Persona Non Grata (The Americans)
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Episode 13
- Joel Fields
- Joe Weisberg
| "Persona Non Grata" | |
|---|---|
| The Americans episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 13 |
| Directed by | Chris Long |
| Written by |
|
| Featured music | "Who By Fire" by Leonard Cohen |
| Cinematography by | Alex Nepomniaschy |
| Editing by | Daniel Valverde |
| Production code | BDU413 |
| Original air date | June 8, 2016 |
| Running time | 53 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Persona Non Grata" is the thirteenth episode and season finale of the fourth season of the American period spy drama television series The Americans. It is the 52nd overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Joel Fields and series creator Joe Weisberg, and directed by executive producer Chris Long. It was released on FX on June 8, 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, William faces consequences for his actions, while Gabriel worries that he might confess.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.77 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the performances, writing, and closure to the Lassa virus storyline. For the episode, Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg were nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards.
William (Dylan Baker) leaves his apartment to meet with Philip (Matthew Rhys) at a park to deliver him the Lassa virus. Unbeknownst to him, Stan (Noah Emmerich) and the FBI are following him. Realizing he is being followed, William breaks the vial on his palm and infects himself as authorities approach him. Philip decides to leave the park, unaware of William's actions.
In Russia, Philip's son Mischa Semenov (Alex Ozerov) is held at a mental institution due to his anti-war statements. He is brought before an officer, who says Mischa's "powerful friends" want to help him by getting him released. He visits his grandfather, Fyodor (Dimiter D. Marinov), who gives him a package from his mother, Irina, with different passports and currencies. With this, Mischa plans to find Philip. At the Rezidentura, Oleg (Costa Ronin) tells Arkady (Lev Gorn) that while he declined Tatiana's offer, he will go back to Russia with his mother. Arkady is then summoned by Wolfe (Peter Jacobson), who accuses him of being involved in the theft of the bioweapons and Gaad's death. He declares him persona non grata for his recent actions and orders him to leave the United States within 48 hours, with Tatiana (Vera Cherny) taking over his position.
At an EST meeting, Philip opens up about his profession. Without revealing he is KGB, he expresses disdain for his job and wishes he could simply quit. William is placed on the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases for treatment, and he refuses to disclose information to Stan and Aderholt (Brandon J. Dirden), as he will die in a few days. As his condition worsens, he relates how he felt privileged by his mission, but eventually became disillusioned. Gabriel (Frank Langella) worries that William could speak with the FBI, and tells Philip and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) that they should consider leaving the country.
In his deathbed, William starts coughing blood. He relates how his partner who was pretending to be his wife eventually abandoned him, something he deeply regrets. He also claims that he wanted kids "like them", not disclosing to whom he is referring. At the Beeman house, Paige (Holly Taylor) and Matthew (Daniel Flaherty) watch the Super Bowl XVIII before kissing. As Philip and Elizabeth return home, Stan tells Philip that he saw Paige and Matthew kissing. An irate Philip picks up Paige, telling her not to see Matthew again, saying "You have no idea. No idea."
Production
Development
In May 2016, FX confirmed that the thirteenth and final episode of the season would be titled "Persona Non Grata", and that it would be written by executive producer Joel Fields and series creator Joe Weisberg, and directed by executive producer Chris Long. This was Fields' 16th writing credit, Weisberg's 17th writing credit, and Long's third directing credit.[1]
Writing
On bringing Mischa back to the series, executive producer Joel Fields explained, "The Mischa thing was a somewhat late-breaking and organically breaking story. When that first relationship was introduced in season 1, she brought up the idea of the son, and that blossomed through the development of that script. And then there was this question of whether he was real or not. I think how he was going to be used came into focus that season, really."[2]
Filming
Filming for the episode and the season wrapped on March 9, 2016.[3]
For the final scene, director Chris Long reportedly said, "I have an idea for our final image, which is to hang on the house and have it start to look like it's haunted."[4]