The Americans: The Complete First Season [3 Discs] [Blu-ray]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It is very rare that you have a near perfect episode, especially of a series on commercial television. But FX has done it here with The Americans. It is nearly flawless. Great mind candy for the thinking person, with something to come back to after the first viewing. I credit the success of The Americans to 3 things: Great script, great music, and Keri Russell! The script is adult, no-nonsense storytelling built on an original premise, the Cold War. Those of us who are old enough remember this period, a period of the Russians-are-coming hysteria that was second only to the Civil Rights movement the decade before. An era very under- represented in film and ignored on the small screen, comes to life for a new generation. Of course this era would be nothing without the music of this time and again, The Americans is flawless with that, the set, music, cinematics and of-course acting! Must mention these disguises too, which are not your silly, unrealistic mission-impossible disguises. No, the disguises in The Americans are really disguises and surprisingly, with very little disguise. What makes these disguises work for the Jennings is that the Jennings can act. With each disguise is a new personality. Elizabeth, played by Keri Russell, is special! Russell takes the art of disguise to the next stage. she is authentic, smart, gorgeous and just plain savage! Keri Russell is wonderfully dangerous, stellar, great looking and I can't get enough of her! I think Keri Russell's presence in this series is the key to everything. Only she could have this cold outside look hiding a wounded soul that hangs on to what she believes in. It is not only about the plot, but also the human toll the Cold War claimed in its path. I think the series is very well rounded in terms of casting and writing. It has a rhythm that keeps the audience on edge. The series has everything: originality, se x, espionage, suspense...did I say originality?

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.

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.