Immersion (The Americans)
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Episode 8
| "Immersion" | |
|---|---|
| The Americans episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Kevin Bray |
| Written by | Tracey Scott Wilson |
| Cinematography by | Daniel Stoloff |
| Editing by | Amanda Pollack |
| Production code | BDU508 |
| Original air date | April 25, 2017 |
| Running time | 47 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Immersion" is the eighth episode of the fifth season of the American period spy drama television series The Americans. It is the 60th overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Tracey Scott Wilson, and directed by Kevin Bray. It was released on FX on April 25, 2017.
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, Philip and Elizabeth reunite with Claudia as their handler, while Oleg is investigated in Moscow.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.76 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics, although there was criticism towards the pacing and lack of progress.
After bidding farewell to Gabriel, Philip (Matthew Rhys) returns home, telling Elizabeth (Keri Russell) that Gabriel felt recruiting Paige (Holly Taylor) was a mistake. Claudia (Margo Martindale) is re-assigned as their handler, and they warn her about trying to manipulate them again.
Elizabeth continues meeting with Evgheniya (Irina Dvorovenko), who tells her that she is hosting an "immersion" event where everyone will have to speak in Russian. Elizabeth decides to postpone meeting with Ben (Brett Tucker), wanting to focus on the meeting and finding any possible moles within KGB. Knowing she is hurt over Ben's affair, Philip also calls Deidre (Clea Lewis) to cancel their meeting. To his surprise, she decides to end their relationship. Philip and Elizabeth follow Evgheniya to the event, only to discover that the event was a ruse and that she is involved in an extramarital affair. Claudia informs them that the man is a candidate for Deputy Chief of the CIA's Moscow station, intending to have Evgheniya back in Moscow. To motivate her, Elizabeth and Philip agree with Tuan (Ivan Mok) in having kids bully Pasha at school.
In Moscow, Oleg (Costa Ronin) is visited by Major Kuznetsov (Sacha Slobodyanik), who has PGU officers inspect his bedroom. He reluctantly allows them, but the officers do not find anything. Oleg then asks Anatoly (Oleg Stefan) about it, but the latter claims he was not involved and that Oleg's visit to the archives wouldn't prompt PGU to suspect him.
At a museum, Stan (Noah Emmerich) and Aderholt (Brandon J. Dirden) meet with Sofia (Darya Ekamasova), finally getting her to reveal some information by paying her. While training with Elizabeth, Paige notes the hole in the garage and asks about it. Elizabeth opens up about Nikolai Timoshev, revealing that he raped her. She explains how she had to picture Nikolai every time she fought, surprising Paige. Elizabeth also motivates Philip in trying to reconnect with Deidre for their mission. He reconnects when he admits he is married and she agrees to continue seeing him. Later, Elizabeth and Paige take a walk in order to talk about their experiences.
Production
Development
In March 2017, FX confirmed that the eighth episode of the season would be titled "Immersion", and that it would be written by supervising producer Tracey Scott Wilson, and directed by Kevin Bray. This was Wilson's seventh writing credit, and Bray's first directing credit.[1]
Filming
Filming for the episode wrapped by January 24, 2017.[2]