TURN: Washington's Spies (1 Viewer)

[benbess]

In this time of peak TV, sometimes even really good shows don't seem to get much attention. Perhaps I missed it, but I didn't see a thread for TURN: Washington's Spies, a 4-season, 40 episode rather epic series about the American Revolution. Strong cast, excellent production design, interesting stories based on real-life history, intense action and clever spy stuff. Anyway, it was originally on AMC, but is now available on Netflix. Has anyone else seen this show? Anyway, recommended....Here's a trailer:

 

[Greg_S_H]

Huh. All this time, I thought it was about colonial bakers trying not to burn the general's dessert. You mean, it's not "Turn Washington's Pies?"

In all seriousness, I watched from the start. Strong cast, decent history with some dramatic license. They went a little far with Simcoe, but that actor and the actor who portrayed Benedict Arnold were stand-outs.

Hell on Wheels also fell between the cracks. Anson Mount was great.

 

[Greg.K]

I enjoyed it, but it felt more and more like a soap opera in later seasons than a historical drama taking some licenses. They did get a bit ridiculous with Simcoe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Graves_Simcoe

 

[Greg_S_H]

That’s what made it so ridiculous. He was apparently not a monster and was something of a hero in Canada. Here, they made him into a complete devil and had to walk it back in the finale to tie in with his real post-war career.

 

[David_B_K]

I recently bought all four seasons of this show during a Vudu sale @ $4.99 per season. It was recommended by some friends who know I am a history buff. I thought the wife and I could watch it, but after watching the pilot I can tell it will be too tense for her to sit through. I'll probably watch it while pedaling my recumbent stationary bike.

 

[bujaki]

I recently bought all four seasons of this show during a Vudu sale @ $4.99 per season. It was recommended by some friends who know I am a history buff. I thought the wife and I could watch it, but after watching the pilot I can tell it will be too tense for her to sit through. I'll probably watch it while pedaling my recumbent stationary bike.

Excellent series. Wish I had caught the sale. Follows history quite accurately.

 

[Randy Korstick]

Yes its a good series but it is violent, cruel and intense at times if that's an issue.

 

[David_B_K]

Yes its a good series but it is violent, cruel and intense at times if that's an issue.

My wife is a gentle soul who would just as well watch a movie or show in which everything is rosy at the beginning and nothing much happens and everyone is happy at the end. She can handle a little suspense, but nothing like Turn. What I like about the intensity of the show is that it portrays the Revolution like any other war. I think it has always been portrayed in an overly genteel fashion, what with paintings of immaculate uniforms, wigs, etc.

 

[Randy Korstick]

My wife is a gentle soul who would just as well watch a movie or show in which everything is rosy at the beginning and nothing much happens and everyone is happy at the end. She can handle a little suspense, but nothing like Turn. What I like about the intensity of the show is that it portrays the Revolution like any other war. I think it has always been portrayed in an overly genteel fashion, what with paintings of immaculate uniforms, wigs, etc.

My wife is similar so I'm always watching military stuff alone
True I think the show does reflect the harshness of the Revolutionary war very well.

 

[David_B_K]

Yep, that is why any satellite or streaming or cable service in our house has to have the Hallmark channels.