Huge thanks to the actors, the writers and all those who worked on this show.
Loved all the seasons of The Americans but sixth season and series finale brought the show on par or even on top of the most acclaimed spy novels ever written.
Probably never enjoyed a TV series so much (and I'm a series junky) and this final episode was the emotional climax it deserved.
Characters, story and storytelling remain consistent across all the seasons without ever falling to cheap "filler" episodes or idiotic and illogical decisions by the characters so the story can move on which many tv series, movies or even books often have to recur to.
Top notch entertainment with meticulous historical period description and narration, dense with moral dilemmas it immerses the viewer in the hearth of the cold war leaving every kind of moral judgment to the viewer instead of forcing it on him.
Again, THANKS !
FREE OLEG !
79 Reviews
Thank you for this finale
drew-seman1 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is my favorite finale of any series I've ever watched.
Going into this finale, I was thinking about what they're going to do in the way of so many other shows season and series finales: it will be filled with final twists and culminate with finding out who dies at the end.
The Americans didn't go the easy route of other shows. Instead, it showed incredible respect for the characters and the complex relationships they had spent years developing with a slow, thoughtful finale. To its final moment, it wasn't a show about Cold War spying, it was about the toll of Cold War spying on families. The finale embraced this as well or better than any episode in the series.
I usually leave finales feeling either satisfied or annoyed. I left this one thinking about what it would be like to be Elizabeth or Philip or Paige or Henry or Stan. It's a much powerful feeling.
Going into this finale, I was thinking about what they're going to do in the way of so many other shows season and series finales: it will be filled with final twists and culminate with finding out who dies at the end.
The Americans didn't go the easy route of other shows. Instead, it showed incredible respect for the characters and the complex relationships they had spent years developing with a slow, thoughtful finale. To its final moment, it wasn't a show about Cold War spying, it was about the toll of Cold War spying on families. The finale embraced this as well or better than any episode in the series.
I usually leave finales feeling either satisfied or annoyed. I left this one thinking about what it would be like to be Elizabeth or Philip or Paige or Henry or Stan. It's a much powerful feeling.
Brilliant suspense, great storytelling and very cinematic
snoozejonc31 March 2021
A number of characters are faced with life changing decisions.
This is an excellent conclusion to The Americans based what happened over the previous six series of storytelling and character development.
There are other ways the plot could have gone that could have been just as plausible and might have even been more satisfying for viewers wanting certain things to happen. However, the path the writers chose is brilliant and very consistent with the development of characters and tone of the show.
The episode is littered with memorable moments, some of which are quite haunting. There is one character confrontation that is one of the best I've seen on screen. Another incredibly cinematic moment is purely visual and comes as a shock at first but then when you reflect on it, you say to yourself "actually, I would have probably done the same in that person's position".
It is all brilliantly filmed, edited and includes a great selection of music.
Matthew Rhys, Keri Russell, Noah Emmerich and Holly Taylor are all fantastic in this episode.
This is an excellent conclusion to The Americans based what happened over the previous six series of storytelling and character development.
There are other ways the plot could have gone that could have been just as plausible and might have even been more satisfying for viewers wanting certain things to happen. However, the path the writers chose is brilliant and very consistent with the development of characters and tone of the show.
The episode is littered with memorable moments, some of which are quite haunting. There is one character confrontation that is one of the best I've seen on screen. Another incredibly cinematic moment is purely visual and comes as a shock at first but then when you reflect on it, you say to yourself "actually, I would have probably done the same in that person's position".
It is all brilliantly filmed, edited and includes a great selection of music.
Matthew Rhys, Keri Russell, Noah Emmerich and Holly Taylor are all fantastic in this episode.
Fitting ending to one of the greatest television series of all time
Red_Identity31 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
And so one of the best shows of all time ends. I have to say, it wasn't at all what I expected. There was no death this episode, which is truly shocking. On one hand, I feel like the show could have opted to have a really climactic, explosive finale filled with all kinds of deaths, and it chose not to. I remember a few weeks ago when there was an article stating that in order for the show to cement its all-time status, the finale had to be one of complete tragedy. I myself thought that no series finale should be the deciding factor in that way, but at the same time I do think had the show opted to end with an obvious tragedy (Phil and Elizabeth die, their kids die, they got caught and their kids suffer, etc) it could have come full circle for a lot of people. Instead, they will likely never see their kids again (Paige's fate seems even more of a tragedy with that final shot) and they go back to Russia with the realization that the work they have done for the last 6 seasons has almost been for nothing. That's a much more subtle, less obvious "tragedy" that I didn't see coming when the season premiered. Especially in regards to Elizabeth, who I never predicted would sway the way that she did these last three episodes.
Having seen the entire show now, it's actually more fitting that it ended this way and not the two leads dying or being incarcerated, and it's fitting that the penultimate episode was the one that seemed like the intensity peak of the season (although the Stan confrontation was of course super intense). It's also fitting because this show was always about the family these leads had, their marriage in particular, so that final shot is perfect in many ways.
Special kudos to the actors. Russell and Rhys have always gotten their credit, but this was Noah Emmerich's peak. His devastation was completely heartbreaking to watch.
Farewell to one of the greatest series of all time.
Having seen the entire show now, it's actually more fitting that it ended this way and not the two leads dying or being incarcerated, and it's fitting that the penultimate episode was the one that seemed like the intensity peak of the season (although the Stan confrontation was of course super intense). It's also fitting because this show was always about the family these leads had, their marriage in particular, so that final shot is perfect in many ways.
Special kudos to the actors. Russell and Rhys have always gotten their credit, but this was Noah Emmerich's peak. His devastation was completely heartbreaking to watch.
Farewell to one of the greatest series of all time.
Left me wanting more
snt0430051 June 2018
Great ending to one of the best shows on TV over the past 6 yrs. Unlike some of the others who are griping about loose ends- I thought that angle was perfectly played. I liked the fact that the stories of all the complex characters were NOT wrapped up in a tidy bow. To answer all questions and close every angle to this story would have seemed contrived and phoney.
Loved this show and will miss it.
Oleg Burov is the true hero.
juanicuesta10 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I want to give credit to Oleg Burov. Two times he risked his life for what he believed it was the best for his country and the world. Not what the center told to do like the Jennings. And he payed the highest price at the end of the series.
The Jennings just followed orders without questioning until the almost the very end.
The Jennings just followed orders without questioning until the almost the very end.
The carpark scene
neonblade-220 December 2020
Nailed the landing.
ramair35031 May 2018
The quality of the finale even exceeds the excpetionally high quality of the show. I will reveal nothing, except to say that it is satisfying to anyone who has watched the series from start to finish. I will truly miss the show, but I am thrilled to see that the the series was concluded the way any great story should end (with great writing, and not due to internal network politics or advertising dollars). A+
amazing show
dollfacecrafter25 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I loved watching this show, sad to see it end, but the ending was pretty good, very emotional, when Paige got off the train, oh man, and poor Henry, and super sleuth Stan, who really has a heart.......left some questions unanswered, but overall the show was so good, will miss it.
Do svidaniya i udachi...
omero-omero29 March 2021
Amazing 6 years storytelling!
mosaatchi31 May 2018
The Americans, thank you for amazing six years storytelling. Thank you Philipe, thank you Elizabeth, thank you Stan and all those who created such an engaging show, full of passion and excitement. I guess while watching the last episode my heartbeat was over 100 wishing everything goes well to all!. It's very rare that you equally love bad guys and good guys in a movie. I need nothing more to say.
Letdown
magnum-ajt31 May 2018
Binged the Show--Glad I did. Ending Was Terrible.
spuddcw2000-11 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Unlike some, I won't rag too much on the show...and I do hate the conclusions that have all of the characters end in neat little bow. But some resolution beyond "they went back to Russia" was to be expected. If you expected some resolution...you will be disappointed.
And it wasn't so much that they went back to Russia. It was that they walked right though Stan Beeman to do it. Not in some cloak and dagger "Catch Me If You Can"/ Frank Abignale con-job. They just told him...we're leaving. And they left. Boom. Six years of "will he or won't he find out"...down the tubes! He finds out and does...nothing.
The fellow who said it was a big "middle finger" to the loyal viewers was right in this aspect.
Now...what I liked was Paige not going and her going back to the house and pouring a very Russian drink...vodka. I'm not sure I bought Paige's transformation to All-American teen age girl to Soviet spy--they didn't seem to show much of what was used to transform her but it was a bit intriguing to see her "grow up"
I liked the series and I liked the characters--I don't always like both. But the ending was disappointing by any reasonable standard. It isn't as if they were trying to do something and failed.... I'm not sure what they were trying to do.
And it wasn't so much that they went back to Russia. It was that they walked right though Stan Beeman to do it. Not in some cloak and dagger "Catch Me If You Can"/ Frank Abignale con-job. They just told him...we're leaving. And they left. Boom. Six years of "will he or won't he find out"...down the tubes! He finds out and does...nothing.
The fellow who said it was a big "middle finger" to the loyal viewers was right in this aspect.
Now...what I liked was Paige not going and her going back to the house and pouring a very Russian drink...vodka. I'm not sure I bought Paige's transformation to All-American teen age girl to Soviet spy--they didn't seem to show much of what was used to transform her but it was a bit intriguing to see her "grow up"
I liked the series and I liked the characters--I don't always like both. But the ending was disappointing by any reasonable standard. It isn't as if they were trying to do something and failed.... I'm not sure what they were trying to do.
An exhilarating finish
Mr-Fusion27 November 2019
With how this final season's been going, I'd expected something more confrontational and violent to cap off "The Americans". But 'START' had other ideas in mind, and it's a finale that runs low on flying bullets and heavy on life-altering decisions. This is an amazing episode that sees the entire Jennings family dealing head-on with the dying days of the Cold War, and all three of the main actors (Rhys, Russell and Emmerich) deserve Emmys.
I'm trying not to sidetrack into spoilerville, but what happens to these people is nothing short of incredible; it's sad, but even more importantly, it feels organic -- even in a story that features a household in ruins.
Jesus, what an ending!
I'm trying not to sidetrack into spoilerville, but what happens to these people is nothing short of incredible; it's sad, but even more importantly, it feels organic -- even in a story that features a household in ruins.
Jesus, what an ending!
I Don't Know What To Say
sirkeith73 May 2020
A great ending to a great show
steve-404531 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The bittersweet ending was perfect. The entire Jennings family had to make difficult choices. Phillip said his handler warned him in the beginning it would be a hard life. It left you thinking about the futures of all the characters. Stan made a very difficult decision which again proved his humanity. I will miss this show very much.
With or Without You
matthewtoy-6495617 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Brilliant ending to the show, and awesome music choices to go with it. Part of me wanted to be dissapointed that the Jennings didn't get what they deserved and that Stand didn't catch them, but that's what makes it a brilliant ending. It didn't all end completely well for anyone, but it ended "good enough" for the Jennings and Stan that it works out perfectly.
An end it deserved
lee_pugh197428 July 2018
I don't usually review stuff as I believe a lot of reviews are opinionated and bias. This one will probably be that way too, however, this series has been grade A from the get go and my biggest fear was the ending would be, should I say, one of them. Far from it. This was perfect. Everyone doing what they felt was right and the way it was filmed and presented, even down to the music, was just bang on. By the way, Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms was genius. A brilliant show that will be greatly missed.
Bittersweet!!!
irenegeorgiadis15 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is by far my favorite show! The finale was just what I expected from this show, leaving you with sadness and a scary feeling of the unknown and how hard it is too be separated from the people you love, because of the choices you made. This show will be missed. Also great actors!!! They deserve awards for this!
The series took me in...
gmoore4413 September 2019
...right from season 1, episode 1, and didn't let go. A series that leaves you wanting more. This series is on my top shelf. The ending was a torrent of emtional upheavels, that just wrung me out. Thank you for 6 seaons of top flight Television. I'm going to miss you all.
Thank You
toddalberding-508-7350705 June 2018
It cannot end like this!
ross917 July 2018
Elizab
broncobob-390623 June 2018
Was hoping Elizabeth might meet a sorry end. Not a character I could like or respect. She gets a conscience in the next to last episode?? Paige finally came to her senses after listening to so much bs about the glories of the Motherland. Interesting that she never heard about the millions Stain killed. Still, a well done episode.
Terrible End To A Very Good Series
rk9111 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The ending to Seinfeld made more sense than this. The Americans was one of the best, most watchable series to land on American TV in a long time. I disagree with another reviewer who commened that they were rooting for the Jennings as well as the FBI. There was little to like about the murderous Jennings. Elizabeth cared nothing for Paige other than to train as another spy so her comment at the end..."They'll be OK" rung hollow. Very disappointing.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews