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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 9.7/10

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
    9.7/10(5673 votes)

    #1 - START

    S6:E10

    In the series finale, 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 9 - Jennings, Elizabeth
    9.4/10(2414 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. The Americans Season 6 Episode 7 - Harvest
    9.2/10(2089 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. The Americans Season 1 Episode 13 - The Colonel
    9.0/10(2884 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. The Americans Season 3 Episode 10 - Stingers
    9.0/10(2125 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. The Americans Season 6 Episode 5 - The Great Patriotic War
    9.0/10(1955 votes)

    #6 - 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Americans

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  7. The Americans Season 6 Episode 8 - The Summit
    9.0/10(1843 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. The Americans Season 2 Episode 13 - Echo
    8.9/10(2161 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. The Americans Season 4 Episode 7 - Travel Agents
    8.9/10(1817 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. The Americans Season 3 Episode 9 - Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep
    8.8/10(2103 votes)

    #10 - Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep

    S3:E9

    Philip and Elizabeth struggle with the gravity of unexpected collateral damage. Stan and Oleg hatch a risky plan to help save Nina.

    Director:Stephen Williams
    Writer:Joshua Brand

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  11. The Americans Season 4 Episode 4 - Chloramphenicol
    8.8/10(1889 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. The Americans Season 3 Episode 13 - March 8, 1983
    8.7/10(1902 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 4 Episode 8 - The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears
    8.7/10(1813 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. The Americans Season 5 Episode 11 - Dyatkovo
    8.7/10(1624 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. The Americans Season 1 Episode 6 - Trust Me
    8.6/10(2657 votes)

    #15 - Trust Me

    S1:E6

    A mole hunt within the KGB causes suspicion amongst allies and shatters trust within the Jennings' marriage. Meanwhile, Stan's plan to keep his mole safe puts her at even greater risk of discovery.

    Director:Daniel Sackheim
    Writer:Sneha Koorse

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  16. The Americans Season 6 Episode 1 - Dead Hand
    8.6/10(1984 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. The Americans Season 6 Episode 6 - Rififi
    8.6/10(1735 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. The Americans Season 2 Episode 9 - Martial Eagle
    8.5/10(2014 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. The Americans Season 3 Episode 12 - I Am Abassin Zadran
    8.5/10(1665 votes)

    #19 - I Am Abassin Zadran

    S3:E12

    Martha hosts an unexpected guest. Philip and Elizabeth must work a formidable Mujahideen commander. Paige acts out.

    Director:Christopher Misiano
    Writers:Peter Ackerman, Stuart Zicherman

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  20. The Americans Season 4 Episode 6 - The Rat
    8.5/10(1645 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. The Americans Season 4 Episode 11 - Dinner for Seven
    8.5/10(1576 votes)

    #21 - Dinner for Seven

    S4:E11

    Elizabeth completes the last steps of a very personal operation… but at what cost?

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writer:Joshua Brand

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  22. The Americans Season 1 Episode 9 - Safe House
    8.4/10(2406 votes)

    #22 - 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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  23. The Americans Season 2 Episode 1 - Comrades
    8.4/10(2194 votes)

    #23 - Comrades

    S2:E1

    Elizabeth comes back from her injury and straight into what should have been a routine mission – but it goes awry, leaving her and Philip in fear not only for themselves but for their whole network… and family. Paige's suspicions have only grown in her mother's absence. Meanwhile, Stan continues to fall for the Russian agent who has started to play him.

    Director:Thomas Schlamme
    Writers:Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg

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  24. The Americans Season 3 Episode 7 - Walter Taffet
    8.4/10(1709 votes)

    #24 - Walter Taffet

    S3:E7

    Philip and Elizabeth feel the weight of a new family secret while following up on the KGB’s interests in South Africa. Stan faces struggles both at work and at home. Martha confronts a shocking development.

    Director:Noah Emmerich
    Writer:Lara Shapiro

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  25. The Americans Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.3/10(4004 votes)

    #25 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    The arranged marriage of Philip and Elizabeth Jennings grows more passionate and genuine by the day, but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War. Tensions heighten upon the arrival of a new neighbor, Stan Beeman, an FBI agent.

    Director:Gavin O'Connor
    Writer:Joe Weisberg

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Best Episodes Summary

"START" is the best rated episode of "The Americans". It scored 9.7/10 based on 5673 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, "Jennings, Elizabeth".