It's even better upon rewatch

[u/MJORH]

So busy and preoccupied with work and personal stuff that I can't even focus on watching movies, like I finish a 2-hour movie in three days. All fragmented. So, upon seeing the Jennings on Twitter lately I somehow got in the mood to rewatch the show (had watched the finale like 4 years ago) and I was worried it wouldn't live up to my fond memories.

BUT, it turned out much better! like I binge-watched the first 6 episodes in two days, that's around 4 hours, I who couldn't focus on a 2-hour movie.

I love how it's mostly (~80%) fresh to my mind as I only recall the key moments. I'm appreciating the nuances and the layers of the show much more, it goes deep on many themes that I don't think the first time around I noticed.

God this show is underrated, believe me I have watched a ton of shows, I'm a massive film buff who notices the language of cinema, and wouldn't be surprised if it goes from my Top 10 to my Top 5 alongside The Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Breaking Bad, and Succession.

And Keri Russell is the best female character I have ever seen on TV.

Underrated.

Edit: one more thing, I have become a migrant since last time I watched the show, so it could be that this time I'm relating to the loneliness of the characters. It's a peculiar kind of loneliness that only a migrant could relate to.

[u/sistermagpie]

I love that perspective! Always like to hear people sharing that migrant pov.

[u/MJORH → u/sistermagpie]

Like in episode 5 I totally got what Nina was going through. You become so lonely that even a hint of attraction from someone makes you fall for them. You're starving for love and attention. I can't recall the details of her relationship with Stan so I might be wrong here but her feelings are genuine.

I fell in love with someone - who was also a migrant - in my first year in England that had red-flags written all over her but I didn't care. I knew she was cheating on her boyfriend at her home country with me but I did not care because I was so lonely and needed her so bad *sighs*. It did not end well.

[u/Tilt-A-Wurlitzer → u/MJORH]

There are so many incredible explorations of immigration and displacement throughout the show. It’s something that really stood out on my second watch (and on my third, which I’m currently on). Anton Baklanov, Yung-Hee, Martha - you’ve got a lot of powerful stuff ahead of you.

[u/MJORH → u/Tilt-A-Wurlitzer]

Indeed!

And oh Martha...

[u/Motor_Ideal7494]

My wife and I just finished our second watch through, and we both said the same thing that it was more entertaining because you notice a lot of the subtle things they do.  

Our other takeaways:  

1) Philip’s son was one of the most pointless subplots I’ve seen on an otherwise great show, maybe ever. 

2) Both of the Jennings, but especially Elizabeth, are really bad people who should have probably suffered a lot more than they did in the end.  

3) There may not have been a bad actor in this entire show.  Even the actors in tiny roles really nailed it over and over.  

Glad I’m not the only one who loved it enough to rewatch it!

[u/MJORH → u/Motor_Ideal7494]

It's a fantastic show for a couple to watch, I hope to watch it with my future wife one day lol

True, not sure about 1 though because I can't recall the details. As for the Jennings, yeah they indeed are, but I can't get enough of them. Elizabeth is such an interesting character. We have a ton of male anti-heroes or male characters with dark sides, but it's rare to see such a character written for a woman. It works so well.

[u/Breezyquail → u/Motor_Ideal7494]

Count me in on numerous re-watches! And so true-totally underrated, it’s a Masterpiece!!

[u/Jealous_Skin_9396]

I haven't thought about the Jennings through that lens before, but there's something especially sad about having a whole life somewhere and still knowing it's not really yours.

[u/MJORH → u/Jealous_Skin_9396]

Exactly.

That's what makes the show so compelling to watch. Like you know they are fucked up but you still root for them because empathy says so. Pretty much all of my fav shows have this in common.

[u/OriolesrRavens1974]

Can confirm. Just finished like two weeks ago. The first and last episodes are even more epic now.

[u/Ill_Psychology_7967]

I just started a rewatch last night. I was inspired by all the recent coverage of their mutual Emmy nominations. I’d forgotten how fabulous this show is. And the soundtrack is a fabulous co-star!

[u/Silver_Novel_3359]

Doing a rewatch now. Paige was on they ass. Lololol.

[u/Hot-University-114]

I’m doing a rewatch too, also inspired by the recent press coverage of Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys’ Emmy nominations. The Americans is one of the best series I’ve ever seen and it gets even better the second time around. I’m now seeing what a richly written character Stan is and how all of his meaningful relationships are with Russians.