THE AMERICANS Recap Episode 8 'Mutually Assured Destruction' (SPOILERS) Preview Episode 9 'Safe House' [VIDEO]: The Cold War Gets Explosive

"Mutually Assured Destruction" brought a lot the issues of the first season of The Americans to light. Elizabeth is still angry with Claudia about the interrogation and Phil is trying to keep things smooth with Elizabeth. So they try to move on with their next mission of stopping a KGB-hired hitman from following through with his mission. The Soviets apparently jumped the gun on this order and get their best operatives to take care of it. But what happens when you mix marital problems into the mission? (SPOILERS to follow)

In the previous episode, Phil sleeps with his ex-girlfriend in New York City but comes home to Elizabeth, telling her that it had always only been her in his heart. Too bad for Phil that Claudia is trying to get on Elizabeth's good side (or maybe some other motive) and tells her about Phil's indiscretions. Just when we thought our favorite Soviet spy couple was out of the rough, Claudia throws a wrench in everyone's happiness.

Oh and there is a German explosives expert loose in America, hunting down government scientists. The KGB hired this man but has changed its mind worried that the Cold War will escalate if he succeeds. So Team Jennings gets sent in to stop him. After an intense encounter in the man's hotel room, Elizabeth and Phil literally blow this dude up. It was great, to say the least. So mission accomplished? Nope. This assassin planted an explosive in the radio of one of the FBI agents assigned to guard the scientists. So now the mission is botched and Phil and Elizabeth might be in a lot of trouble.

Another interesting development is Beeman's partner, Chris, and his obsession with the Martha. The audience knows that Phillip is conning Martha as "Clark," but is Chris onto her suspicious activity? He saw her near a filing cabinet and followed her home. Is he following her because of treason or is he just a stalker?

Plus Beeman is staying away from his family and spending a lot of time with Nina in their safe house. This of course brings us to tonight's episode entitled "Safe House." Should we expect the focus to be on Beeman and Nina? Will Phil and Elizabeth get in a lot of trouble with the motherland? According to the official synopsis provided by FX, in tonight's triumphant return of The Americans:

Philip and Elizabeth are put to the test when a routine mission goes horribly wrong. Stan and the FBI are pushed to their limit when one of their own goes missing.

Great. Here is a preview clip of tonight's episode of The Americans: