The Americans

:

Season 3
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 30, 2013
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 347 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 303 out of 347
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 347
  3. Negative: 25 out of 347
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  1. Type4101
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    I can't name a better show on TV right now. Acting, casting, storytelling...all amazing. You can't help but root for everyone, which is a distinctly unique thing about this show.
  2. CobaltBlue
    Oct 1, 2015
    4
    I thought The Americans had a great premise but it never has fulfilled the potential. To really enjoy the show you must delight in the lead characters donning various disguises and always succeeding completely in their subterfuges, as this is the main focus. They struggle to craft interesting long-term storylines around these missions of the week. The lead characters are not exactlyI thought The Americans had a great premise but it never has fulfilled the potential. To really enjoy the show you must delight in the lead characters donning various disguises and always succeeding completely in their subterfuges, as this is the main focus. They struggle to craft interesting long-term storylines around these missions of the week. The lead characters are not exactly the most dynamic, and the supporting cast doesn't lift them up much.… Expand
  3. MrHere
    Apr 8, 2015
    9
    Matthew Rhys is this year's finest and most underrated actor. The complexity of his character and the magnitude of his performance rivals that of anything we've seen from such actors as Bryan Cranston or James Gandolfini. Couple this with the fact that this show is exceptional in nearly every way. Deeply engaging plot lines that still manage to be episodic (a rarity in television these days).
  4. heisenberg88
    Feb 9, 2015
    10
    Best show on TV.. Funny the couple reviews negative that whine about the violence.. Breaking Bad, Sopranos, The Wire, which most people consider the greatest dramas ever, all have extreme violence. If you don't like violence or tense moments, go watch one of the cable stations, they usually have fluffed-up drama that is boring as hell to watch..
  5. ScottEboy
    Feb 10, 2015
    10
    The storyline is Original, suspenseful, with brilliant acting & superb plot. 10 out of 10. Matthew Rhys & Keri Russell are a TV matchmade in heaven. Noah Emmerich is an underrated actor in general but nails mysterious / jerky-like actor. This show's plot would be successful with mediocre actors but due to having a star-studded cast makes it one of the best shows of all-time.
  6. Ravens1294
    Feb 9, 2015
    10
    The Americans is amazing once again and it continues to grow as a show. The first 2 episodes of season 3 have been brilliant and it shows no evidence of slowing down. The rest of the season looks insane and amazing and I can't wait.
  7. alx3000
    Feb 7, 2015
    10
    Still the best show on TV. It's very believable - clearly the people making this do their research. Even in season three the plot is gripping but still makes sense and the characters do the smart thing instead of being stupid just to make for an easy way to further the plot. If you are annoyed by "spies" in other series who have no poker face, run everywhere with a gun in their hand andStill the best show on TV. It's very believable - clearly the people making this do their research. Even in season three the plot is gripping but still makes sense and the characters do the smart thing instead of being stupid just to make for an easy way to further the plot. If you are annoyed by "spies" in other series who have no poker face, run everywhere with a gun in their hand and are generally horrible, inconsistent superheroes, then this show is for you.

    Still terrified they are going to ruin it by having the characters turn to God or start randomly firing guns out the window like Dexter, but so far the writers are still going strong. Very strong indeed.    … Expand
  8. harmattan
    May 6, 2015
    10
    Going to echo many others and say this is the best show on TV right now. It can be plodding with explosions of action, and it can be dark, but your time and attention pay off in dividends. Superb acting, writing, and directing. One of those pieces of storytelling that stick in your head long after watching. Relationships between characters feel real, and can be deeply moving -- itGoing to echo many others and say this is the best show on TV right now. It can be plodding with explosions of action, and it can be dark, but your time and attention pay off in dividends. Superb acting, writing, and directing. One of those pieces of storytelling that stick in your head long after watching. Relationships between characters feel real, and can be deeply moving -- it takes the reigns from the Sopranos in terms of the psychological study. Series was good in season one, terrific in season two, and confidently continues to grow its beard in season three.

    Moreover, the atmosphere, settings, music etc. is the closest thing to real as I remember the early 80s in America. The show hits nostalgia factor is pretty close to perfectly.    … Expand
  9. ozymandias79
    Apr 3, 2015
    9
    The quality of this show keeps improving . They've really upped the espionage factor for season 3. My only qualms are that the subplot with the South African is a little odd and unnecessary, and Nina, why are you still alive? Nina's subplot is even more dull this season. Please get rid of her, preferably in spectacular fashion. Also, respect for speaking Russian (with English subtitles) inThe quality of this show keeps improving . They've really upped the espionage factor for season 3. My only qualms are that the subplot with the South African is a little odd and unnecessary, and Nina, why are you still alive? Nina's subplot is even more dull this season. Please get rid of her, preferably in spectacular fashion. Also, respect for speaking Russian (with English subtitles) in the Russian embassy. It would be a bit odd if they spoke English in their own embassy.… Expand
  10. RichardGonci
    Feb 9, 2015
    9
    here is only one serious problem with this show: Frank Langella. He is such a superlative actor that whenever he is on-screen, the otherwise fine co-stars fade to two-dimensional cut-out characters. Some of the thematic "tropes" this season also seem to reveal writers doing research on Wikipedia, rather than more scholarly background work. But, I'm guessing most viewers won't have a cluehere is only one serious problem with this show: Frank Langella. He is such a superlative actor that whenever he is on-screen, the otherwise fine co-stars fade to two-dimensional cut-out characters. Some of the thematic "tropes" this season also seem to reveal writers doing research on Wikipedia, rather than more scholarly background work. But, I'm guessing most viewers won't have a clue about that anyway. Still about the best work overall available on this medium. As a producer/director myself, I am consistently impressed at the production values. Remember, this is a "period piece." Very difficult to get the little details right all the time. BTW, I am 65. I would know the difference if they got it wrong. Collapse… Expand
  11. ChrisMattar
    Feb 18, 2015
    4
    As naive and silly as can possibly be, this is brainless TV at its best. As hard as I try I cannot take this show seriously nor understand why its good to so many people, I'd love to meet a diehard fan of this, just to see what I'm looking at. It's barely OK.
    And a metacritic of 92? While Better Call Saul gets mid 70s. Kill yourself right now.
  12. shellview
    Feb 20, 2015
    9
    So far this is the best season of "The Americans". There is a move away from the soap opera and more into character development and espionage story lines which serves the show well. The one big flaw has been sound quality. DREADFUL! The worst sound engineering of any program that I regularly watch. Often I have to "re-wind" to try and figure out what was said or turn on the closeSo far this is the best season of "The Americans". There is a move away from the soap opera and more into character development and espionage story lines which serves the show well. The one big flaw has been sound quality. DREADFUL! The worst sound engineering of any program that I regularly watch. Often I have to "re-wind" to try and figure out what was said or turn on the close captioning which is very often not in sync with the spoken words. The Russian scenes are a relief because the subtitles are perfect.… Expand
  13. DakotaFred
    May 31, 2015
    10
    What else can be said that others haven't already written about it?! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! Top to bottom this show is great. One of the best series, ever. Period.
  14. ImADeciptiKhan
    Feb 5, 2015
    10
    This show is an insanely awesome spy thriller with dashes of action and romance. The dialogue, plot, characters and acting are so well done making this show one of those rare gems in a sea of crappy reality shows and overdone need to be canceled dramas. This is a must see for everyone.
  15. Tanler
    Feb 9, 2015
    8
    Although the writing is uneven at times, I really appreciate the way the script handles the fluidity of relationships...the interaction of family members, the subtlety of political maneuverings within the Russian consulate as well as among the counter-intelligence officers of the FBI. From 1982 to 1991 (the dissolution of the Soviet Union), the KGB was one of those agencies least affectedAlthough the writing is uneven at times, I really appreciate the way the script handles the fluidity of relationships...the interaction of family members, the subtlety of political maneuverings within the Russian consulate as well as among the counter-intelligence officers of the FBI. From 1982 to 1991 (the dissolution of the Soviet Union), the KGB was one of those agencies least affected by the liberalisation policies of glasnost and perestroika. The KGB led an attempted military coup but failed to overthrow Gorbachev in 1991. They were the "Jesuits" of Russian Communism. The idea that Elizabeth would be directed to develop her daughter Paige as a KGB operative is not so far-fetched and adds immensely to the plot dynamic. I also appreciate the efforts made to develop and humanise the various Russian characters. The KGB Rezident Arkady and his associate Oleg Burov are sympathetic depictions. We are witnessing a lot of people trying to stick to their ideals in a very imperfect world.… Expand
  16. finnigan37
    Feb 16, 2015
    5
    Thoroughly mediocre. At times the show is exciting, but far too often it is plodding and boring. Combined with the drab way in which it's shot, the painfully slow pace makes this often nearly unwatchable. Wake me up for the intermittent moments when something happens, because the wallowing aspects aren't captivating enough to hold my attention.
  17. high90
    Feb 8, 2015
    0
    Yes i'm alone in the wilderness, i hate this show. Iv tried to like it but its crap. Possibly two of the biggest scumbags ever to make it on television living together killing innocents, screwing literally everyone over who they come into contact with. I couldn't care less if they both drove off a cliff. I'd love to know how people can totally ignore the horrible levels of violence andYes i'm alone in the wilderness, i hate this show. Iv tried to like it but its crap. Possibly two of the biggest scumbags ever to make it on television living together killing innocents, screwing literally everyone over who they come into contact with. I couldn't care less if they both drove off a cliff. I'd love to know how people can totally ignore the horrible levels of violence and psychopathy and tune in to watch two evil pricks at work but that's the world i suppose.… Expand
  18. Cobdun
    Mar 11, 2015
    2
    Total rubbish. The first two series (or 'seasons') of The Americans were like a gripping, intense thriller with a soupçon of complicated romance in there; fantastic stuff. The latest offering is mind-numbingly dull; the plots seem to be going absolutely nowhere, there is no intensity or suspense anymore, all Philip and Elisabeth do is bicker about parenting and Stan skulks around lookingTotal rubbish. The first two series (or 'seasons') of The Americans were like a gripping, intense thriller with a soupçon of complicated romance in there; fantastic stuff. The latest offering is mind-numbingly dull; the plots seem to be going absolutely nowhere, there is no intensity or suspense anymore, all Philip and Elisabeth do is bicker about parenting and Stan skulks around looking like a lost iguana. So disappointing after such a great start. I only watch it now if I've absolutely nothing better to do. Where's the action? Where's the cohesion in the plot development? It's become like a bad 870s soap opera. DULL.… Expand
  19. yrogerg123
    Mar 21, 2015
    10
    I haven't looked forward to the next episode of a television show this much since Breaking Bad ended, nor have I racked my brain so much for who I know that's actually watching it, just so I have somebody to talk about it with. Somehow, it's still in obscurity, which is probably the biggest disservice to a television show since Firefly or Deadwood got cancelled.

    All that is to say that    I haven't looked forward to the next episode of a television show this much since Breaking Bad ended, nor have I racked my brain so much for who I know that's actually watching it, just so I have somebody to talk about it with. Somehow, it's still in obscurity, which is probably the biggest disservice to a television show since Firefly or Deadwood got cancelled.

    All that is to say that few shows have ever, at any point, been as good as The Americans is right now. Episode 7 might have been the best episode of the entire season. Every single episode, events conspire and the stakes get higher. Every episode, characters are pushed to their breaking points. But none of it seems contrived. It seems like what it would be like to be undercover, but completely, utterly undercover. Not in the FBI or police sense, when you know you have to look forward to actual freedom at the end, but in the sense that for Philip and Elizabeth, this is just their life, and there's never an escape, not for even a night.

    The relationship between Philip and Elizabeth is the best I've ever seen depicted on television. I can't even imagine better. It's amazing the way they can disagree on everything, about topics that could tear a marriage apart, but that at the end of the day, the only person they could ever turn to is the other. Nobody in the world could possibly understand what their life is actually like. You can see when they're putting on a brave face for the other, and you can see when they just can't pretend anymore, that they need somewhere, and someone, to just be honest with, and for each of them, there is only one other person they can do that with. It wasn't always the case, but as things get crazier and the moral questions become more real, they just grow closer and closer, even though the issue of what to do with their daughter drives a wedge deeper and deeper between them.

    I feel like an evangelist or something, where late every week and into the weekend, I just want to find out from everybody I know whether they're watching this show yet. I would say that the first two seasons were very, very good, and probably in the 9 to 10 range out of 10. But now, the show is at another level. When I finish an episode, all I want to do is watch the next one, and I think about each episode for hours after I watch it. It's haunting in a way that no show has been since Breaking Bad. There are other entertaining shows on television, but in the medium's history, very few could stand alone as true works of art. I honestly think The Americans might be one of them.

    If you've never seen this show, please do yourself a favor and give it a try. I truly feel like this is the next Breaking Bad and nobody is talking about it, sacrilegious as that may sound.    … Expand
  20. Ramses_X
    Jun 10, 2015
    10
    Great show, it is on the same level as Breaking Bad or The Wire. The story is well written (not like other shows which start 10 plots and follow none, e.g. Lost) and the acting is superior.
  21. cmac
    Feb 13, 2016
    9
    This show is a beauty and highly under estimated. The two leads drive the acting excellence the atmosphere of the time reminds me of those Cold War actualities.
    Start watching from the beginning now!
  22. brockcheese
    Sep 19, 2018
    9
    This show continues to get more and more amazing by introducing their daughter into the mix.
  23. GreenGoblin215
    Jan 30, 2016
    10
    Wow I have finally caught up in full with all three seasons of "The Americans" and it's the best Suspense/Drama show I have ever watched and I watch a ton of television shows. I will say this is a review for all three seasons and not just one or two of them. I will start off with the story which takes place in Washington, D.C. during the Cold War in the 1980's. The story progresses outsideWow I have finally caught up in full with all three seasons of "The Americans" and it's the best Suspense/Drama show I have ever watched and I watch a ton of television shows. I will say this is a review for all three seasons and not just one or two of them. I will start off with the story which takes place in Washington, D.C. during the Cold War in the 1980's. The story progresses outside of this conflict to center on a married KGB couple with children that are spies working for their Motherland Russia. I love the story because no show to my recollection has ever dived into a story like this one and least of all not centered on it. I will move onto the acting which is Superb. I mean Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell as the main protagonists are Incredible and really flesh the characters out. The other actors and actresses all do an Amazing job including Noah Emmerich as the FBI Agent. I will follow up now on the action which is in my opinion extremely scrutinized and I mean that in a great way. The action/espionage is done Masterfully as it was created by Joe Weisberg who used to be in the CIA. I believe he recreates that time period with exquisite detail. The action is not Game of Thrones violence but when it's there it's all out and running for the finish line. I will finish with the cinematography which is done flawlessly and every shot and angle is shot with a purpose. I will close by saying this is a Must See television show. I mean I can think of no other show that keeps my Heart racing every episode at what might happen next like this show does and you will not regret watching it of that I can assure you. I can't wait for Season 4.… Expand
  24. Hoping4Better
    Jun 21, 2016
    5
    I'm a latecomer to the show, watched season 1 and 2, and now 3. I like the basic 'spy vs. spy' storyline, but I'm seeing more and more sequences that seem contrived and not particularly realistic -- the whole undersecretary's wife's strangling and being folded into a suitcase was pretty unpleasant for the viewer. The attempt to push the violence envelope is one of the reasons I give thisI'm a latecomer to the show, watched season 1 and 2, and now 3. I like the basic 'spy vs. spy' storyline, but I'm seeing more and more sequences that seem contrived and not particularly realistic -- the whole undersecretary's wife's strangling and being folded into a suitcase was pretty unpleasant for the viewer. The attempt to push the violence envelope is one of the reasons I give this such a low rating... and it's seeming more formulaic episode by episode with at least one key character killed each episode and an obligatory sex scene, which rather than adding depth to the story, just seems crude and unnecessary. Maybe someday Hollywood will wake up... I doubt it.… Expand
  25. Blofeld
    Feb 26, 2016
    9
    This show is SO good that I wish I were Soviet during the Cold War. Amazing how much the US governments lies, and we believe it. I realize this is dramatized, but the brilliance is in how we root for the Soviet point of view.
  26. eva3si0n
    Oct 16, 2017
    7
    3 season have turned out a little tightened. And the main plot turns Afghans (who are boring and aren't interesting) well and of course hysteric women of the daughter and Marta. The daughter in general begins to enrage already, all season aches.
  27. jaasieljunior
    Feb 13, 2018
    10
    Quando imaginamos que as futuras temporadas da série The Americans possam ficar enfadonhas , você acaba sendo surpreendido e se depara com a melhor temporada da série. Os acontecimentos são explorados sem rodeios e com isso, as cenas acabam ficando mistas tanto em carga dramática quanto em cenas de ação.
  28. WorldofLucky
    Feb 3, 2018
    9
    I should just slap my review for season 2 here, but multiply everything by five.

    The story is still really good. The writers are obviously hitting their strider. Phillip and Elizabeth are even more interesting to watch, along with Frank Langella who is back as a handler for them. During the season it covers how Nina may be able to get out of prison in Russia, Stan deals with his    I should just slap my review for season 2 here, but multiply everything by five.

    The story is still really good. The writers are obviously hitting their strider. Phillip and Elizabeth are even more interesting to watch, along with Frank Langella who is back as a handler for them.

    During the season it covers how Nina may be able to get out of prison in Russia, Stan deals with his divorce and with both Phillip and Elizabeth pushing back and forth over what to tell Paige.

    While everything positive is great, I am absolutely hating the Paige stuff. That was almost enough for me to stop watching. Her fits may be “teen” for tv, but in my experience in hard circumstances that would have been done by now.

    Pros: writing, most of the acting (honestly all of the acting) and just overall still getting better.

    Cons: The angst has been kicked up to an 11 for the teenager… Not liking that.    … Expand
  29. rachillustrate
    May 21, 2018
    10
    Season 3 is more suspenseful than ever and strongly cements the series as one of the best shows on television. I find myself simultaneously rooting for and against each character for different reasons, which is a testament to the shows’ writers. The show also does an incredible job juggling its many characters and subplots, always connecting any loose ends story-wise.
  30. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 18, 2021
    10
    A storytelling marvel to not count this as one of the best shows on television is too not be watching. The acting is way too great,the pacing so taunt capable of unravelling at any moment. Honesty is a luxury not afforded here. Following Paiges discovery and disclosure this season barely keeps itself together to stunning results.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best TV Season of 2015
53
#53 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
63
#63 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Sara Smith
    Feb 3, 2015
    80
    The moral quicksand that made The Americans so compelling for its first two seasons is deeper than ever.
    Read full review
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Jan 29, 2015
    100
    The Americans not only built on its impressive first season when the second came around, but the first four episodes of season three find it rising to new creative heights yet again.
    Read full review
  3. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    Jan 29, 2015
    100
    It is distinctly its own fascinating thing. And with the addition of great supporting performers like Frank Langella to a narrative arc that grows more captivating with each episode, it could end its third season as the best drama on television.
    Read full review
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