But before its politics were of pressing concern, The Americans made headlines for a wholly separate reason: searing, scandalous sex scenes.
Martha, suppressed in her lonely marriage to Clark -- whom she only sees a few times per week -- takes up a fascination with the Kama Sutra.
The increasing, if vague, threat of more overt international confrontation.
But then the man pulls out his belt and starts beating an undercover Elizabeth with it.
Below the gallery, u can find full free videos! This Clark-Martha scene covers similar ground as the other one on this list, but it's funnier, and more esoteric.
It's a setup, of course, but it shows the exploitative lengths the Jennings will go to in the name of Mother Russia, and just how comfortable they are witnessing one another embroiled in beguiling sex acts.