A cable drama about star-crossed spies with feelings for their country complicated by their feelings for each other? No, it’s not Homeland, but The Americans shares DNA with Showtime’s new flagship that no amount of awful pastel wallpaper, or terribad wigs will ever distract from. But what The Americans chose not to keep a secret is what made it work so damn well: the premise of two KGB agents living in D.C. during the Reagan-era Cold War is what hooks you early, but The Americans was always upfront about the show really being about its central marriage, even though it’s a fake one.
Even if the complicated relationship between Elizabeth and Phillip didn’t appeal to you, the show had style and thrills to spare, usually coming together each week in the form of a spectacular setpiece filled with old school spycraft. Phrases starting with “once bitten,” and “fool me once” were invented for this exact sort of scenario, wherein a new show sweeps you off your feet in the first season, only to stab you in the heart the next, and it’s entirely possible The Americans will have lost its mojo come this time next year. Then again, I’ve watched the opening scene from the pilot enough times to count as another season, so for the time being, The Americans has earned my Tusk –er trust.