Phillip and Elizabeth start to develop new sources.
This is a strong episode with some good character development, parallels between characters and the USA and USSR.
The story is mostly character focussed and feels like the start of a slow burn with the Jennings get deeper into the new mission. This change of pace is notable, but I appreciate that in series 4 the writers had wrapped up some very suspenseful plots that had been building since the show began, so there is a need to develop some new arcs that will take time to gather momentum. It's not as if the writers can realistically dump another exciting situation on our laps without laying the foundations first.
That being said for me there is still plenty of intrigue in what is presented as all characters are still going through pretty interesting situations. Paige, Stan, Oleg and Mischa all have compelling scenes. What we see from Phillip and Elizabeth is very much business as usual, but given what they have been through so far and how their feelings for each other are developing it does put a different slant on how they might be approaching their jobs.
The theme of food runs heavily through the writing along with the economic positions of the US and USSR during the mid eighties. All this continues to be done well in the writing and visuals.
All performances are as strong as ever with Holly Taylor and Noah Emmerich standing out for me.