I have watched first three episodes. I find it good but not great.

The plotlines seem paperthin and network tv quality. The new neighbor is the FBI guy to assigned to investigate the Russians? Really? They can keep a guy in their trunk with kids in the house for a week?

I want to like it. But it just seems so much fluffier than great tv shows of recent past.

The first season was slow for me too...but it definitely picks up. I'm half way through season 3 and it's making my way into my top 10 shows. It's one of the top rated shows on tv right now.

I watched the first 6-7 episodes last year and found it to be okay. I didn't consciously decide to stop watching it, but the fact that I just forgot about it altogether must mean that I just wasn't that interested.

First season is the worst season. Season 2 gets better and three and four are great. I think the only show on tv that's better right now is Fargo.

Best seasons of the Americans, in order:
1) Season 3
2) Season 2
3) Season 4
4) Season 1


Stick with it

(And yes, the do 69 at some point)

I gave up a few eps into season 2 back when they originally aired.

Just didn't do enough for me, but people seem to love it.

The Russians did send KGB trained agents to Canada, which then later emigrated to the US posing as Canadian immigrants to gather and pass along information that embassy personnel would have drawn too much attention to.

The FBI didn't live next door, though. Give the TV people their cheap plot device and enjoy the story.

We binged season 4 over the last week once it became available on Prime. So damn good. Seasons 3 and 4 were fantastic tv. Can't wait to finally watch this show live for season 5

Is season 5 the last? I might be getting my shows confused.

Season 5 premiers this month and season 6 will be the final season.

FancyKetchup14 said:

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Season 5 premiers this month and season 6 will be the final season.

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That's when I'll start watching: after season 6. I hate binging a show and catching up to the most recent episode and then having to wait a week for a new one.

Sex Panther said:

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I think they 69 at one point

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And, it gets awkward...

It gets progressively worse. Season 1 was fun when, you know, they did spy stuff.

It's much like Sons Of Anarchy. It gets away from what the show is about. It jumped the shark for me last season when the entire FBI is looking for an informant in the park and the husband walks up and casually drives out unseen.

Not to mention the dynamic with the daughter for almost two seasons

Sons of anarchy? Jesus Christ!


It hasn't turned in to a comedy.

For reference

I started S1 last week and I'm hooked so far.

Love the plot, decent acting, lots of hotties and sex.

Before doing a quick search, I was about to start this exact same thread. I'm basically out of new TV to watch for the first time in I don't know how long. It's looking like HBO Sunday night programming is about the only new TV I'll have until season two of The Mandalorian in October and a couple of the Marvel series hopefully later this year as well.

In terms of the prestige and prestige-adjacent shows, The Americans is really the only big TV blind spot I have left. I never did Justified or Deadwood, but neither really interests me much. I watched the pilot for The Americans when it first debuted, and I wasn't a big fan. Like the OP said, it felt too much like network TV for my taste, and despite really liking the two leads in general, it wasn't a story that hooked me nor did it feel like one I wanted to continue devoting time to. The rest of this thread doesn't give me much hope, though it does sound it like it got better as it went along. Considering this thread existed before the final two seasons, how do people feel now? I heard the series finale was incredible?

It's either this or Dark for me next. But I gave the Dark pilot a shot last year, and wasn't a huge fan of it either. I know everyone raves about it, but man, the acting/dialogue was bad, and as lazy as this sounds, I just don't want to read subtitles for episode after episode, which is why I'm leaning toward The Americans...

It isn't for everyone and isn't perfect, but it is consistently good across its run. Often a slow burn, but the theme and feel are unique, and the finale is one of my favorites of any series.
It's worth giving a longer chance than most shows.

It ended on a satisfying note(s)

It's a slow burn, but I thought it was really good. It's worth giving a shot. This may be a captain obvious statement, but the dynamic between the two leads and the next door neighbor FBI agent is really the heart of the show. If you don't like that, or those three characters involved, you more than likely won't like the show.

The suspense does definitely heat up at the end and I thought the finale was a good payoff.

Plus, as others have stated, Keri Russel.

TCTTS said:

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Before doing a quick search, I was about to start this exact same thread. I'm basically out of new TV to watch for the first time in I don't know how long. It's looking like HBO Sunday night programming is about the only new TV I'll have until season two of The Mandalorian in October and a couple of the Marvel series hopefully later this year as well.

In terms of the prestige and prestige-adjacent shows, The Americans is really the only big TV blind spot I have left. I never did Justified or Deadwood, but neither really interests me much. I watched the pilot for The Americans when it first debuted, and I wasn't a big fan. Like the OP said, it felt too much like network TV for my taste, and despite really liking the two leads in general, it wasn't a story that hooked me nor did it feel like one I wanted to continue devoting time to. The rest of this thread doesn't give me much hope, though it does sound it like it got better as it went along. Considering this thread existed before the final two seasons, how do people feel now? I heard the series finale was incredible?

It's either this or Dark for me next. But I gave the Dark pilot a shot last year, and wasn't a huge fan of it either. I know everyone raves about it, but man, the acting/dialogue was bad, and as lazy as this sounds, I just don't want to read subtitles for episode after episode, which is why I'm leaning toward The Americans...

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I'm with you. Between quarantine and rocking a one year old to sleep at night, I'm just about caught up on any shows I've wanted to see, for the first time. Working on Last Dance now and just finished the first season of Upload on Amazon. You might like it. Comedy with some dramatic elements that are interesting.

Got bored of the Americans after a few seasons, kind of felt slow to me.

Also got bored of Dark after 2 seasons, didn't care about the 3rd. The style of the storytelling, or maybe just the story itself with things constantly looping back around on themselves time wise just got old to me.

It maybe changes in the newer season, but its like a time travel story where the characters don't actually do anything to change time, but you just see how they are all involved to create the present. It just feels to me like what is the goal here? What is the point of all of this story after 2 seasons other than revealing how all these interactions through time have affected each other? Maybe the first 2 seasons are the set up to actually getting to the point, but I lost interest.

I started and stopped Americans several times over the years. Even the final season, struggled to make it through. Ultimately I Wikipedia'd the episodes leading up to the finale and watched the finale.

It's a well made, well-acted show. But it is a slow burn.

Same here. I was really into it early. But eventually I found myself getting further and further behind. Things just got so slow and kind of boring. I think I still have two or so seasons left that I probably won't get to.

What a nice surprise this thread is. We just started the Americans last week and are in the middle of season 2. We will watch this one to the end. Great attention to period detail and the Russian spy couple as the main characters is an unusual and interesting dynamic. Good writing and acting.

Quinn said:

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It's a relationship/marriage story, not a spy story. Yes, the spy stuff is important, but it's about the relationships it builds and destroys. How the pressure effects spouses, best friends, parents & kids, work relationships, etc. How does what you do at work change how you act at home and vice versa. It's a slow burn for sure, but I think it's worth it. I'm shocked by the people that thought it was similar to a network drama. I highly recommend checking it out or giving it another shot.

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Early on it took a "case of the week" format like network cop shows. It wasn't until FX committed to the show for the long haul that the writers became free to make longer arching story lines. That is when it got really good.

Also, I think it absolutely nails the ending, so you shouldn't feel like you wasted 60 hours or whatever when you get to the end.