Turn: Washington's Spies Season 1

BEST SHOW ON TV. Season 1 is a little slower action wise because it is mostly about establishing the characters, but the ensemble cast is top notch. The scripts are intelligent, and the cinematography is breath-taking. Some people do not like the fact that it is not a totally accurate documentary, but this is a historical drama based on real people, so I go with the flow. The main thing is that the audience is learning many important, general concepts about the revolution---most importantly that it was truly a civil war. Also that there were honorable and disgusting people on BOTH sides of the conflict. The show also gives viewers a look at the lives of marginalized people of the era: women and slaves. Season 2 is even better, and so far Season 3, which is in progress on AMC on Mondays at 10 PM is intense, compelling and fast paced. If you are not watching you show be. All three seasons are available on Amazon Instant Video.

The Revolutionary War against Great Britain was the most important era of our history. If we had been defeated - which was all too likely in 1776 - George Washington and many of the other men who came to be known as our founding fathers would likely have been hanged. We may have gained our freedom at a later date as Canada, Australia, India, South Africa, etc have done; but there would have been no Constitution crafted by the gifted, extraordinary men who wrote it. There would have been no presidents, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe...no "My Country Tis of Thee". Washington and his small army were literally at the end of their tether in 1776, having been defeated badly in several battles on Long Island and New York and having retreated ingloriously to a camp along the Delaware River, Without intelligence early on, Washington was floundering; but then an intelligence source came to his aid, resulting in Washington's iconic crossing of the Delaware and the defeat of the Hessians at Trenton. The intelligence gained before that battle and of course the battle itself was the lynchpin of our ultimate victory in the war. This TV series is the story of that first spy ring, based on the book, "Washington's Spies: The Story of the First Spy Ring" by Alexander Rose. I have not read the book; but, having just watched the first season, I am totally hooked by this TV series. There are so few films, much less quality films, available about our Revolutionary War; and it is therefore gratifying to see one like this, so well produced and so well acted. I can't wait for the next season!!

Just to set the record straight, the show is only about 50% historically accurate to the book 'Washington's Spies' written by Alexander Rose. The setting and basic character portrayals are correct, however, Abraham Woodhull was not married during his spying days, and there was no love triangle (quadrangle?) containing Anna Smith Strong. My greatest criticism is that they set it up that Woodhull was motivated to become a spy by wanting to impress and protect Anna Smith Strong....not because of his own beliefs and wanting to take a stand against British oppression; the pillaging and impoverishment of Long Island. Strong was actually 10 years older than Woodhull, had a handful of children at the time of the Revolution, and her husband was related to the Woodhulls; so she was a bit of an older sister character. Later episodes get smutty with these two, and I feel it's a little besmirching of the memory of real life patriots who took such great risks for the cause. I think it's a mistake to assume that audiences will not sympathize with the hero of a story unless his motivation is saving a girl. This is AMC, not the CW.That aside, Brewster, Tallmadge, Woodhull's father, and some of the British characters are very well done. The show makes similar pitfalls to the movie "Patriot" by only portraying the British as cruel, manipulative, or licentious; the Tories as backstabbing opportunists; and the Patriots as lovable puppy-dog family men. Simcoe has been made quite a bit more evil; while there is some basis for this (massacring people in their sleep, for instance) he had a long, decorated military and political career. Ask the Canadians. Woodhull himself (according to Rose) was kind of a nitpicker and would frequently complain to Tallmadge and Washington; but I would have left that aspect out too. When I heard about this series, I fully expected Tallmadge to be made the main protagonist, not Woodhull. I like how they are building up Tallmadge's vendetta against the Queen's Rangers, and can't wait to see the show's interpretation of Benedict Arnold, Andre, Agent 355, and Robert Townsend. There is plenty of exciting material they can work with, hopefully a lot less crazy-mixed-up love triangle stuff.The critics have commented that the story is hard to follow, but all you have to know is that 'Tories' are loyalist colonists that side with the British. They have their own militia groups, like the Queen's rangers, and will not be wearing Red Coats. Secondly, you have to know that the British headquarters and loyalist stronghold is New York City. If any intelligence for the patriot cause is to be gathered (with enough time to do anything about it) it is from there.So overall three stars, the history was so intriguing during this time period...just wish it was followed more closely.

Really well done and exciting to watch. I sure hope there is a Season 2. I like the character developments and the scenes. It brings the time period to life, especially as to how people lived in areas where the conflict was under control. In other words, unlike the shows I've seem of the direct rebel conflicts in Boston and other hot-spots, this show tells what it was like in areas where people were content to let the British do what they wanted. It shows how the rebel spirit developed over time and after many offenses. It also illustrates how some continued to support the British in spite of the offenses.The only real problem I had with the series was the affair late in the season. That was not believable and was totally unnecessary for the plot. If anything, it will make it more difficult to continue the story idea of the close friendships being the main reason for the success of this operation, as history seems to indicate. I hope the producers and writers will restrain their own personal desires in the future and will let history tell the story. That's where the action is anyway.

We happened upon this series online and took a chance and boy are we glad we did. I understand that it's embellished somewhat, but from some quick fact checking, it does follow the events that happened during the American Revolution. The actors are superb and each episode has you on the edge of your seat. I cannot imagine a better actor than Ian Kahn for George Washington, his performance is flawless! All the characters are excellent and we actually learned more about American history watching this series than what we learned in school. Just amazing.

Based on the book Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring by Alexander Rose, Turn: Washington's Spies is an AMC dramatic series, set during the Revolutionary War. It tells the story of Abraham Woodhull, a farmer living in the small community of Setauket on Long Island, New York, at a time when the region is occupied by the British, following a series of British victories in New York in the fall of 1776. Abraham is the son of the local magistrate who is a loyalist, and Abraham is forced to keep up appearances as being loyal to the King, while secretly operating as one of George Washington's spies.Season one, composed of 10 episodes, begins with the British occupation of Setauket and tells the story of the younger Woodhull makes the transition from a reluctant patriot into the becoming the leading member of what would come to be known as the Culper Spy ring. In the course of this transformation, Abraham comes into contact with a number of noted figures on both sides of the conflict including Continental Army officer Benjamin Tallmage, Captain Robert Rogers (the leader of Rogers Rangers), British Major John Andre (the man who recruited Benedict Arnold to the British side), American Generals Charles Lee and Charles Scott, and the great man himself George Washington.This series will be more interesting to those who have an interest in American history, and will be especially appreciated by those having an interest in the Revolutionary War. The writers "stick to the script" of Rose's history of the Culper spy ring for the most part, but also take dramatic license, mindful of the fact that this is, after all, a dramatic television series.One of the series' greatest strengths is in its acting. Jamie Bell (who, fifteen years ago, starred as "Billy Elliott") is excellent in the lead role of Abraham Woodhull, ably conveying the character's cleverness, reluctance, fear and trepidation. Strong performances are also delivered by Heather Lind (as Anna Strong, a tavernkeeper's wife who is romantically entangled with Woodhull), Kevin McNally (Woodhull's father, a local magistrate sympathetic to the British cause), Burn Gorman (Major Richard Hewitt, the commander of the British forces occupying Setauket), Seth Numrich (Benjamin Tallmage), Daniel Henshall (as Caleb Brewster, Abraham's contact with the Continental Army), Angus Macfadyen (as Richard Rogers), J.J. Feild (as Major John Andre) and Samuel Roukin (as the sadistic and villainous British Captain John Simcoe). Ian Kahn is especially proficient in the role of General George Washington, conveying correct proportions of Washington's discipline, pragmatism, wise judgement and human imperfections.The series has not been critically acclaimed, and this is likely because it is best appreciated by those with a keen interest in American history. Having said that, the writers do a good job of portraying what it might have been like to have lived under British occupation during the American Revolution, although they certainly take dramatic license in their portrayal of some of the historic figures (most notably Captain Simcoe). This series is not for everyone, but history geeks and lovers of period pieces will probably enjoy it more than the average viewer, especially those who can discern fact from fiction and accept both for what they are.

Highly recommend. We simply loved the whole serie

I love the entire series....so sad it's over. I recommended this series to a friend of mine who also enjoyed it.

Great series. They took a few liberties with the historical aspect but state that from the start. Loved it.