Back in April, EW spoke withThe Americansexecutive producers Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg to discuss the big reveal.
As part of our year-end coverage, revisit that conversation below.
Click here for more Best of 2015 coverage.
Credit: Patrick Harbon/FX
Paige ended her parents Whos going to tell her first?
How did Paige handle it?
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So, Paige knows.
I couldnt breathe for the last 20 minutes of this episode.
For you guys personally, how long have you been waiting for this moment?
JOE WEISBERG:Weve been waiting since the beginning of the show.
But at the same time, we never bound ourselves to a particular moment when it would happen.
For us, we were always going to let the moment find itself when the story dictated.
JOEL FIELDS:And it was in different places at different times.
Well, viewers have been wondering all season, whos going to tell her?
Whos going to beat the other to the punch?
And lo and behold, its Paige who does.
FIELDS:She has always been, for them and for us, a wildcard.
As we explored the question of What is it like to navigate different values of parenting in your marriage?
Tell me about the word choice for this pivotal conversation.
We… we were born in a different country.
You guys wrote this episode what was the toil in choosing the right dialogue?
WEISBERG:We went through alotof drafts for this.
It felt different from rewriting most things that we rewrite.
It felt like everyones life was on the line.
I cant even imagine how many times we rewrote that scene with every word examined.
Im sure if they were real, they would have rewritten the scene.
How steady was your plan for Paiges reaction to this news?
Has that changed, particularly as this season progressed?
I think its something that has been evolving and will continue to evolve.
They handle people all the time who deal with complicated things.
Theyre not expecting to get out of the conversation with her in any kind of good faith.
Fill me in on the set vibe that day with Keri, Matthew, and Holly.
WEISBERG:We did something we dont usually do, which is, we rehearsed it.
It gave us a chance to really dig in.
A lot of what you see in those performances came out of the luxury of taking the time.
Would she appear to be in shock?
Would she be angry?
So, howshouldwe read Paiges reaction to this news?
Suddenly a lot has happened in the prior episodes, and that episode in particular starts to make sense.
Itdoesntinclude, Are you guys deep cover operatives for the USSR?
Thats not even in the sphere of possible comprehension for her.
I loved the direction in the scene.
Particularly, I loved Philips tiny nod
BOTH:Yes!
WEISBERG:Isnt that the best tiny nod ever?
There should be an Emmy for tiny nods!
So, after all of his resistance to this,hesthe one who finally gives Paige the answer.
And its Philip who helps her over the finish line.
We just thought it was beautiful what they did.
We had never worked with her before.
Boy, did she deliver.
She did a beautiful job.
Thats just not a dial tone you hear anymore.
This was such a huge moment, and it seems unmatched on the show so far.
You guys dont seem to really rely on big moments.
WEISBERG:Its funny.
Theres no question, were a slow-burn show.
Im not sure were even burning.
Were just telling the story at the pace the story goes.
Were not in a hurry one way or another to take the next beat in that story.
We do follow the story.
Does that explain why this Paige reveal happens several episodes ahead of the season finale?
WEISBERG: I think youre exactly right.
That would be something that people who wanted big ratings would do.
[Laughs]
FIELDS:Ill tell you another benefit of it.
You dont have an idea fixed in your head.
How will Paige have progressed by the season finale?
Will she have at least figured out how she feels about it all?
WEISBERG:First of all, redacted redacted redacted.
Itd be hard to tell you without spoiling!
But its a slow-burn!
Theres alotto process and thats interesting and exciting stuff to mine and explore for this character.
When does the conversation turn to Henry?
Hes getting up there!
Also, with all the video games, hed make a great KGB computer operative.
WEISBERG:You may be able to guess from this conversation with us, that we dont know!
That seems like an interesting and, generationally, an aptitude-wise appropriate thing to think about.
You were just renewed for season 4, and FX has mentioned at least five seasons.
Does your endgame take you beyond season 5?
Theres a really long and interesting story to explore here.
We hope well be able to keep telling it.
