The Americans Invade FX

Do you think you know your neighbors, or even your family? That is one of the themes of the new FX show "The Americans", which premiered tonight on FX. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys are our stars, secret KGB spies for the Soviet Union in 1981. Yes, Keri Russell from "Felicity". Who knew she could do an outstanding job as a devious, thrilling spy? Both her and Rhys were clearly perfect for the roles, and manage to make us cheer for them, even though they are Soviet spies.

As a fan of "Homeland" currently in withdrawal, this show couldn't come at a better time. The first episode was action packed, thrilling, sexy, and gave a good amount of character development. Russell certainly reminds me of Claire Danes in her role as Elizabeth Jennings, at least in terms of her persistence. Rhys, as Phillip Jennings, expertly showcases his conflicting emotions of wanting to continue as a KGB spy, yet having thoughts of defecting as he increasingly enjoys the American lifestyle. Their relationship with each other, and their American born children, works well in the story. You actually care about them, and they managed to make it happen in one episode. By the time they have a steamy sex scene in their car after dumping a defected Soviet's body, you're just waiting for it to happen. And they do it to the tune of Phil Collins' 1981 hit "In The Air Tonight". See what I mean by sexy?

The storyline also takes place in 1981 not just to throw in some 1980s style & music, but because it was the start of the Reagan administration. The Cold War escalated when President Reagan took office, so it was the perfect starting point. We do get a few much welcome flashbacks to the 1960s, with hopefully more to come.

Jump on board now, "The Americans" is already proving to be a wild ride.