But let's look at Episode 4, bursting with brilliant scenes:
.John and Abigail reuniting Paris - handled with sensitivity and passion, as Abigail forgives John for his years of absence.
.Adams and Jefferson in Paris (1) - Adams chastising Jefferson for the high opinion he has of human nature, at the same time that Jefferson chastises Adams for his low opinion of same. This difference of opinion is crucial, and will set the stage forever more in American history between those who want strong central authority to show the people the best way (Adams) vs. those who want to protect the people, capable of governing themselves, for the tyrannies of government (Jefferson).
.Adams and Jefferson in Paris (2) - at the launch of the first hot-air dirigible. Adams doubts that it will fly; Jefferson (a Renaissance man and inventor) believes it will. Guess who is right ... Another reason I always liked Jefferson - I bet he'd would have been a great advocate of the space program today and in the 20th century... he was always an advocate of space travel of the soul, of human beings breaking beyond their confines. (Obama is not a big fan of space travel, but his vision of the human spirit reminds me of Jefferson.)
.John and Abigail Adams, and Jefferson: Abigail is somewhat taken by Jefferson's charm...
.Adams meeting King George III ... the King is willing to give Adams a chance, for now, because he heard that Adams was not too fond of the French ... England, however, won't really get over losing American until at least the War of 1812.
.Washington takes office as the first President, and Adams as the first VP. Brilliantly acted and perfectly staged. Once again, I had tear in my eye during this vivid American history.
And there was more. But I'll stop here, and just add that the acting was outstanding.
Stephen Dillane is perfect as Jefferson. Paul Giamatti as John and Laura Linney as Abigail are excellent. David Morse looks like he came right off the dollar bill as George Washington. Tom Hollander even puts in a memorable performance as King George III (I say "even," because the time on the screen was short, the rendition understated, and the effect therefore all the more impressive).
I loved the music, too - kudos to Rob Lane and Joseph Vitarelli.
This is the best American history I've ever seen on television.
See also: John Adams on HBO: Good Founding Father, Bad President ... John Adams 5: Jousting of Ideas ... 6. President and Father ... John Adams Concludes ...
Further reading ...
The Flouting of the First Amendment - my 2005 Keynote Address at Fordham University, in which I talk about the vying opinions of John Adams v. Thomas Jefferson on human nature...
The Soft Edge: A Natural History and the Future of the Information Revolution - my 1998 book, with more details on this time in history, and the roles of Adams and Jefferson
And ...
5 comments:
My boyfriend Chris and myself are enjoying this series very much.
Thus far, my only connection to John Adams' character was by way of the film, "1776" and although I enjoyed that one as well, it was completely different in many ways.
We both think that Paul Giamatti is doing an excellent job with his portrayal of a most interesting and more multi-faceted personality as Mr. John Adams and we are looking forward to the next episode - it's a great lesson in history!
As a sci fi fan, this scene with in John Adams was a great moment. So I appreciate this post. It was beautiful to see Jefferson’s optimism in his moment and sad to see it in our retrospect.
I love your enthusiasm and what you call the golden age of television. TV is no wasteland and shows like Mad Men and The Wire
are prime examples of the best writing going.
The Great American Novel may just be a television show.
Christopher Hellstrom
Yeah, Obama has so much in common with Jefferson. Jefferson, a believer in individual rights and men as self governing and Obama, a feelgood politician who delivers the bloodied blade of socialism wrapped in velvet oratory.
I wish people would call this fucker out.
I have to say episode 4 was not that great it could have been alot better. They leave out that young Abigail 'nabby' was with them. There was an awesome scene in the book with John, the two Abigails, King George III, the Queen, and Princess Royal that I wish they had shown that instead of John and Abby 'getting it on.' Also as much as I love Jefferson he had his flaws as well. Adams was right when he said he was a walking contradiction. He was against slavery but owned slaves, he was for small government except for when he was president he increased the power and scope of government, and he left a mixed legacy that would allow people who stood for things that he would have been horrified if he could have seen it. (Such as the states' rights claims to protect slavery in the Civil War.)
"I wish people would call this fucker out." . . .
Some of us are trying to. The worshippers make it hard.
I loved this John Adams series, but I fail to see any similarities between Obama and Thomas Jefferson whatsoever.
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