"Travel Agents" is the seventh episode of the fourth season of the American period spy drama television series The Americans. It is the 46th overall episode of the series and was written by Tanya Barfield, and directed by Dan Attias. It was released on FX on April 27, 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, Philip and Elizabeth try to find Martha, while Stan and the FBI search for her.
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 the closure to Martha's marriage to Philip.
Plot
Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) arrive at the safe house, only to be told by Gabriel (Frank Langella) that Martha (Alison Wright) left and threatened him. Stan (Noah Emmerich) and Aderholt (Brandon J. Dirden) inform Gaad (Richard Thomas) that Clark's death certificate is from 30 years ago, making him eventually deem Martha as a traitor.
Philip awaits in a call center with Joan (Polly Lee) in case Martha calls, while Elizabeth constantly checks many of the spots that Martha liked to visit. The FBI trace a phone call from Martha in Woodley Park, in which she calls her parents to not believe the incoming reports. While Stan and the agents check the area, Martha moves to Rock Creek Park to call Philip, crying that he never should have left her alone with Gabriel. When she says her location, he agrees to meet her immediately. Polly informs Elizabeth about her location, and she also leaves to meet Martha.
At Rock Creek Park, Elizabeth finds Martha. However, Martha is uncooperative with Elizabeth, forcing the latter to punch her in the stomach. Elizabeth tells her that the FBI is going after her and Clark, and both could face going to prison if they are arrested. She then takes Martha back to the safe house, before Philip reaches the park with no trace of Martha. During this, Oleg (Costa Ronin) and Tatiana (Vera Cherny) work on the papers needed to exfiltrate Martha out of the country, later telling Arkady (Lev Gorn) that they found a pilot. Gaad also shows Stan that Martha recently got married with Clark, a KGB agent, and slowly realizes his career at the FBI is over.
At the safe house, Philip reunites with Martha, finally revealing his real name. When Elizabeth questions him if he wants to leave his life in America to live in Russia with Martha, Philip dismisses the idea. Even though she tells him to lie to Martha, Philip tells Martha that she is leaving for Russia and they won't see each other ever again. This devastates Martha, as she will be alone and sees herself struggling to fit in. The episode ends with Philip and Martha in bed, unable to sleep.
Production
Development
In March 2016, FX confirmed that the seventh episode of the season would be titled "Travel Agents", and that it would be written by Tanya Barfield, and directed by Dan Attias. This was Barfield's first writing credit, and Attias' third directing credit.
Filming
Filming for the episode started on January 5, 2016 and wrapped by January 8, 2016.
Reception
Viewers
In its original American broadcast, "Travel Agents" was seen by an estimated 0.90 million household viewers with a 0.2 in the 18-49 demographics. This means that 0.2 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. This was even in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.90 million household viewers with a 0.2 in the 18-49 demographics.
Critical reviews
"Travel Agents" received critical acclaim. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 100% approval rating for the episode, based on 16 reviews. The site's consensus states: "'Travel Agents' continues The Americans inexorable, tension-filled creep toward one character's seemingly inevitable exit while further deepening the show's long emotional arcs."