Review of 'The Americans' Penultimate
Tour de Force Keri Russell
Well, the next-to-last episode of The Americans on FX last night was really something. Keri Russell has been outstanding throughout the six-season series, but she put on an off-the-chart performance as Elizabeth in episode 6.9.
Conversations have always been the centerpiece of this series, but the conversion between Elizabeth and Paige last night set a new high standard for Elizabeth. She finally admits to what Paige has been in one way or another accusing her of all season and earlier: Yes, she's not only a spy. She's a spy who sleeps with men, because sex in such circumstances means nothing to her, it's just a means to an end, and Philip knows and approves. Those statements and emotions would have been powerful coming from any decent actress, but Keri Russell delivers a searing performance in that two-minute conversation.
A little earlier, it's Margot Martindale as Claudia who delivers the goods—to Elizabeth. Claudia's quiet denunciation of Elizabeth, telling her she's ruined everything in her support of Gorbachev and betrayal of the Centre, was just outstanding.
Meanwhile, Stan's convinced now that his neighbors are the deadly spying couple, and Philip almost gets caught by the FBI when the Russian priest sets him up in a meeting. I can't recall seeing Philip/Matthew Rhys run faster on this show. Ordinarily, I would have said there was little chance of Philip actually getting caught in such circumstances. But the end of the series is nigh, and Philip ran was if he knew that.
The finale of this remarkable series is next week. I'll be here moments after with my review.
About the Creator
Paul Levinson
Novels The Silk Code, The Plot To Save Socrates, It's Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles; LPs Twice Upon A Rhyme & Welcome Up; nonfiction The Soft Edge & Digital McLuhan, translated into 15 languages. Prof, Fordham Univ.
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Review of 'The Americans' 6.8
With only two episodes left to go in The Americans, episode 6.8 this week mapped out a profound change in Elizabeth. Till now, in this season and earlier, Elizabeth has been nothing but coldly homicidal regarding anyone identified as an enemy by the Centre and ordered by them to be eliminated. Likewise, any innocent person who jeopardized her continuing work for the Centre. But, after a game-changing conversation to start the episode, in which Philip finally tells Elizabeth what he's been tasked by the Soviet government—in contrast to the Centre—to do, Elizabeth finally begins coming into her own, as, well, a human being.
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The Strait of Hormuz has long been one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Situated between Iran and Oman, the narrow channel connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and serves as a critical route for global energy supplies. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through this passage every day, making it a focal point for geopolitical tension. As global oil prices rise and security concerns intensify in the region, speculation occasionally resurfaces about whether the United States—or a future administration led by former president Donald Trump—could attempt to assert greater control over the strait. During Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2021, the Persian Gulf saw several periods of heightened tension. After the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018, relations between Washington and Tehran deteriorated sharply. Iran responded by gradually stepping away from its nuclear commitments, while the U.S. reimposed sweeping sanctions targeting Iran’s economy and oil exports. These developments heightened concerns about the security of shipping lanes in the Gulf, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. Several incidents during that period underscored the vulnerability of the route. Oil tankers were attacked or seized in the region, and both the United States and Iran accused each other of destabilizing actions. The U.S. Navy increased patrols in the area and organized multinational maritime security missions designed to protect commercial shipping. At times, Trump publicly warned Iran that any attempt to close the strait would provoke a strong military response. Despite such rhetoric, the idea that the United States—or Trump personally—could simply “take over” the Strait of Hormuz is highly unrealistic. The strait lies within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, and international maritime law governs passage through it. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ships from all countries enjoy the right of transit through international straits used for navigation. Any attempt by a single country to seize or permanently control such a passage would likely provoke a major international crisis. Still, the United States maintains a significant military presence in the Gulf, largely through the United States Navy and the Fifth Fleet headquartered in Bahrain. These forces are tasked with protecting maritime trade routes and deterring attacks on shipping. While this presence allows Washington to influence security conditions in the region, it does not equate to sovereignty or control over the waterway itself. The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz becomes particularly clear when oil prices surge. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates rely heavily on the route to export crude oil to global markets. Even the mere threat of disruption can cause energy prices to spike, as traders fear supply shortages. For this reason, any escalation involving Iran, the United States, or regional powers immediately attracts global attention. Analysts note that maintaining open shipping lanes in the Gulf is a shared interest among many countries, including major energy consumers in Asia and Europe. A conflict that seriously disrupted traffic through the strait could send oil prices soaring and trigger widespread economic consequences. If Trump were to return to political power, his approach to Iran and Gulf security would likely shape future debates about the strait. During his presidency, Trump favored maximum economic pressure against Tehran and was willing to use strong rhetoric regarding military deterrence. However, even under such policies, outright control of the Strait of Hormuz remained outside the realm of practical strategy. Ultimately, the Strait of Hormuz will continue to be governed by a complex mix of international law, regional geopolitics, and military deterrence. While political rhetoric may occasionally suggest dramatic scenarios, the reality is that no single nation can easily dominate this vital global energy corridor without risking a far broader conflict.
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