The series is set during the Cold War and follows Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet KGB intelligence officers posing as an American married couple living in Falls Church, a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., with their American-born children Paige and Henry.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.76 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
In Moscow, Oleg (Costa Ronin) is visited by Major Kuznetsov (Sacha Slobodyanik), who has PGU officers inspect his bedroom.
At a museum, Stan (Noah Emmerich) and Aderholt (Brandon J. Dirden) meet with Sofia (Darya Ekamasova), finally getting her to reveal some information by paying her.
In March 2017, FX confirmed that the eighth episode of the season would be titled "Immersion", and that it would be written by supervising producer Tracey Scott Wilson, and directed by Kevin Bray.
The site's consensus states: "'Immersion' establishes subtle parallels through multiple narrative strands, patiently setting the stage for the inexorable eruption of long-simmering conflicts.
Club gave the episode an "A–" grade and wrote, "'Immersion' reveals how the show's taut web of relationships doesn't need flashy action to thrum with tension.
"[6] Alan Sepinwall of Uproxx wrote, "I trust that Fields and Weisberg have a great plan for that final year, and I suspect there will be some moments over this season's last five episodes that will punch me hard in the stomach the way The Americans likes to do.
"[8] Mike Hale of The New York Times wrote, "The episode, titled 'Immersion,' added one more week to the fire for those of you complaining about a lack of action this season.
"[9] Scott Tobias of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "It seems likely her life's work is not motivated wholly by ideology, but a need to gain back the power and control that she lost when she was a teenager.
"[13] Matt Brennan of Paste gave the episode a 7.8 out of 10 and wrote, "At a glance, 'Immersion' seems as soft as a whisper, but as with much of The Americans' fifth season, its echo carries far.