The Americans recap: ‘Dead Hand’

The Americans returns with a strong, gripping season six premiere.

The final season of The Americans is upon us, and last night’s season six premiere laid the groundwork for what is sure to be one hell of a season. With a time jump of a few years into 1987, things aren’t exactly as we remember them.

Philip (Matthew Rhys) is no longer working as a spy and is focused full-time on the travel agency. In fact, the travel agency has been expanded and is doing extremely well. Not going to lie, seeing this side of Philip is a breath of fresh air.

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However, the same cannot be said about Elizabeth (Keri Russell) who is still knee-deep in undercover ops — and yes, still sleeping around to get the job done.

And with the couple leading different lives, the tension, and drift in their marriage is palpable to the audience. They no longer connect because their lives no longer intersect. This feeling becomes the focus of last night’s episode.

As we know, Philip could no longer take the pressures of being an agent but was forced to remain in the U.S. because Elizabeth wanted to continue their work.

What is perhaps the craziest change going into season six is seeing Paige (Holly Taylor) fully immersed in the Russian spy lifestyle. In fact, we see her watching Russian soap operas with Elizabeth and Claudia (Margo Martindale) and talking about her professor and providing intel she has discovered. She is officially an operative–who could have predicted that back in season one?

It is obvious to everyone, especially Claudia, that Elizabeth seems to be falling apart. But with the Summit only weeks away, a lot of pressure is riding on Elizabeth’s success. She is sent off to Mexico to meet someone, but Claudia shares with her she has no idea who or why.

Back in Russia, we see our old friend Oleg Burov who gets an unexpected visit from his old boss, Arkady. It seems the time jump has done well for him as he is now married with a child. However, Arkady has come around because he needs Oleg’s help taking down those plan to undermine the summit.

He even mentions that an officer in Washington is meeting with a general in the Strategic Rocket Forces, and he doesn’t seem too pleased. Who could this officer be? You guessed it, Elizabeth.

He suggests Oleg find a way to contact Philip, who thinks more like them and can spy, er…keep an eye on Elizabeth. Despite Oleg’s wife insisting he not return to America, he tells her he can make a difference and must go.

When Elizabeth arrives in Mexico, she meets with General Kovtun who tells her about a Soviet program called, “Dead Hand.” It is designed to retaliate back against the U.S. if they decide to attack–via a computer. The concern is that Gorbachev will negotiate this program away during the Summit and he asks Elizabeth to keep a watchful eye on one of the men involved in the negotiations, Fyodor Nesterenko.

He hands her this task because she is already spying on an American negotiator and she will be in the best position to know about any trade deals that go down. Elizabeth accepts the mission along with a poison pill tucked away in a locket. Because if all hell breaks loose, she can’t get arrested.

While this scene leaves us with a morbid vibe, the next one takes us to a dinner with Philip, Elizabeth, Paige, Stan, and co. Remember his girlfriend, Renee? She’s there too as we all secretly cling to our theories of her being a Russian spy as well.

When Oleg arrives in the U.S., he leaves a message for Philip on one of the mailboxes and although hesitant, Philip goes to the meeting. There are simultaneous moments unraveling at the same time here. Oleg is asking Philip to spy on Elizabeth, Paige is surveying a restaurant, and Elizabeth is keeping a watchful eye on the American negotiator.

There is a moment of tension when Paige is flagged down by a Navy security agent who is more focused on getting her number and asking her out than anything. He takes her college ID in hopes she will meet him for dinner, but his excitement is short-lived when Elizabeth brutally stabs him in the neck. Nothing can go wrong — nothing.

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After meeting with Oleg, Philip tries to talk to Elizabeth but she refuses to listen to what he has to say. She’s tired, exhausted, and frustrated, and whatever he has to say can wait until morning. The problem is–it really can’t.

The Americans airs every Wednesday on FX at 10 P.M. EST!