
Warning: Major spoilers from the episode discussed
Larrick was only interested in Jared as a means to an end – the end of Philip and Elizabeth. After the deaths of his comrades, Larrick was determined to make the Jennings’ pay. He found and killed Kate, which put him a step closer to his prey. Then he tracked Jared and eventually found the Jennings. I’ll admit it: I was genuinely terrified. I had no idea how Philip and Elizabeth were going to get out of this. And it seemed like Larrick would probably want to torture them, so I thought it was gonna get bloody and gross real quick. So when Jared had a gun on him, I was surprised. And after Jared was shot and started his verbal diarrhea (kind of a gross visual, but apt I think), I was confused. It was clear that his quick actions saved Philip and Elizabeth. It was clear that Kate had been meeting Jared – without a disguise – for quite some time. It was clear Kate made promises to him to entice him into working for the Centre. It was clear that he killed his parents and sister. But it wasn’t until Claudia spelled it out for the Jennings’ (and for us), that I understood what Jared truly was. And you’ve got to admit it’s kind of genius.
Because the illegals would never be able to pass the extensive background tests, they’d never be able to work for organizations like the FBI or CIA. But think of the wealth of information they’d have access to if they were agents. The children of the illegals are born here so they’re citizens. Essentially they just need to be “read in†and they can start their work for Mother Russia. Jared was a second generation, but it’s clear his parents didn’t want him to have any part of that life. But Jared went behind their backs and did it anyway. When they found out, they became a problem that had to be eliminated. With Jared no longer in play the Centre now has its sights set on Paige and Philip and Elizabeth want no part of that. They don’t want Paige exposed to that life; she’s already in so much danger as it is. Philip puts his secret identity and his life at risk to tell Arkady Ivanovich to stay away from his daughter.

But Paige is rebellious and looking for a cause. She told her parents she needs to be part of something larger. She wants something to fight for. It doesn’t seem like she’s in any real danger of becoming a religious fanatic, but she does admire that Jesus gave his life for his beliefs, for the greater good. She’s got some serious fire in her and she needs more of a purpose than she has now. I think it’s interesting that both Philip and Elizabeth were so resistant to the idea at first. Paige’s future is up to them, not the Centre. I think it’s even more interesting that Elizabeth now sees some merit in the idea. I can’t imagine involving a child in what Elizabeth and Philip do, but it’s such an intriguing problem – on a philosophical level. It’s a fascinating “what if†game. I wonder if Elizabeth will be able to bring Philip around on this idea. I wonder if Paige will accept what her parents are and want to be a part of this fight. I wonder what the Centre will do to make this idea more attractive to Philip and Elizabeth. I wonder how it will affect their family if Paige becomes a second generation. I wonder how it will affect Paige. It’s such a “big†idea and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out next season.

Is this really the end of Nina Sergeevna?
I couldn’t believe Stan was going to betray his country for her – even after he wore whatever that device was into the vault at the Pentagon, even after he talked to Arkady about whether or not Nina would be released after he did this, even as he sat down on that bench and left something behind for the Russians to retrieve. I know Stan loves her and now that his wife has left him, it seemed like he’d hold on tight to the one woman who seemed to love him back. Even though I couldn’t believe it, I still kind of expected him to do it. But what really shocked me was Nina and Oleg’s goodbye. I was not enjoying their storyline very much. I thought Oleg was a spoiled little rich boy and I was pretty offended at how he tried to circumnavigate Arkady earlier this season. But I found myself really moved when Oleg went to visit Nina. I love that there was so much that had to be left unsaid. I loved how they looked at each other. It was just really well played and I had hoped she’d use that money and run. She didn’t (or couldn’t) and I worry what awaits her back in Russia.
Season 3 of The Americans returns in 2015.
Related posts
Classics
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People, which US audiences still have not been able…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
Catching Up with Ted Lasso and Previewing Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] The not so dirty little secret about how I approach a new series is that I sometimes make a call based on the headspace I’m in at the time. It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up a show after the first season and then binge…
Interview: Henri Esteve on Grown-ish Season 3
An interview with Henri Esteve, who plays Javi on Freeform’s Grown-ish. He talks about his season three experience.
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…