The World Council of Churches (The Americans)
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Episode 12
- Joel Fields
- Joe Weisberg
| "The World Council of Churches" | |
|---|---|
| The Americans episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 12 |
| Directed by | Nicole Kassell |
| Written by |
|
| Cinematography by | Daniel Stoloff |
| Editing by | Sheri Bylander |
| Production code | BDU512 |
| Original air date | May 23, 2017 |
| Running time | 51 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The World Council of Churches" is the twelfth episode of the fifth season of the American period spy drama television series The Americans. It is the 64th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Joel Fields and series creator Joe Weisberg, and directed by Nicole Kassell. It was released on FX on May 23, 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 decide to move back to Moscow, while Oleg realizes Ekaterina has been arrested.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.66 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, praising the performances, writing and tension.
At his church, Pastor Tim (Kelly AuCoin) tells Paige (Holly Taylor) that he will be leaving for Buenos Aires in two months as he has accepted an offer from the World Council of Churches, unaware that Paige asked KGB to help in the case. She reports this to her parents, relieved that her life is now less stressful.
Stan (Noah Emmerich) and Aderholt (Brandon J. Dirden) meet with Sofia (Darya Ekamasova), who has brought Gennadi (Yuri Kolokolnikov) with her. They are shocked when Gennadi reveals that Sofia has told him everything, but that he still wants to help them. While they believe the mission is in jeopardy, Wolfe (Peter Jacobson) instructs them to continue. Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) find that Alexei is unwilling to return home to the USSR, despite Pasha being bullied. They also visit Pastor Tim, revealing that they plan to move back to Moscow but are unsure if Paige and Henry (Keidrich Sellati) will respond positively. Tim explains that it is important that Henry be known about their real identity, but that they will need to evaluate if that is what their children want.
In Moscow, Oleg (Costa Ronin) is questioned over his relationship with Tatiana, and also discovers about William Crandall's death. He later finds that Ekaterina has been arrested and asks Anatoly (Oleg Stefan) in preventing that. Anatoly accepts his terms, and Ekaterina is released. Oleg later has a talk with Igor (Boris Krutonog), expressing his disdain for how the ringleaders won't face repercussions for their actions. Somewhere, Mischa (Alex Ozerov) is revealed to be working in a power plant, where he is visited by Philip's brother, Pyotr. Pyotr takes Mischa to dine with his wife and son.
Philip and Elizabeth visit Tuan (Ivan Mok), who states that he has convinced Pasha to try a suicide attempt to finally convince Alexei to leave the country. This is met with disdain from Philip and Elizabeth, as they fear Pasha could actually kill himself. Tuan is forced to call Pasha, but no one answers. They are forced to go to Pasha's house, even when there is a man outside watching over the house.
Production
Development
In April 2017, FX confirmed that the twelfth episode of the season would be titled "The World Council of Churches", and that it would be written by executive producer Joel Fields and series creator Joe Weisberg, and directed by Nicole Kassell. This was Fields' 19th writing credit, Weisberg's 20th writing credit, and Kassell's third directing credit.[1]
Filming
Filming for the episode wrapped by March 6, 2017.[2]