From this episode, according to his father, their family was sort of an exception to this rule of bigwigs living insulated lives. The father tells Oleg that he never was involved in any corrupt activities and was always trying to live honestly and raise his sons to be decent people and good citizens.

I understand what you are saying, but I was just too shaken by Tuan's "instructions" and then his refusal to make a call where Liz basically had to shove the phone in his face… Why wouldn't he obey his handlers? Is it his place to disobey like that?

They might not know about Tuan, and Pasha might not live to tell them. If Pasha lives though, it is still not guaranteed that he will tell anybody about Tuan's "instructions". Pasha might think Tuan just wanted to "help"… Judging how withdrawn Pasha has been from his parents lately, I don't think he will talk much…
Als…

I can see Tuan, but they love their kids.
Liz was saying to Tuan when he asked her about her kids: "it's been good…"
wait till real shit hits the fan..

I would say yes, that would be my interpretation too

Remember your son Matt? So, hypothetically, if he were kidnapped an woke up in Moscow - your advice?

He might be realizing now that he walked into a swamp that will never be drained per his father, (who seems to be right about that - they won!)
I think (and what I like about the character, unless I am misreading) - is that he was raised right and he has values that he would not be able to compromise - good for him,…

They are professionals after all.
And isn't that ironic (ironic use of the word) - this is the ONLY person they can turn to for advice like this??? Literally, they are so lonely and isolated and just trying to do good by their kids.

I think he is very comfortable in the USSR as well. Nice apartment, home cooked hot dinners, drinks with dad in the drawing room. What is lacking?
I don't think "comforts of America" are an issue here for him.

Oh, I totally hear what you are saying!!
I was being a bit of a devil's advocate in the first half of my response to you.
The second half of my response, again, to reiterate, there is so much nuance in this, poor people! Anyone who had to live through those times had to face and make unimaginable choices.
Also, it is…

Honestly, being from there, I suspend my disbelief that he is so naive about how this whole system operates (as his father says, corruption is what feeds the entire country). I really suspend my disbelief, because IRL, it is not believable.
I can see how P & E would be somewhat naive/optimistic about life in the USSR…

He is way too smart to waste his good looks and charisma like that :)

That is such a mind bending twist!! I didn't think of that! And who complained this show was slow?

This is not how Russians are. They are hard as rock, and if he would ever, there would be some purpose and meaning to it. :))
Seriously, though, Oleg's character is so sympathetic, and so are his mother, and father…
It shows how tragic, how sad, how cruel their fate was in the context of the time and country they…

Great point! what a great way to tie all these things together into one thematic thread!
I think the grade should be A at least. I thought (for me, personally) that was the best ep of the season so far

I was literally - no - Pasha is not going to hang himself, noooooo! But it was obvious what they did there. Good TV.

They aren't that stupid after all, those KGB, ha? And how they put 2 and 2 together in Oleg's case? They almost figured out he was the one who ratted out Vitaly Sorokin, ha?
No wonder they are electing US presidents now…

I think she is, wasn't she the one who shoved the phone in Tuan's face, no excuse accepted? She looked terrified by the though "what if…?"

That Tuan… no, I do not like him, he is a "machine", truly just a machine with pre-programmed notions and goals that justify any means.
I do not want to sound defensive towards P & E team (too many call them monsters) but I think this episode showed or attempted to show how much grey area there is here.
They are people…

If you mean "good" by crazy then you are :)