The Americans, Season 3 Episode 9 (SPOILERS)

[Auggie]

"Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep?"

It was a fine dramatic scene, one of the best I can recall on American television: in the office of the repair shop, between Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and the bookkeeper, Betty, well-played by actress Lois Smith. It starts with nervous small talk that segues to heart-wrenching conversation that segues once again to condemnation and anger, when Betty realizes she is going to have to kill herself. Two people, both on the verge of tears, helpless in changing the outcome of their chance meeting. Powerful stuff. This show is so damn good.

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Do you know...that was one of the most powerful scenes I have ever seen

on TV or in a movie. Both Keri R and Lois Smith were just stunning.

And this past week... SPOILER.... now the daughter knows!

[Auggie]

2. Hope to watch that episode tonight

I kind of got that from the teasers

[Auggie]

3. It reminded me of that scene in "No Country For Old Men"

between Javier Bardem and the gas station sttendent. The context is different, but the power, tension and creativity was just as fresh. Blew me away first time I saw it.

Anton Chigurh: What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss.

Gas Station Proprietor: Sir?

Anton Chigurh: The most. You ever lost. On a coin toss.

Gas Station Proprietor: I don't know. I couldn't say.

Chigurh flips a quarter from the change on the counter and covers it with his hand

Anton Chigurh: Call it.

Gas Station Proprietor: Call it?

Anton Chigurh: Yes.

Gas Station Proprietor: For what?

Anton Chigurh: Just call it.

Gas Station Proprietor: Well, we need to know what we're calling it for here.

Anton Chigurh: You need to call it. I can't call it for you. It wouldn't be fair.

Gas Station Proprietor: I didn't put nothin' up.

Anton Chigurh: Yes, you did. You've been putting it up your whole life you just didn't know it. You know what date is on this coin?

Gas Station Proprietor: No.

Anton Chigurh: 1958. It's been traveling twenty-two years to get here. And now it's here. And it's either heads or tails. And you have to say. Call it.

Gas Station Proprietor: Look, I need to know what I stand to win.

Anton Chigurh: Everything.

Gas Station Proprietor: How's that?

Anton Chigurh: You stand to win everything. Call it.

Gas Station Proprietor: Alright. Heads then.

Chigurh removes his hand, revealing the coin is indeed heads

Anton Chigurh: Well done.

The gas station proprietor nervously takes the quarter with the small pile of change he's apparently won while Chigurh starts out

Anton Chigurh: Don't put it in your pocket, sir. Don't put it in your pocket. It's your lucky quarter.

Gas Station Proprietor: Where do you want me to put it?

Anton Chigurh: Anywhere not in your pocket. Where it'll get mixed in with the others and become just a coin. Which it is.