

I love the concept of this series. I was a child in the '50s when I first heard of how Soviet spies were implanted and it has always intrigued me. The TV series has aired eleven episodes and I have to say it has only gotten better as it goes along. It is entertaining and leaves you wanting to come back for more. The characters are well played and enjoyable. My only worry is the chronology of the time setting doesn't leave a lot of time to explore. Then again, MASH ran almost 4X longer then the Korean War itself. This series is definitely worth watching every week.… Expand

Love this show!! It's fantastic! Excellent acting, Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys are amazingly good. The script is extremely original and well written.

First of all, I am a huge fan of series like Homeland, The Killing, The Walking Dead and so on. The Americans is not like Homeland at all, and I have watched The Americans until episode 12. Though the main point plot is a bit similar, which is about preventing an attack on motherland, yet they are different. The Americans is about KGB spies, complicated marriage, and it offers many plot twists and turns. However, the bad thing about The Americans is, that it sometimes rushes to conclude a problem which is big in a single episode. Nevertheless, it is a great series that keeps you at the edge of your seat most of the times. The main performances by Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, and Noah Emmerich are intense.… Expand

Let's get one thing straight right off the bat: this show is NOT for everyone, it is NOT going to be something like LOST or DEXTER where there's widespread acclaim. One of the chief reasons for this is that the main selling point of the show, for me anyway, is the atmosphere. They really nail the 80's from the hairstyles, to the cars, to the paranoia, to Reagan and the almost entirely different culture that was around back then. Having been born in the late 80's I never really had much of a connection to the time period but always wondered what it was like. It also helps that I like Reagan a lot. The show itself is unique in its premise but the execution is a bit predictable and it is not highly suspenseful. The acting is spotty with mixed performances out of the cast and a few dubious plot mechanics. Overall I enjoy it, but I don't feel like this is something that's meant for mass consumption.… Expand

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very good show. One of the very best new TV dramas this year. Well written and well acted (though I am not entirely sold on Kerri Russell) Really spot on portrayal of the the cold war; really find myself rooting for the Russian spies, which I imagine is quite common and is actually a testament to how well this show is written.… Expand

Watched most of the first episode and then just gave up. Can't buy that these supposed native Russians are as American as apple pie. They're depressing. Kerry Russell is boring. Her character has no personality. Her ability to beat the crap out of big thuggy guys with no response on their part is laughable. The family life seemed out of place. The early 1980s is too recent to be a period piece and too old to be interesting. I just couldn't get into it.… Expand

Better than I expected, I am liking it much more than Homeland. I love the use of 1980's issues, politics and historical events. I am impressed with the personal dynamics of the families and the comparison of the two married families that happen to across the street from each other. This is one show I really look forward to each week, and I am pleasantly surprised with each episode.

This is by far the best thing on TV right now. FX has really outdone themselves with this one. Hopefully they realize the gem that they have on their hands and wont cancel it, like HBO/Showtime always do... This show proves that a cast of relatively unknown actors can, with a good script, put to shame high budget dumbed down cliche' fluff that seems to be the TV norm these days (see 'Vegas, the Following, Ripper Street etc.). If you're into well written dramas, suspense, thrillers, spy type shows/films with a great story line, then this one is definitely for you! Reminds me of the original 'Bourne Identity film. Killer!!!… Expand

Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind for the pilot, or maybe I was worn out from watching all 13 episodes of House of Cards, but I couldn't get through this first episode, especially when they started with the flashbacks. Glad so many people like the show.

I was looking forward to the show but felt really disappointed. Although the acting is fantastic it was just so boring to watch. Maybe it is a slow burner and more is to come but I just did not enjoy the story line either. Also there is something wrong with Rhys' mouth, I think his teeth have been capped and it made him look weird. Because of this I could not take him seriously. Russell gave some terrific acting but I did not feel she could save this program.… Expand

Really good plot. The last episode d r a g g e d a little at the end. Can't wait to see what else they have in store for this show. However, I don't think this show will ever be as great as Homeland. Will continue to watch anyway.

I would like it better if the episodes ended with cliffhangers. The plots each week seem to be self contained pretty much. It took me a while to wrap my mind around the fact that they are cold hearted killers. Kerry is so hot I wish the guy was hot too. Homeland is more exciting.

Instead of the leads in ‘The Americans’ who have been dissected enough by everyone, I’d like to talk about one of the ancillary characters.There’s the archetype of the Seductress, the Siren, in Literature, TV and Cinema the lady who uses her let’s say Womanly charms to get men to do her bidding. Here’s how it plays out in any visual medium –well endowed Women sleep with Men and then thes and then these poor saps proceed to grant there wish as soon as the act is done tell them their life story and inconsequential things like revealing where the nuclear launch codes are and such. Men know it’s hogwash they’ve known it all along, all the Film TV Show creators want the audience to believe that is all there is to it and all men are indeed that stupid (I’ll grant you some are) and for some reason the audience decides to play along. Every single time, same MO large breasted woman a squirrely little Man seduction 101! Meet Nina (I have no idea who is playing that role she works for the KGB in an administrative capacity it’s made clear to us she doesn’t do any “spy” stuff. I was mesmerized by her performance. I doubt too many people will notice it or talk about it. But I urge you to observe her closely Nina is pretty but not stunning, definitely not the stuff the fantasies of teenage Boys are made of. Watch how she interacts with men there are no suggestive glances, she never flirts with them or for that matter does anything at all to indicate she might have a romantic interest in them. She looks vulnerable but does not try to come across as a damsel in distress. She’s always fully clad Not even a hint of cleavage, the camera too always stays on her face. She is very conscious of the effect she has on men and yet very deliberately underplays her sexuality she speaks softly, always polite and demands absolutely nothing from them, Men find themselves instinctively drawn to her because it’s so apparent that she doesn’t have an agenda. Her handler is an intelligent FBI agent who’d good at being one despite himself he somehow ends up wanting to rescue her (so to speak). I was completely in thrall of her, she has played this role with such consummate finesse that you’ll totally understand why men end up wanting her. The lore of ‘Mata Hari’ would have us believe that she was some kind of a Sexual Goddess, I somehow doubt that there had to be something more to her, I believe she might have been someone like Nina. And like our FBI agent I promise you the thought will cross your mind about what she might be wearing underneath those garbs and when his Boss tell him “Woman like that could have us for breakfast. Did she have you for breakfast Stan” you’ll know exactly what he means. Male protagonist is played by Matthew Rhys (unknown name to me), he has given a stellar performance as a KGB agent hiding in plain sight (at par with our Mr.Brody from Homeland), Rhys too could have easily played the lead in Homeland. The only weak link in this otherwise tightly knit espionage thriller is the female lead played by Keri Russell. The problem is, Claire Danes has acted the hell out of the role she plays in Homeland the comparison therefore is inevitable. Unlike Carrie Mathison who survives on hers wits Keri’s character is something else altogether. We see her more than once beating men weighing 120kgs to a pulp, I don’t care if you were trained by the KGB in the cold and desolate grounds of Siberia for 5 years or lived among the Shaolin monks for a decade, fact is if you weigh 40Kgs you’r not going to take a 140Kg gorilla down. It’s not about skills it’s just biology. The show is still a very pleasant and refreshing change from countless other espionage dramas we have seen. One overused and quite frankly rather annoying plot device which writers use is “hacking”. Need access to information no problem just hack the_fill agency name here_database, generic meaningless drivel which is indicative of poor and lazy writing. You find yourself in a corner, get imaginative and have the characters hack there way out of whatever quandary they find themselves in the real “hacks” in my opinion are the writers here.Good thing it’s set in the 1980s so people have to rely on some good old fashioned John le Carre style spycraft to get the desired results and access to information. Sure, some parts of the show do defy belief at times but they never come close to being incredulous, what’s also different is during such parts unlike other shows characters don’t say that the caper they are planning is brilliant and flawless, like the Audience they too know it’s stupid, will not work and could get them killed and they say precisely that. Tough not to like a Hero brave enough to acknowledge that.Just so you know where I’m coming from, ‘Homeland’ is a 10 in my book if you liked that show you’ll like this one too.… Expand

Ok... To reiterate a previous post "This is without doubt my most favorite show just now. Its brilliant. I cant stand waiting week by week, so I'm going to wait until the season end and watch
the remainder back on back."

So... Just watched them all and yeah, just excellent. There has been some comparisons with
Homeland, but this? Well, I find Homeland to be a sort of high end commercial great production but
ultimately slightly oily, too full of its message, and even cheesy at times. This has none of that, as you actually care about the protagonists, our anti-heroes, who are (or were) after all, the enemy.

Even the poison Granny, who fell in love with her current section boss 40 years earlier on a 1942 battlefield has pathos.

For my taste this just works fine on so many levels and I cant wait until next January for season
two.… Expand

Great show, just finished it. Lot of people are comparing this show with Homeland (I watched it too), but I think there is no possible way of comparing them. Yes, I agree, they are both shows about persons trying to hurt America... but the set is just so different. The Americans has a great mix of resposabilities towards the motherland, the kids, there marriage. It`s very interesting to watch how they fit in a society they are supposed to fight against. For all history, lovers, for all people that pay attention to small details, I would recomend this show.… Expand

This is a good, fast paced spook show with a lot of promise. I really like the way the plot keeps me on the edge of my seat. Some of the portions are breathtaking in the way they take over the senses. This is a top rate show. I enjoy the way Russel and Rhys question their loyalty to their handlers at times. It gives the viewer a sense of fairness after all. I am almost favoring the Russians instead of my FBI as the FBI has demonstrated that they will play down and dirty (should I be surprised?) while the Russians seem to have a better grasp of the rules that both sides are held to. This is excellent television. Bravo, FX! Bravo! I certainly hope the second season is as good as the first. I also hope that those poor kids aren't going to be motherless!… Expand

Really exciting spy action, without the genre-usual politics. The characters are well designed and believable and the personal stories and relationships add greatly to the tension. Love it!