Season 4 of the American espionage period drama TV series “The Americans” wrapped up on FX on June 8 with its finale episode entitled “Persona Non Grata.”
Days before the Season 4 finale, reports already came out that “The Americans” has already been renewed by the network not just for Season 5 but also for Season 6.
Accordingly, the TV series is a three-arc story with one arc composed of two seasons. So the third arc would be on the upcoming fifth and sixth season, making Season 5, which would return to FX around March next year, as the penultimate season for “The Americans.”
Showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields confirmed that Season 6, which would happen in 2018, would be the last for the critically-acclaimed TV series.
In a recent interview, Weisberg even said that they were able to trim down the possible ending for “The Americans” to four different possibilities but he said that they have not decided on anything just yet, details Movie News Guide.
Joel Fields said that what seems clear is that there is no danger that there will be a sudden end to the show. He added that they would be able to reach the end for “The Americans” that feels right to them dramatically.
A Season 4 finale cliffhanger
A subtle cliffhanger was incorporated during the Season 4 finale episode where an obscure FBI character Stan seemingly learning the secret of Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, played by real-life couple Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell.
As to how long he makes the most out of the secret and make himself famous in the FBI would be among the things that would be known by the viewers during the Season 5 premiere of “The Americans” when it comes out next year.
But the biggest cliffhanger of Season 4 is when Philip and Elizabeth raced against the clock and also against the FBI to recover a hazardous package that could become the catalyst for the third World War.
Their eldest daughter Paige already knows the family secret so it would be interesting to find out if she would follow their footsteps eventually or settle for the laid-back and less risky life.
Last 23 episodes
Season 4 of “The Americans” had 13 episodes and it has been confirmed that the last two seasons of the TV series shall have a total of 23 episodes, 13 episodes for Season 5 and 10 episodes for Season 6, reports Premiere Date.
The Season 4 finale of “The Americans” was somewhat muted in tone but compelling just the same, opening up new possibilities for Season 5.
William, the Jennings’ asset, has been captured by the FBI and reveals some crucial information to Stan, just short of uncovering the identities of Elizabeth and Philip. The KGB couple assumes the very worst of the situation and is urged to make an escape back to Russia.
Some critics believe that the Season 4 finale of “The Americans was a muted climax because the TV series already put most of the action scenes in the episodes leading to the finale.
However, some say that the Season 4 finale was a stellar and spellbinding episode of TV that puts Philip and Elizabeth Jennings as close as they have ever been to getting caught as Russian spies.
The big cliffhanger which viewers would know in Season 5 is whether Philip and Elizabeth finally give up their cover as Americans and move overseas.
But given the title of the TV series, it is likely that the Jennings will remain rooted in America despite the close call especially with the fact that much of their life has been built in the US.
The message of the Season 4 finale of “The Americans” is not that Philip and Elizabeth are extraordinary but actually ordinary and that’s why their cover looks great.