“The Americans” on FX
Reviewed by Jessica Lauridsen
On Jan. 30, the FX television network aired the first episode of a new show called “The Americans.”
“The Americans” follows the lives of two Soviet spies, played by Keri Russell known from the ’90s show “Felicity,” and Matthew Rhys from ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters.” They’re working undercover as husband and wife in the suburban ’80s Washington D.C., investigating the American government.
Trouble ensues when Phillip Jennings (Rhys) political leanings begin to change as he becomes allured of the idea of having a normal family life, while Elizabeth Jennings (Russell) remains distinct in her pride for the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and its mission.
Both performances are so convincing you might find yourself cheering for the Soviets.
Joe Weisberg, a former CIA analyst, was inspired to write “The Americans” following the events of the 2010 Russian Spy Ring.
For those of you who don’t know what went down, here’s the scoop: The Soviet Union’s Foreign Intelligence Service sent spies in the ’80s to America posing as American families to attempt gaining access to U.S. Intelligence. The F.B.I. consummated the arrest of 10 agents in July of 2010.
The first episode is fraught with heart-pounding action that is sure to get you hooked on the high intensity fight scenes, use of convincing disguises, and perfect Russian accents.
It’s impossible to forget what year it is with details like the gold ’77 Oldsmobile, typewriters, and a steamy sex scene to Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight,” much to my delight.
Catch the next episode 10 p.m. Feb. 20th.
Rating: 3 out of 5
“House of Cards” on Netflix
Reviewed by Emerson Malone
“House of Cards” opens with Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey), smothering a dog on a street curb in Georgetown.
He turns to address the audience and describes himself as the kind of person “who does the unpopular [albeit necessary] thing,” like calmly killing the whimpering dog with his bare hands, putting it out of its misery after being hit by a car.
“House of Cards,” Netflix’s original series, is a bold gamble on the future of online streaming television. It centers on the deadpan and irate Congressman Underwood, the Majority Whip from South Carolina, who is revoked of a position as Secretary of State and told to stay in Congress by a President he helped elect. This triggers Frank’s contempt for being manipulated by his colleagues and is the catalyst for his revenge.
Zoe Barnes, (Kate Mara) is the young, savvy reporter for The Washington Herald who shares a symbiotic (and exploitative) relationship with Underwood. She wants insider information; he knows she can be controlled as a voice in the media.
Corey Stoll (who played Hemingway in “Midnight in Paris”) is spine-chilling as the massively unpopular, booze-swilling U.S. representative Peter Russo.
Commenting on his peers, Underwood remarks, “Friends make the worst enemies.”
Underwood shamelessly modifies public opinion by pulling the puppet strings of other politicians. He describes his job like that of a plumber: “to clear the pipes and keep the sludge moving.”
The series boasts several real-world allusions to the barbarism of political culture and the direction of journalism from print to tweet. Francis sucks up to popular opinion, dealing with a teacher’s union protest or showing up uninvited to a funeral of a teenager who died while texting and driving. He uses blackmail, bribery, and threats to pass legislation– anything to keep the sludge moving.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“The Following” on Fox
Reviewed by Estrellita Uribe
Kevin Bacon plays retired FBI agent Ryan Hardy who is set to end his unfinished business with serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) in Fox’s new thrilling drama The Following.
As a former college professor, Carroll used to murder his female students, inspired by the terrifying philosophies of Edgar Allen Poe.
Eventually, agent Hardy caught Carroll torturing one of his victims and imprisoned him. This gave him the opportunity to take over the case and over the heart of Carroll’s wife, Claire Matthews.
The flame of revenge sparkled trough Carroll, who sets a web of followers that are willing to direct his revengeful master plan after he is captured.
The series characters are able to intrigue and engage the viewers, especially Carroll. The way his mind works and who his followers are will keep you at the edge of your seat, jumping from surprise after surprise.
However, the brutal violent scenes steal the spotlight of these characters. The intense graphics make the show almost too difficult to watch.
Not suitable for weak stomachs, The Following promises to deliver a thrilling plot line and bloody scenarios to horror TV fans.
Rating: 4 out of 5
