What’s Worth Watching: Turning the Paige on The Americans

The Americans, “Dimebag” (Wednesday, Feb. 18, 10/9c, FX)

Happy birthday to Paige Jennings (Holly Taylor), the unknowing center of a domestic storm that has been brewing all season on this excellent spy drama. The all-American teen has been getting more suspicious about the late hours her “travel agent” parents have been keeping—she suspects one may be having an affair. While she’d no doubt freak to learn Philip and Elizabeth (Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell) have actually been deeply embedded Soviet spies since before her birth, she’d wish for a new life while blowing out her candles if she had any notion that they’ve recently been ordered to recruit her as a second-gen traitor.

While Mom and Dad furiously debate how and whether to approach Paige, all she really wants is for her pastor and his wife to come to her birthday dinner. (Paige’s fervent embrace of Christianity rattles her parents no end, especially Elizabeth.) God help them all.