The central character is Abe Woodhull. He's a cabbage farmer on Long Island in 1778. Abe tries to mind his own business and protect his wife and son but war is brewing. He ends up joining the Culper Spy Ring but who can he really trust? Abe's father is loyal to the British. That will obviously cause issues down the road. Abe is also still in love with his old girlfriend (even though they are both married to others). His father broke up their relationship years earlier because her family supports the Colonists. For a more detailed recap see the Wikipedia overviews below.
What are your thoughts after the first two episodes? "Turn" may not be my usual cup of tea but it's not horrible. The acting, costumes and scenery and are top notch. I must confess that episode 1 had a slower pace than I'd like though. I'm not sure "Turn'" will hold my attention long term.
Wikipedia:
Episode 1: Pilot
In autumn 1776 in Setauket, New York, Abe Woodhull tells his wife, Mary, that the war will end by Christmas. After a battle in New Jersey, Ben Tallmadge escapes in Queen's Rangers attire, but not before being shot by Robert Rogers. Ben goes to meet General Charles Scott to insist his men were ambushed, as the enemy knew they were coming. Ben suggests a spy should be hired, but the general declines. At a tavern, Abe defends the proprietors in a fight against Captain Joyce. Major Hewlett orders Joyce back to England for a court martial. Hewlett releases Abe into his father's, Judge Richard Woodhull's, care. Richard warns his son to stay away from people who chose "the wrong side". In Brooklyn Harbor, Rogers is paid as a mercenary. Major John Andre asks him to ambush a rebel safe house in Connecticut. Rogers refuses when Andre balks on doubling his price. The next day, Joyce and several other soldiers are found dead just outside Abe's farm. The new captain,John Graves Simcoe, launches an investigation into the murders—the tavern owner and Abe are prime suspects. Abe meets his old friend Caleb Brewster, who tries to recruit him into a spy ring. Abe initially refuses, but also decides to not report his friends to the authorities. When he returns to town, he is arrested and questioned by Simcoe and his father. Abe claims a group of rebels attacked him, and he gives a list of false names from the neighboring Hempstead. Several days later, Abe's father returns to tell him that no men by those names were found. Abe has lied to his father, who will no longer protect him.
Episode 2: Who By Fire
After being told by Abe that she is a suspect in Captain Joyce's murder, Anna looks through Joyce's belongings, still in her house, for evidence that will exonerate her. She finds a love letter suggesting a signal to meet. In a Connecticut jail, Ben and Caleb interrogate Simcoe, who refuses to give answers. He mocks the rebel cause, and Caleb beats him. Rogers begins tracking the soldier who left the Ranger bonnet at the ambush scene, which leads him to investigate Joyce's murder. At the tavern, he questions Abe and Anna, who produces the love letter and suggests Joyce was killed by a jealous husband. After being discovered by Abe, John Robeson admits that he killed Joyce for blaming him with starting the tavern brawl. Robeson also admits his intent to make Abe a scapegoat. Ensign Clayton emerges and attacks Abe. Rogers emerges, kills Clayton, then confronts Robeson. He lets Robeson live, but only to serve as Rogers' agent in Setauket. Abe is sworn to secrecy, but tasked with monitoring Robeson. General Scott saves Simcoe from death and orders Ben to report to Fort Lee to face disciplinary charges. Concerned for Anna's safety, Abe tells her to stop hanging petticoat signals for Caleb and then ends all contact with her.
Grade: 3 Monsters (out of 5). Not really my cup of tea but diehard history buffs may enjoy "Turn". I will check back intermittently to improve my spy craft.
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality
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