Ep 7. The Committee on Human Rights

Elizabeth and Philip's latest mission brings them face-to-face with a powerful United States Senator. The Senator is on the verge of securing enough votes to pass the sanctions against South Africa while also advocating for the creation of the Committee on Human Rights, which is set to investigate the Soviet Union's human rights abuses. The Soviet spy couple, who have been living in the United States for years under assumed identities, become embroiled in a new development with far-reaching global implications.

To advance their mission, Elizabeth and Philip must get close to the Senator by infiltrating his inner circle. During the course of their undercover work, they discover that the Senator's vulnerabilities stem from his love for his family. They use this information to exploit him and ultimately persuade him to vote against the sanctions and the establishment of the Committee on Human Rights.

As they manipulate the Senator, Elizabeth and Philip become more convinced than ever of the righteousness of their cause. They are convinced that they are fighting for the survival of their Communist homeland and its people, and that the ends justify the means. However, they are also becoming increasingly aware of the toll that their double lives are taking on their own family. They find themselves questioning whether the sacrifices they are making are worth it.

Meanwhile, tensions between the KGB and the Soviet government escalate. Miscommunications and secret agendas within the Soviet leadership bring a new level of uncertainty to Elizabeth and Philip's work, as they are faced with the prospect of being caught in the crossfire.

The Committee on Human Rights episode of The Americans reflects the ongoing struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States during the early 1980s. The Senator's push for sanctions against South Africa echoes the real-world protests in the United States and around the world against apartheid. The Committee on Human Rights was a real congressional committee established in 1977 to monitor human rights abuses around the world, with a focus on the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. The episode showcases the intricate geopolitical and ideological battles being waged at the time, as well as the human toll of espionage and covert operations.

Overall, The Committee on Human Rights is a tense and engaging addition to the fifth season of The Americans. As Elizabeth and Philip navigate their latest mission, viewers are granted a glimpse into the complexities of the Cold War and the personal costs of spycraft.