The Americans 3X10: Stingers

So, Paige finally knows. And I don't think she really knows how to handle it. She told her parents she didn't care what the secret was, but she had to know. And now that she does, she feels totally blindsided. It's got to be so much different for her. She grew up in America where we were constantly (at that time) told that Russia was the enemy and we that they had spies here to destroy us. And now, Paige finds out that those spies are her parents. And that they claim Russia is actually the good guys.

It looks like our Z defector actually is a spy. While at the movies with Stan and several other agents, she claims she needs to use the lady's room, and tapes a coded message up under the sink. This then finds it's way to Arkady and he seems confused. At the time, I was confused too, but now I realize it's because the KGB agent who accosted her was Oleg.

Philip gets a call from Kimmy to come pick her up at a party she is drunk at. He tucks her into bed and gets her some water. While she's in the bathroom though, he sneaks down the hall and retrieves the tape from the briefcase. Shortly after, he brings it home and wakes up Elizabeth telling her she's got to hear it now. Turns out, someone from the ISI is coming to meet with the CIA, like tomorrow. And no one can get in touch with Yousaf. So, it's sort of an issue. Thankfully, later in the episode, we find out that he's been in contact and will be here within 24 hours, but that's cutting it really close.

I'm not sure what was going on the hotel business. Philip and Elizabeth are staking it out, waiting for a shift change of the employees. Once that happens, Elizabeth checks into her room. She calls down to the front desk about an issue. When the manager (?) comes up, she shows him the stained bed sheet. They flirt a little and he gives her his card. Then, she claims half the hotel job is finished. What are they doing here?

Stan and Henry are spending a lot of time together. I don't know if this is because Philip is busy, or Stan is lonely, or both. But they are together a lot this episode.

Towards the end of the episode, Paige just point blank begs her parents to tell her what's going on. They try to sugar coat it a little bit, but they tell her the truth. They also make sure to tell that she can't ever tell anyone. Ever. If she does, both her parents end up in jail forever. She heads up to her room, stunned, and wants to be alone. The next morning, she decides she's not going to school, which Elizabeth and Philip are fine with.

She does, however, call Pastor Tim. And it was a little bit nerve wracking, but as far as we can tell, she's kept the secret. It's only been less than a day, but I guess that's the first hurdle. Later that night, Stan comes over for dinner, and Paige doesn't seem to know how to act around him. I'm sure it's strange. Her parents being Russian spies and friends with the FBI. Philip explains it away via Paige's new baptism, but this is gonna get tricky, isn't it?