The Americans
Phillip (Matthew Rhys, right) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell, left) return for the Season 3 premiere of "The Americans" on Jan. 28. FX

“The Americans” returns to FX for Season 3 on Wednesday and fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite dysfunctional, secret agent marriage. What will the next chapter for Phillips (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) hold? Viewers were certainly left with some burning questions after Season 2 concluded in May.

Here are seven things fans need to know before the Season 3 premiere:

Family Feud

One of the central dilemmas of the third season will be what Phillip and Elizabeth decide to do about Paige (Holly Taylor). Viewers will remember that, at the end of the second season, the couple discovered a Centre program called “second generation illegals,” in which the children of spies are trained to follow in their parents’ footsteps to penetrate even deeper into American intelligence. They were later informed that their daughter had become targeted by the KGB for the program.

As Season 3 begins, Phillip and Elizabeth will be at odds over how to handle the problem. Elizabeth has warmed up to the idea, acknowledging the risks, but welcoming the chance to be able to be honest with their daughter for a change. Phillip on the other hand is adamantly against the idea. How will it all play out?

Stan’s Plan

After bringing himself to cut ties with Nina (Annet Mahendru) and stay loyal to the U.S., Stan (Noah Emmerich) will be focused on reconnecting with his estranged wife Sandra (Susan Misner) in Season 3. Will he able to repair the relationship after everything that has happened?

Meanwhile, Nina is very much alive, despite being sent back to Moscow to face treason charges. She will make her Season 3 debut early on in the new episodes in a new and interesting living situation. Plus, there are rumors that the Soviet spy could be pregant. Is Stan the father?

Afghanistan

Afghanistan will play a major role in the new season as Phillip and Elizabeth try to penetrate a CIA group working in the country. History buffs know that during the early 1980s — the new season takes place in 1983 — the Soviet Union and U.S. both heavily intervened in the Afghan civil war as part of their Cold War rivalry.

Episode Titles

Check out the episode titles for the first four episodes of Season 3:

Episode 1 – “EST Men” – Jan. 28

Episode 2 – “Baggage” – Feb. 4

Episode 3 – “Open House” – Feb. 11

Episode 4 – “Dimebag” – Feb. 18

Episode 1 Synopsis

Phillip and Elizabeth will be odds with each other as they disagree over how to handle some complicated orders from Moscow. When Elizabeth loses some valuable intelligence, Phillip will go to Annelise (Gillian Alexy) for help with a mission that results in a very unexpected outcome. Plus, Stan starts to try and repair his relationship with Sandra after hearing some troubling news about Nina.

Party of Five

Fans apparently do not need to worry that Season 3 will be the last they see of Phillip and Elizabeth. At the FX TCA panel, execs teased that they saw the show lasting a solid five seasons!

Trailer

Here is the exciting trailer for Season 3, featuring an anxiety-ridden remix of “Every Breath You Take” by the Police:

Are you excited for “The Americans” Season 3? Tweet your thoughts to @Ja9GarofaloTV.