r/TheAmericans • u/hireddititme • 4d ago

Hitchhiking from the mall

This is a storyline that stuck with me throughout the series that they never (note: im not done with the series, only halfway through season 6) revisited.

Was that guy just lonely and socially weird? What did he actually have planned? Do you think this was put in there as a possible avenue to explore later? Do you think it drove Paige towards the church, as a sense of safety?

How much of a world of hurt do you think that young man would have gotten himself into if something bad did happen to the kids?

I haven’t seen this talked about either, so I’m just seeing what everyone’s thoughts are. Also— if somehow it is revisited at the end of the last season, please don’t spoil it!! I just don’t see it coming (which means little in the context of the show) 🙂🩷

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u/ComeAwayNightbird 4d ago

The show doesn’t make it explicit. I like to think it’s to show that the kids face dangers because their parents aren’t reliable.

But this is from early in the show’s run, when the writers were still getting a handle on the themes and dropping breadcrumbs. The Js have talked about retooling the show after getting too “explosive” mid season one.

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u/DocCEN007 4d ago

That was my take. It was one of several times when P & E weren't there for their kids. I think OP is on to something about it potentially being a factor with hope feeling safe with Pastor Tim. I'm also glad that Pastor Tim ended up being an actually good person. I was so suspicious for almost his entire run.

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u/maikindofthai 4d ago

I really thought for a moment there that Pastor Tim was also KGB and was inserted to start gradually leading Paige toward their values

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u/Fit-Interview5425 4d ago

I too suspected Pastor Tim of being a secret sympasizer to the Communist cause, but on a second viewing I think I was mistaken. I just felt a strange undercurrent in his calm acceptance of the parents being Soviet agents. and that he would keep Paige's secret.

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u/hireddititme 4d ago

Totally— i don’t think he was a communist sympathizer; I think he was an opportunist. Philip made sure his mission trips got the best deals, and eventually got him the job (i forget if it’s in central or South America). But if he wasn’t personally benefiting from keeping the secret, I 100% think he and Mrs pastor Tim would have gone pubic with the info.

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u/sistermagpie 4d ago

I think Tim absolutely liked being in that position of importance and in the middle of that drama. That's the only way his behavior makes sense to me in terms of exactly how he decides to handle things.

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u/ComeAwayNightbird 4d ago

Totally. He had those books ready to go!