In it’s third season, Turn: Washington’s Spies has been off to an incredible start. They’ve wasted absolutely no time in cranking out the meaty stories as soon as the season got going. My main criticism of the previous two seasons is that they were tepidly paced at best. They were good, intriguing stories, but they took 3-5 episodes to really get cooking. However, I’m proud to say that this is no longer the case. Turn has wasted no time in setting up and developing what’s shaping up to be its best story yet.
This week on Turn:Washington’s Spies: Hewlett is angry that Abraham has fooled him for so long, and confronts him. Abraham takes his son and leaves. Anna convinces Hewlett and Abraham to work together to achieve a common goal: Take down John Simcoe, who has returned to Setauket. Because of the Hewlett situation, Robert Rogers goes to pick up a piece of intelligence from Mr. Townsend. Benedict Arnold grows increasingly frustrated with Washington’s war effort. Ben and Caleb are informed of a spy within their ranks.
What Turn has done this season, that’s different from the previous ones, is that it has linked all of its stories together. Occasionally, previous seasons of this show seemed to have extraneous plot threads that didn’t link together. But now, everything is flowing seamlessly. Benedict Arnold is linked to Washington, who employs Ben and Caleb, who link with Abe and Anna. Abe’s agent in New York is now connected to John Andre, and that’s the final piece of the puzzle. All of the characters and stories are connected within that thread. But, most importantly, the spies are getting closer to one another and therefore, the story is infinitely more exciting.
The show has found a fabulous, slightly comedic odd couple in Robert Rogers and Abraham Woodhull. The complete opposite personality types make for some really excellent scenes. Jamie Bell’s nervous-nelly Woodhull makes for the perfect complement to Angus MacFayden’s Rogers, the overconfident former commander of the Queen’s Rangers. The two’s common goal unite them in what has become a fantastic pairing that I hope never ends. Spin-off? I’d watch it.
I’m not sure that I’m a fan of the direction the Anna-Hewlett relationship is taking. I understand that she has affection for him, and I think it’s clear that she’s trying to work him for Abraham’s sake. But, none of it is really clear. But, I find it amusing that Hewlett has zero game. I mean come on, dude. She just started crying. Not the best time to go in for the kiss. I also think her affection for Hewlett is misplaced. If he can’t be converted to the cause, he needs to go. Not enough has been shown on-screen to prove a strong bond between Hewlett and Anna. I’ve only seen a schoolboy crush so far.
Really, though, I don’t have much to complain about. The fast paced start and tense, compelling plot have me on the edge of my seat for the entire hour. Though the Revolutionary War part of the show is my favorite, I hardly miss General Washington and company when they’re gone, because the rest of the show has finally risen to the occasion I always knew it was capable of. This has become must-see TV. I hardly think it’s historically accurate, but as long as they hit the major historical points…who cares?
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy the episode? Let us know in the comments!
Turn: Washington’s Spies airs Mondays at 10/9c on AMC
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Visitor Rating: 5 Stars
I agree overall — this season is so much quicker and the interrelation is pretty great. & Abe and Rogers are truly the odd couple I never knew I wanted. My one point of disagreement is re: the Hewlett-Anna relationship, in that I mostly like the direction. I think it had a lot of nice, subtle build the previous season (kind of finding solace on the outskirts, a place to belong), though I DO agree that it was kind of fast on his end (but no one questions the rapidity of Peggy/Andre?). Especially last season, when he was suddenly imagining her face in the stars etc etc, but hey, month of going crazy. I guess my frustration with the Abe-Anna relationship made me appreciate certain aspects of the Hewlett one, but the test will be if it can withstand learning that she’s a spy, too. He dug her initially for her passion (and she began to see him as less of an enemy for his compassion), then they bonded over Simcoe… who knows. (I mean, I’m pretty sure he’s going to die, not because of the choice Anna has but something’s definitely gonna off him, so at least you probably won’t have to watch it the whole season!)
I see your point. I guess I just don’t see Hewlett having a real shot with Anna, so it’s frustrating to see that relationship toil. I agree that he will die, and Abe may turn the knife with knowledge that Anna is an agent.
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars