Yep, I had some real trouble with this entire plot. It was completely absurd.

Meh, television critics have been really overrating The Americans. It's decent, but far from great or must-see.

Same here @avclub-02c1dd6ad234773aeffd7f7067784d58:disqus .  I've been Colbert only for awhile, but John Oliver hosting will get me to record TDS again.

Exactly.  This show is getting great numbers for a drama in 2013.

This show, while a total mess, is completely awesome.  It's a blast to watch.  I'm so glad it got renewed.

Sure.  It's preposterous, and completely campy, but pretty fun.  Just don't go in expecting a great drama and you should have a good time.

Lost wasn't really any good after the first season, and even at its best should never be considered a great show.

Just when I thought I couldn't hate this show anymore that opening pissed me off so fucking much.  Maybe a better actress could've sold all the tics, but it just seemed like I was suddenly watching an after school special.

What a fucking great episode.

Yeah, Parenthood is easily the best thing NBC has.  It's much better than seasons 4 and 5 of Parks and Rec.

Damn, that trunk scene was just fucking corny, and since the show takes itself too seriously I couldn't even chuckle at the absurdity of it.

Plus, unlike Game of Thrones this show actually features good writing.

Oh god, has anyone ever been as overrated on internet message boards as Anna Torv is?

Streaming in all its forms really isn't pushing that sizable of an audience yet.  The vast majority of television watching is still done live in the traditional manner.

Yeah, I have my problems with this show, but it slaughters House of Cards.

Exactly.  Nielsen doesn't care how popular a show is, they care how many people are watching the advertisements.

But Nielsen doesn't care how people are watching TV, they only care how many people are watching the ads.  That's what they're trying to estimate, and that's what their numbers do.

Advertisers only pay for people who actually watch the ads.  Nielsen ratings account for that.

I couldn't have put it any better than your comment.  This show is on the cusp of being boring to me, which is surprising, because that's the one complaint it would be really difficult to make about any other dramas on FX, whatever my ultimate opinion of their quality is.

I don't think you're off at all.  I really think The Following just had the misfortune to come out soon enough after the Sandy Hook shooting that a lot of critics decided to grandstand and make an example of it.