Customer Ratings & Reviews

Philip and Elizabeth Jennings are two KGB spies in an arranged marriage who are posing as Americans in suburban Washington, D.C., shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected president. The couple have two children, teenager Paige and preteen Henry, who are unaware of their parents' true identities. The complex marriage becomes more passionate and genuine each day but is continually tested as the Cold War escalates. As Philip begins to warm up to America's values and way of life, his relationship with Elizabeth becomes more complicated. Further complicating things is the arrival of the Jennings' new neighbour, FBI agent Stan Beeman, who is part of a new division of the agency tasked with fighting foreign agents on U.S. soil. The drama series was created by former CIA agent-turned-author Joe Weisberg.

In a time when television and film is saturated with tales of spies and their exploits, "The Americans" manages to turn the genre on its head and provide an angle that's rarely explored: the psyche and motivation of the 'villain', without (much) mustache-twirling villainous cliche. The protagonists are the Bad Guys, and the antagonists are the Badder Guys, and the Good Guys lurk on the periphery, almost acting as collateral damage resulting from the proceedings. All of them are three-dimensional and filled with convincing human emotions and behaviors. "The Americans" also resurrected Keri Russell's acting career in a way that no other project has since the demise of "Felicity", and that's a great thing. Finally broken free of the melodramatic college student role in front of a larger audience than she's had since the teen soap's heyday, she really shines.

This FX program is the first TV program that has been able to suck me in for one hour once a week for an entire season. TV hasn't been very good since the days of Cheers, Family Ties, Night Court, and Coach. The Americans feels more like a movie than a TV series. It is so well done. The story is so well written. I enjoy the suspense of the Jennings (Russian spies) and their next door neighbor friends (husband is a FBI agent). The Jennings are barely a step ahead of the FBI. The struggle and strain that is put on the Jennings marriage because of the cat and mouse game they are playing with the US government adds a little more to the plot. It's a root for the bad guys type show.

Every main actor delivers a strong performance. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys are great as a married couple and undercover KGB spies. Margo Martindale delivers in many great scenes just as she did in another FX series, Justified. Every episode is enjoyable and pulls in the audience; however, there were a few story points/characters that felt rushed. The blu-ray version was very good. No noticeable problems regarding picture/sound. Special features were interesting enough if you enjoy behind-the-scenes information. The first season of The Americans was just as enjoyable for me as the first two seasons of Justified.

I had not seen this when it was on TV last year but I read some good reviews and some of my friends said that I would like it. They were correct. It is a great series and I look forward to more. The story line is excellent as well as the acting. I grew up in this era and so it brought back many memories of that time period. Even the supporting actors are on the mark. You care about them all. The show is intense at times as far as what will happen next.

"The American's" takes us back to a time when everything was done slower, and that's just how this series starts...slow. Each character has to be introduced and most aren't in any way memorable at first, so it take a bit to get into the show. That being said there are twists and swerves starting in about the third episode that are well thought out and unexpected. The pace of the show, being set in the 80's, recalls a slower time of "not so instant" communications. Everyone doesn't carry a cell phone with GPS and texting, and it lends itself to a more organic storytelling with dead drops and spy-craft front and center. The various alias of the characters are well done and the plots and subplots keep you guessing till the end.

This is a great show about undercover Russian spies in the 1980s. It is a different take on the cold war showing the perspective from the other side of things as well as from the U.S., the one we are used to. It is weird when you find yourself invested in the characters and somewhat rooting a little bit for both sides just to keep things going. I also love the 1980s setting where you get to see some of the old styles and hear some of that great music again in the show too.

When I first heard of The Americans, I shrugged off the show thinking it would be cooperate level espionage or something that resembled Red Dawn. Then by listening to the Tv dudes podcast they turned that notion around. I picked up the first season and have been loving every episode- as it expands on questions of loyalty, duty, and pins the characters into both supporting roles and antagonistic roles. Truly amazing.

The set isn't "loaded" with extras, but they aren't required. The Americans is one of, if not the finest regular drama on all of television. Award voters are finally starting to recognize its brilliance. This is the one you've been looking for...the new bingeworthy series that will keep you thinking, keep you on the edge of your seat, and keep you on your toes.

Action, Drama even a love story if you're into that. For those who want to experience life during the Cold War years this is the series for you. The extra footage is awesome. Long story short, KGB agents pose as a loving true American couple/ parents living in the USA, on a mission to bring the Western World down, and bring victory to communist Russia

I'd been hesitant to watch this but now that I've started I think I will really hate when it ends. It's a bit over the top and the constant fighting between Russel and Rhys's characters is repetitive, but overall this is a really good series. I've bought seasons 2 and 3 already to plow right into once I'm finished with the 1st!

I had heard from a few people how great "The Americans" series is. This DVD confirmed everything they said. The series includes a great plot, really good cast, great acting and lots of intrigue and suspense. I am hooked on this show. I know a lot of folks are sad the series has finally ended.

A KGB couple successfully posing as a typical all-American family but ultimately failing to make a difference in the power struggle between East and West and failing to grasp that their real mission is to move beyond the pose of family to the reality of family. Nicely scripted and acted and captures the appearance and feel of early 80's America.

This was my first viewing of The Americans, as I missed it originally on FX. I'm glad I had the full season to watch at once it was hard to stop when I got into the episodes. The Blu-ray quality is very nice and the price, on sale for $25, made it a good buy. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys stories involving spying and espionage.

There have been several spy series, but where many stumble in trying to balance mission and personal life, this gets the balance right. It shows the value in having technical consultants and producers who appreciate immersion into the world, and recognize that quality will spread word of mouth just as well as headline grabbing twists.

This is one of those shows that grips your attention. It's incredibly well done, the acting and casting is perfect. It honestly may have happened like this. It's gripping, powerful, and opens your eyes to spy warfare back in the day. Highly highly recommend. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Obviously you have to like the show to want to buy the DVDs. We missed most of the 1st season and so was missing some background info...we don't typically buy TV shows on DVD but FX wanted like $3.99/episode for the 1st season which is crazy, especially when we were able to get all the episode for $14 here at BB

I normally don't buy anything that is not in Blu Ray or 4K, but I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity of this show. I do have a 4K connection cord hooked up to my disc player, so that may have helped. The show is also great and I am really looking forward to the next few seasons.

This Bluray is an excellent collection of this first season of this show. I debated spending what I did for it but after watching it, it was worth it. Video quality of the Discs are excellent. Cannot wait to see the second season. If you liked Homeland, you'll like this.

This is a great series that just gets better with every season. I really enjoyed season 1. It is set in the Northern Virginia / DC area during the 1980's. The cold war is very much alive and the spies are very busy. You will enjoy it.