‘The Americans’ recap: ‘Born Again’

Philip can’t escape the fact that he has to get close to Kimberly and Elizabeth still wants Paige to know the truth. The two aren’t the only ones facing problems as Stan and Nina handle their own issues.

Photo Credit: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com
The episode begins at Paige’s baptism. The Jennings family is there for her as Paige is praised by the Pastor before she is finally baptized. Elizabeth and Philip try to look happy for their daughter but they are still uncertain of this idea.
Philip visits Paige in her room after the ceremony to help hang posters in her room. He tells her that he’s proud of her for being so strong. He encourages her to stay true to herself and not give in to pressure. Later, the Jennings has Stan and his new girlfriend, Tori, over for dinner. Tori shares a story about the group her and Stan are in but Henry is confused and Stan doesn’t want to discuss it.
Back in Moscow, Nina is trying to get information out of her cell mate. They are talking about love and men. When they are together later, Nina learns about her cell mate’s boyfriend.
Stan is making out with Tori on his couch but he is reminded of his ex-wife and has trouble focusing. Tori tells him that his feelings can be a good thing as she unbuckles his pants.
Philip is with Kimberly again as he introduces her to the band Pink Floyd. She loves it. She asks him to take a bath together but Philip refuses. She has a bath herself while Philip sneaks someone in the house. They go to Kimberly’s dad office to bug it.
Elizabeth is smoking in the garage to calm her nerves when Paige catches her. Paige tells her that she wants Elizabeth to give up smoking. Elizabeth tells her she’s proud of her daughter. Elizabeth tells her that she supports Paige no matter what and Paige asks her about church. Elizabeth admits she doesn’t want to be involved with the church but Paige expresses her own feelings about Church and how much she believes in it.
The lady Philip snuck into Kimberly’s house isn’t done when Kim is done with her bath. Philip stalls Kimberly by giving her earrings from his partner. The two kiss and Kimberly advances towards Philip while the lady sneaks out. Philip tells Kimberly that he can’t have sex with her and he makes up a story as to why. He says that he’s getting closer to God and wants to move slowly with her. She is paranoid that the problem is her.
Philip goes home to Elizabeth and shares with her a joint. Elizabeth tells him about the talk she had with Paige. Philip tells her about the excuse he made with Kimberly and the two laugh. Philip believes that if the mission goes on he will have to sleep with Kimberly.
Philip is with Gabriel and tells him about the process on the CIA leader. Gabriel tells Philip how important it is to form a bond with Kimberly. Gabriel tells Philip about Philip’s past lover and the son the two have together. Gabriel has been looking over the boy.
Philip meets with Elizabeth in their dark room. Philip tells her about how he has to meet with Kimberly weekly instead of monthly.
Elizabeth meets with Gabriel about her mission without Philip. Gabriel says she’s not doing what she should be.
Nina’s cell mate is concerned when Nina acts differently with her after dinner. Officers walk in and take her as she blames Nina the whole way out the cell.
After school, Kimberly runs into Philip. He asks if they can meet up somewhere and she refuses at first. However, Philip gets her to see him and they end up at her place. They are in Kimberly’s room when he tells her the rest of his fake church story. However, it’s not all a lie as he talks about his son. He asks her to pray with him and she agrees. The two pray together and Kimberly prays for him to see his son again. She enjoyed the pray.
Elizabeth picks Paige up from school and takes her somewhere other than home. They walk around the place Gregory used to live and Elizabeth tells Paige about him. She tries to tell Paige about how there is more to life than just church. Elizabeth is trying to show Paige how similar they are.
Philip and Elizabeth face many problems and nothing is getting easier for them. Be sure to keep up with “The Americans” on FX.