More on "Symmetries in The Americans"
Oct. 8th, 2014 01:34 pmI would like to just briefly revisit that topic by pointing out that the creators of the show appear to be explicitly pointing them up in subtle, and sometimes not so subtle ways:

Take a look at the above picture. Would you know which country was which?

... not until you see the flags.
I think that juxtaposition was very deliberate: it shows two countries at the peak of their political and economic power, representing opposites in their philosophies about organizing societies, and yet - strangely alike in many ways.
People own cars. They go to work. They go out to eat. They fall in love.
In short, they conduct their daily lives in ways that seem almost independent of the system in which they live, and it shows in the very similar cityscape scenes.
I like that touch.

Take a look at the above picture. Would you know which country was which?

... not until you see the flags.
I think that juxtaposition was very deliberate: it shows two countries at the peak of their political and economic power, representing opposites in their philosophies about organizing societies, and yet - strangely alike in many ways.
People own cars. They go to work. They go out to eat. They fall in love.
In short, they conduct their daily lives in ways that seem almost independent of the system in which they live, and it shows in the very similar cityscape scenes.
I like that touch.