(Spoiler alert: Please do not read on if you haven’t watched Tuesday’s Season 5 finale of “The Americans.”]
“The Americans” wrapped up its penultimate season on Tuesday, which included a much-needed happy twist for a fan-favorite character, along with the choice use of an Elton John hit.
Among the pivotal moments for the heralded FX drama’s Season 5 finale was Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip (Matthew Rhys) opting to continue their lives as spies after learning that Kimmy’s father has been promoted to head up the CIA’s Soviet division.
Fans had a lot to say on Twitter during the episode. Here are three things they praised, in addition to one aspect of the finale that appears to have divided viewers.
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Success: “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
Elizabeth and Philip contemplated saying goodbye to their bourgeois lifestyle during a montage that was set to the 1973 Elton John tune. Fans had plenty of positive feedback for the choice of song that aired as Philip and Stan enjoyed a little racquetball.
The use of 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' in tonight's season finale of #TheAmericans the best use of music since 'Twilight Zone' in Season 2.
— Marco Monteiro (@MMonteiro90) May 31, 2017
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road takes its place among the great montages. #TheAmericans
— Brad (@ThisKindaBrad) May 31, 2017
That "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" sequence was perfect & awesome. #TheAmericans
— Natasha Padilla (@NPadillaNYC) May 31, 2017
#TheAmericans has always used music well. But the bit with "Yellow Brick Road" may have been the most perfect match of music and scene ever.
— Matt Milner (@mwmilner) May 31, 2017
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Success: Martha is back
Martha (Alison Wright) appears to be getting some sunshine in her life despite her exile, as she is about to adopt an adorable Russian girl.
When Martha appears and all is right in the world. Incredible performance, @alison__wright #TheAmericans
— Jessica Field (@jessica_field1) May 31, 2017
martha's narrative arc in #TheAmericans is seriously one of the most bittersweet. i love when @alison__wright surprises us in episodes.
— ???????? (@lexaluthor) May 31, 2017
GIVE MARTHA AN ORPHAN AND HAPPINESS!!! #TheAmericans
— ???? jacqui ???? (@heyjdey) May 31, 2017
The quiet moment w/@alison__wright as Martha watching the orphan girl play was deeeep. So much subtext in her eyes. Brilliant! #TheAmericans
— MadameSoybean (@MadameSoybean) May 31, 2017
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Success: Paige swings away
Elizabeth and daughter Paige (Holly Taylor) did a bit of sparring in the garage, and viewers enjoyed the shot of adrenaline, along with getting to see Paige handle that shot to the mouth in much the same way that her mom would.
Paige and Elizabeth's mini fight club tho #TheAmericans
— Ashley Reese (@offbeatorbit) May 31, 2017
Anyone else thinking Paige might just cap her mom's ass with a little more practice? #TheAmericans
— Christy Roach (@christyintx) May 31, 2017
#TheAmericans I half expected Paige to be confronted by a mugger in the parking lot and beating the snot out of him.
— Vincent Grienti (@vince598) May 31, 2017
She keep slapping her ????????. I would never train with my momma. #TheAmericans
— ????️aDreal ????️ell ???? (@fewwillbechosen) May 31, 2017
But … did it lack big moments?
Was the episode a bit on the slow side, or is the show just continuing to create suspense as it heads into the final stretch? The debate rages on.
@TheAmericansFX I understand slow burn believe me but WHAT KIND OF PENULTIMATE SEASON FINALE WAS THAT?!?!? Take a lesson from #BreakingBad!
— Edie (@MyNamesParadise) May 31, 2017
Well, the finale of #TheAmericans S5 was every bit as slow and dull as the rest of the season. What a total letdown.
— Chris Carey (@VileZero) May 31, 2017
I say w love: problem w #TheAmericans this season is not that it was slow but that story beats repeated what earlier seasons did more deeply
— Christopher Shinn (@chris_shinn) May 31, 2017
The Js knew how they wanted to tell their story,it was beautifully done.A slow burn 4 some ppkl,but amazing storytelling 2 me #TheAmericans
— Nasty Woman Kiki (@Kiki1788) May 31, 2017
#TheAmericans is such a perfect slow burn of melancholy and dread. I love it.
— (((Mendelsohn))) (@JacobMendelsohn) May 31, 2017