The Americans: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 536 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	Your Score
8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 536 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

FX | Season Premiere Date: January 30, 2013

Starring: Lev Gorn, Keri Russell, Susan Misner

Summary: Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) are KGB agents posing as married Americans just outside of Washington D.C. during the 1980s.

Creator: Joe Weisberg and Joseph Weisberg

Genre(s): Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. The Colonel
Air Date: May 1, 2013
tbd
S1:E12. The Oath
Air Date: April 24, 2013
tbd
S1:E11. Covert War
Air Date: April 17, 2013

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Alan Sepinwall

Jan 30, 2013

Based on the admittedly small sample size of two episodes, The Americans feels like it could very comfortably slot in with the upper tier of FX dramas. That's about as good as it gets. Read full review

Dorothy Rabinowitz

Jan 25, 2013

The Americans unfolds a thoroughly seductive tale of sleeper KGB agents. Read full review

Alessandra Stanley

Jan 29, 2013

It's a subtle, complex portrait of a relationship etched into an engaging espionage thriller set in 1981. Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

Jan 29, 2013

By episode 2, though, after the crammed (and super-sized) premiere, [creator] Weisberg reveals a sure sense of detail that bodes well for the future of the series. Read full review

Sara Smith

Feb 1, 2013

[A] smart espionage drama. Read full review

Curt Wagner

Jan 30, 2013

[An] exciting but frustrating spy thriller from former CIA employee and writer-executive producer Joe Weisberg, skillfully captures the anxiety of the age. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Jan 28, 2013

The Americans at the moment seems to fall uneasily between the methodical and the campy. Read full review

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User Score

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8.4

User Reviews

Anne415

Mar 30, 2015

This show is fantastic. Keri Russell is just amazing and the writing and plot lines are great. As someone that remembers the cold war and the USSR, it also seems fairly historically accurate. I mean it is a television show, but Casper Weinberger and Alexander Haig actually had those roles,This show is fantastic. Keri Russell is just amazing and the writing and plot lines are great. As someone that remembers the cold war and the USSR, it also seems fairly historically accurate. I mean it is a television show, but Casper Weinberger and Alexander Haig actually had those roles, so it is a little walk down memory lane. This is such a recent piece of history and I work with people in their 30's (I am in my late 40's) that do not remember this at all, nor did they learn of it in school. Considering the enemy today, it is almost a "remember the good old days" feeling when you knew exactly who your enemy was and the reason you were fighting. They also reference Afghanistan and the war with Russia and our part in that little piece of history as well. Anyway, very excellent show. I hope it stays on for years to come.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

anishsana

Oct 5, 2013

Hands down, one of the best TV shows of all time. This is a show where clever people outsmart each other, unlike Breaking Bad, where you can mostly bet the characters to do the wrong thing.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

boiler613

Jan 31, 2013

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 ofGreat 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

13 of 18 users found this helpful135

Edozul91

Feb 28, 2014

I've started watching this show somewhat by chance, reading some reviews on Metacritic.
Well, I really get enthusiastic for doing it! I don't want to speak about the storyline because, you know, it'll take too much time; but I just want to give you a tip: watch it and you won't regret it!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JPG127

Jan 31, 2013

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.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

LanSolo

Mar 2, 2014

I watched the pilot episode, and I thought it was a great show. Unfortunately, at $3.49 (CAD) per episode on iTunes, I won't be watching any more episodes unless they are released on Netflix. Whoever set that price is pretty greedy. I wouldn't pay any more than $0.99 per episode for any TV show.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

alimason100

Apr 13, 2018

I loved the first few seasons, but this new one is getting ridiculous. I hate Elizabeth now, she is so selfish. Also why would her daughter have such an affinity for Russia when she never grew up there. She was raised with american children. Why is Elizabeth farming her out already, she isI loved the first few seasons, but this new one is getting ridiculous. I hate Elizabeth now, she is so selfish. Also why would her daughter have such an affinity for Russia when she never grew up there. She was raised with american children. Why is Elizabeth farming her out already, she is so young and stupid. Are you trying to set up a situation where elizabeth is going to have to KILL STAN, her neighbor??? Im done. The only 2 likable characters left are Phillip and the son, who dont have anything much to do with espionage.....anymore. I would like to see more story like with Stan, Sonja(?) and her son, & husband...… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SEE ALL 91 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

89

Series Overview
Season 6

92
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: March 28, 2018
Season 5

94
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: March 7, 2017
Season 4

95
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: March 16, 2016
Season 3

92
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: January 28, 2015
Season 2

88
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: February 26, 2014
Season 1

78
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 30, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E13. The Colonel
  Air Date: May 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E12. The Oath
  Air Date: April 24, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E11. Covert War
  Air Date: April 17, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E10. Only You
  Air Date: April 10, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E9. Safe House
  Air Date: April 3, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E8. Mutually Assured Destruction
  Air Date: March 20, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E7. Duty and Honor
  Air Date: March 13, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E6. Trust Me
  Air Date: March 6, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E5. COMINT
  Air Date: February 27, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E4. In Control
  Air Date: February 20, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E3. Gregory
  Air Date: February 13, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E2. The Clock
  Air Date: February 6, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: January 30, 2013