Lara and I watched the five-hour HBO miniseries “John Adams,” the sweeping epic about the founding of our country, and the life story of a great man and his family. We were riveted to the screen for over a week watching this saga unfold before our eyes. We found it to be fascinating, both well written and well acted. Portrayed in this miniseries is a less flowery portrayal of America at its birth, but in the end more inspirational because of it. Based on the biography by David McCullough, "John Adams" takes an in-depth look at the life of the title character and his role in the first years of a new country. From his time as a Boston lawyer, to his death on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the life of John Adams and his wife, are told as a powerful saga of great men and their passion for freedom in a remarkable and memorable version of our history.
The series begins with the Boston Massacre with the representation of the British soldiers by John Adams. With his successful defense, he is noticed by the Crown and the colonials who are striving for independence. Adams chooses independence over service to the king, and we see him as a representative, a foreign minister, an ambassador, a vice president and president. His one anchor through these assignments, in the struggle to build a new nation is his love and respect for his wife, Abigail. He always refers to her as "my friend." The letters between the two is one constant that sustains their love through loneliness of separation, as Adams is more often away than home.
What I found most significant in this miniseries is the incredible sacrifice and service these great men were asked to offer, how they were pulled from their preferred profession to serve in a civil capacity reluctantly, and out of duty, because no one else was willing or capable of doing so, the tasks necessary for love of country, duty and a way of life that is totally different than today. Selfless service, sacrifice, and willingness to a greater cause are not in our thoughts today.
My favorite and particularly touching and memorable scenes were the drab existence the Presidential couple shared in an uncompleted White House, the grief John Adams suffered from the loss of his Abigail, his renewed friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and his dying belief that his friend survives him, even though Jefferson dies three hours earlier. In one of the ironies of our history, both men died exactly fifty years to the day, after July 4, 1776.
Perhaps my favorite moments come when Adams leaves office and tries to adjust to life as a farmer and forgotten hero of the revolution. Abigail's contribution truly shines in their older years as well; as a loving, feisty, politically savvy woman, she now ages gracefully as a supportive wife and heartsick mother particularly during the illness and death of daughter Nabby. Each night we tuned in, I learned about my country's struggle for life through one its most underrated founding fathers.
This story ends with both Abigail and John Adams quoting letters of their love for each other as they ascend a snowy hill together. They look out over a New England farmland in hopes that future generations of Americans desire the same sacrifice and freedom they have given us. I have found this series to be an excellent depiction of the lives, contributions and sacrifices of the Adams family. Where are these great men today? Lara and I both ponder, as we approach this election cycle, if there are men and women out there that can bring a leadership role to our country. If you are in the mood for an inspirational portrayal of our country’s founding, John Adams is a good way to spend five hours!
The following is a synopsis of the seven episodes found in the miniseries:
Episode 1: Join or Die, Our story begins with the Boston Massacre, and covers the period leading up to Adams departure for Philadelphia to represent Massachusetts in the First Continental Congress.
Episode 2: Independence, Covers the First Continental Congress, the beginning of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord, the nomination of George Washington (by Adams) to serve as General of the new Continental Army, the Second Continental Congress, and Adams collaboration with Jefferson and Franklin to bring forth the Declaration of Independence.
Episode 3: Don't Tread on Me, Covers the journey of Adams and Franklin to France to secure support against the British, Adam's reluctant approach to French diplomacy, his painful separation from Abigail, his dispatch to Holland to request for funding of the war, and a terrible illness that befalls him.
Episode 4: Reunion, Covers the defeat of the British forces, Adam's return to Paris and reunion with Abigail, his appointment to represent the new nation to the English crown, his frustrating absence from the Constitutional Convention, his return to America, reunion with his grown family, and his election as Vice President.
Episode 5: Unite or Die, Portrays Adam's Vice Presidency under George Washington, the ongoing British and French conflict, his strained relationship with Jefferson over their very different ideas about how the new nation should be governed, and his narrow victory over Jefferson to become the second President.
Episode 6: Unnecessary War, Covers Adam's uneasy presidency, including the retention of Washington's cabinet, largely manipulated by Alexander Hamilton, the infamous Alien and Sedition Acts, his arrival at the White House (under construction) in the new capital of Washington City, his estrangement from his son Charles, his prevention of war with France, the Presidency of Jefferson, and his wholehearted return to Massachusetts.
Episode 7: Peacefield, Concludes with John Adam's post-presidency, including the death of daughter Nabby, followed by Abigail, his reconciliation with Thomas Jefferson, the election of John Quincy Adams as President, his long and introspective reflections on his life and legacy, and his death on the same day as Jefferson - the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration, which they masterminded together.
Why Do They Call Them Birds of Paradise?
No Frodo, Don’t Eat the Birds of Paradise!!!!!!
Mantises are exclusively predatory and their diet usually consists of living insects;
Stop and Smell the Roses? Or eat them?
Here Grubbies, Grubbies!!!!
The following is a synopsis of the seven episodes found in the miniseries:
Day Two – Dinner at the Fish Market, Vietnamese for Lunch, and Two California Missions: Mission San Jose and Santa Clara
Lara & Baby at 20 weeks
