So I have just finished the first six episodes of HBO's John Adams. I have to say this show wasn't something that I initially picked up on, and I was a bit hesitant-but HBO has done some pretty wonderful things, especially with historical dramas so I snagged it.

Paul Giamatti does an excellent job portraying the stubborn, but honest Adams-I'm sure they took a little liberties here, but it's fun to watch as entertainment.

So have any of you seen it? What are your thoughts? I know some of you deal in history, what are your professional opinions?

Quote from: Serious PaulSo have any of you seen it? What are your thoughts? I know some of you deal in history, what are your professional opinions?

Not a historian here, but I think they really dropped the ball on this one.  The time period is so rich that they really could have done much better by adding more drama, specifically, more action.  I don't need to see 300 every episode, but at least do _something_ to create some tension--wondering whether a bunch of guys will vote on a bill that we already know will pass just doesn't do it for me.  I sat through the first 2.5 episodes and thought it was a huge snooze fest.  

Pete

I've got the first six stacked up on the Tivo - wading through BSG first...

I just started episode 3.  There are parts they could have made livelier (especially the debate over Independence), but I think Giamatti's doing a great job.

I really enjoy anything about John Adams--along with Franklin, he's likely my favorite Founding Father


(Useless Trivia:  I once played John Adams in our regional theater production of 1776).

I thought it was great.

RPGPundit

Quote from: Zachary The Firstalong with Franklin, he's likely my favorite Founding Father

I would have preferred a miniseries based on his life.  I'd count him as one of the greatest Americans ever, if not _the_ greatest.  The actor playing him did a fantastic job in the few episodes I watched.  

Another thing that irked me was the portrayal of Abigail Adams.  Look, I know she was a strong woman who was far ahead of her time in both education and idealism, but from the 2 1/2 episodes I watched they made it seem as if John would have completely blundered his way out of law and politics without her insight.  They also tried to make her character flawless (compassionate, steadfast, hardworking without ever uttering a single complaint) and that just doesn't ring true with me--it seems too much like someone's idealistic version of what a founding father's wife should have been.  Of course, her character might have changed over the course of the show--I didn't finish watching it, so that could just be a character arc I never saw develop.

I will say this season of the Tudor's is shaping up nicely.

Pete

I tried the Tudors, just couldn't hold my interest. I'll eventually try coming back to it.

Quote from: Serious PaulI tried the Tudors, just couldn't hold my interest. I'll eventually try coming back to it.

I had the same problem with the first season, especially towards the end of it.  It's not as good as say Rome, but it's not bad.  I think it helped that I missed it initially and then watched every episode one after another when it came On Demand.  Not sure if it could have held my interest from week to week.  

This season is promising to be much better so far.  

Pete

Quote from: Serious PaulI tried the Tudors, just couldn't hold my interest. I'll eventually try coming back to it.

Not as good as Rome.  Few things are.

For those of you who haven't seen it, HBO is running a marathon right now.

Pete

Loved the John Adams thing, not as good as Rome, but damned good, still.

As I understand it, Abigail Adams probably was a better person than her husband, all 'round.  :cool:

Quote from: pspahnNot a historian here, but I think they really dropped the ball on this one.  The time period is so rich that they really could have done much better by adding more drama, specifically, more action.  I don't need to see 300 every episode, but at least do _something_ to create some tension--wondering whether a bunch of guys will vote on a bill that we already know will pass just doesn't do it for me.  I sat through the first 2.5 episodes and thought it was a huge snooze fest.  

Pete

I think you missed the point.  The show is about the man, John Adams - it's not meant to be an ensemble drama show about the founding of the nation.

A good part of the whole point was that despite being a major founding father of the country, all the exciting things happened around him, but not to him.  He's upstaged by others in everything he does, even his death.

Quote from: NotYourMonkeyLoved the John Adams thing, not as good as Rome, but damned good, still.

As I understand it, Abigail Adams probably was a better person than her husband, all 'round.  :cool:

If anything, the miniseries toned down Abigail Adams.  She was a big proponent of women's rights and the abolishment of slavery, and took a very active role in her husband's presidency.  Much like Nancy Regan and Hillary Clinton, political opponents of the day commented quite a bit about her being the true force behind the President.