I don’t have high hopes but I read the premise and I thought it was interesting enough, thinking there’d be some possibility of a more even keeled depiction of the soviet union and of socialism. Just saw the first episode and there’s some overtures to socialism and the Su? Like, it’s typical hollywood spy schlock but it’s not completely full of anti communist brainworms? There’s 5 or so seasons of this shit so no way they avoid making any sort of politicsl commentary and I’d like to say time if it’s just going to be liberal garbage.
Written by CIA guy. Entertaining because it shows somewhat realistic things like Soviets finding solidarity with committed and sophisticated domestic and organized groups and individuals, most of them part of oppressed groups. Spends a ton of time on (imo boring) relationship stuff, stuff with their kids, etc. Seriously fizzles out in the last two seasons, I don’t think they had much of a plan there.
Depicts SU as a place you’d go to live a hard life or be punished, US as a place that plies you with treats and a suburban life. The American’s propaganda about themselves to themselves.
Spends a ton of time on (imo boring) relationship stuff
This is what sets the show apart for me. When my friends told me about the premise (another spy show, yawn) I was totally uninterested, but their relationship is what hooked me. The dynamic between Elizabeth and Philip informs the entire plot of the show - how do a zealous ideologue and a growing skeptic reconcile who they are and what they do in the US? It would be a boring thriller without them.
The growing skeptic goes straight in the trash for me
Without having done any investigating into the background and artists’ intent, I found the whole series enjoyable. It was incredibly refreshing to get a spy drama from the red perspective. It’s obvious you’re supposed to root for the commies. No idea how accurate its portrayal of the business is, from both the USSR and FBI povs, but overall I felt it was trying to reframe the Cold War for the propagandized americans, and I think it succeeds at that. And Keri Russel is dope.
It’s obvious you’re supposed to root for the commies.
Knowing that the Soviet Union would dissolve in just a few years puts this terrible sense of doom over the entire show and makes Elizabeth and Philip look like heroes imo. Elizabeth especially. It was such a pleasure to hear her articulate all the reasons why she’s committed to the cause without trying to make her a seem like a villain for being “anti american.” Polar opposite of their counterparts in the FBI/CIA who all seem to delight in being tremendous pieces of shit
It’s actually really fun to see a cool ass chick such as spell out her passion for the soviet union and for socialism. I really like these moments
It was a great show. I enjoyed it a lot.
Easily my favourite moment was when the husband started to really embrace the culture of The Great Satan and enjoy himself in Burgerland, and then was reminded of the horrific human rights abuses that they were supporting in Nicaragua w/ The Contras, and was visibly distraught
Also, a spy show without smart phones and with communication encryption keys stored on literal metal plates with holes drilled in it was very refreshing these days.
I watched a few episodes and was a bit annoyed by the portrayal of the soviet woman’s backstory, and didn’t stick with it for partly thay reason.
Don’t take my word for anything though, this is not a positive or negative recommendation. I’d be interested if anyone else has an opinion, cause im not opposed to giving it another go at all.
I rewatched the first couple episodes recently and I forgot just how early that comes up. It’s definitely off putting. But I’d recommend the show, as long as that kind of subject matter doesn’t bother you. Gratuitous amounts of sex as usual.
Right, I can deal.with that level of content (having to do with SA), but it needs to be “worth it” as far as it’s contribution to my enjoyment of the content, if that makes sense.
the portrayal of the soviet woman’s backstory
What do you mean?
I’ve only seen the first few episodes but they show flashbacks of the female lead being SA’ed by her KGB trainer/officer.
