Making his triumphant return, Jordan Cass is BACK, joining Danielle and John to chat all things The Americans 5x7, “Committee on Human Rights”! Once again impeccably prepared, Jordan guides the trio through an analysis of the episode around the theme of ‘enmeshment’. Together, they consider Gabriel’s final conversation with Philip, Paige’s search for autonomy and her break-up with Matthew, and the various attachment structures of the Jennings family. The trio questions what enmeshments are required in the life of a spy. But the real mark of triumph in this episode is when Jordan schools John and Danielle on the fact that Brad-not-Brent’s name is NOT Brad, but BEN. This reveal is an all-timer, and with it, Jordan cements his case for permanent third-chair on the pod. Somehow, your hosts recover, and journey together into the segments, with some questions in the Dossier, scrutiny over Paige’s bookshelf, and checking in about Renee and Stan. Your hosts return to Capital for another installment of Marx SZN, and round things out with another set of TheoryShips. Come for Jordan’s superb insights, stay for how he absolutely roasts your hosts, for everyone’s enjoyment!

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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Gabriel might be leaving, but John and Danielle are here to stay, this week taking on The Americans 5x6, “Crossbreed.” They frame their discussion around ‘disclosure’, starting with Gabriel’s decision to leave (don’t worry, Danielle has THOUGHTS on this in the Dossier) before moving onto the lack of disclosure when it comes to Philip, and wrapping up with some musings on Oleg burning the tape. They consider what it means to introduce Paige to Gabriel in the broader context of the show, as well as in relation to the question of disclosure. In Glas, your hosts cannot help but overanalyze Elizabeth’s newly found mode of relaxation, Tai-Chi, and the parallels between Gabriel in DC and Oleg in Moscow. John and Danielle consider the 80s-ness of psychiatrist culture before meeting Marx once again in the Cave - this time chatting all things Capital! They make a case for the show hiring them as Marx-consultants (derogatory), which, of course, would make things much smoother for all involved! This would rectify some of the missteps - which are all still obviously Pastor Tim’s fault. Your hosts end the episode with some TheoryShips of Robyn Marasco and Foucault (sorry-not-sorry) to our beloved characters. Enjoy!

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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

John and Danielle are back to dig into The Americans 5x5, “Lotus 1-2-3,” and they are DISSOCIATING as they do so! With that theme, your hosts consider how this approach helps Philip and Elizabeth cope with their various missions and their less-than-ideal reality. John highlights the age-old Eros-Thanatos double whammy for not only Philip and Elizabeth (and their respective marks/partners), but Stan as well! Perhaps, dissociation is what one needs in order to maintain a double life, or overlook the cracks and fissures in that life. Turning to the segments, Danielle claims a win in the Dossier due to Philip’s suspicions about Renee, which John reluctantly allows, but doesn’t give any confirmation one way or another (no surprise there!). In Glas, we get the depressing return of Mischa, a check-in with Oleg, and debrief about Tuan along with some quips about camerawork and costumes to round out the analysis. In Borrowed Nostalgia, your hosts can’t let the styrofoam McDonald’s boxes go unnoticed, or Renee’s general hyper-80s persona. In the Cave, Marx SZN thunders on with John guiding us through the German Ideology. Come for the comparisons between the sex scenes, stay for the TheoryShips!

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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay