The Day After

"The Day After" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the American period spy drama television series The Americans. It is the 48th overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer Tracey Scott Wilson, and directed by Daniel Sackheim. It was released on FX on May 11, 2016. The series is set during the Cold War and follows Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet KGB intelligence officers posing as an American married couple living in Falls Church, a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., with their American-born children Paige and Henry. It also explores the conflict between Washington's FBI office and the KGB Rezidentura there, from the perspectives of agents on both sides, including the Jennings' neighbor Stan Beeman, an FBI agent working in counterintelligence. In the episode, Elizabeth sees her friendship with Young Hee threatened with her new assignment. Everyone watches The Day After, which explores the effects of a nuclear warfare. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.90 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising Keri Russell's performance and the series' exploration of The Day After. Plot Philip (Matthew Rhys) takes Paige (Holly Taylor) to an empty parking lot to give her driving lessons. Afterwards, she says that the church is having their last meeting and that Pastor Tim (Kelly AuCoin) would like to see the Jennings attend. Philip later meets with William (Dylan Baker), who reports that his lab is working on a modified version of the Lassa virus. William is disturbed by the discovery and is doubting over reporting this to the Centre.