Saturday Night Live celebrated its 40th anniversary with a 3-hour plus show including many famous faces and it was well documented behind the scenes thanks to numerous Instagram posts. This is a SNL “Behind the Insta-Scenes” special with shots from during the show, in the audience and at the after party.
Prince continues his tour of making famous people lose their shit (see also the Golden Globes and Grammys) and Questlove captured this amazing shot of both Prince and the amount of people taking his photo at the post show bash.
Maya Rudolph was on stage with Prince during that performance and I like to think this giddy shot is a delayed reaction to this. This also sums up how I feel about Maya Rudolph; she is magic.
A joint and a Yazoo (or Yaz to go with their US name) record take The Americans squirm inducing rate up a notch from how to pack a suitcase in “Baggage” and last week’s off books dental work. Philip and Elizabeth’s work involves varying extremes on a weekly basis and this is the life they have known since they were recruited by the KGB. On many occasion this has involved them using their body – the pilot opened with Elizabeth doing just this – but this week has them coming across untested water when the person they need to use is a teenager and not much older than their daughter. Speaking of Paige, it is her birthday and the brief moment of unity is shattered and the standoff between Philip and Elizabeth is very much on again.
The above photo could be captioned “LOL being a spy, amirite?” because they both look far too happy for how this dinner and subsequent Paige bombshell turns out. Instead of telling Paige who she really is, which Elizabeth is determined to do “with or without” Philip it is Paige who has some news for them. The whole birthday dinner adds extra friction to the already temperamental situation when Paige suggests inviting Pastor Tim and his wife over. Most of Philip and Elizabeth’s Paige chats occur with bedtime bickering, but this earlier one takes place first thing as they both get ready to go about their busy day of spying and maybe popping to the office. Cross cutting the conversation about Paige is Philip giving updates on Martha related intel and her desire to foster a kid; Elizabeth snarkly responds with “who wears the pants in that family.” Cutting to both Philip’s abilities as a spy, man and also showing a hint of jealousy about the Martha of it all.
The TV is on in the background because what better way to drown out the sounds of discussing covert shenanigans and on comes one of the most eyebrow raising ads I’ve seen in a long time. Even Don Draper might mouth WTF at the Love’s Baby Soft creepiness as Philip goes from talking about Martha’s kid desires to the ad proclaiming “There’s one person nobody can resist and that’s a baby.” All seems fine until you realize this ad is not for something baby related and it suggests “Because innocence is sexier than you think.” So while I go take a shower to get the skeeze off please enjoy this clip from 30 Rock, which immediately entered my brain to counter the ick:
Stan revealed his key to fooling targets is by telling them what they want to hear on repeat and The Americans plays with deception in a myriad of ways. In the home Philip and Elizabeth initially lived within the realms of a fake relationship that produced a very real family and this has been complicated further by really falling in love. The Paige problem has introduced this idea of revealing their real identities, which as we know Philip is staunchly against. It has become a cyclical argument and we know where each of them stands; they are in danger of falling into a repetitive bedtime bickering pattern with each of them trying to one up the other. Thankfully Paige blindsides them with the baptizing plan and she’s been deceiving them in her own way; I wonder if they would prefer Paige was out smoking joints with random older guys rather than hanging out at church with Pastor Tim? Upon hearing Paige’s wishes Elizabeth gulps down her tea as if it was something stronger and all I want is a TV reality where Alicia Florrick and Elizabeth Jennings can drink copious amounts of wine while bitching about their religious teenage daughters.
Inaction has led to this crisis point and while wanting to get baptized is something most would not consider as an extreme to Elizabeth it is indoctrination of her child from someone other than her. Communism finds no place for religion in their ideology and so the thought of Paige being part of this world only increases Elizabeth’s determination to reveal the truth. Philip is thinking more logically than his wife and fears if they tell her now it will all come crashing down. Meanwhile Henry continues to tell stories about his friend Lewis that no one ever listens to. He is also pretty good at remembering state capitals. Henry is not so good at giving his dad information on Paige and church; both Philip and Elizabeth talk to or about their children this week as if they are an asset or enemy. Got to hand it to Paige for pissing off her parents so monumentally with both the baptizing idea and the way she played them. Teen rebellion comes in many forms.
Everyone is working someone and in Philip and Elizabeth’s case they have multiple sources to juggle. Philip adds Kimberly to the mix and this is where the squirming as a viewer and for Philip takes place. They know from the conversation they overheard last week that Kimberly is not afraid to flirt with older guys; enter Joe a lawyer, lobbyist and friendly creepy dude who hangs out waiting to help teens with fake ID. Joe will roll joints, listen to your music and chill on steps with you at night. He won’t dance, but he will share his coat with you. Watching Philip develop relationships with Martha and Anneliese has been hard because they are being manipulated by charm, but this is next level horror show due to Kimberly’s age and Matthew Rhys does a couple of very brief expressions to show just how unpleasant Philip also finds the situation. Before he first approaches the girls it appears as if Philip has to psych himself up, which is not something we have seen before. When the phone rings and it is a message from Kimberly you can see his whole demeanor sink and for once he would rather be stuck in this same old fight with Elizabeth. And everything keeps on piling up.
Their fake personas have a way of letting them work through the problems they have trouble sharing with each other so when Elizabeth first posed as Michelle from AA she spoke to Lisa of her real issues last season but under a fake guise. We revisit Lisa in “Dimebag” and Elizabeth is positioning herself as the person who Lisa will call; nothing of significance spy related happens in this storyline as of yet, but it shows manipulation tactics when sex isn’t a factor. In a reverse of this Philip takes what he has learned from the teen girls with what music is cool – Yazoo – and subtly wins favor with Paige by giving her something relevant to her interests. His method of learning about this means the gift is tainted with ick but Paige is very happy with this surprise, Elizabeth is less than thrilled.
Over in Stan land he needs to finally get it into his head that it is over with Sandra, just move on dude as your EST winning her back plan is not working. And for some reason yelling that it is all bullshit has caught the attention of a Sandra looking lady at the meetings. Stan is not having a fabulous time at work either as he is convinced Zinaida can’t be trusted; is he letting paranoia get the better of him or is his gut right? The trashed diner bathroom with nothing to show for it would suggest the former. Things might be looking slightly up for Nina in prison as she is given a mission of her own, which might in turn give her a lighter sentence; all she has to do is find out what Evi is up to and this means she has to talk to her.
Shot of the Week
Post big blow up and the never ending back and forth dance continues with Philip briefly turning around to look back at his wife as Paige’s new Yazoo record blasts “Don’t Go” in the background, which Philip does. Apparently nearly getting caught/teeth pulling closeness does not last long. This segues into Stan’s desperate search in the diner bathroom and is one of this season’s first great music choices.
Bonus Shot
From the same scene as above and I just want to highlight the excellent work by the prop/art department as the photos of Henry and Paige that hang on their bedroom wall look like real family pictures and not just promo shots as is often the case on TV. It also makes them overseers of this argument that is taking place and a reminder they are always there.
Disguise of the Week
This one popped up in the season 3 promo and it is part Felicity, part hippy. More big frame glasses to get excited about. I half expected her to make a reappearance as a pot dealing diversion to make sure Philip doesn’t have to go too far with Kimberly, but alas the snuggling went uninterrupted.
Outfit I Would Wear in 2015
Nina’s matching tracksuit prison threads in both grey and brown look like something I would buy with the idea to exercise in them, but in reality they would be clothes I write in. Comfort is important when typing.
An evening celebrating costume design sounds rather marvelous and the Costume Designers Guild hosted their annual ceremony last night with Shameless star Emmy Rossum as host. Mindy Kaling wore a beautiful custom made gown from Mindy Project costume designer* and president of the guild, Salvador Perez as she did the previous year.
*Several of Mindy’s coats from this season of The Mindy Project are custom Salvador Perez and I would love every single colorful houndstooth creation in my life.
Big winners include Michele Clapton for Game of Thrones and Jenny Eagan took home the contemporary TV costume design award for True Detective. Harrison Ford presented Aggie Guerard Rodgers with the career achievement accolade – the list of movies she has worked on is long and varied – and academic Dr. Deborah Nadoolman Landis received the inaugural Edith Head Award for the Advancement and Education of the Art of Costume Design. Naomi Watts was presented with the Lacoste Spotlight Award (Amy Adams was last year’s recipient) and Boyhood director Richard Linklater collected the Distinguished Collaborator honorary award.
Here is the full list of nominees with the winners highlighted:
OUTSTANDING CONTEMPORARY TELEVISION SERIES House of Cards – Johanna Argan Ray Donovan – Christopher Lawrence Saturday Night Live – Tom Broecker, Eric Justian Scandal – Lyn Paolo True Detective – Jenny Eagan (Winner)
OUTSTANDING PERIOD/FANTASY TELEVISION SERIES Boardwalk Empire – John Dunn Game of Thrones – Michele Clapton (Winner) The Knick – Ellen Mirojnick Mad Men – Janie Bryant Masters of Sex – Ane Crabtree
OUTSTANDING MADE FOR TV MOVIE OR MINI SERIES American Horror Story: Freak Show – Lou Eyrich (Winner) Houdini – Birgit Hutter The Normal Heart – Daniel Orlandi Olive Kitteridge – Jenny Eagan Sherlock – Sarah Arthur
EXCELLENCE IN CONTEMPORARY FILM Birdman – Albert Wolsky (Winner) Boyhood – Kari Perkins Gone Girl – Trish Summerville Interstellar – Mary Zophres Wild – Melissa Bruning
EXCELLENCE IN PERIOD FILM The Grand Budapest Hotel – Milena Canonero (Winner) The Imitation Game – Sammy Sheldon Differ Inherent Vice – Mark Bridges Selma – Ruth E. Carter The Theory of Everything – Steven Noble
EXCELLENCE IN FANTASY FILM Guardians of the Galaxy – Alexandra Byrne The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – Bob Buck, Ann Maskrey, Richard Taylor The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 – Kurt and Bart Into the Woods – Colleen Atwood (Winner) Maleficent – Anna B. Sheppard, Jane Clive
EXCELLENCE IN COMMERCIAL COSTUME DESIGN Army ‘Defy Expectations, Villagers’ – Christopher Lawrence (Winner)
Direct TV ‘Less Attractive’, with Rob Lowe – Mindy Le Brock, Jessica Albertson
Dos Equis ‘Most Interesting Man in the World Walks on Fire’ – Julie Vogel
Kia Soul Hamster Commercial Featuring ‘Animals’ – Anette Cseri
Smirnoff ‘The Mixologist’ – Laura Jean Shannon
A few quick thoughts with regards to the some of the winners and while there might not be the same wealth of fantasy on television as with film, the number is still relatively high and some quality work is missing out on getting recognized by the doubling down of period and fantasy in the same category. Game of Thrones would be hard to beat regardless of what category it was in, regardless it might be tome to broaden the number of categories. That is the hardest category for me in terms of picking a winner as all the work on these shows is not only excellent, but we cover several of them in extensive detail here. This is my only real grumble with the TV half of the awards and even when I think American Horror Story is a mess you can always count on the costume design of Lou Eyrich. Jenny Eagan didn’t manage the double and I loved her Olive Kitteridge work, but one out of two is pretty good.
In the film categories it isn’t surprising to see Colleen Atwood win for Into the Woods, although Kurt and Bart’s Mockingjay designs and how they tweaked Effie’s look in every scene is where my love lies. The period category is particularly difficult as all five are incredible in terms of costume design (and you can read my thoughts on the costumes of The Imitation Game here) and Milena Canonero continues her Grand Budapest Hotel winning streak; is the Oscar next? The grungy costuming of Emma Stone in Birdman was one of my favorite aspects of this movie and Birdman continues its award season hot streak with Albert Wolsky taking home the contemporary prize.
And because it is hard to resist a TV mother/daughter reunion here is Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant with January Jones and Kiernan Shipka at the awards show.
Taking a break from Fantasy Costuming various shows with a brand that has appeared on New Girl, The Mindy Project, Parks and Recreation and How to Get Away with Murder; Alice + Olivia has the cutest sweaters. This collection was about a lot more than knitwear with designer Stacey Bendet striking a balance between late 60s/early 70s boho and rocker; a strong theme for this NYFW and one discussed yesterday with our Red Valentino Sally Draper Fantasy Costuming.
This post is a mixture of looks from the show and the stars in attendance (some are wearing items available from Alice + Olivia at the moment). Okay there might be some suggestions of what shows some of the pieces should appear on/who should wear them; it is hard to resist the urge to Fantasy Costume.
First up Fall 2015 items to covet:
If you are a regular TV Ate My Wardrobe reader you will know by now that I have very strong feelings about lady tuxes and the current menswear trend. So it might not be too surprising that this simple and sophisticated take on this theme is top of the list. Keri Russell sometimes leans towards this style on the red carpet and even though it is not vintage the pants have a hint of wide legged Elizabeth Jennings about them.
Below are several more outfits from the collection to drool over with pattern and texture reigning supreme – click on the image for a closer look. Jenny Slate will be glad to see the turtleneck is making big waves this NYFW and the first dress in the collection below has a hint of Joan Watson about it.
And now for a few looks from those at the show.
Singer Kate Nash went for bold color and pattern in a stunning multicolored ‘Bryn’ skirt pairing it with a very cute zebra sweater.
Sarah Silverman put a bird on it and makeup artist Tina Turnbow shared this beautiful close up getting ready shot.
Hopefully Ilana Glazer will fare better in white than when her Broad City character last wore something similar to this. Abbi Jacobson’s embellished bird jacket is incredible and she adds an extra pop of color with blue stilettos.
Fashion blogger and model Ella Catliff beats the New York cold with stylish layering including the ‘Shih’ collarless coat and pairing tights with these wedges means no freezing toes in the name of fashion.
Mad Men is coming to an end (*sob*) but we have time for one final Fantasy Costuming; previously we took a look at spring season threads for Megan Draper and now our attention turns towards a favorite teen fashionista, Sally Draper. Some Fantasy Costuming pieces have included items that have ended up on the shows they were picked out for and this will definitely not be the case here as a) they are not vintage b) they are not designed by Janie Bryant and c) the show wrapped some time ago. However, the Red Valentino Fall 2015 RTW collection features a range of clothes that suit both the time period to an extent and previous costumes Sally has worn.
This is going to be split into three groupings to represent different aspects of the era and Sally’s personality; as always the Fantasy Costuming selections are inspired by the costume design from the show in question – Janie Bryant – and are in no way suggesting this character should wear a specific item mentioned. Click on the thumbnails for a more looks for Sally.
This is very school uniform Sally Draper – well maybe not the shoes – and Red Valentino has many plaids, flannels and checks on offer for Fall in a variety of colors. The capelets are super cute and hint at a charming youthful influence with some added tie and furry embellishments. Sally might be getting a bit too old for this style or at least she might think she is, skip to the final grouping of outfits if you want rebellious teen Sally attire.
The white tights are worn with each look and suit the sweet and sugary nature of the playful items in this group from the Red Valentino collection. These are the kinds of dresses Betty would probably love to see her daughter in (although the hemline length may cause some Betty objections) so there might be some resistance, but I think Sally would look fabulous in all of these for any fancy pants occasion she might have to attend with her family. Alas there are no white go go boots. Plus some very fun daytime suggestions for fall days in the city.
And now for something Betty would probably not approve of with mismatched patterns and clashing styles mixing a hippy vibe with a little bit of rocker. Throw in some leather, a snarky attitude and staying out late to perfect the teen rebellious streak, which Sally Draper was already demonstrating when we last saw her including a cheeky backyard smoke. Kiernan Shipka could definitely work all of these looks.
Look out for more NYFW Fantasy Costuming posts this week!
Last night Saturday Night Live celebrated 40 years with a star packed 3 hour show with plenty of familiar faces on stage and in the Studio 8H audience. A very cold red carpet took place prior to the performance with plenty of smiles through the freezing temps and below are some of our favorite looks.
Starting off with two SNL greats in the evening’s black classic trend with Maya Rudolph in a tuxedo inspired jumpsuit, which I am definitely into. The pockets and bold red lipstick get instant style points. Kristen Wiig looks super hot in a plunging Max Azria Atelier gown.
After last weekend’s lady tux high Olivia Wilde steps it up a notch combining lady tux with cape in a stunning H&M Conscious Commerce Collection ensemble that I need in my life.
Sequin Christina Dior for Emma Stone with just as sparkly shoes and this is a slight break from the norm hand on hip red carpet pose with Larry David.
Not really sure what is happening in this photo other than something magical. Glenn Close is everything.
Black could be seen as somber particularly for an evening celebrating comedy; thankfully there are plenty of ways to prevent this turning into a bleak event including sequins and Melissa McCarthy’s mixed fabrics look is fantastic.
Debbie Harry shows how to work layers and she’s probably not freezing like most the attendees in this fantastic ensemble. She has no time to deal with your shit.
Jenna Maroney would be busting out a song on the red carpet to make sure all eyes are on her, Jane Krakowski does this by wearing a sexy plunging gown. Red nail polish and an amazing bracelet add those extra pow points. So excited for The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
A break from the big trend of the night and Dakota Johnson does the super glitzy sparkles in a Sonia Rykiel mini dress and while clutching hold of her coat kind of looks a bit sloppy/like she skinned a stuffed toy on the way over, the brr cold weather is reason enough to keep something like this close by. As with her Golden Globes Chanel this is another winning shimmery outfit.
Posing in Posen and Sarah Silverman does smokey eye glam with aplomb.
More sparkle embellishments and Lucy Liu’s gown might have worked better in a darker shade like midnight blue. It is still super pretty and stands out from the sea of black attire.
Kerry Washington’s Adam Lippes blazer dress is Olivia Pope with a twist and feels like a throwback with the peek-a-boo bra.
Andy Samberg’s teal tuxedo jacket mixes up the usual black jacket dude stylings, but it is wife Joanna Newsom’s floral frock that stands out.
Rounding things off with some of the current cast; Taran Killam and Kenan Thompson are doing the classic tux/suit thing, Aidy Bryant adds a metallic edge to her polka dot dress and Kate McKinnon is another all black classic look.
The first Fantasy Costuming of 2015 courtesy of New York Fashion Week and Rachel Antonoff’s Fall RTW 2015 collection is a mixture of subversive whimsy. Scrolling through the photos it became clear rather quickly that this selection is ideal for the characters on Girls. There is a preppy edge to some of the pieces; which is perfect for both Marnie and Shoshanna, plus Hannah has a tendency to lean this way.
Even as the characters on Girls continue to grow up they can fall back on old tendencies which is why the provocative edge of some these pieces is dream wear for Hannah. And she has definitely worn something that resembles pajamas while out and about cycling in Iowa. A family connection is also present as Rachel Antonoff’s brother Jack is dating Lena Dunham and Hannah has already worn Rachel Antonoff on the show including some very lovely shoes in season 2. As always the Fantasy Costuming selections are inspired by the costume design from the show in question – Jenn Rogien- and are in no way suggesting this character should wear a specific item mentioned.
A sweater with the female reproductive system pretty much screams Hannah as it is comfy and a little daring. Of course Hannah and Lena are not the same person, but it is pretty safe to say they hold similar views on the reproductive rights of women.
Continuing the tradition of Hannah wearing very cute dresses on occasions such as at Jessa’s wedding, her birthday, dinner with her parents and after she got her first big paycheck with this floral offering. For more Hannah picks check out the gallery at the bottom of the page.
Pleats and tartan for Shoshanna as a reaction to marathoning Outlander and trying to find her very own Jamie. Shoshanna is the one who changes her look the most dressing with a theme or occasion in mind.
And this is more party wear for Shosh with a matching polka dot crop and skirt number.
Marnie is trying to do the whole boho folk singer thing but we all know she is a preppy girl at heart.
And here is something for Marnie and a return to the beach house for the sophisticated bonding trip she desired. Okay that probably won’t happen but she can still wear this is flirty girly frock.
Botany is one of Rachel Antonoff’s points of reference here and Jessa has been known to rock a hippy-esque maxi dress (okay maybe to hide Jemima Kirke’s pregnancy).
Check out the gallery below for more looks for Hannah from Rachel Antonoff’s Fall 2015 collection and stay tuned for more NYFW Fantasy Costuming.
New York Fashion Week has just kicked off and will dominate TV Ate My Wardrobe over the next few days; this edition of “Out of the Box” includes a couple of NYFW moments, magazine covers/editorials and other red carpet events.
Elizabeth Banks made our Best of 2014 “Out of the Box” list and here she is at the Berlin Film Festival for Love & Mercy in another stunning Elie Saab Couture gown. I cannot wait for the Pitch Perfect 2 promo train.
Tracee Ellis Ross looks like she is about to play a killer and super stylish game of tennis on the cover of Essence and I love it.
Town & Country delivers another beautiful editorial this time for the US edition and featuring Gugu Mbatha-Raw. In addition to these amazing shots Mbatha-Raw gives a good style message to live by “It’s important to know that it’s okay to be your natural self. It’s also okay to dress up and wear makeup and hair extensions if you want, so long as you don’t feel like you need that or will be worthless without it. The point is, it should be a choice.”
A celeb filled runway at the Go Red for Women event and Laverne Cox works her Donna Karan gown by turning the sheer cape into a twirling sensation.
Super floaty pink dress, sleeveless check wraparound coat; this is SJP NYFW perfection when unveiling her new shoe collection with Tome this week.
Galentine’s Day is here and to celebrate this annual treat we’ve come up with a variety of dream scenarios featuring some of our favorite lady friendships on TV. Friendships between women are often portrayed as fraught and full of conflict/jealousy, but there are some that avoid these common pitfalls. Okay several of the ones here are not free from turmoil, however they have grown stronger as a result and they don’t tend to fall into the usual cliches. There are plenty from past and present to consider and so this all too brief list includes both; leaning towards the shows TV Ate My Wardrobe covers on a regular basis.
Of course there are plenty of other amazing friendships between women on TV and this barely scratches the surface so let us know of your ideal Galentine’s Day TV character hangouts in the comments below.
You can’t celebrate Galentine’s Day without first mentioning Leslie Knope; as the creator of this wonderful day she gets forever Galentine’s status. In this week’s Parks and Recreation April dished out a very rare hug and it made me cry a whole bunch. It is one of several friendships on this show that means a great deal and a Galentine’s event with Leslie features waffles and an array of handmade gifts.
Donna and Ann will be there and a trip to a karaoke bar will ensure another rendition of “Time After Time” takes place. Of course April knows the words.
My first thought for an Abbi and Ilana Galentine’s hangout was going to a fancy restaurant in our hottest outfits, but instead I realized that sitting on a stoop drinking booze in ridiculous clothes like these from the pilot would be a much better plan. Shenanigans on Broad City occur wherever and usually a lot of laughter follows; this sounds like a perfect way to celebrate with one of TV’s best (if not the best) lady friendships.
So this Diane Lockhart/Alicia Florrick martini session is post funeral and our Galentine’s party would involve just as much booze and far less sadness. Alicia needs more lady friends on The Good Wife and while it seems very unlikely now for the actual show, in our fantasy scenario there will definitely be tequila shots with Kalinda.
My BFF OTP is long standing and while Angela is the star of My So-Called Life the friendship that developed in the school bathroom between Rayanne and Sharon has my heart. This is also the location of this Galentine’s meet-up and while it is far from glamorous, for those who have read any of the teen TV recaps I have done with Julie Hammerle you will know how important a bathroom chat is for me. And this is the ultimate one.
Dancing and drinking with the ladies on Felicity. Plus a side order of post club snacks and making sure Felicity never wears this outfit ever again to round off the evening.
A variety of philosophical debates that have very real consequences continue to take place on The Americans as Philip and Elizabeth both stand on opposing sides when it comes to their daughter. At the center of the argument is this idea about choice and whether Paige will be have this taken away from her if she is brought into this world. While we ended last week at an impasse of monumental proportions after Elizabeth attempted and failed to sway Philip by baring her soul, it seems that all you need is a very close call to open up the line of conversation. Well, that and a very intimate scene involving pliers.
Pulling teeth isn’t easy; it’s not just one yank and it is free much like the Paige problem, which they still don’t have a solution to. Now they are communicating again and what both the very close call and this incredible moment of intimacy have done is open up the channels again. Prior to this very intense scene (which I will come to in a bit) Philip is making sure his opinion is heard loud and clear. When Elizabeth tries to entice him with her naked skin he continues to read his magazine (an issue of Time from November 1982)and offer up thinly veiled passive aggressive comments giving her the green light to sleep with Hans suggesting “You recruit men. That’s part of it, right?” All this stems from a conversation about what to get Paige for her 15th birthday when Elizabeth mentions a necklace she thinks Paige will like. Philip asks how she knows this and his petulant attitude is as a result of everything that is going on. Still this look doesn’t suit you, Philip.
As with most things on this show there are layers to pretty much everything and the original plan was to get her a 10 speed bike. A bike represents freedom (and all I can picture is Angela Chase riding Brian Krakow’s bike) while a necklace is far more sentimental. Both are the kind of presents you can imagine any parent getting their teenage daughter but on The Americans nothing is quite what appears to be on the surface. They also don’t want to get her both as that would be too much and their ideology this makes sense; it also demonstrates how they must choose one and on this occasion Philip is pretty whatever about the whole thing. This is in contrast to the open house tour with a room full of toys with the realtor commenting “It’s impossible not to buy your kids everything they want, right?” This is not an issue in the Jennings home, except that one time they didn’t buy Henry a video game console and he broke into their neighbor’s house. Now Henry has a photo of Sandra Beeman in a bikini hidden away and it might be time Philip and Elizabeth checked in with their son instead of only paying attention to Paige.
One thread which runs throughout the episode and the series in general is this idea of wants and needs. Philip and Elizabeth are from a country with an ideology focused on needs whereas the one they now live in has an ethos which focuses on wants. Philip has assimilated to this with far more ease than Elizabeth and in the pilot we saw how comfortable he was with this lifestyle. Last season saw him get a fancy new car which was quickly tarnished by a mission gone wrong but as he has pointed out to Elizabeth she also likes the things that come with living in America. Just because it is easier doesn’t make it better in Elizabeth’s eyes and while she claims to Hans that she has no idea about fashion, she does have an effortless and chic style as Elizabeth Jennings. Maybe not so much with some of the disguises, but in the role she plays the most she is stylish. Also Hans don’t get the stonewash jeans.
Choice is also looped into this debate and it is Philip’s main argument why he doesn’t want to tell Paige about who they are. Gabriel continues to play the concerned and caring parent role to Philip and Elizabeth as he tells Philip everything he thinks he wants to hear; that Paige will have a choice as there is “always a choice.” Philip is having none of this and storms out after emphasizing how young Paige is and because she has grown up in this comfortable environment she isn’t “equipped to deal with this shit.” Earlier in the episode over a game of Scrabble – I love that they haven’t gone for the obvious chess or checkers route – what happened with Jared comes up and while I don’t think Philip fears an act of violence I do think he is worried Paige will reject them.
The channels of discussion remain open even with Philip’s hostility toward Elizabeth about the present; she hasn’t gone ahead and bought the necklace because she wanted to talk to him about it first. Gabriel mentions how Elizabeth looks at Philip differently now – similar to his observation to Elizabeth last week – and if this event had occurred when we first met them I don’t think Elizabeth would have been all that fussed about consulting Philip, she would have probably just done it.
So how to you solve a parenting quandary like this? Currently there is no solution; however they are in harmony once again. The risks this season are somehow even higher than last year and Elizabeth has had two near misses in these first three episodes. While the premiere involved serious physical danger, it is this protracted tailing situation which had me noting SO MUCH TENSION (all caps required) and even though at this point we know Elizabeth will get away the stakes have been raised. The push/pull is between how much they need the information about the CIA’s Afghan group and how close they will get before they get caught. This one ended up with a big score even if Gabriel is reticent about their methods; now they have a babysitter to target and if only Paige was already in the family business.
Elizabeth tells Hans that even though there is chemistry between them (it’s a spy thing) nothing is going to happen in part because “sex is dangerous” but also because there is “someone in my life, someone important and I don’t want to screw that up.” An incredibly significant moment as this is the first time Elizabeth has ever explicitly said something like this, even though in Philip’s anger earlier in the episode he expects her to sleep with him. This follows one of the most intimate scenes this show has done and with a lot of these emotionally vulnerable moments on The Americans (like my favorite scene from last season) it doesn’t involve actual sex. It starts with Philip waiting by the phone and gripping the cord as if that might help followed by an emotionally broken Elizabeth as she doesn’t even try to hide her teary and tired eyes. An all enveloping embrace which mirrors the one from the season 2 finale turns into a passionate smooch which is quickly killed by Elizabeth’s continuing tooth problems so what’s a guy to do but help out his wife in her time of need.
At any other time this moment would have led to sex, on this occasion what we get is an excruciating but incredibly tender scene involving pliers and tooth extraction. Even watching through fingers it is hard not to miss the parallels between this and a sex scene. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys are both incredible throughout the episode and particularly here as Elizabeth gives herself entirely over to Philip trusting him that he can get this done. Like many I find scenes involving teeth hard to watch (ditto anything involving finger/toe nails) and as with last week’s bone breaking they don’t shy away from showing just how grim it is. It takes not one but two attempts to get the full tooth and throughout the close ups on their eyes and the way he smooths down her hair and she grabs hold of his shoulders reveals that despite their current conflict they are united. This is true love. And Stan’s whiskey gift is used in the process which is rather poetic considering it was the FBI that did this.
One quick nitpick – don’t the KGB have a dentist on retainer?
“Tell them what they want to hear over and over and over again. People love to hear how right they are.” This is Stan’s tactic when it comes fooling his target and it is something used on multiple occasions by Philip and Elizabeth. Sometimes you have to go the opposite way and when Oleg’s father wants him transferred back to Moscow most likely as retribution for his conversation with Nina last week, Arkady gives him a choice even though it could negatively impact his own career. Oleg of course decides to stay citing his father’s wish for him to grow up and he is doing so by defying his father’s demand. Sometimes you do get a choice in the KGB.
Shot of the Week
While this is not quite on the Carrie Mathison level of an evidence wall (needs more color coding) this shows three seasons worth of work in attempting to catch Philip and Elizabeth. Stan notes “They are hard to get” and if only he knew just how close they are. Agent Aderholt could be a problem on several levels; he has caught a KGB spy in the past, he is tenacious and he has taken a shine to Martha. Watch your back Clark.
Disguise of the Week
Any time Elizabeth has to wear glasses it is pure joy and it seems like with each disguise the frames get even bigger.
Outfit I Would Wear in 2015
Fulfilling both TV and my own leather jacket obsession and pairing it with jeans which are far, far way from stonewash.
[
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
