Dinner for Seven
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Episode 11
| "Dinner for Seven" | |
|---|---|
| The Americans episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 11 |
| Directed by | Nicole Kassell |
| Written by | Joshua Brand |
| Cinematography by | Alex Nepomniaschy |
| Editing by | Amanda Pollack |
| Production code | BDU411 |
| Original air date | May 25, 2016 |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Dinner for Seven" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the American period spy drama television series The Americans. It is the 50th overall episode of the series and was written by Joshua Brand, and directed by Nicole Kassell. It was released on FX on May 25, 2016.
The series is set during the Cold War and follows Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet KGB intelligence officers posing as an American married couple living in Falls Church, a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., with their American-born children Paige and Henry. It also explores the conflict between Washington's FBI office and the KGB Rezidentura there, from the perspectives of agents on both sides, including the Jennings' neighbor Stan Beeman, an FBI agent working in counterintelligence. In the episode, Elizabeth's operation with Young Hee comes to an end, while the Jennings host dinner with Pastor Tim and Alice.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.81 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the episode's writing, performances, dinner scene and ending.
Pastor Tim (Kelly AuCoin) visits the Jennings, apologizing for Alice's threat. He mentions how the feeling of isolation made him understand their predicament, as he feared never seeing his child. Elizabeth (Keri Russell) decides to invite Tim and Alice to dine with them later that week, which he accepts.
Gabriel (Frank Langella) informs Elizabeth that she must continue her operation with Young Hee (Ruthie Ann Miles) and Don (Rob Yang). She visits Don at his house, lying to him by claiming she is pregnant with his child. Don wants her to have an abortion, "upsetting" her.
A grieving Stan (Noah Emmerich) visits Philip (Matthew Rhys), telling him that Frank Gaad was killed by KGB agents. Later, Philip tells Elizabeth that he reported Gaad's Thailand trip to the Centre, making them question their role in his death. Stan also visits Oleg (Costa Ronin), informing him that the FBI will try to turn him and that he will stop seeing him, as he remains affected from Amador's and Gaad's deaths. That night, the Jennings dine with Pastor Tim and Alice (Suzy Jane Hunt), when Stan shows up. Henry (Keidrich Sellati) decides to invite him over. As they dine, Tim and Alice both express discomfort with Stan's job at the FBI, not revealing the Jennings' true nature.
The following day, Philip and Gabriel arrive at Don's office accompanied by an agent (Marceline Hugot), pretending to be Patty's family. They claim that Patty killed herself and Philip demands that he pay for her funeral. While Philip and Don leave for the bank, Gabriel and the agent retrieve the access code to the lab. While the operation is a success, Elizabeth is devastated as she lost her friendship with Young Hee. That night, she and Paige walk in the street when they are approached by two muggers. The muggers try to rob them and take an interest in Paige, prompting Elizabeth to knock one unconscious and kill the other with a knife. Elizabeth then leaves with a shocked Paige.
Production
Development
In April 2016, FX confirmed that the eleventh episode of the season would be titled "Dinner for Seven", and that it would be written by Joshua Brand, and directed by Nicole Kassell. This was Brand's tenth writing credit, and Kassell's second directing credit.[1]
Filming
Filming for the episode wrapped by February 22, 2016.[2]