Ep 6. Behind the Red Door

In The Americans season 2 episode 6 titled "Behind the Red Door," we see Philip and Elizabeth engaged in their usual spy activities as Russian agents living in America. The episode begins with the couple breaking into a secret military facility to steal a sample of a deadly pathogen that they plan to use to blackmail a scientist who they believe is developing biological weapons for the United States government.

Meanwhile, their daughter Paige is struggling with her own issues at home. She has a crush on the new boy in her class, but her parents don't approve of her spending time with him. In an attempt to rebel against her strict parents, Paige sneaks out to go to a party with her friends, only to find that the boy she likes is there as well.

Back at the spy headquarters, Philip and Elizabeth meet with their handler, Claudia, who informs them that a Soviet defector is about to be interviewed on American television. The defector was once a high-ranking KGB officer who has information that could be damaging to the Soviet Union, so the couple are tasked with finding and eliminating him before he can reveal anything on national TV.

As the episode progresses, we see Philip and Elizabeth's personal and professional lives collide in unexpected ways. Elizabeth becomes increasingly paranoid about the possibility of being caught, while Philip is struggling with his feelings for Martha, his FBI secretary who he has been using as a spy asset.

Towards the end of the episode, we see Paige's newfound rebelliousness take a dangerous turn, as she ends up in a life-threatening situation at the party. The event serves as a wake-up call for both Philip and Elizabeth, who realize that their spy activities have put their entire family in danger.

Overall, "Behind the Red Door" is a tense and gripping episode that showcases the complex web of relationships and obligations that come with being a spy. The writers do an excellent job of balancing the high-stakes action with the quiet moments of introspection and character development that make The Americans such a compelling show.