The Americans, Ep. 3.12: “I Am Abassin Zadran” focuses on Martha’s anguish
In its third season, The Americans has made its scope wider, moving beyond the emotional focus of the Jennings to take a broader view of those affected by the Cold War. After the spotlight on Phillip and Elizabeth revealing their secret to Paige in “Stingers,” last week’s “One Day In The Life Of Anton Baklanov” examined a variety of elements in the drama’s universe, to less claustrophobic but still tense effect. “I Am Abassin Zadran” finds an effective compromise between the two, developing disparate aspects of The Americans while still giving the episode a moving center, which, if not quite on the level of the Paige reveal, certainly leaves you with your heart in your throat. That core, obviously, is Martha, and while her arc has been far from ignored this season, there hasn’t been anything approaching the shocking wig removal with which the episode concludes.
