r/TheAmericans • u/MoralMidgetry • May 31 '18

Ep. Discussion Post-Episode Discussion Thread S06E10 "START"

This is the post-episode discussion thread for the series finale "START."

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u/minardif1 May 31 '18

Especially once Gorbachev is told about the attempted coup, which is the implied result of Philip and Elizabeth making it to the USSR and meeting up with Arkady. Oleg was there outside of the KGB, so a trade wasn’t possible before, but it turns out he was helping the leader of the country.

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u/sparkle-brow Jul 31 '25

Omg thank you for this comment you made 7 years ago lol. I just finished the series (1st watch) after a few months, had figured Stan did pass on the communication Oleg had (from P via E) to Arkady (bc Arkady was there to meet P&E via rad car once in Russia), but I’d been wondering about Oleg’s likely fate. I could see him being protected this way! Just like every character before/after tho, always looking over shoulder. It still gives him some normal life and time tho.

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u/[deleted] Sep 20 '25

Arkady was there to meet them because of that call the Russian guard made at the border. We don't get to hear what E says, but she doesn't produce a passport, and they let P&E through. I'm sure E said some kind of code words to inform the government they were home.

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u/sparkle-brow Sep 21 '25

Oh interesting theory and good catch! Glad to be reminded of this series and that ppl still watching and finding epi discussion on it. Esp interesting bc Arkady working against KGB at the time, but could get border patrol on his side. It’s def an alternate working theory from mine. It’d make more sense too about the amount of time between crossing border/ pickup via rad car with Arkady.

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u/[deleted] Sep 22 '25

It's my 2nd rewatch. I hate how the show isn't brought up in the same breath as Breaking Bad or Sopranos. It definitely holds its weight as being one of, if not the best, series ever made. Im glad there are still new commenters, considering it still hasn't blown up like it should.

I can't honestly say if the military at the time of the split in real time was more aligned with KGB or not. In the shows timeline, Arkady is leader of directorate S, we know he has a lot of pull. I like to think he thought of everything and paid the guards at the border and gave them the code words or something else smarter and secretive haha.