The Americans (season 4)

250px DVD cover
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	13
Release
Original network	FX
Original release	March 16, 2016 (2016-03-16) – present

The fourth season of the American television drama series The Americans premiered on March 16, 2016, on FX, and will consist of 13 episodes.

Cast

Main

• Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings (Nadezhda), a KGB officer
• Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings (Mischa), a KGB officer
• Dylan Baker as William, a biochemical warfare scientist
• Brandon J. Dirden as FBI Agent Dennis Aderholt
• Lev Gorn as Arkady Ivanovich, the KGB's Resident
• Annet Mahendru as Nina Sergeevna, a prisoner in the Soviet Union
• Costa Ronin as Oleg Igorevich Burov, a KGB officer
• Keidrich Sellati as Henry Jennings, Elizabeth and Philip's son
• Holly Taylor as Paige Jennings, Elizabeth and Philip's daughter
• Richard Thomas as Agent Frank Gaad, Special Agent In Charge of the FBI Counterintelligence Division
• Alison Wright as Martha Hanson, Agent Gaad's secretary and Philip's informant
• Noah Emmerich as FBI Agent Stan Beeman

Recurring

• Michael Aronov as Anton Baklanov, a scientist involved in stealth technology
• Kelly AuCoin as Pastor Tim, the head of a church Paige Jennings attends
• Daniel Flaherty as Matthew Beeman, Stan's son
• Vera Cherny as Tatiana Evgenyevna Ruslanova, KGB officer working at the Rezidentura
• Julia Garner as Kimberly Breland, the daughter of the head of the CIA's Afghan group
• Peter Mark Kendall as Hans, a graduate student and KGB informant being trained by Elizabeth
• Frank Langella as Gabriel, the Jennings' KGB handler
• Margo Martindale as Claudia, the Jennings' KGB supervisor
• Ruthie Ann Miles as Young Hee, a Korean immigrant and Mary Kay consultant whom Elizabeth befriends
• Susan Misner as Sandra Beeman, Stan's estranged wife
• Callie Thorne as Tori, Stan's girlfriend
• Peter Von Berg as Vasili Nikolaevich, a former KGB Resident
• Rob Yang as Don Hee, Young Hee's husband, who is of special interest to the KGB

Production

The series was renewed for a 13-episode fourth season on March 31, 2015. In April 2015, FX announced Frank Langella would continue his recurring role on the series. The season began principal photography on October 13, 2015. Broadway veteran Ruthie Ann Miles was cast as a new acquaintance of one of Elizabeth's guises. Writing for the season had been completed by January 28, 2016; and the final day of filming was March 9, 2016.

Episodes

See also: List of The Americans episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
40	1	"Glanders"	Thomas Schlamme	Joel Fields & Joe Weisberg	March 16, 2016 (2016-03-16)	BDU401	1.11
Philip confesses to Martha that he killed Gene to protect her, much to her horror. Paige talks with Pastor Tim about what her parents do. Gabriel gives Elizabeth and Philip a new mission: to meet with William, an American scientist who has access to deadly chemicals and microorganisms. In EST, Philip recounts his youth, when he brutally beat and killed a bully, although his account only alludes to the severity. In Russia, Nina continues working with Anton Baklanov and later makes a request to her handler, Vasili Nikolaevich, to see her husband. Arkady Ivanovich, suspicious of what Tatiana is working on, learns it has to do with chemical and biological weapons. Martha gets William's surveillance schedule, enabling the Jennings to meet him unobserved. William gives them a vial of a highly contagious disease known as Glanders. When arriving home, Philip is confronted by Stan, upset after Tori saw Philip with his ex-wife Sandra looking "intimate". Philip denies anything happened, but Stan slams him up against a wall, believing he's lying. After Stan leaves, Philip inspects the vial, which was still in his jacket pocket.
41	2	"Pastor Tim"	Chris Long	Joel Fields & Joe Weisberg	March 23, 2016 (2016-03-23)	BDU402	0.93
Philip explains to Elizabeth about what caused Stan to get upset and that Philip has been attending EST meetings. They take the vial to Gabriel, who insists they make the exchange as well as continue contact with William, as he will be granted higher access at work. Elizabeth listens to tapes and discovers Paige has told Pastor Tim about their true work. She and Philip debate on controlling the situation, despite Paige later confessing the act to Elizabeth. Philip meets with an airline pilot for the exchange, but must strangle a security guard to death when the pilot draws his attention by acting nervous. The pilot leaves the vial behind, and Philip must reclaim possession. Nina asks her husband to deliver a note to Anton's son, but the plan fails. She admits to Vasili about being the one who passed the note and resigns herself to spending her days in the gulag. Gabriel tells Elizabeth that her mother died. She later tells Philip about Paige's confession and her mother's death, and he agrees that they're "in trouble".
42	3	"Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow"	Kevin Dowling	Stephen Schiff	March 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)	BDU403	0.82
Philip and Elizabeth meet with Pastor Tim themselves and learn that he told his wife about Paige's confession. They, in turn, reveal this to Paige, who feels betrayed. Philip asks Paige to "work" Tim, maintaining a relationship in order to keep the secret, but Paige is reluctant. Philip and Elizabeth, as well as Gabriel and Claudia, debate the options of killing Tim or extracting the agents. Gabriel presents them with the Center's solution: the Jennings family will go on vacation to the EPCOT amusement park, during which time separate KGB operatives will kill Tim. Philip believes Paige will still suspect the truth, but Henry later suggests the family vacation before either parent can mention it. However, the Jennings then discover Gabriel in his apartment apparently infected with Glanders from the vial, which he likely passed on to them. They retrieve William, infecting him as well, and he provides vaccines, adding that all of them must remain quarantined in the apartment for the next 36 hours, cancelling the vacation.
43	4	"Chloramphenicol"	Stefan Schwartz	Tracey Scott Wilson	April 6, 2016 (2016-04-06)	BDU404	1.04
With Glanders lingering, Philip, Elizabeth and William hole up in Gabriel's apartment for an extended stay, worrying Paige. Elizabeth calls off the hit on Pastor Tim and Alice, then begins to develop symptoms herself. Meanwhile, Martha goes out to dinner with Agent Aderholt where she improvises a lie to explain her odd movements after work. Agent Beeman searches her apartment during her absence, but finds nothing incriminating. By the morning, both Gabriel and Elizabeth's conditions have improved and William pronounces them out of danger. Elizabeth finds that she now agrees with Philip that they cannot kill Pastor Tim and Alice without alienating Paige. The Jennings propose that they instead "work" the couple to ensure their secrecy. Oleg returns home to Russia and asks his influential father to assist Nina. His father agrees on the condition his son remain in the country for the sake of his mother. In prison, Nina has another blissful dream of release. A trio of guards wake her and lead her down a hallway, where she is informed that her appeal has been denied and that her death sentence will be carried out shortly. She begins to break down, then is executed on the spot.
44	5	"Clark's Place"	Noah Emmerich	Peter Ackerman	April 13, 2016 (2016-04-13)	BDU405	0.89
Hans reports his belief that Martha is being tailed, casting suspicion and unease throughout the KGB. Meanwhile, Philip is unnerved at the news, and what the consequence might be. After learning of Nina's demise, Oleg returns to the Rezidentura, where he is met with little sympathy from Arkady. Oleg later meets with Stan, informing him of the death of his former lover. Elizabeth continues to slip deeper under her Mary Kay cover; while Philip extends an olive branch to Stan, following their falling out. The Jennings attempt to further woo Pastor Tim and his wife, Alice.
45	6	"The Rat"	Kari Skogland	Joshua Brand	April 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)	BDU406	0.90
Philip extracts Martha from the field. He, she, and Gabriel stay in a safe house while she adjusts and the proper arrangements can be made to extradite her out of the country. However, Martha grows ever so wary, and she leaves the house, against Gabriel's command. Meanwhile, Stan and Aderholt further unravel Martha and Clark's truth, and present the discovery to Gaad.
46	7	"Travel Agents"	Dan Attias	Tanya Barfield	April 27, 2016 (2016-04-27)	BDU407	0.90
Martha is on the streets wandering and running in circles in confusion and deep fear after leaving the safe house. Philip and Elizabeth come with the sample. Gabriel tells Philip and Elisabeth about Martha’s departure. Philip and Elisabeth try to find her. Gaad is worried that this Martha episode will not go easy on his part as head of FBI CI. Agent Beeman refuses to contact Oleg and inquire about Martha after being ordered. Martha calls her parents and FBI is on her tail. She later calls Philip and he convinces her to stay put while he comes to her. But before he could reach to her, Elisabeth nearly forcefully abducts her back to the safe house. She is also worried about Philip’s emotional involvement with Martha but he assures that it is nothing. She asks him to lie to her that he will be with her in Russia. Philip is however unable to lie to Martha and tells her that they will probably never see each other again. Martha is deeply disturbed and grieved at this. Paige tries to bond with her brother. Oleg and Tatiana tell Arkady that they have found a pilot. Gaad says that he is “already dead” as he is the head of counter intelligence and his secretary married a KGB officer.
47	8	"The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears"	Matthew Rhys	Stephen Schiff	May 4, 2016 (2016-05-04)	BDU408	1.02
Martha is put on the plane along with the rat containing the tularemia sample. Both safely arrive in Cuba. With Martha gone, Philip spends more time home, and inadvertently convinces Elizabeth to spend time with Young-hee at the movies. Philip also visits Gene's grave and has a beer with Stan, who talks about his "disaster at work." Gaad is fired soon after. Elizabeth goes to EST and fights with Philip when she comes home. Gabriel is very perplexed by the Jennings' recent actions and seeks Claudia's advice. Paige comes home from skipping Bible Study; Elizabeth reams her to move beyond her feelings and begin working to maintain a relationship with Pastor Tim and Alice. Elizabeth gets called in for a surprise meeting with Lisa. She's relapsed, Maurice left her and took all their money from the scams and Lisa is convinced she needs to report "Jack" to the police in hopes of getting the money and immunity. Elizabeth is forced to kill her. When she and Philip see Gabriel afterwards Gabriel realizes the Jennings are under too much strain. He tells them they will no longer be introduced to new operations. Philip and Elizabeth finally take Paige and Henry to Epcot. Seven months pass. Philip and Elizabeth are playing hockey with Henry, and Paige comes home from mini golf with Pastor Tim and a pregnant Alice. Paige reports to her parents Pastor Tim and Alice's activities and goes upstairs. Before Gaad leaves on a trip to Asia, he's visited by Stan, and warns him not to lose sight of who he's investigating.
48	9	"The Day After"	Daniel Sackheim	Tracey Scott Wilson	May 11, 2016 (2016-05-11)	BDU409	0.90
Paige undergoes driving lessons with her father, and asks that the family appear a united front to an ever looming Pastor Tim. Stan adjusts to newfound difficulties. William brings a conundrum to Philips attention, and they share in its grief. Elizabeth struggles with her "Patty" mission, and the depths she must go to achieve what's necessary. Pastor Tim expresses concern for Paige's mental wellbeing to Philip. The 1983 TV film The Day After airs, casting a shroud of unease throughout everyone's minds.
49	10	"Munchkins"	Steph Green	Peter Ackerman	May 18, 2016 (2016-05-18)	BDU410	0.82
The Jennings are shocked to learn that Pastor Tim has gone missing in Ethiopia. Alice is suspicious, and threatens the couple in haste. Paige is confounded by the entire situation, but is able to soothe a distressed Alice. As "Patty's" mission continues, Elizabeth finds herself conflicted about the ramifications for Young Hee's family. Philip checks in on Kimmy, finding out a disturbing new truth about her father. Paige and Matthew spend meaningful time together. After a clandestine KGB mission goes awry, Gaad is killed in Thailand.
50	11	"Dinner for Seven"	Nicole Kassell	Joshua Brand	May 25, 2016 (2016-05-25)	BDU411	0.81
Pastor Tim expresses remorse for his wife's actions and sympathizes with the Jennings' predicament. Elizabeth invites the pastor and Alice over for a family dinner; where Stan unexpectedly joins them which propels the night into discontent. "Patty's" operation is completed, to heartbreaking results for Elizabeth. Stan ends his relationship with Oleg, citing potential guilt.
51	12	"A Roy Rogers in Franconia"	Chris Long	Joel Fields & Joe Weisberg	June 1, 2016 (2016-06-01)	BDU412	TBD
52	13	"Persona Non Grata"	Chris Long	Joel Fields & Joe Weisberg	June 8, 2016 (2016-06-08)	BDU413	TBD

Reception

The fourth season received widespread acclaim from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it received a 100 percent approval rating with an average score of 9.2 out of 10 based on 43 reviews, with a critics consensus of: "With its fourth season, The Americans continues to deliver top-tier spy drama while sending its characters in directions that threaten to destroy their freedoms – and their lives. On Metacritic, the season has a score of 95 out of 100 based on 28 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".

Vikram Murthi of The A.V. Club gave it a perfect "A" grade and wrote, "If the fourth season reminds viewers of anything, it's that The Americans has a masterful control of tone, doling out horror and slow-burn dread like very few of its contemporaries." Ben Travers of Indiewire also gave it an "A" grade and wrote that the season "is on the equally stellar level of its predecessors". Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com praised the series and wrote, "It is that depth of character and nuance in the writing that elevates The Americans, along with its willingness to offer stunning narrative developments. [...] I'm now convinced that when we close the final chapter of this televised novel we may finally appreciate one of the best shows we've ever seen."

Maureen Ryan of Variety reviewed the show praising it for its refusal to go in "cartoonish or preposterous directions" which they point out how the industry has a "cacophony of shows doing superficially outrageous things for attention" and that it "grows louder by the day." They also point out that Elizabeth and Philip are now "even more untenable, and the show has never been one to drag out developments past their potency." It is a review that clearly states this show is more realistic than its counterparts.

Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone said that "the acting is impeccable" and that it "keeps getting more intense as it goes along, hitting harder than any drama on television right now."

External links

• Official website
• The Americans at IMDb