Decker

aka "Let's Go To France!!!!"

Rated TV14: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, ADULT CONTENT

Running Time: 68 minutes

Genre: History, Drama



I really dug the second episode (the first was a little slow for me). Looking forward to more Tom Wilkenson tonight.

malichai

I'm not sure what to say about the third episode except that I found it incredibly dull. It took me a bit to warm to the first episode, and I thoroughly enjoyed the second, but I didn't care for this one. I hope the next one is an improvement.

Noonan

I wasn't too impressed with this episode either. It was necessary story though. Lets hope that next week turns it up a bit.

TGM

yes, we need more John Adams vs Robot Ninja Assassin action!

Tracer Bullet

I actually enjoyed this episode quite a bit. It was instructive to see Adams' style completely fail in Europe. I could do with less of the home front, though. I get that life is supposed to be hard for Abigail Adams- we don't need to see it all the time.

Geofferson

^ Same here -- I too enjoyed last night's episode.

CPA-ESQ.

I'm in the camp of "Dull episode"

I didn't quite understand what was going on - scenes draged on with no real outcome -

and now the war is over - which I wish they would have spent more time on

I still like this show - but hope the next episode is a bit more exciting.

Doc MacGyver

I did enjoy last night's episode, but it paled in comparison to "Independence" (as it most assuredly would have to). It seems as if all of Playtone's miniseries fallow the same trajectory. 1 - Slow build intro episode where we are introduced to the main characters and get a feel for who they are. 2 - Balls out second episode that just explodes off the screen and starts everything moving forward... arguably the best of the series (Band of Brothers) 3 - much more of a slow-down, pacing the series before the build toward the end... the "darkest hour" so to speak? Whatever the case, I find myself watching the "Blithe" episode the least on BoB, and I'm pretty sure I'll watch "Don't Tread on Me" the least of John Adams.

Some things I really enjoyed - Naval Combat (I'm a sucker). Seeing the French when they truly were incredibly annoying, effite, and... I'm searching for a word that encompasses an unsurpassed level of pomposity and pretentiousness, but all I'm coming up with is "dandy." (And I'm very positive on the French normally, lest I be accused of Frog-hating)

I loved how Franklin just totally had the pulse of the country and its society and philosophy and knew that they valued civility to such a ridiculous level, that only through a "courtship" so to speak, would their aid eventually be granted. Adams, rightfully so, found this practice to be time-wasting and absurd, and at the expense of American lives. Franklin, while no doubt realizing this, was also so profoundly practical, pragmatic and so knowledgable of French politics, that he knew this was the only way to go about it.

I'm surprised they are done with the revolution in just three episodes (and it makes me look even more forward to 1776), and it appears that we will most likely start to see the notorious Adams/Jefferson political rivalry/friendship start to expand next episode. I look forward to it.

Some random observations:

Powdered wigs are one thing, but makeup on men is another entirely.

LOVED Adams line about what he and his children must study to ensure that future generations have the freedom to study art and culture.

John Quincy was a douchebag even as a kid.

Franklin in the tub with his sloot playing chess = awesome

Abigail needs to stop whining. Like NOW. Man's trying to build a country for chrissake.

Good lord have the Dutch come a long, LONG way.



Still loving this series.



-Doc

wishbone

http://www.time-blog.com/tuned_in/20...g_fighter.html

nice summary

Red Dog

The French were pretty loopy back then.

at selling them the flags.

Chew

"back then"??

Yes, it wasn't as exciting as the first two parts, but I enjoyed the entire episode.

creekdipper

I think Red Dog meant to say "EVEN back then".

Agree with Tracer that the 'back home' segments do get a little repetitive, but it seems that they want to keep Abigail in the mix each episode, and it's not like she was out running for political office. At least they're keeping it real, even if it does make the pace drag.

Put me in the camp with those who liked seeing the depiction of Adams' attempts at diplomacy falling flat, although it is easy to see his viewpoint. Still, a good object lesson in learning the culture with which you're dealing. Whoever wrote the article about Giametti being a master of looking uncomfortable was right on the mark. At times we can almost see the steam rolling out from under his wig.

The scenes aboard the ship should be enough to satisfy those who require more action. Somehow, I never before pictured John Adams firing his musket at British sailors during a sea battle. Now, if only we could have seen Franklin
zapping them with an early version of an electricity-based weapon and first hear the immortal words,

"Don't taze me, Sir!"

Red Dog

I don't bash the current-day French anymore. It got to be too popular with the masses.

Doc MacGyver

Plus it got a lot harder to do when they turned out to be right about Iraq and we were over here renaming appetizers.


-Doc

cornflakeguy

"Seconded!"

Jadzia

I really enjoyed this episode.

I visited Versailles on a trip to France when I was 16, and I had a big rush watching all those scenes and remembering things I had seen so long ago. It definitely gives me a new appreciation for what I saw then. If I ever go back, I will appreciate it more.

Lateralus

I loved this episode! The ship scene was great, the legg cutting off scene had me shivering and the French have me hating them more then I already do!

spainlinx0

I actually had to turn my head during the leg cutting scene. And the guy dies anyway! Imagine your last few minutes on Earth are spent getting your leg hacked off to save your life, and then you don't even live.