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Stan gets real with Henry, the defector shows her true colors and finally, finally, Philip and Elizabeth sit down with Paige for a long overdue family discussion in this latest episode, titled “Stingers.”
Minor aspects of the B-plots surrounding the Jennings inched forward: Kimmie had Philip pick her up from a sloppy frat party, the CIA is making moves but Yosef is MIA, Nina made a bit of headway with the scientist, and Stan has a mano-e-mano chat with Henry about marriage and divorce. But the central weight of the episode hung in the balance between a frustrated Paige and her mysterious parents, who she finally confronted about all the secrecy looming in their household.
“This isn’t a family,” she argued, “Stop lying to me, I’m right here!” Unlike most children who are delicately informed that Santa or the Easter Bunny aren’t real, Paige’s belated fifteenth birthday present involved her parents confessing to her that they aren’t who they seem. With one affirmative head nod from Philip, he and Elizabeth sat across from their only daughter at the kitchen table and carefully explained to her that they weren’t born in this country and that they work to obtain information for the Soviet Union. “So you’re spies,” Paige said, point blank. In a well-rehearsed speech, Elizabeth defended her life’s work and tried to offer some clarity on why their family isn’t “normal.” And though her eyes were pricked with tears, Elizabeth still felt insincere, as she’s programmed to make the enemy understand the cause no matter what the circumstance. Except this time, the enemy isn’t a traitor or an innocent old woman caught in the wrong place at the wrong time — it’s her daughter. The stakes are raised even higher toward the end of this incredibly tense scene after their discussion ends with a plea from Philip and Elizabeth “not to tell anyone,” which felt more like a threat than a mutual understanding.
A stunned Paige then rightfully got up from the table to be alone. She didn’t seem disheartened by the fact that her parents are Communists, but by their inability to be genuine with her even in the most trying of circumstances for their family. Understandably, she didn’t sleep, and the next morning she asked to stay home from school, which heightened Philip and Elizabeth’s worst fears even further: their own kin could be their final undoing. It wasn’t until this episode did it become clear what kind of danger the Jennings are in (between Martha’s knowledge and now Paige’s); their closest allies may be loyal, but all it would take is some hard-hitting questioning to crack them. No one is trained quite like Philip and Elizabeth, who would die before admitting to their true identities, but Martha and Paige? Not so much.
It’s unclear what Paige will do with this newfound information, but her fixed gaze on Stan in the final moments of the episode suggests that not only does this hyper-observant teen have plenty of questions that need answers, but that she and Henry could very well find their salvation in their uncle-like neighbor who so conveniently works for the FBI. Philip sensed this, however, and shut up Paige faster than you could say “uncle” just before the screen cut to black.
Only three more episodes left, Comrades!
Field notes:
1. We need to just take a moment and acknowledge how incredible an actress Holly Taylor has become. She’s phenomenal and this show is lucky to have her.
2. Tron and Tootsie featured in the same episode? Keep the ’80s coming, Joe Weisberg.
3. While Nina was trying to get the scientist to talk, she kept getting the stink-eye from one of her old, crotchety female co-workers. This job could prove to be Nina’s toughest, given she has so many hostile eyes on her.
4. Henry takes after his parents with his super secret spy skills that come in handy when hiding your GIANT BOX OF PORN YOU GROSS TEENAGE BOY.
5. Anyone else think Pastor Tim is going to bite the dust soon? Let’s hope so. I hate that guy.
More recaps from Season Three:
Episode One, “EST Men”
Episode Two, “Baggage”
Episode Three, “Open House”
Episode Four, “Dimebag”
Episode Five, “Salang Pass”
Episode Six, “Born Again”
Episode Seven, “Walter Taffet”
Episode Eight, “Divestment”
Episode Nine, “Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep?”
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Photos: FX
