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The Best Episodes of The Americans

Every episode of The Americans ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Americans!

Binge this in 2d 12h•Peaking at 9.4/10

Set during the Cold War period in the 1980s, The Americans is the story of Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple in the suburbs of Washington D.C.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Americans Season 6 Episode 10 - START
    9.4/10(25 votes)

    #1 - START

    S6:E10

    The Jennings face a choice that will change their lives forever.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  2. The Americans Season 6 Episode 7 - Harvest
    9.1/10(19 votes)

    #2 - Harvest

    S6:E7

    Philip and Elizabeth come together for a perilous operation unlike any they've ever had before. Stan and Henry spend a little quality time together.

    Director:Stefan Schwartz
    Writer:Sarah Nolen

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  3. The Americans Season 6 Episode 8 - The Summit
    9.1/10(18 votes)

    #3 - The Summit

    S6:E8

    With the arms control summit under way, a shocking revelation from Philip throws Elizabeth - and her work - into turmoil. Stan follows a dangerous hunch.

    Director:Sylvain White
    Writer:Joshua Brand

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  4. The Americans Season 6 Episode 5 - The Great Patriotic War
    8.8/10(19 votes)

    #4 - The Great Patriotic War

    S6:E5

    As the summit fast approaches, Elizabeth enlists Philip’s help for a mission that could yield game-changing intel.

    Director:Thomas Schlamme
    Writer:Hilary Bettis

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  5. The Americans Season 6 Episode 9 - Jennings, Elizabeth
    8.8/10(20 votes)

    #5 - Jennings, Elizabeth

    S6:E9

    Elizabeth wrestles with competing loyalties, and Philip has an encounter that turns into much more than he had bargained for.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  6. The Americans Season 1 Episode 13 - The Colonel
    8.7/10(25 votes)

    #6 - The Colonel

    S1:E13

    When Philip and Elizabeth are ordered to go through with a meeting that could potentially be a set-up, they find themselves confronted with unexpected truths about their relationship. Stan's investigation puts him and the FBI even closer to Philip and Elizabeth.

    Director:Adam Arkin
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Americans

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  7. The Americans Season 6 Episode 6 - Rififi
    8.7/10(18 votes)

    #7 - Rififi

    S6:E6

    A sudden assignment pulls Elizabeth away from her family at a crucial moment. At the FBI, a major development leads Aderholt to approach Stan about an urgent investigation.

    Director:Kevin Bray
    Writers:Stephen Schiff, Justin Weinberger

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  8. The Americans Season 3 Episode 10 - Stingers
    8.6/10(17 votes)

    #8 - Stingers

    S3:E10

    Philip and Elizabeth deploy a plan for the C.I.A.’s Mujahideen visitors. Tensions at the Jennings’ home escalate.

    Director:Larysa Kondracki
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  9. The Americans Season 2 Episode 13 - Echo
    8.5/10(21 votes)

    #9 - Echo

    S2:E13

    No one is safe as Philip and Elizabeth evacuate their children while trying to complete the mission. Stan holds Nina's future in his hands.

    Director:Daniel Sackheim
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  10. The Americans Season 4 Episode 4 - Chloramphenicol
    8.5/10(17 votes)

    #10 - Chloramphenicol

    S4:E4

    A devastating flaw during a mission forces Philip, Elizabeth, William and Gabriel to confront the depths of their patriotism… and their mortality. In Russia, in striving to be a better person, has Nina put her life on the line?

    Director:Stefan Schwartz
    Writer:Tracey Scott Wilson

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  11. The Americans Season 5 Episode 11 - Dyatkovo
    8.5/10(17 votes)

    #11 - Dyatkovo

    S5:E11

    A surprise assignment from the Centre divides Philip and Elizabeth, forcing them into a moment of profound crisis. Stan gives Henry a tour of the FBI.

    Director:Steph Green
    Writer:Joshua Brand

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  12. The Americans Season 3 Episode 13 - March 8, 1983
    8.4/10(17 votes)

    #12 - March 8, 1983

    S3:E13

    Elizabeth and Paige take a trip that lands them in treacherous territory. After an emotionally charged mission, Philip turns to an unlikely source for solace. Stan’s plan to save Nina culminates in unforeseen ways.

    Director:Daniel Sackheim
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  13. The Americans Season 6 Episode 1 - Dead Hand
    8.4/10(18 votes)

    #13 - Dead Hand

    S6:E1

    It’s autumn, 1987, and as a major arms control summit looms, Elizabeth is pushed to her limits as never before. Philip, meanwhile, has settled into running the newly expanded travel agency – until an unexpected visitor makes a disquieting request.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  14. The Americans Season 6 Episode 3 - Urban Transport Planning
    8.4/10(18 votes)

    #14 - Urban Transport Planning

    S6:E3

    In the aftermath of a disastrous operation, Philip and Elizabeth clash about how to handle things with Paige. Stan struggles to contain the growing risks of Sofia and Gennadi's fraying relationship.

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writer:Tracey Scott Wilson

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  15. The Americans Season 1 Episode 9 - Safe House
    8.3/10(31 votes)

    #15 - Safe House

    S1:E9

    Philip and Elizabeth are put to the test when a routine mission goes horribly wrong. Stan and the FBI are pushed to their limit when one of their own goes missing.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writer:Joshua Brand

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  16. The Americans Season 3 Episode 9 - Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep
    8.3/10(16 votes)

    #16 - Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep

    S3:E9

    Philip and Elizabeth are tasked with planting a bug in the mail robot. Stan and Oleg hatch a risky plan to help save Nina.

    Director:Stephen Williams
    Writer:Joshua Brand

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  17. The Americans Season 2 Episode 9 - Martial Eagle
    8.2/10(22 votes)

    #17 - Martial Eagle

    S2:E9

    Philip and Elizabeth’s long-planned mission turns ugly, impacting each of them in different ways. Stan digs in deeper at work as his personal life continues to unravel.

    Director:Alik Sakharov
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Americans Season 3 Episode 1 - EST Men
    8.2/10(20 votes)

    #18 - EST Men

    S3:E1

    Tensions simmer between Philip and Elizabeth as they disagree over handling orders from the Centre. When Elizabeth loses key intel, Philip enlists Annelise on a mission with an unexpected outcome. Stan tries a new approach to mending his marriage with Sandra amidst learning tough news about Nina.

    Director:Daniel Sackheim
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  19. The Americans Season 4 Episode 6 - The Rat
    8.2/10(16 votes)

    #19 - The Rat

    S4:E6

    Martha must finally face the truth she has denied – and her life may never be the same. Plus, a chilling new development in William’s work forces the Jennings to face the realities of what a biological war would mean.

    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Joshua Brand

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  20. The Americans Season 4 Episode 7 - Travel Agents
    8.2/10(20 votes)

    #20 - Travel Agents

    S4:E7

    The KGB and the FBI both race to track down a vital agent… everything is at stake.

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writer:Tanya Barfield

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  21. The Americans Season 4 Episode 8 - The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears
    8.2/10(17 votes)

    #21 - The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears

    S4:E8

    The Jennings’s approach their breaking points as both Philip and Elizabeth must handle loyal agents. Will they make it through with their patriotism – and sanity – intact?

    Director:Matthew Rhys
    Writer:Stephen Schiff

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  22. The Americans Season 4 Episode 13 - Persona Non Grata
    8.2/10(16 votes)

    #22 - Persona Non Grata

    S4:E13

    Philip and Elizabeth are in a high-stakes race against the FBI to recover a hazardous package. Will they get there in time? And will Paige follow her parents into the family business?

    Director:Chris Long
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  23. The Americans Season 5 Episode 13 - The Soviet Division
    8.2/10(17 votes)

    #23 - The Soviet Division

    S5:E13

    In the season finale, Philip and Elizabeth race against the clock as a life hangs in the balance, while Stan faces an uncertain future.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  24. The Americans Season 6 Episode 4 - Mr. and Mrs. Teacup
    8.2/10(18 votes)

    #24 - Mr. and Mrs. Teacup

    S6:E4

    After picking up a distressing piece of intelligence, Elizabeth takes extreme measures to get close to a Soviet negotiator. Philip shares some stunning news with Henry.

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writer:Peter Ackerman

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  25. The Americans Season 1 Episode 12 - The Oath
    8.1/10(28 votes)

    #25 - The Oath

    S1:E12

    One of Elizabeth's agents has key intel for sale, but she and Philip find themselves taking increasingly greater risks for what could well be a set-up. Meanwhile, Stan's pursuit of Directorate S suddenly begins to yield unexpected results.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writers:Joshua Brand, Melissa James Gibson

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Best Episodes Summary

"START" is the best rated episode of "The Americans". It scored 9.4/10 based on 25 votes. Directed by Chris Long and written by Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg, it aired on 5/30/2018. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Harvest".